Admire Orang Utans on your trails in Bukit Lawang

One of the more eye-catching ATM Candidate Races last year was undoubtedly North Sumatra’s Bukit Lawang Orang Utan Trail. A new event in the spirit of Tahura Trail, which name wasn’t chosen for clickbait: runners were literally entering the forest inhabited by the sumatran orang utans, who presented themselves as interested spectators of the trail race. On the weekend of 27/28 May, runners are again encouraged to join the Bukit Lawang Orang Utan Trail event, now part of the Asia Trail Master Championship calendar. BLOT offers a 50km points race and two shorter categories for less ambitious participants.

Bukit Lawang is the name of the host venue, in a picturesque setting by a lake. The event has a similar feel to Vietnam Jungle Marathon in Pu Luong and Cordillera Mountain Ultra in Tinongdan. Local homestays and guesthouses are kindly being offered as the go-to accommodation option for the weekend. Bukit Lawang is situated roughly 3 hours by bus from Sumatra’s biggest city Medan, which is internationally connected by air. The forest is part of the vast Mount Leuser National Park.

The 50 km race will largely but not entirely follow the course of 2022, when it was a 42k distance. The main characteristic of the race course, namely a flattish and very runable first half followed by a technical second half in the deep jungle on single trails remains. Competitive athletes therefore need to manage their efforts well to prevent a knock of the hammer in the final hour. The Orang Utans will only watch you struggle, they are unlikely to assist you :-) .

Registration is open via the official website linked below.