{"id":248418,"date":"2025-02-25T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T22:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/?p=248418"},"modified":"2025-02-25T05:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T22:56:11","slug":"sabahs-butm-attracts-endurance-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/2025\/02\/sabahs-butm-attracts-endurance-runners\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabah\u2019s BUTM attracts endurance runners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KIULU, Sabah, 25 February 2025: British actor and filmmaker Emrhys Cooper pushed his limits on the rugged trails of Sabah in the Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM), calling it \u201cone of the best ultra marathons\u201d he has ever joined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held from 22 to 23 February, the BUTM is an annual extreme trail marathon that takes runners through the jungles and landscapes of Kiulu Valley, about 45 km from Kota Kinabalu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Participants navigate dirt tracks, backroads, and steep trails, with breathtaking views of ridges, valleys, and the majestic Mount Kinabalu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, supported by the Sabah Tourism Board, features four race categories: 106 km, 55 km, 32 km, and 9 km. Each tests runners’ endurance and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe run was challenging but rewarding. I slipped down countless times because the trail was wet, but it was fun,\u201d said Cooper, who is part of the UK-based Maverick Racers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Datuk Joniston Bangkuai presenting prizes to Veslemoy Ronnevik, who won the women\u2019s 50km category.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Best known for his role as a cult leader on the British television programme Coronation Street, Cooper was joined by seven other group members in the race. Despite the harsh conditions, he is eager to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope to return again next year with more runners from the UK,\u201d said Cooper, who joined the 50 km category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s BUTM drew around 1,300 participants, including nearly 300 international runners. Among them was Norway\u2019s Veslemoy Ronnevik, who won the women\u2019s 50 km category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe surface was slippery because of the rain, but I really enjoyed the run,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was quite a challenge because of the humidity. It was -10\u00b0C in Norway when I left for Sabah to join the run, but the beautiful scenery along the way made it worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would rank BUTM among the best, and I\u2019m keeping my options open for next year,\u201d added Ronnevik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, 22 February, Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister and Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai flagged off the event’s first run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He welcomed the growing number of international participants, saying it helps boost Sabah\u2019s reputation as a premier adventure tourism destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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