BORNEO INTERNATIONAL SUP MARATHON

Welcome to the official website of the
Borneo International Sup Marathon

This inaugural edition of the BISM confirms the arrival of long distance Sup racing in Malaysia. And what better venue than the capital city of Kota Kinabalu, in the state of Sabah, the Land Below the Wind, on the tropical island of Borneo, to host this one of a kind race: 42km (or 21km) of open ocean racing, between the 5 islands of a protected marine park, a mere minutes away from the city.

We know Sabah, with its beaches, islands and rivers, is a prime Sup destination.

Let us show it to you.

Official Results of
borneo international stand up paddle
marathon 2026

FULL MARATHON 42KM

HALF MARATHON 21KM

RELAY HALF MARATHON 21KM

our OBJECTIVES

ESTABLISH

Establish Sabah’s beaches, islands and rivers as premier paddleboarding destinations.

PROMOTE SABAH

Promote Sabah as a whole, and more specifically its Sports Tourism potential.

PROMOTE SUP

Promote the clean and healthy sport of paddleboarding (SUP).

ENCOURAGE

Encourage grassroot participation and kick-start Sabah’s SUP Academy.

GROW

Grow this event over the years to eventually become a major annual competition in the international SUP Racing calendar.

OLYMPIC 2032

Anticipate the sharp growth of the sport, with a view to a possible Olympic inclusion in 2032.

RACING FORMATS

Team Relay Race

Date: Saturday 28th March 2026

Teams: 3 to 6 athletes per team

Team members share the 6 sections of the 21 km course.

Team paddlers share 1 same board.

Solo Races

Date: Sunday 29th March 2026

Marathon and Half Marathon

Courses: 42km and 21km

Support teams at the Check Points are allowed, although there will already be basic supplies there (water, fruits).

Age limits: minimum 10 years old for the Relay race, and 13 for the Solo races.

AGE CATEGORIES:

  • Open (Open to anyone 13 and above)
  • Juniors: from 13 to 17 years old.
  • Masters: 50 and above

CUT-OFF TIMES:

We will have cut-off times but they will be very generous and will give you plenty of time to finish the courses at your own pace. They will be mainly there to ensure you do not end up paddling in the dark (for the 42km).

Malaysia’s FIRST Long Distance Stand Up Paddling (SUP) Race in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

JOIN THE RACE