By Lester J. Bingkasan
Veteran Yamin Ali wins Kiulu Adventure Challenge cycling event
KOTA KINABALU: Yamin Ali’s decision to switch to the veteran event paid off as he returned to familiar territory during the third edition of the Kiulu Adventure Challenge (KAC) yesterday.
After winning the veteran race in the inaugural KAC in 2015, Yamin entered the open category last year where he came fourth before reverting to the veteran event in the just concluded race.
“I’ve made the right decision this year,” said the highly experienced adventure athlete when contacted yesterday.
For the record, the 2015 KAC combined cycling and running into one category but starting last year, it was held separately.
The KAC featured Men’s and Women’s Open and Veteran races both for running (12km) and cycling (30km).
The other main race was the Team event with an additional Rafting section.
And Yamin took his decision well to race in the cycling event for Men’s Veteran which he did not disappoint.
“It was still a tough race and I’m happy to have won again,” added the 48-year-old Yamin who edged Foong June Choy and Elvis to the title.
In the Women’s Veteran cycling event, Alesia Suraya was the winner.
The top three in the Men’s Open Cycling were Frisco Daniel, Nicklos Minol and H. Vanoe while in the Women’s Open, the winner was state cyclist Natahsya Soon, Stephanie Chok and Anita Marcus.
In the running event, the top three in the Men’s Open were Safrey Sabdin, Walter Herman and Safrey Sumping while the Women’s Open winners were Hyenie Roslin, Jessica Lintanga and Mailin Saluiau.
Guainus Salagan was the winner of the Men’s Veteran event for running followed by Jasri Saibin and Albert Andam. The top three for Women’s Veteran were Misha Antahar, Shoihi Gandihan and Lubiah.
As for the Team event, STA emerged as winners with UiTM Adventure in second placing and RATA in third. Casero B and Kanau Mansau-Ansau completed the top five.
Over 500 participants took part in the KAC challenge which was organised by Kiulu Tourism Association and supported by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Tourism Malaysia
Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai flagged off the runners.
The aim of the event is to promote Kiulu, a beautiful river valley area about an hour from Kota Kinabalu near the town of Tamparuli, as an eco-adventure tourism destination and to raise awareness of Kiulu’s river conservation.
The KAC also debuts the 5km fun run and there was also leisure rafting (15km) as well as the Kiulu Mini Carnival happening in Kiulu town, featuring stalls operated by locals selling authentic local foods and handicrafts.
Other activities include traditional games, catch-a-duck competition, stone painting, coconut bowling and tug-ofwar.