Transport & Logistics

Out of State Competitors

Race Pack collection will take place in Kota Kinabalu on Friday 1st March - see under "Itinerary" on main menu for details. The final arrangements will be confirmed closer to the event.

Kota Kinabalu is the main gateway to Sabah with the international airport (BKI) which is served by a number of International airlines with direct flights to regional hubs, gradually being reestablished after the Covid pandemic. Kota Kinabalu has a broad and reasonably priced range of accommodation.

Transport & Logistics During Race

The BUTM is centered around a central start and finish area at Pekan Kiulu about 1 hour drive northeast of Kota Kinabalu. Please note if you drive there on your own that there is significant road works along the main road and several landslides going into Kiulu, and the small roads to the start can get congested. You should allow ample time to get there and get parked, scanned in etc before the race start.

The start area is somewhat remote with no easy access via public transport and limited accommodation in the vicinity. Optional bus transport from Kota Kinabalu to the start line on the morning of the race and from the finish area back to Kota Kinabalu after the race can be booked through the organisers - see below.

Self-drive

  • For those who drive to the start, we strongly encourage car-pooling to avoid a large traffic jam getting to the start and congestion at limited parking areas
  • Please allow time for a slow drive from Tamparulli to Kiulu as the road is relatively small with several land slides and a risk of congestion on the morning of the race.
  • Do not block traffic at Kiulu – follow instruction to park efficiently and proceed to the Dewan for registration. A map of parking areas is provided below - no parking is allowed along the roads leading into to the start/finish area and at the riverside to avoid blocking the route and access points.

Outline driving directions from KK to Start:

  • Take main highway north towards Tuaran - beware of extensive road works that is poorly marked
  • At round-about at Tuaran hospital, turn right towards Ranau
  • After 5 km, take right-hand turn in roundabout before Tamparulli.
  • After 1 km, before crossing bridge across river, take right-hand turn towards Kiulu (signboards to rafting site)
  • Continue up over a hill and down into Kiulu Valley, passing several villages before reaching Kiulu. Beware of 3 land-slide areas along the road.
  • Follow main road to the left across bridge and follow instructions to find parking.

Coordinates for the start/finish area at Kiulu: 6° 3'29.14"N 116°16'54.28"E 

Outline of START/FINISH area - list of food outlets will be updated for the race.

 

Optional Bus Transport

Optional transport from Kota Kinabalu (KK) to the start area and from the finish area back to Kota Kinabalu can be booked and paid for via the Racematix registration platform. The transport needs to be booked and paid for well in advance of the race, preferably together with the registration. An additional fee for transport booking will apply after the close of regular registrations.

A Central pick up and drop-off location in Kota Kinabalu will be at the central bus area across from the town Padang. (5°58'48.75"N, 116° 4'34.18"E)

Provisional bus departure times are listed below for transport from Kota Kinabalu to the start. These may be adjusted if required to suit any adjustments of the starting times of the different categories. Please be at the designated departure point a minimum of 10 minutes in advance to board the bus and avoid delays. Buses will not wait for late-comers.

Provisional bus departure times (for those who have opted and paid for the bus transport only):

Saturday 2nd March

  • 100 km and 50 km:   3:45 am
  • 30 km:                     4:45 am

Sunday 3rd March

  • 9 km:     4:45 am

Return journeys from the finish area to Kota Kinabalu will be distributed through the day as people finish. Please be prepared for some waiting time at the finish area as buses fill up to the defined capacity. Please register your name for the return journey upon finishing the race. If you have a flight to catch, please inform us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please note that the return buses will not run through the night between Saturday and Sunday due to safety concerns and past experience. The last bus to Kota Kinabalu will leave around 12 am on Saturday. All 30k and 50k competitors should be able to catch the buses back to Kota Kinabalu on Saturday, unless they want to camp overnight and take part in the 9 km race the next morning or support 100k runners coming to the finish line.

Except for people who DNF early and the top runners in the 100 km category, who may be able to catch a bus back to Kota Kinabalu on Saturday night, the majority of the 100 km competitors will either be continuing the race through the night on the course or finish during the night or Sunday morning. There is hardly any accommodation available in the finish area except for camping. For 100k competitors who finish during the night, there will be food, chairs and floor space in the hall at the start/finish. If you wish to sleep in the hall, please bring your own sleeping matt / sleeping bag for added comfort.

Start Area Logistics

Registration and Luggage Deposit

  • Immediately upon arrival get registered in Dewan Kiulu. If you do not get registered and scanned in, you will not be registered as participant in the race.
  • If you have a half-way bag or a finisher bag, these can be deposited in the hall. Tags will be provided at the luggage counter.
  • Immediately after registration and bag-drop in the hall – move to the starting area at the river side (400m, follow sign boards). Do not stay in the hall as this may lead to congestion and will slow down the registration process and/or you may miss the start.
  • Toilets will be available at the starting area. Toilets at the hall tend to clog up and will not be available in the morning during registration.

Starting Times and Procedures

The start is along the river side for all categories. Scheduled starting times are:

Saturday 2nd March

  • 100 km:   6 am
  • 50 km:     6 am
  • 30 km:     7 am

Sunday 3rd March

  • 9 km:      7 am

 

Finish Area Logistics

Finish Line

  • All categories finish at the same location as the start.
  • All categories except the 50k category will likely arrive to the finish line across a hanging bridge.
  • No running or overtaking is allowed on the hanging bridge.
  • A maximum of 10 people is allowed on the bridge at any time.

Toilet / Showers / Food / Rest area

  • There are basic toilet and shower facilities at the finish area. Another option is a refreshing dip in the river. If you have a finisher bag at the hall, please produce your bib number to collect the bag. We kindly ask that you try to clean the worst of dirt off before entering the hall.
  • The finisher food will be based on a coupon system. You will receive a coupon at the finish line which can be used at any of the food outlets in Kiulu or at potential stall(s) at the riverside if these will be feasible at the time of the race. Please note that there are several outlets in the shops between the riverside finish area and the Dewan. The voucher will have a nominated value. If you exceed the value you will need to top up. You will not get a refund if you eat/drink for less than the value. The chosen outlet will collect the voucher. 
  • For 100k competitors who finish during the night after the last bus transfer (around midnight), it is possible to rest/sleep in the hall. Please bring your own sleeping mat / sleeping bag for added comfort.