Malaysia's oldest ultra, ringing the UNESCO World Heritage base of Mount Kinabalu
The TMBT 109km takes runners on a point-to-point traverse from the western foothills of Mount Kinabalu through deep river valleys and highland ridges, finishing at Kundasang after 110km and 5,470m of climbing. The route passes through remote native villages on centuries-old buffalo-trading trails, crosses rivers on hanging, bamboo, and log bridges, and climbs the infamous Pineapple Ridge — a steep exposed ascent with views of Kinabalu's waterfall-draped southern face. Starting in tropical heat, the course transitions to cool highland nights before the final 800m climb to the finish. A Western States 100 and UTMB World Series qualifier, the TMBT has earned both reverence and a nickname from its participants: 'The Most Brutal Thing.'
Experienced ultrarunners
Kota Belud, Sabah, MalaysiaAugust 29, 2026
| Location | km | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 189 m |
Finish Finish | 106.7 | 1,417 m |
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The TMBT takes place in late August during Sabah's monsoon transition season. Mornings begin hot and humid with temperatures reaching 33–36°C (91–97°F) in the lower river valleys — heat and dehydration are cited by organizers as the top health risk. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the highlands, delivering heavy tropical downpours that can raise river levels rapidly and make technical trail sections slippery. Temperatures drop significantly at night, falling to around 15°C (59°F) in the highland sections near Kundasang. Runners experience a full spectrum: scorching heat and high humidity in the first half, potential tropical deluges in the afternoon, and cool wet conditions during the overnight highland section.
Lower valley sections reach 33–36°C in the morning; heat and dehydration identified by organizers as the top health risk on course
Tropical afternoon downpours common — can cause rapid river level rise and make technical trail sections dangerously slippery
Temperatures drop to ~15°C in the highland sections near Kundasang at night
Conditions change dramatically across the course — from tropical valley heat to cool highland rain within the same race
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