It is a pleasure to announce that the new Mt. Anggas Vertical Challenge will be a Candidate Race for Asia Trail Master on 18 January. 2026. It is the first-ever trail running event to be held at the iconic Mt. Anggas in Gitagum, not too far from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, Phillipines. Designed to showcase the rugged beauty of Misamis Oriental, this race combines stunning ridgeline views, steep ascents, and community spirit into one unforgettable trail experience.

After Davao and Bukidnon, the northwestern area of Mindanao is also clearly developing into yet another trail hub. Only last week, Impasugong Ridge Ultra took place as well. Mount Anggas Vertical Challenge offers several race distance categories, of which the 42km is the longest. It has 1800 metres of elevation gain. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 21km, 15km or 10km categories. 

Mount Anggas has been a popular hiking and trekking destination for a while. It is a grassland mountain range, rich in minerals and rocks. Not very high, but providing great scenic views across the region nonetheless.

The event is organised by Bakyard Events in cooperation with LGU Gitagum. As Jay Lorenzo Amarga states: “We aim to highlight Mt. Anggas as a premier trail running destination in Mindanao while promoting eco-tourism, sustainability, and mental health awareness.”  The event therefore has a long horizon, envisaging gradual growth towards one of the country’s flagship trail events. 

The event is very easy to access for those coming from a bit further away. Mount Anggas is basically next to Laguindingan Airport, the airport of Cagayan de Oro. Via the facebook page below, you can get all details including links to the registration page.

After the unfortunate cancellation of Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail and therefore also the Season 10 Asia Trail Master Championship Final race due to the devastation caused by typhoon Bualoi, we are working on alternative solutions as we speak. While a definite and formal conclusion will probably not be announced within the next week, please note the following nevertheless:

1) The idea is to still have a Season 10 Final race with January 2026 as the target month. This also to allow the qualified Finalist runners to properly prepare and plan for this new race goal. Discussions with a one particular event have already begun. Interested event organisers are also welcome to reach out to Asia Trail Master via kris@asiatrailmaster.com .

2) All the runners who were qualified for last weekend’s race, remain qualified for the envisaged new race in January.

3) Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail has requested to host the 2026 Season 11 ATM Championship Final on 3 October 2026. ATM gladly accepts the bid as we remain convinced Mu Cang Chai will make for a fantastic championship race and overall running experience.

4) Season 11 kicks off as scheduled on 18 October with Luang Prabang Trail in Laos, followed by Ultra Fish N Sheep in Hong Kong and Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam. Runners score ATM points already for the new Season 11 rankings that will decide the qualifiers for the aforementioned Mu Cang Chai Final on 3 October.

As previously mentioned, Asia Trail Master, Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail and the local authorities in Mu Cang Chai and Yen Bai Province wish to thank everybody for their understanding and acceptance that there was no way the event could be held last weekend.

It is a cliche as high as a skyscraper: you can be 100% ready and prepared to stage a wonderful event, but you can never book the weather. A very powerful typhoon hit Hanoi and Northwestern Vietnam on Monday and early Tuesday causing havoc and heaps of damage through landslides and flooding, even in Hanoi City. With road access to the Mu Cang Chai town and region blocked as well, the local authorities informed the organiser of Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail that the upcoming event, scheduled from 3 to 5 October, cannot be held in the given circumstances. On Tuesday night local time, the official announcement was published via the company’s facebook page and shared via Asia Trail Master.

The 2025 Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail event will not be re-scheduled for later this year and instead all efforts will be directed towards the 2026 edition already scheduled for the same first weekend of October.

In collaboration with the event organiser, Asia Trail Master is considering options for a new date and venue to still hold the Season 10 Championship Final race before year’s end.

Runners who are travelling to Hanoi can still make use of the previously planned hotel arrangement in Hanoi. Gatherings may be organised ad-hoc for Friday and Saturday.

