Fadhil Yunus
Two athletes specialising in trail running made the country proud after finishing top of their classes amid regional competition during the Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2023 in Tamparuli, Malaysia recently.
Local runner Shamsuleffendybin Haji Sulaiman secured top spot in the Men’s Veteran (45 above) category and second place in the overall category of the 30-kilometre (km) event after recording a time of 03:34.28s.
He was also placed first in both the Men’s Veteran and overall category of the 9km event after posting a time of 00:47:20s.
His compatriot Suhail Salleh clocked a time of 00:52:53s to finish top of the Men’s under 45 category and third overall in the 9km event.
The duo represented local running club Santai Group.
The Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon was an extreme, outdoor ultra trail marathon that took runners through a combination of natural jungle settings and cultural landscapes via trails, dirt tracks and back-roads in the Kiulu Valley North of Kota Kinabalu.
The popular 30km race provided a challenge to intermediate participants with a good balance between some steep hills, single trail and easier road and track sections.
Meanwhile, the 9km race provided a taste of trail running and a unique experience to beginners and those new to the increasingly popular sport.
