Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon

Malaysia’s highest peak the magnificent Mount Kinabalu, which rises from the midst of Sabah’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park presents a wondrous sight. The pinnacle, which ascends to a height of 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, also ranks as one of the highest peaks in South East Asia.

However, in spite of its great stature, Mount Kinabalu is thought to be quite an easy peak to conquer. So much so that even climbers with little or no mountain climbing experience can clamber up to the summit of the peak and take in in the gorgeous views of Kinabalu Park and its environs. It is believed that as many as 40,000 climbers attempt the climb up Mount Kinabalu every year.

The Sabah Tourism Board realized the tremendous tourism potential that Mount Kinabalu offered and it therefore decided to take over the administration of the park’s Climbathon with the intention of converting it into a competitive event. The Mount Kinabalu Climbathon was instituted in 1987, as an exercise to speed up the rescue efforts of park rangers, who are often called upon to climb up the peak in order to rescue stranded or injured climbers. For the first few years, this competitive Climbathon was open only to domestic participation but in 1995, the tourism board threw open the event to international participation as well. The event quickly began to feature amongst the world’s leading mountain climbing events and continues to be regarded as a premier mountaineering competition until today.

The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon will this year be held over two days, 19^th and 20^th of October. The event will also feature two different races, the Summit Race and the Adventure Race.

The Summit Race

Slated to be held on the 19th October, the Summit Race will feature only 110 elite male and 40 elite female qualified runners. Qualified runners wishing to participate in the race will need to meet one of three criteria listed below:-

 
1.      They have previously successfully competed in one of the Climbathons held since 2008.    
2.      They have participated in  their home country’s own official mountain race and have proof  of their participation
3.      They have a letter of recommendation from their country’s mountain race / athletic body or any other body recognized by the organizers of the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

The Summit race will kick off from the Kinabalu Park entrance. Runners will then have to go up to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu (4,095.2 m). After this, they will be required come down to the Mesilau Nature Resort and finish the course at Kundasang town.

The challenging Summit course extends over 33 Km and will require runners to navigate 15 Km of tarmac road, 18 Km of forest trails and the rock face of the summit.

The   Adventure   Race

The Adventure Race will feature greater participation as it is open to all fit men and women aged 18 years and above. The Adventure race is scheduled   for   20th October 2013 and features a newly altered race course. The runners participating in the Adventure Race will have to navigate this newly altered course. They will start off at the Kinabalu Park entrance and then go up to Layang-Layang Hut (half way up Mt. Kinabalu at 2760.3 m). The runners will then have to come down to the Mesilau Nature Resort before finishing the race at Kundasang town

The course of the Adventure race extends over 23km and requires runners to run over 15 km of tarmac road and 8 km of forest trails

Registrations for the 2013, Mount Kinabablu International Climbathon are currently closed but if this has piqued your interest, you can always plan to take part in next year’s event.

For more information do visit -http://www.climbathon.my

 

 

Bukit Cina Mountain Biking Trail

Bukit Cina whose name translates as ‘Chinese Hill’ is a site of much historical significance in Melaka. Located outside Melaka Town, the site which dates back to the mid-15^th century was believed to have been established when Hang Li Po, the great granddaughter of the Chinese emperor was wedded to Sultan Mansor Shah of Melaka to help cement relations between the two countries.

The Chinese princess arrived for her wedding with a huge entourage, including sons of ministers and hundreds of handmaidens. To accommodate them all, the sultan established Bukit Cina hill as their residence. This story is not a mere fable and in fact has much evidence to back it, like the Well of Hang Li Po, which is situated next to the Sam Poh Kong Temple in Melaka. It is believed that this well was constructed by Hang Li Po’s retinue for her personal use but it then went on to become an important source of water for the entire town. Moreover, the waters of the well were believed to have magical powers for they never dried up during a drought and hence the well was a huge attraction for enemy forces who were perennially trying to capture the well. Today, this well is a popular attraction and is regarded as a wishing well. Tourists are encouraged to throw coins into the well and are told that they will always come back to Melaka.

As for Bukit Cina, since the time of Hang Li Po it has essentially remained a Chinese area. In fact Bukit Cina along with its two adjoining hills eventually became a burial ground for Chinese traders. These graves were built along the hill sides, for the Chinese believe that if a person is buried on a hill side it signifies good Feng Shui. Bukit Cina, which is known to contain more than 12000 graves, is the largest Chinese graveyard outside of China.

The scared grounds of the graveyard are popular with joggers and walkers but the twisting, gravel strewn, rippling trails are also a popular site for thrilling mountain biking expeditions.  So if you are a mountain biking enthusiast, Bukit Cina is one exciting though challenging trail, you have to attempt when you visit Melaka.  The trai,l which is located minutes away from downtown Melaka can be accessed from the cement steps near the Sam Poh Kong Temple.

The ride which spans approximately three kilometers in circumference is not short on thrills for it traverses mainly hill terrain and thus requires frequent gear changes and ducking to avoid overhanging tree branches. If you are used to speeding, you are advised to proceed with care so as to avoid crashing into the ancient grave site. The Bukit Cina site is truly unusual for it seems to satisfy both history buffs and biking enthusiast in equal measure.