KUCHING, Sept 7: The Bung Sadung Climbathon Trail Challenge, which returns this year after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saw an increase in the number of participants.
According to a press release, the climbathon, which took place on Sunday, Aug 28 in Kampung Bunga, about 50km from Kuching, attracted nearly 280 participants, up from only 160 in 2019.
Officiating at the closing, Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said, “The positive response and enthusiasm displayed towards the climbathon only goes to show how keeping up an active lifestyle has become a priority these days and this is what we hope to encourage even more by enhancing this event year by year.
“Being an eco-tourism product of the Serian Division, the Bung Sadung Climbathon Challenge also supports the Bidayuh Bukar community in their mission to preserve their heritage mountain, Mount Sadung.
“I am pleased to see the community, especially the young generation coming together to make this climbathon a success.”
Also present were Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS) president and former State Legislative Assembly speaker Dato Sri Robert Jacob Ridu; Serian Division deputy resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph; Serian District officer and Serian District Council chairman Lim Hock Meng; Serian District Council secretary Constantine Gerald David Son of Jonas; Kampung Bunga chief Josiah Jiman and coordinator for Bung Sadung Climbathon Dizon Gembang.
Mount Sadung is regarded as an inherited home reserve for the local Bukar Bidayuhs from the 26 villages that surround it.
The mountain is home to a heritage settlement site that is thought to be the ancestral home of the Bukar Bidayuhs dating back to the Brooke era.
The climbathon, which has since been added to the Sarawak Calendar of Tourism Events 2022, was designed to promote Bukar Sadung’s heritage nature trails as a hiking and trekking destination.
It was organised by the Kampung Bunga development and security committee in collaboration with the Serian District Council and the Tarat constituency Sport and Recreation Club (Kesutar).
The climbathon offered prizes totaling RM15,000 for its various categories: 10km Men’s Open, 10km Women’s Open, 6km Men’s Veteran for 45 years and older, 6km Women’s Veteran for 45 years and older, 6km Boy’s Junior for ages 12 to 17, and 6km Girl’s Junior for ages 12 to 17.
Clinching first place as champion in the Men’s Open was Muhammad Shahir Bin Abdul Rani who finished in 1hr 26mins, while Muhammad Asdi Bin Weding came in second place clocking 1hr 27mins, and Izzat Haikal Bin Ismail in third place clocking 1hr 28mins.
For Women’s Open, the champion was Lim Siet Fah who finished in first place clocking 1 hr 54mins, while Siti Hadjar Binti Mansor Awang Hitam came in second place clocking 2hrs 11mins, and Fiffy Tiffney Anak Rapieng in third place clocking 2hrs 12 mins.
For Men’s Veteran, the champion was Hardy Bin Suntol who finished in first place clocking 1hr 35mins, while Tan Wee Ming came in second place clocking 1hr 38mins, and Tang Swee Ming in third place clocking 1hr 39mins.
For Women’s Veteran, the champion was Ho Hie Knew who finished in first place clocking 1hr 58mins, while Lim Set Hiang came in second clocking 1hr 59mins, and Tang Sii Eng in third place clocking 2hrs 33mins.
For Boy’s Junior, Sankuver Anak Rosnita from SMK Taee was champion when he finished first clocking 1hr 10mins, while Gray Nickson Anak Keneth from SMK Taee in second place clocking 1hr 20mins, and Errickson Pelley Anak Philip from SMK Tebedu in third place clocking 1hr 35mins.
For Girl’s Junior, Camelyana Anak Napi from SK Serian was champion finishing first clocking 2hrs 26mins, while Lieyon Jacklin from SMK Padawan won second place clocking 2hrs 35mins, and Marion Majorie Anak Matthew from SMK Taee won third place clocking 2hrs 58mins.
The event also featured an exhibition area and refreshment booths by local entrepreneurs. — DayakDaily