A few runners, including reigning female ATM Champion Priya Rai, witnessed the typhoon first-hand as they had already arrived in Hanoi before. Grandmaster Ann Jiiian Pulanco got stuck between Hanoi and Mu Cang Chai during her journey to the event destination. 2022 ATM Champion and local hero Hau Ha stated that her hometown Sapa is also cut-off due to landslides.

Asia Trail Master and the event organising team of Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail are highly grateful for runners’ kind understanding of this force majeure situation. Further information is to follow.

Godwin Mirar and Rejlen James are the overall Points King and Queen, respectively, of Season 10 in the Asia Trail Master Championship series. Both scored 2000 points in total, more than anyone else in four races during the season that began with Dieng Trail Run in Indonesia last year and ended with Ijen Mountain Marathon, also in Indonesia, earlier this month. Godwin Mirar succeeds Wilsen Singgin on the palmares, while Rejlen James follows Julieann Morales. 

The ATM Points Title neatly reflects the maturity Godwin Mirar has gained over the past months, after a rocky start of his season. First, he DNFd together with Kristian Joergensen as the duo went off course in Lam Dong Trail, and then the 25-year-old Filipino saw a near certain victory slip out of his hands in the final section of a bitterly cold Vietnam Trail Marathon. A couple of months later came the reset. Godwin Mirar ran his home race in Bukidnon, Mount Kalatungan Ultra, and took his first ever ATM race victory. Barely two months later, he impressed everyone with his showing in Penang Sky Race - taking his second win in superb style. Two wins, a fifth place and a DNF did not suffice to qualify for the highly competitive Team Philippines, so Godwin added The Punisher and Borneo TMBT Ultra to his race schedule in August. On Samal Island he collected race win number three, in so doing eliminating the DNF in Lam Dong from his points tally. He also crossed the finish line first at TMBT, but a mandatory gear infringement relegated him to second place afterwards. Still, he also deleted the 375 points of VTM and replaced it with 450 of TMBT and in so doing ended up with 2000 points, also including the 50-point Abroad Bonus for having traveled to at least 1 race abroad. In the final points table, he has 75 points more than 2024 ATM Champion Jeff Campbell and Singapore’s Chris Timms. His Filipino compatriots Roberto Cain III and Kik Suello are fourth and fifth in the final ranking of the season, indicating once again how dense the competition in his country is. 

Godwin Mirar will be one of the logical race favourites in Saturday’s ATM Championship title race. If he can keep his nerves in check and his head cool, Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail may very well be his real international breakthrough. 

Rejlen James once again proved she is the trail Queen of Sabah this season, winning in all three major events: BUTM, KAR Ultra and Borneo TMBT Ultra! Combined with a second place behind Nepal’s Dilu Limbu in Trail des Gombak 100, that also results in 2000 points for her four best races of the season. She collected the 50-point Abroad Bonus for traveling to Philippines and do Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in the Rizal mountains near Manila. Given James has a reputation for struggling when racing abroad, she actually did well in that race also: second place behind local hero Cecille Wael. Overall, a highly consistent and impressive season again for Rejlen James, who deservedly takes the ATM Points Title this year. In the final ranking, she preceeds Philippines’ Shally Yuson (who clearly made a step forward in performance this season) and Kuala Lumpur-based Filipino Ritzy Amor - another exciting newcomer this season, combining trail running with boxing, muay thai and wall climbing. 

Rejlen James will not be claiming her spot in Team Malaysia for the ATM Championship Final this coming Saturday. Despite very good race results also in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, she could not deliver the same performance in the Finals and has therefore decided to give it a miss this year. Her place in Team Malaysia has been taken by first reserve Yvette Chong Mi Chin from Sarawak, a very busy bee in our ATM series who sees her perseverance rewarded with a second qualification for the Finals after the first in 2022. 

