Milton Amat reigns supreme as Rashila Tamang debuts with victory

Sabah’s Milton Amat won the Koboi Malaya Trail Classic 50 km in Jerantut, Pahang, last Sunday with a superb time of 3 hours 56 minutes. . Just like Hisashi Kitamura and Jeff Campbell earlier this season, it's Milton's 7th ATM race victory ever and he further underlines he is now also his country’s benchmark over the medium trail distance.

Initially, Amat had to cope with the surprisingly fast Jia Xian Tai from Johor. The newcomer on the ATM scene eventually had to let Amat go but still held on to second place, 19 minutes behind. But Jia Xian Tai did stay ahead of 2018 race winner Mohammed Affindi. Affindi was solid as usual, but a bit frustrated as he was one of several competitive runners who had issues with the markings. Amir Zaki finished fourth right on the tail of Affindi. Amierul Amin Shamsul Kamal was a great fifth very closely behind. Next came Dzul Izwan Sire Ee, Aqmal Adzmi, Wilsen Singgin - not his best race, clearly - Abdul Rasyid Mohd Salemuddin and Etienne Sapin.

Rashila Tamang from Kathmandu, Nepal, was the great winner of the women's race in 5h08! Wonderful debut on the ATM circuit for the runner from Team T8 Nepal, promising a lot for later in the season and this year's Championship. In second place we found Sarawakian Sally Yap, confirming she can also perform on runable courses. Sally, the vice-ATM champion from last season, completed Koboi Malaya in 5h27. Early race leader Chhiok Sherpa, also from T8 Nepal, came third after missing a marking late in the race. Both Nepalese runners showed their running talent, but are likely to be even more in their element in the mountains. In fourth we have an excellent result by Norlela Ismail from Team La Sportiva Malaysia. Norlela was an ATM Finalist last year. Canada's Isabelle Bedard arrived in 5th place, but was later relegated as she also fell victim to the seemingly inadequate marking. Fifth place was inherited by mountain runner Izzah Hazirah.

The race in Jerantut, Pahang, lived up to its promise as being a 'speed trail'. After the start was delayed due to heavy rainfall, runners got going in quasi ideal circumstances and the finishing time of Milton Amat says it all.