Kinabalu conquered! Italy’s Oberbacher wins brutal 24.5km mountain showdown

Italian runner Alex Oberbacher, 32, emerged victorious at the 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, completing the 24.5-kilometre race in a time of 3:20:54. Oberbacher edged out fellow Italian Daniel Antonioli, who finished second in 3:23:46, and Japan's Shoma Otagiri, who placed third in 3:29:54. In the women's elite category, Spain's June Villaroel, 25, claimed the title in 4:09:14, ahead of Russia's Svetlana Nurmukhametova and Belgium's Vanja Cnops.

Russia's Evegenii Markov won the men's veteran category, clocking 3:29:11, followed by fellow Russian Ivan Vlasenko. The race, which attracted participants from 26 countries, traversed a challenging route through Kinabalu Park, ascending Mount Kinabalu to a height of 4,095.2 metres before descending to the finish line. Oberbacher described the experience as both challenging and rewarding, praising the breathtaking scenery at higher elevations.

The Climbathon, marking the 17th stop of the 2026 Merrell Skyrunner World Series, was flagged off by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin. The event further boosted Sabah's reputation as a prime destination for adventure tourism and world-class sporting events.