Men’s Overall Top 10 of Season 10

1. Godwin Mirar (PHI) 2000 points (6)

2. Jeff Campbell (CAN/HKG) 1925 (4)

3. Chris Timms (GBR/SGP) 1925 (4)

4. Roberto Cain III (PHI) 1900 (5)

5. Kik Suello (PHI) 1875 (5)

6. Kristian Joergensen (DEN/PHI) 1825 (5)

7. Muhammad Faris (MAS) 1775 (4)

8. Wilsen Singgin (MAS) 1775 (4)

9. Hisashi Kitamura (JPN) 1715 (4)

10. Oswald Maikol (MAS) 1700 (4)

Women’s Overall Top 10 of Season 10

1. Rejlen James (MAS) 2000 points (5)

2. Shally Yuson (PHI) 1925 (4)

3. Ritzy Amor (PHI) 1825 (5)

4. Adelinah Lintanga (MAS) 1630 (4)

5. Shekinah Velasquez (PHI) 1590 (4)

6. Lalitah Lintanga (MAS) 1580 (4)

7. Metzi Joy Alson (PHI) 1555 (4)

8. Cecille Wael (PHI) 1480 (4)

9. Nurul Emyra Fazira Isnariah (MAS) 1470 (4)

10. Yvette Chong Mi Chin (MAS) 1460 (8)

It’s another busy weekend in the Philippines with the Grandmaster Quest event Santa Cruz Trail Ultra near Davao, and on the other side of Mindanao, the Impasugong Ridge Ultra near Cagayan de Oro. A new ATM Candidate Race, which will have its third edition and the main race - 55km - starting on Sunday early morning.

Organised by Trillchaser Sports Promotion Services and directed by experienced trail runner Juliet Chavez, Impasugong offers a challenging and scenic 55km race. Impasugong Ridge Ultra aims to provide for runners of all levels. The 55km is the flagship race, but there’s also a 30k and a 15k for the less ambitious. Participants on the 55 will need to conquer no less than 2600 hm of elevation gain: not nothing. For competitive runners, the last 10k are downhill and flattish to the finish, so one better keep some juice in the legs.

On the start list of the 55km we find new names almost throughout the list, which proves again the enormous boom of trail running that has been happening since covid on this large southern island in the Philippines. Mind you, the list is 110 lines long - just for the 55km. We are looking forward to getting to know some of them this weekend.

One week before the conclusion of Season 10 in the Asia Trail Master Championship series in Vietnam, runners on the Grandmaster Quest have a chance to collect another GM point in Santa Cruz, Davao, Philippines at the Santa Cruz Trail Ultra. Established by Santa Cruz Trail Runners and with Grandmaster*** Sean Aying as race director, the event was a Candidate last year and now offers a GM point for finishers in the 75km category.

2025 is the third edition of the Sta Cruz Trail Ultra. The event is in celebration of the 141st Araw ng Sta. Cruz, a tribute to the rich heritage and awe-inspiring landscapes of Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur. While the 75km is the main category, less ambitious runners can also choose 3K, 15K, and 30K categories options. As the official SCTU intro reads: “the event will be guiding participants through the heart of the central mountain ranges and across the rugged ridgelines of majestic summits. The course reaches its climax at Mt. Tinako, standing proudly at over 1,300+ above sea level—the highest point of the race—offering not just a test of endurance, but views that will take your breath away. “

Interesting to note is that SCTU is part of the Trailblazer Program under the Sta. Cruz Tourism Office, positioning the municipality as a top trail running destination in Southern Mindanao. A strong focus on eco-tourism and community involvement, the event brings together athletes, nature lovers, and local stakeholders for a cause that goes beyond the finish line.

The start venue is the new Sta Cruz New Municipal Hall and the 75km will be flagged off on Saturday afternoon 4 pm. On the start list, several well-known runners and Grandmasters such as Jay Delgado, Elron Joyce Josue, Ryan Arriola, Emman Manongsong, Leoniel Perez, Rhodel Sarande, Mario Yap, Benjamin Nueva Jr and even ATM Finalist Roberto Cain III.

