With just under two weeks to go before the Borneo International Marathon 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, the excitement is starting to build. Are you counting down to race day… or already dreaming about what comes after? Maybe it’s the cool air of Kinabalu Park, a lazy post-race stroll by the waterfront—or let’s be honest—the food.
We can’t pace you to a PB, but with help from a local KK runner, we can point you in the right direction for some seriously satisfying eats before and after the race.
Carbo Loading: Little Italy
Let’s start where all good race weekends begin—carbs. And not just any carbs, but the kind that make you feel like you’ve already won.
Little Italy is a well-loved staple among runners and tourists alike. Tucked inside Hotel Capital, this cosy spot serves up dependable, no-nonsense Italian comfort—think hearty pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and creamy risottos.
It’s familiar, satisfying, and exactly what you want when you’re topping up glycogen stores. Just don’t leave your booking to the last minute—this place fills up fast during race week.
Post-Race Refuel: Kopi Ping Cafe
You’ve crossed the finish line. Legs are cooked, medal’s on, and now comes the real mission—food, fast.
Instead of wandering around in the heat searching for a decent kopitiam, make a beeline for Kopi Ping. With multiple outlets across the city, chances are there’s one nearby—and yes, they’re air-conditioned (a small but crucial luxury after running in KK’s humidity).
The menu is packed with local favourites—fragrant nasi lemak, comforting noodle dishes, and strong, ice-cold coffee that hits just right. It’s casual, reliable, and exactly what your tired body needs to reset.
Celebratory Dinner: Welcome Seafood Restaurant
Let’s not pretend—after 42.195km (or any distance, really), you’ve earned yourself a proper feast.
Welcome Seafood Restaurant is a KK institution. This is where locals go, where visitors return, and where post-race celebrations get loud and memorable.
Pick your seafood fresh from the tanks—fish, prawns, crabs—and have it cooked in just about any style you can imagine. The atmosphere is big, bustling, and a little chaotic in the best possible way. Plates pile up, conversations get louder, and suddenly the race feels like a distant memory.
Cafe Recovery: NANA Dessert Cafe
Kota Kinabalu sits close to the equator, and the heat doesn’t mess around—especially in April and May. When the sun is relentless, a good café stop isn’t a luxury, it’s survival.
NANA Dessert Cafe is your cool-down sanctuary. Expect delicate pastries, refreshing bingsu that melts away the heat, and beautifully plated desserts that are as photogenic as they are satisfying.
It’s the kind of place where time slows down—a perfect reset between activities or a sweet reward after a morning run.
Post-Race Street Food: Anjung Senja Night Market
And finally, no trip to KK is complete without diving into its street food scene.
Anjung Senja Night Market comes alive in the evening, right by the waterfront. Smoke from grilled seafood fills the air, satay sizzles over open flames, and the variety is endless.
It’s casual, vibrant, and full of energy—exactly the kind of place where you gather with friends, share dishes, and relive race-day stories over good food and sea breeze.
Run hard, eat harder.
Because in Kota Kinabalu, the finish line is just the beginning of the real adventure.
