Toughest ultra trail marathon
KOTA KINABALU: The 4th annual Colourcoil TMBT Ultra Trail Marathon will see 950 competitors running across the foothills of Mount Kinabalu and the Bundu Tuhan valley from August 16-17, 2014 in what is now rated as the toughest and biggest ultra trail marathon in Malaysia.
“The Most Beautiful Thing” or “TMBT Ultra” as it is known as will see 250 competitors running to complete a 100 kilometre running course in under 30 hours whilst ascending 6,000 metres, whilst 350 runners will be running the 55 kilometre race course with a 3,500 metre ascent through beautiful Kota Belud before heading into the Bundu Tuhan Valley and making their way to Kg. Keranaan to finish at Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort and Spa in Kundasang.
A further 350 runners will be taking on a shorter 25 kilometre race on August 17 and will be finishing alongside the more seasoned and experienced 100 kilometre runners as they finish on the Sunday afternoon.
According to race director Avtar Singh: “With Vlad Ixel of Australia returning to defend his crown as the champion of champions in South East Asia, no runner thus far in Malaysia has been able to match Vlad in completing a 100 kilometre ultra marathon with an accumulated ascent of 6,000 meters in under 14 hours.
“Last year, 55 percent of competitors who participated in the ultra trail marathon withdrew due to fatigue, hypothermia or did not meet the stringent cut-off times so the race does have a reputation for being both brutal and demanding.
“It isn’t a race for everyone but then again, you have to respect the fact individuals participating in this race are ambitious, brave and above all determined to finish something they have started. We have a wonderful mix of characters and individuals participating this year so it will be interesting.”
The TMBT is an official qualifying race for the North Face Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc with three points awarded for the 100 kilometres and two points awarded for the 55 kilometre course for runners to go into a lottery to qualify for the 2015 Mount Blanc races in Chamonix, France.
Avtar added: “We take runners through the parts of Sabah few get an opportunity to not only see but experience. But at the end of the day, it is a race people take extremely seriously. Runners don’t just have to run 100 kilometres but also climb a total of 6,000 metres in order to cross the finish line so you can understand why the race is as difficult as it is.”
The TMBT is supported by title sponsor Colourcoil Industries Sdn. Bhd, Sabah’s very own manufacturer of high-performance pre-painted steel for metal roofing and cladding solutions, as well as Sabah Tourism Board and Danish Hydraulic Institute.
Source: New Sabah Times
