Danum Mountain Bike Race 2026 to Debut as 88km Rainforest Endurance Challenge

Freddie (centre) and Arthur (third right) with BRL staff and organisers.

3 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The inaugural Danum Mountain Bike Race 2026 will be held on 14 February next year, introducing an 88-kilometre gravel endurance challenge aimed at connecting cyclists with rainforest conservation.

Borneo Nature Tours Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Freddie Coleman said at a press conference that the event seeks to showcase one of the world’s oldest ecosystems while blending adventure with environmental stewardship.

Themed “Wild Ride: Ride the Unseen Borneo”, the race offers participants a rare chance to enter the Class I Protected Rainforest of Danum Valley — an area normally accessible only to researchers, conservationists and limited guests.

“This event goes beyond sport. It is a platform where adventure and conservation meet,” Freddie said. “Funds raised will support orangutan behaviour and ecology research with the Japan Orangutan Research Centre, reforestation through native sapling planting with INFAPRO, as well as bioacoustic monitoring and nocturnal mammal studies in the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This is real conservation work supported by data, research, and science.”

He noted that Borneo Rainforest Lodge is certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), while Danum Valley is undergoing GSTC Destination Certification — a step towards global recognition as a model of sustainable tourism.

Freddie expressed gratitude to Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd and government agencies including Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, Lahad Datu District Office, Sabah Forestry Department and the Danum Valley Management Committee. He also acknowledged early sponsors including Smart Sabah Corporation, Khauf Engineering, Tanoa Enterprise, Sticky Rice Travel, Imago Shopping Mall and Mee San Sdn Bhd.

Race Director Arthur Kimon said the event is open to mountain and gravel cyclists under the Open and Veteran categories, with participation capped at 200 riders. Cash prizes of RM1,500, RM1,200 and RM1,000 will be awarded to the top three finishers, with RM250 for fourth to tenth place.

Three participation packages are available, ranging from race-only entry to a 3D2N stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

The race will start at W Bay Payang in Lahad Datu, traversing gravel tracks, forest edges and deep into the 130-million-year-old rainforest before finishing at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Race pack collection is scheduled for 13 February.

Registration is available via Ticket2U, with early-bird rates until 2 November 2025 and closing on 9 January 2026. Enquiries may be directed to 016-368 0640.