It does feel like trail running is making a bit of a comeback in the mountainous Cordillera region in Luzon, Philippines. That’s something that can only be applauded. In pre-covid years, the Cordilleras were pretty much in the spotlight in ATM every season. Afterwards, things quietened down a lot. PMTF has been there of course, but technically Nueva Vizcaya is not part of the Cordillera region.

We are therefore happy to announce a second ATM Candidate Race to take place in the region, just a few weeks after UTCP. The Great Cordillera 100 has big ambitions and will be held on the weekend of 13/14/15 November. Organised by RiCON, the event features several race distance categories with start and finish in the familiar Camp John Hay in Baguio, the city that functions as the gateway to the mountain area. Flagship race is of course the 100km. The course is built on two distinct loops that connect Mt. Marikit, Mt. Bidawan, Mt. Kotkot, Mt. Palanchey and Mt. Ulap. The course moves through pine forest ridges,  eight river crossings and the mountain villages of Itogon, Benguet. It tops out at Mt. Ulap, with open ridgeline views across the Cordillera range. The aim is for runners to experience the full character of the Cordillera, its landscape and its communities, in one race. The 100km is serious business, though. It has an estimated 6660 metres of elevation gain for 103km and a cut-off time of 32 hours. The highest peak of the race is 1800 metres above sea level, so that is still quite modest for a Cordillera race. Note that the 100k starts on Friday night at 11 pm.

There is also a challenging 60k race category with 3700 hm of elevation gain and a cut-off time of 18 hours. No doubt that participants will need to keep moving. Less ambitious runners can also opt for a 21km or a 10km.

People keen on taking part should register quickly and be very mindful of the mandatory gear requirements and the race schedule including the various cut-off times at checkpoints along the way. You can find all details on the event’s facebook page linked below.

Provisional course map of the 100k

Provisional profile map

Two months after Trevor Lim, another trail runner from Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia, has completed the fourth level of his Grandmaster Quest. Mohd Nizam Arabi is a new Golden Grandmaster!

Twenty long ultra finishes under ATM and Mohd Nizam did that in just three years! He began his journey in September 2023 with Borneo TMBT Ultra 109 and finished also in Sabah, completing a very big circle, with Kokol Ultra 70 last week.

Actually, his plan was to score his fourth Grandmaster star at his home event in Sarawak, Jagoi Ultra at the beginning of September. However, that event got cancelled due to the toxic haze engulfing Sarawak and plenty of other southeast Asian places at that time. Arabi therefore had to wait another six weeks before Kokol Ultra to complete his Quest, but in so doing has a record that reads from Sabah to Sabah.

After collecting his third star at Lantau 70 in Hong Kong last March, Mohd Nizam Arabi continued early May with the Merapoh Rainforest Trail 100 and then UTSG 80 in Singapore and Deep Japan Ultra 80 in Niigata. A bit of rest was warranted after those races. At the end of August he added Pahang Eco 100 to his record as number 19, showing that he was certainly not afraid of tackling the toughest races on the Grandmaster calendar. Two weeks after Pahang, Jagoi should have been the big home celebration, but alas. That came then in another race held in challenging conditions: Kokol Ultra 70 last week.

A four star Golden Grandmaster in three years, a huge congrats and a big round of applause for Mohd Nizam Arabi!

  Mohd Nizam Arabi Grandmaster Record

1. TMBT 109KM 2023

2. MMTF 100KM 2023

3. Vietnam  Trail Marathon 70km 2024

4. BUTM 109KM 2024

5. Silabur Ultra Trail 100km 2024

6. Kar Ultra 110km 2024

7. Trail Des Gombak 100km 2024

8. Ultimate Trail Of Penang UTOP 100km 2024

9. IZU trail Journey Japan 70km 2024

10. BTR Indonesia 100km 2025

11. Mantra  Indonesia 68km 2025

12. The Magnificent Baling 100km 2025

13. Himalaya Sport Tampin Transnaning Ultra 68km 2025

14. Ultra Fish N Sheep  Hong Kong 75km 2025

15. Lantau 70 hong Kong 70km 2026

16. Merapoh Rainforest ultra 2026

17. Utsg  singapore 80km 2026

18. Deep Japan Ultra 80km 2026

19. Pahang Eco 100km 2026

20. Kokol Ultra 70km 2026

Heat & Run Trail Ultra is a new event in North Cotabato, Mindanao, organised by the Kampo and Mountaineers Trail Runners (KUMTR). The event has received the ATM Candidate Race label for its new edition on 13/14 February 2027. The main race category will be the 60km, which has an elevation gain of approx 2675 hm.