It is true pleasure to announce today the first male Golden Grandmaster from the Philippines in our Asia Trail Master series : none other than Alfredo Reyes Jr managed to collect his fourth Grandmaster star at Marilog Ultra 70 in Davao a few weeks ago! Alfredo is the 7th Golden Grandmaster overall, following in the footsteps of a.o. his compatriot Rhea Batac, who completed her Quest back in July 2024.

Alfredo Reyes Jr required just three years to run and finish is 20 ATM ultras. He began his journey at MUSPO 100 in July 2022 and by the end of 2023 scored his first Grandmaster star in Indonesia. He continued with great determination and added his second star eleven months later in at Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam. But it’s only since then - ten months ago - that his engine really came up to speed. From 10 to 20 in less than a year! Alfredo was also not shy to include some really tough ultras on his itinerary , such as The 9 Dragons, Pulag Ultra and Hardcore 50 Miles. He traveled to several countries during his Grandmaster Quest, including Hong Kong, Indonesia and Vietnam while crisscrossing the Philippines from Mindanao to Luzon and back as well.

He may not be a Championship runner, but his amazing achievement - especially in the final year - is an inspiration for all of us, proving that with the right mindset you can do everything. Let’s have a very big and well-earned applause for new Four Star Grandmaster Alfredo Reyes Jr!

Alfredo Reyes Jr.’s Grandmaster Quest Palmares

1. Muspo 100km July (2022),

2. Mt. Apo Skyrace 100 Dec (2022)

3. Sta. Ines Mountain Adventure Run 80k (2023)

4. Sierra Madre Trail Ultra 75 May (2023)

5. Matanao Mountain Marathon 70k Oct (2023)

6. Siksorogo Lawu Ultra 80 Dec (2023)

7. Bagtit Ultra 100k Feb (2024)

8. Mt. Kalatungan Trail Ultra 85k Mar (2024)

9. Bali Ultra 80k Aug (2024)

10. Lam Dong Ultra 75k Nov (2024)

11. Santa Cruz 70 Nov (2024)

12. Malico Grand Ultra 75 Jan (2025)

13. The 9 Dragons 50miles Feb (2025)

14. Pulag Ultra 65km Feb (2025)

15. Vietnam Ultra Marathon 75k Mar (2025)

16. Lantau 70 Mar (2025)

17. Hardcore Ultra Trail 50miles May (2025)

18. Camiguin Ultra Trail Race 70km July (2025)

19. Punisher Ultra Marathon 50miles Aug 16-17 (2025)

20. Marilog Trail Ultra 70km Aug 30-31 (2025)

We are very happy to announce that the popular Minamiaso Caldera Trail on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label for its ‘winter edition’ on Saturday, 20 December 2025. It will be the 11th edition of the event, which features a 50km main race category in and around Minamiaso and one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. For international runners, Minamiaso could be combined with Izu Trail Journey, the ATM Championship & Grandmaster Quest points race taking place six days earlier.

Organised by Local Gain Inc, Minamiaso brings together maximum 1500 runners across three race categories. Apart from the flagship 50km, there is also a 30km, a 18km and 2km for less ambitious runners. The 50km is not to be underestimated with approx 2500 metres of elevation gain, as well as potential snow and chilly temperatures. It is a beautiful course, which is designated as a national park in Japan.

Actually, Minamiaso Caldera Trail takes place twice a year: once in winter and once in summer (July). Runners can therefore enjoy two different experiences each year.

Minamiaso is a village in Kumamoto Prefecture, which has an international airport with flights to a.o. Hong Kong, Seoul, Busan, Shanghai and Taiwan. Of course, there are also plenty of domestic connections to Tokyo, Osaka etc. Note that Fukuoka, Japan’s fifth biggest city on the northside of Kyushu island, is just a 2-hour drive away from Kumamoto and Minamiaso as well. International runners could target Fukuoka airport, too, and take a shinkansen to Kumamoto (50 minutes).

