All teams who have registered thus far have either indicated (or not) their preference for homestay during the race.

Let me explain what homestay is essentially. It involves living at home in a village with a local Dusun (the native tribe of the area) family (most are muslim in Kundasang but most are christians especially in the Tambunan Valley) and not only having your own room (it could be individual rooms or shared with your team mate) but access to a decent toliet and kitchen to heat up something to munch on if you're hungry.

It also presents itself as an opportunity, having travelled thousands of miles out to North Borneo to interact and to learn a little bit more about the culture, lifestyles and people of Borneo who are not only warm, friendly but curious to learn more about YOU and your life, your work and the country you come from as the vast majority have never stepped out of the State, what more the Country in their lifetime.

Homestay was introduced to participants in SAC 2009 and was a resounding success with a approval rating of 96% of positive responses to our questions on homestay from competitors so not only do you now not need to worry about ferrying a tent and other camping equipment to Borneo, but you also save on weight and the amount of gear you need to bring.

However, each home and each family are different so expectations need to be reasonable and you need to come with an open mind and an open heart as the vast majority of these family's are poor if not are living simple lives though not below the sort of poverty levels you see in other countries.

They lead a hard but meaningful life and dusun's are renowned for their hospitality and the folks in Kundasang and Tambunan are not only excited but the fact you as a competitor in the SAC are coming to their homes but also to see a part of their State, few get to visit.

It truly is an experince I think some of you will cherish for year's to come. Thats my feeling.

We do however ask you to make a contribution to the family with which you are staying with. The agreed rates are RM60 per person per day which includes pick up from the race start/finish venue back to their homes each day, coffee and tea and a individual or shared room with your team mate depending on availability.Some teams elected to bring their own blankets so this is optional.

If you do NOT wish to stay in a homestay, let us know by emailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it otherwise we will assume you do want to live in the homestay program during the race and fee's will be collected during registration on the 1st February 2010.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email us in the mean time.