Borneo International Marathon

The Borneo International Marathon takes place in May 2025 in Kota Kinabalu on a flat to gently rolling trail course with minimal elevation change, making it a solid option if you want a fast time without fighting significant climbing. This is a well-established event that's been running since 2008 and operates as a community affair with over 1,000 volunteers supporting the race, so you can expect decent organization and atmosphere. The race sells out regularly, so if you're interested you'll need to register early rather than waiting until closer to the date. The trail surface means you'll want to do some of your training on similar terrain to prepare your legs for the impact and footing differences compared to road running. Weather in Borneo during May will be hot and humid, so expect heat management to be a significant part of your race strategy rather than just fitness.