The website of the event is fully translated in English and linked below. Note that registration is open and expected to be full by the end of October.

Photos below by PhotomorU.

For the second year in succession, trail runners can look forward to scoring ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest points at the Kalaw Ultra Trail Run in Myanmar on 7/8 February 2026. On the programme, once again, two valid race categories for the Championship: 50km and the new 100km, upgraded from the 80km last year. Organised by the Myanmar Ultra Trail Running Association, Kalaw Ultra Trail Run was one of the highlights of Season 10 in our series and therefore comes highly recommended for those runners looking for a great experience in a new trail destination country.

Trail running in Myanmar is growing despite the difficulties many citizens face in the large Southeast Asian country. At the upcoming ATM Championship Final, no fewer than six Myanmar athletes qualified and will effectively take part in the 75km long Mu Cang Chai race in Vietnam on 4 October. Kalaw is a short flight away from Yangon or Mandalay, and a major adventure tourism hub - also thanks to nearby Inle Lake. The event saw almost 900 very enthusiastic runners in 2025 and expectations are that the 1000 barrier will be crossed in 2026. On our ATM YouTube channel you can revisit several videos of the 2025 races.

Kalaw Ultra Trail Run is arguably not the most technical trail run. If you have never done trail before, this is a good introduction. It is the kind of trail race where fast legs can make the difference, even though there is still elevation gain to be conquered as well. Percentage-wise, the 50km course with 1700hm is therefore a bit tougher on paper than the 100km course with 2600 hm.

Accommodation in Kalaw is not so complicated to find, but given the high participation rate, you might wish to book early or seek help from Hansar Travel to ensure you get a place to stay. The town is pleasant in its own right, and after the race you could easily spend some more time around Inle Lake before heading back to Yangon or Mandalay. Check out several options via the official registration website linked below.

In 2025, local hero Jack Speed was fastest on the 80km for men, with Alaska’s Aleta Phelps taking the women’s victory. On the 50km, locals Wunna Lin and Myint Myint Aye took top honours.

The Tampin Transnaning Challenge last weekend in Negeri Sembilan, not too far from Malacca, lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest trail running races in Malaysia. The loop-race, each loop featuring Mount Tampin, is 34km long and has about 2400 metres of elevation gain! Runners who completed three or two loops all scored an extra point for their Grandmaster Quest. 13 runners managed to do the “big one”, the 100km race category with three loops. Grandmaster Seng Lip Ku was fastest among them in a time of 24h51’36. He was in the lead all race, already having once done five loops at a previous edition in 2022. Kee Ming Lim was about 40 minutes behind him at the finish. He had tried to chase Ku down, but began to suffer from heat exhaustion and reportedly even contemplated quitting the race. Many participants struggled with dehydration this year. Muhammad Quayyum Bin Suleiman came in third in 26h27. No female runners attempted the three loops this year.

The 68km race, two loops, saw Chong Han Sia and Real Ho having a good competition. Eventually, Chong Han took top honours in a time of 15h05, about 40 minutes ahead of Real Ho. The men’s podium was completed by Ares Hee in 16h14.

Yu Tongcheng was the quickest female runner on the two loops in 17h35. She was followed by Tsui Chin Ho, about half an hour later at the finish. In third was Grandmaster Roan Biguasen in 18h53.

Seng Lip Ku the fastest runner on the 100km

Wayne Tang scored his Grandmaster 1 star at Transnaning

David Khoo

This weekend, trail runners have the opportunity to collect another Grandmaster point in Malaysia at the Tampin Transnaning Ultra in Negeri Sembilan. It’s the penultimate Grandmaster Quest event of Season 10, with Santa Cruz Trail Ultra still upcoming in the Philippines next week as well. In a fortnight, all eyes are of course focused on the ATM Championship conclusion at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October.

