Sports & Events in Sabah: Races & Festivals Guide
What sporting events does Sabah host?
Sabah hosts a packed calendar of endurance and cultural sport: the Borneo International Marathon, the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon, the BUTM ultra trail, the Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race, and the traditional Regatta Lepa in Semporna.
Sports and events in Sabah at a glance
Sabah is one of Southeast Asia's most active outdoor sports destinations. The same landscape that makes the state a tourism magnet — Mount Kinabalu rising to 4,095 metres, a long coral-fringed coast, and rivers tumbling out of the Crocker Range — also powers a busy calendar of races and festivals that draw competitors and spectators from across Malaysia and overseas.
This hub focuses on Sabah's signature sporting events: the road and trail races, and the water and cultural races that define the state's sporting year. Each linked guide covers the dates, categories, history, and practical tips you need whether you plan to compete or simply watch.
Endurance running and trail races
Endurance sport is the backbone of Sabah's event calendar. The Borneo International Marathon in Kota Kinabalu runs on routes the organisers describe as mostly flat with gentle rolling hills (BIM route map, checked 7 October 2026), and draws more than 10,000 runners a year. The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon began in 1987, went on hiatus after its 30th edition in 2017 and returned in 2024 (MountKinabalu.com, checked 7 October 2026). It sends elite mountain runners up and down one of the highest peaks in the region. The Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) in the Kiulu Valley adds an ITRA-rated ultra of about 105 km, whose courses qualify for UTMB World Series events (BUTM race information, checked 7 October 2026), with jungle trails, river crossings, and highland ridges.
Water and cultural races
Sabah's coastline and rivers host two standout water events. The Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race on Likas Bay reached its 11th edition on 15 to 17 May 2026, with 126 teams racing (Daily Express, checked 7 October 2026). Down in Semporna, the Regatta Lepa is part race, part cultural festival — celebrating the seafaring Bajau Laut and their beautifully decorated lepa houseboats.
When do Sabah's major sporting events happen?
Sabah's sporting calendar clusters around the drier first half of the year, with a major mountain race in October:
| Event | Month | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) | April | Kiulu Valley |
| Borneo International Marathon | May (10 May in 2026) | Kota Kinabalu |
| Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race | May (15 to 17 May in 2026) | Likas Bay, KK |
| Regatta Lepa Semporna | Varies (20 to 28 June in 2026) | Semporna |
| Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon | October | Kinabalu Park |
Explore the full Sabah sports guide
Borneo International Marathon
AIMS-sanctioned, 10,000+ runners, mostly flat city and coastal routes in Kota Kinabalu
Read guide → Mountain race · OctoberMount Kinabalu Climbathon
Began in 1987, back since 2024 after a hiatus, a summit race up Mount Kinabalu
Read guide → Trail ultra · AprilBorneo Ultra Trail Marathon
ITRA-rated, qualifies for UTMB World Series events, about 105, 55, 34 and 9 km
Read guide → Water race · MaySabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race
Likas Bay racing, 126 teams in 10 categories in 2026
Read guide → Cultural race · June in 2026Regatta Lepa Semporna
Bajau Laut boat festival since 1994, decorated lepa houseboats and culture
Read guide →Planning to watch or compete?
Most of Sabah's marquee events open registration months in advance and places can run out, so plan early and check each organiser's site for entry rules. Pair your trip with the rest of what the state offers, from island-hopping to highland escapes.
Race weekends fill Kota Kinabalu and Semporna hotels fast. Confirm your event date on the official organiser channel, then lock in flights and accommodation before prices climb. See our travel and activities guides to round out the trip.