The main race is scheduled to start at 3 am and will have an 18-hour cut-off time at the finish.

The course features scenic yet technically challenging open mountain trails, rolling hills, river crossings showcasing the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Mindanao. KUMTR is fully committed to runner safety, eco-friendly trail management, and high-quality race execution. The goal of the event is to establish Heat and Run as a premier international ultra-trail event in North Cotabato, Mindanao, promoting sports tourism and community-led trail conservation.

The event venue is the Presbitero Elementary School, Brgy. Presbitero, Pigcawayan in North Cotabato. To reach the place, you could consider flying domestically to Awang Airport nearby. Cagayan de Oro, which lies north of Cotabato, is another possibility.

You can stay up-to-date with the event via its official facebook page, linked below.

Also in peninsular Malaysia trail runners can keep looking forward to new event experiences as new races get established and further developed. One of those is Selama Ultra in Perak, which enjoyed a very successful edition this year with nearly 2000 participants. The organisational team is now aiming to increase the visibility also across borders and has applied for the ATM Candidate Race label for the next edition from 8 to 11 April 2027. On the programme are five race distance categories, among which a 85km long ultra.

Race venue of Selama Ultra is Dewan Semai Bakti, FELDA Ijok, Selama in the northern part of the State of Perak. The 85 km is the main category and has approx 3500 hm of elevation gain. The course offers a combination of technical trails, forest sections, rural landscapes and the Bukit Ganding area. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 55km with about 2500 hm, or shorter distances, such as the 35km, 15km or 5km fun trail.

Selama is known for its countryside charm, featuring tropical rainforests with waterfalls, old town and ecotourism with emphasis on adventure activities including river rafting and kayaking.

You can stay up to date and find all details on Selama Ultra via its facebook page below, or join the instagram page.

An interesting new entry on the Grandmaster Quest calendar for 2027 is Pangantucan Ultra Trail. Organised by the Ultra Runner Republic - known from Mt Kalatungan Ultra - in collaboration with Sugar Cane Trail Ultra Runners, this event takes place in the southwestern part of Bukidnon in Mindanao, Philippines. On the programme for Grandmaster Quest point chasers is a 70km with approx 3000 metres of elevation gain. Rendez-vous on 20/21 February 2027.

As the aforementioned Kalatungan Ultra cannot be held for the time being, the Pangantucan Ultra Trail will honour the mountain nonetheless by providing stunning views of this fifth highest mountain in the Philippines. The 70km is described as a challenging route with a dirt road to a stunning view of one of the tourist destination,Lake Napalit. Also part of the trails are the famous Kimereges Blue Water and Kidanggin Hot Spring. Less ambitious runners can also choose a 42km and 21km option.

The main objective of the Pangantucan Ultra Trail, aside from promoting trail running as a healthy sport, is building camaraderie among runners and also to showcase the natural beauty of Pangantucan and its trails as an adventure and tourism destination.

All details can be obtained via the facebook page linked below. Note there is a fixed quota of 700 runners at most.

Last weekend’s Taman Negara Ultra in peninsular Malaysia saw a big turnout for its second edition. The event was labelled as an ATM Candidate and its programme featured several race distances including the classic 100km and 50km Organized by Persatuan Rekreasi Taman Negara, the event centred around Kuala Tahan in Jerantut and aimed to showcase the area as a premier eco tourism destination and it is also the gateway to the world's oldest rainforest.

The 100km and 50km logically claimed most attention. Both had significant elevation gain to. conquer with 4500 for the 100k and nearly 2400 hm for the 50k. Both categories had a lot of nighttime running and had to cope with some serious rainfall. The DNF rate was quite high as a result.

Amierul Amin added another race victory to his record and more and more seems to be the benchmark for long ultras in peninsular Malaysia. His finishing time of 19h46 indicates clearly how tough the 100km race was. He was nearly an hour ahead of Adam Danial Zailani in second and Hanafi Hasan in third on the podium. Only three women made the finish of the 100k. Elsa Ng took the victory in 30h23. Goh Pei Fen was second and Roziana Ladde third.

Also the winner of the 50km needed 9h23 to complete the course. Ibrahim Karim took the honours with a significant gap on Mohd Hatta Wahab and Mohd Hasrul Hisham Mazlan.

Halimatun Sa’adiah was the strongest woman last weekend in a time of 11h23. Michelle Ng was second in 12h02 ahead of Chong Mei Tze in 12h56.

Amierul Amin was an ATM Finalist in 2023.