Tampin Transnaning was a Candidate Race two years ago and is a loop event with two GM distance categories: 102km and 68km. The latter is officially not 70km, but has 4800 metres of elevation gain - enough for a GM point, similar with Mantra 68km. The 102km is essentially 3 loops and named “Challenger”, the 68km is 2 loops and named “Ultra”. The ‘loop’ is 34km on and around Mount Tampin.

Tampin Hill is close to Malacca and a popular hiking destination away from the hustle bustle of nearby Seremban city, which is approximately 1 hour drive or 60km away. One of the nation’s oldest forest reserves, Tampin Hill is a hill dipterocarp forest. By geographical definition, Mount Tampin stands at the southern end of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the longest and most contiguous mountain range in Malaysia and part of the Tenasserim Hills. Being a twin-peaked mountain, it consists of the main peak (North Tampin Peak), measuring 764 m (2,507 ft) above sea level; and the lower Tampin Hill, of the height of 560 m (1,837 ft) above sea level, connected by a saddle. The South Tampin Peak, situated just south of North Tampin Peak and north of Tampin Hill, is 733 m (2,405 ft) above sea level.

The race course is not just an ordinary loop; it follows for more than 21 km of the famous Trans Naning Trail. That’s a reputedly tough trail with thick forests, steep slopes, and two genuine mountain peaks. The looping concept has the advantage that spectators and friends can see the runners a few times as they return to Tampin Water Park after each lap. Runners aiming for a Grandmaster Point need to complete 2 or 3 laps.

The 102 km is considered very tough, and a true challenge for all participants to complete.

New Corella Trail Ultra is a new Filipino entry on the Asia Trail Master Championship calendar of Season 11. The third edition of the event is scheduled for 20/21 December and will therefore be the last points race or championship qualifier before the Christmas and New Year’s break. Focus is exclusively on the 70km category for both ATM Championship points and Grandmaster Quest points.

New Corella Trail Ultra is the second event organised by the AWRA Davao Team, located in Davao del Norte. Their other event, Bislig Ultra Trail, features on our Grandmaster Quest calendar one week after the Season 10 Championship Final. Both events went through the Candidate Race label process last year.

New Corella does not have mindblowing elevation gain numbers with approx 2800 hm for 70km, but numbers can be misleading. Last year’s race proved the trail course is much tougher than one expects at first sight. Views and scenery along the way are sublime, so you will get rewarded for your efforts.

Participants will traverse diverse terrain, from rolling hills and dense forests to river crossings and rugged mountain trails. The course has a number of distinct highlights. Bundok Cave is a remarkable 200-foot-long cave that runners will traverse. The Panas Waterfalls and the Casilak Waterfalls are two breathaking natural falls. Then there is Balaang Bukid, a prominent landmark with significant local cultural and spiritual relevance. Furthermore, runners will also pass by neighbouring municipalities that will show the beauty of Nabunturen and Mawab.

One of the race's highlights is the passage through the famous Bundok Cave, a stunning 200-foot-long natural formation, as well as scenic spots like the breathtaking Panas Falls. The race route also extends to neighboring municipalities, showcasing the natural beauty of Nabunturan and Mawab. Beyond the competition, the NCTR50 promotes environmental awareness, supports the local tourism industry of Davao del Norte, and highlights the rich culture of New Corella.

A new talent from Bukidnon won the men’s race a year ago: Vincent Philip Sinanggote . The 24-year-old had the better of another promising runner, Eldy Bulod. Sinanggote finished the 50km in a time of 7h11 , which was almost half an hour quicker than Bulod. In fact, Bulod had to hurry up in the end as Angelo Navarro concluded his race just 30 seconds after him. The women’s 50k Candidate Race was won by Guia Heistaire Angela, who finished quite a way ahead of Janet Arnego and Carmhelle Pilos, who completed the podium.