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 Dragon Boat Festival, 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 offers a flat, fast coastal course in Kota Kinabalu and is the state's biggest mass-participation race. The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, run since 1987, 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 a UTMB-qualifying ultra to the mix, with jungle trails, river crossings, and highland ridges.
Water and cultural races
Sabah's coastline and rivers host two standout water events. The Sabah International Dragon Boat Festival on Likas Bay is one of East Malaysia's longest-running dragon boat events, with scores of teams racing against the South China Sea horizon. 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 |
| Regatta Lepa Semporna | April | Semporna |
| Borneo International Marathon | May | Kota Kinabalu |
| Sabah International Dragon Boat Festival | May | Likas Bay, KK |
| Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon | October | Kinabalu Park |
Explore the full Sabah sports guide
Borneo International Marathon
AIMS-sanctioned, 10,000+ runners, flat coastal course in Kota Kinabalu
Read guide → Mountain race · OctoberMount Kinabalu Climbathon
Held since 1987, a summit race up the region's highest peak
Read guide → Trail ultra · AprilBorneo Ultra Trail Marathon
ITRA-rated UTMB World Series qualifier, distances up to 103 km
Read guide → Water race · MaySabah Dragon Boat Festival
Likas Bay racing, dozens of teams, multiple categories and a big prize pool
Read guide → Cultural race · AprilRegatta 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 sell out, so plan early — especially for the Climbathon, which is capped for safety on the mountain. 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.