Inaugural XTERRA Borneo Sarawak Delivers Milestone Off-Road Weekend

May 5, 2025

BORNEO, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA (May 5th) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — XTERRA’s first-ever race in Borneo took place over the weekend in the lush landscapes of Sarawak, Malaysia, with a powerful display of endurance, culture, and community spirit. The inaugural XTERRA Borneo Sarawak brought off-road racing to the foothills of Mount Pueh, drawing athletes from across Asia and beyond for a full weekend of racing that included triathlons, trail runs, and family-friendly events.

At the heart of the festival was the Full Distance Triathlon on Saturday, May 3, where competitors took on a 1.5K swim in the warm waters of the South China Sea, a 35K bike course through jungle trails and village farmland, and a 10K trail run that climbed steep hills before descending into the forests surrounding Sematan.

The day belonged to Shahrom Abdullah (MYS), who finished first overall in a time of 3:05:24. Racing in the men’s 45–49 age group, Abdullah laid down the fastest swim of the day (28:18) and backed it up with a 1:32:45 ride and 59:44 run to take the win in dominant fashion.

Behind him, Laurel Lauridsen Adrian (MYS) finished second overall in 3:14:10 with a 38:02 swim, 1:31:05 bike, and 1:01:39 run. Arthur Reis arrived from Brazil to compete in the men’s 30–34 division, claiming third overall in 3:14:40 after a solid 30:27 swim, 1:33:33 bike, and 1:07:14 run.

In the women’s race, Sue Teoh (MYS) led from start to finish. She exited the water in 27:58, clocked 2:09:29 on the bike, and held her pace through a 1:23:17 run to finish in 4:08:04, taking the win in the 45–49 category. Second place went to Mei Ting Jong (MYS) in 4:34:39, followed by Tze Wee Chan (MYS) in 5:01:25, both also racing in the 45–49 age group.

The weekend’s racing was staged with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, as well as local authorities and village communities throughout the Pueh region. From stream crossings and plantation roads to jungle lookouts and narrow wooden bridges, the race course highlighted the rugged beauty of the Sematan landscape.

YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, emphasized this in earlier remarks: “Our mission is to preserve and share this unique heritage while pioneering eco-friendly tourism experiences that honour both our environment and our communities.”

Robert Basiuk, Race Director and founder of Draco Action Sports, commented, “Sematan is a beautiful coastal area with the rainforest-clad Mount Pueh as a backdrop. This location provided not only a challenging and scenic race route, but also a chance to enjoy the hospitality of local communities.”

On Sunday, May 4, the action shifted to the trails with the XTERRA Trail Run Half Marathon (21K), 13K and 7K trail runs, and a Kids Duathlon. The 21K race was part of the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Series, and offered 28 qualification slots for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, which will be held in Snowdonia, Wales later this year. This gives trail runners a chance to compete at the highest level on one of the sport’s most iconic and technical stages.

Similarly, Saturday’s Full Distance Triathlon served as an official qualifier for the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy, with 28 slots awarded across age group categories. Trentino will host the best off-road triathletes in the world in September, and now, some of Malaysia’s best will be among them.

Landry Benoit, XTERRA Asia-Pacific Technical Director, said, “Sarawak delivered everything we hoped for with challenging terrain, genuine hospitality, and a race experience that stood out on the Asia-Pacific calendar.”

Cultural performances, traditional food, and community engagement throughout the weekend helped create a festive atmosphere for athletes and spectators alike. From jungle trails to beachfront celebrations, XTERRA Borneo Sarawak delivered a weekend of racing that connected people to the land, the culture, and each other—just as XTERRA was meant to do.

About XTERRA

XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure. From pioneering the sport of cross-triathlon in 1996, XTERRA has grown to become a leading brand in off-road adventure through the XTERRA World Tour, XTERRA Trail Run World Series and the XTERRA World Cup, connecting an eco-aware community of worldwide explorers that seek to protect the places where they play. For more information, visit xterraplanet.com.