Borneo Ultra-Trail Marathon 2027

The Borneo Ultra-Trail Marathon (BUTM) returns to Sabah's Kiulu Valley for its 11th edition on 3-4 April 2027. Organised by Borneo Ultra Trails, the event has developed into one of Sabah's major international trail-running weekends and uses a demanding mixture of natural jungle, dirt tracks, village paths and back-roads north of Kota Kinabalu.

The 2027 programme is centred on approximately 105 km, 55 km and 34 km trail races on Saturday, followed by a 9 km short course on Sunday. The longer courses are expected to remain broadly based on the updated 2026 routes, although the organiser has advised that final route adjustments may still be announced. The central start and finish remains in Kiulu, with the 2027 start area expected at the school field close to Dewan Kiulu / SMK Tun Fuad Stephens while construction continues around the former Riverside Park site.

The terrain is a major part of BUTM's character. Runners travel through the Kiulu Valley's ridges, river country and rural communities, with views towards Mount Kinabalu. The 100 km concept uses a figure-eight layout returning through Kiulu, while the shorter Saturday races share substantial sections of the same trail network. The organiser notes that wet conditions can make stream crossings and muddy trail sections considerably more difficult, so alternative routing may be activated if necessary.

Saturday starts are scheduled for 6:00 am for the two longest categories and 7:00 am for the approximately 34 km race. The Sunday short course starts at 7:00 am. Race-pack collection is planned in Kota Kinabalu on 1-2 April. Optional paid buses operate between central Kota Kinabalu and Kiulu, useful because the start area is roughly an hour from the city and has limited public transport and accommodation. Registration is open through Racematix, with normal entries scheduled to close on 20 February 2027.