Halimatun Sa’adiah

The upcoming winter edition of Minamiaso Caldera Trail on 19 December has been entered into the ATM Championship calendar of Season 12. The race category to focus on is the 50km. For travellers to Japan, Minamiaso could be combined with Izu Trail Journey, which takes place on the Sunday before, albeit in a different part of the country.

Last summer, Minamiaso had a very wet edition that had to be cut short for safety reasons. It was therefore suggested that the winter edition may be a better option for inclusion in the ATM Championship as the weather - touch wood - is normally much more stable in December. Of course, it could also mean cold temperatures and even some snow, but runners tend to be fine with that. The event will already celebrate its 11th edition this year and takes part in a popular trail running region in Japan. It takes place on Kyushu, one of the larger southern islands of Japan with Fukuoka as best-known major city. Access to Minamiaso is via Kumamoto, another city with its own international airport and roughly 1 hour away from Fukuoka by high-speed train.

The 50km course is quite hilly with 2500 hm of elevation gain. The start is scheduled for 6 am and the cut-off time at 16:00 in the afternoon.

The Minamiaso Caldera Trail was first held in January 2021 to light a beacon of hope for the stagnant sport and local economy of Minami Aso Village. The 11th edition of the event will be held in four categories: 50 km, 30 km, 18 km and 2km, so less ambitious runners can also go for one of the shorter distances.

Registration via the official website linked below and any questions can also be addressed via the email below. Please note that there is also a - payable - shuttle bus service to the race venue.

Also Hoi Yee Lam was at the wet summer edition of Minamiaso

Even snow is possible during the winter edition in December

Golden Grandmaster Tomohiro Mizukoshi

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We are happy to announce a new ATM Candidate Race in the eastern Visayas of the Philippines. Sinirangan Trail Ultra will be held for the second time out of Tacloban City in Leyte with a 50km race as main distance category. Set up as a boutique event for proper trail running enthusiasts, the event is directed by Ray Neil Caminong and scheduled for 14/15 November.

The 50km race has considerable elevation gain with nearly 2800 hm. The start will be at midnight on Sunday, thus making it a Sunday race. Cut-off time at the finish will be after 16 hours. Note that there is a registration quota so if you want to be part of the event, sign up quickly. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 32km, 16km or 8km categories.

Sinirangan Trail Quest takes place where the sport remains relatively uncommon and unknown. The event aims to grow trail running culture and community in Tacloban City and Leyte.. The event seeks to promote local tourism by showcasing the area's mountain trails and natural landscapes, while supporting the local economy and communities near the race course. Ultimately, the event aspires to establish Tacloban City and the Leyte Province as a recognized international trail running destination in the Philippines.

You can find out more details on the official facebook page , and also sign up via Racemeister.

It was great to see a new ambitious event taking off in the Cordillera mountains near Baguio in Philippines last weekend. UTCP as the event is now commonly known did not miss its inaugural edition and opportunity as an ATM Candidate Race. A great line-up of trail runners from across the country and a solid organisational team made for a great weekend out of the John Hay camp, close to the city of Baguio. UTCP was serious stuff for runners, however. To the extent some participants argued it was perhaps a bit too technical. Finishing times reflect the tough terrain of the 100km and 50km race courses.

Fastest man on the 100km, named Saleng 100, was Ligorinson Abbugao in a time of 16h18’17”. That was one-and-a-half hours quicker than second-placed Dennies Lajada. Ronnel Valero took third in 18h21, followed by Rafy Ciano and Johnrey Espadon. In the womens’ 100km, Rhea Falitnang was once again outstanding and took the victory in 22h14. Elma Bengwasen and Maria Isabel Reyes were second and third in 24h12. Sandra Patricia Bernal and Grandmaster Ann. Jilian Pulanco finished in fourth and fifth place.

On the 50km we got pleasantly re-acquainted with Randolf Gonzales after a season away from the ATM circuit. Gonzales was fastest in 6h02, twenty minutes ahead of a strong John Taquiqui. They were well ahead of the other competitors, of whom Kart Russel Dela Cruz grabbed third place ahead of Albert Codamon and Vinson Ramos. Also the women’s 50km saw a nice battle for victory with Trisha Reyes eventually taking it in 8h53, just ahead of Myrna Batiyeg. Loraine Dulagan was third in 9h12. One of Philippines’ female trail legends Majo Liao made a nice appearance and finished fourth, ahead of Mercy Tacloy.

100km race winner Ligorinson Abbugao

Great to be back: Randolf Gonzales

Trisha Reyes, fastest woman on the 50km

Rhea Falitnag unbeatable on the women’s 100km

Maria Reyes : third on the 100km

For the first time runners could score a Grandmaster Quest point at Kokol Ultra, the annual event in Sabah, Malaysia - an ATM Candidate Race already before. Over the years, Kokol had kept growing and adding more offroad sections to its course map, so no fewer than 1200 participants turned up last weekend. To the extent the organisational team got a little overwhelmed and some heavy downpours of rain did not make it any easier.

The flagship race was of course the 70km - the category in which finishers could score a point for their Grandmaster Quest. Fastest runner was well-known Syahrul Neyzam Sukasdi, who completed the course in 10h23. That was well-ahead of Azman Salama and Samry Sainin (ATM Finalist for Malaysia earlier this month). Interestingly, three veteran runners thus scored overall podium

The women’s 70km race actually was super exciting to follow. ATM Finalists last month, Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna for Philippines and Harlin Richard for Malaysia, as well as Keziah Marieah Loreto looked like they were going to contest the race victory. However, 2-star Grandmaster Adelinah Lintanga suddenly switched on her turbo engine towards the end and overtook the others to claim a brilliant win, her first in a while. Lintanga dug deep and crossed the finish line in heavy rain in a time of 13h01. Harlin Richard was second one-and-a-half minute later, followed by Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna. Adelinah’s sister Jessica finished tenth in her first Grandmaster distance in ATM since 2019. Both Lintanga sisters now have 14 GM points, meaning one to go before they ‘graduate’ as 3-star Silver Grandmasters.

Malaysians still have another chance to score a Grandmaster Quest point in their home country this year. At the end of November, they can do so by finishing the 70km race at Trail des Lenggeng in Negeri Sembilan, not too far from KLIA.

The first edition of Zamboanga Ultra Trail, an ATM Candidate Race, took place last weekend in and around the home of Kik Suello. The 75km main race saw an exciting battle for victory between Exeqiel Velez, Ronie Jandong and Roel Castillo. They ran together, pushing one another to their limits until one finally fell behind. In the end, Exeqiel and Ronie reached the finish line together and decided to settle it, with Exeqiel Velez claiming victory followed by Ronie Jandong in 2nd place! Meanwhile, Mich Orbunda managed to still grab 3rd place.

In the women’s category, Shina Bernardo took home 1st place, while Grandmaster Realyn Lugo secured 2nd place.

People who made the long trip to Thailand’s Tulay Trail on the western border with Myanmar did not complain after a very scenic and well-organised event that was part of the ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendar for the first time.

Portugal’s Henrique Nicolau, who actually hails from the Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean, won his second ATM race in a fortnight. Nicolau was fastest in the men’s tough 45km race in 6h41. Thailand’s well-known Chartchay Inchai took second in 7h01. It was tight between the two until the last 8 km, when Nicolau clearly had some more pace left. With 1000 points already in the bag for winning Luang Prabang Trail 75 and Tulay Trail 45, Nicolau may already be qualified for next year’s ATM Championship Final in Team Asia Expat.

In third place we had Thai youngster Phatchara Sanasen in 7h13. Together with Inchai, Sanasen tried to keep up with Nicolau early on, but dropped back as the race progressed. He still managed to keep a good pace, though. Fourth place went to Preecha Bualuang. Indonesia’s Nizar Surydratama arrived in fifth place, after third in Luang Prabang 75. Weerapong Pongka claimed sixth place.

Krittiya Buabut won the women’s 45km race in 9h21. She led from start to finish. It was Buabut’s first ATM race victory and race participation, and arguably it won’t be her last. Experienced Areerat Kareeklin finished in second place in 10h00. She’s been around for some years and scored yet another ATM race podium.

Tichakorn Hemmakul and Ratchanok Boonkomood were third and fourth. Sawitree Piadech completed the Top five.

On the men’s 100km, victory went to Surasak Somboon in 15h37! Undisputed, Somboon dominated the tough race the entire day and claimed his first ever ATM race victory. Sanya Khancai and Napat Prompataya finished together in second and third place, at considerable distance from Somboon.

Prapaipit Chaowalit secured victory in the very tough 100km for women. Also leading more or less from start to finish, she was nevertheless kept focused by the strong Lao runner Yoth Soulivanthong, winner of V Trail earlier this year. Chaowalit finished in 23h29, half an hour ahead of Soulivanthong. Papichaya Lhosupasirirat was third on the podium

The next ATM Championship Qualifier in Thailand also takes place in Tak province. From 11 to 13 December, runners can score points in Soimalai Trail. The two distances to focus on are the 100 miles and the 65km.