Danao City with ATM Champion John Ray Onifa

The 1st edition of the Danao City Ultra Trail in Cebu, Philippines, can look forward to the participation of reigning ATM male champion John Ray Onifa this Sunday. Being more or less at home in the Visayas, Onifa will be running the 30km shorter distance race of the ATM Candidate event, which also offers 100km and 50km categories. Onifa is probably hoping for a calm race, having just done a highly competitive 100km in Hong Kong last weekend, but will have the 23-year-old up-and-comer Godwin Mirar on his tail this Sunday.

The new event Danao City Ultra Trail has been set up under the direction of Bitbit Marites Sotto, a former highly successful adventure, MTB and trail running racer. The ambition seems clear: make this the stand-out trail running event in the Visayas. Runners can look forward to lush forests, rocky trails, and stunning vistas. The 100km ultra will certainly not be the easiest race to complete, looking at its continuously ondulating profile and the more than 6000 hm of elevation gain. Cut off time has been set at 30 hours with start at midnight. Ezekiel Cheruiyot from Kenya will be one to look out for. As one of few in his country of runners to have a clear focus on long distance trail ultras, Cheruiyot has been on the ATM scene before - collecting a second place in the 100 miles race of Ultra Trail Chiang Mai in Thailand in 2022. Looking at the start list, amongst the known competitors, we find Noy Gentoleo - always a contender for podium or at least top five. Florence Alave, recently third on Mt Apo Sky Race 100, will certainly also be in the mix.

On the 50km eyes will be focused on Larry Apolinario and Cecille Wael in the men’s and women’s races, respectively. Both had a rollercoaster year in 2023 with great race performances alternating with injury-related struggles. Apolinario is also one of those young local stars trying to stay in the slipstream of John Ray Onifa and Arnie Macaneras in the hope of one day taking over the crown.

ATM will be providing live race coverage all weekend from Danao City. You can follow the action as usual primarily on ATM Facebook, but also on ATM Instagram, ATM YouTube and ATM X channels.

John Ray Onifa kicks off his 2024 ATM season with the 30k at Danao City Candidate Race, but will face some strong opposition by the name of upcoming youngster Godwin Mirar

Cecille Wael will be aiming for success on the 50km having taken it easy over the past two months to allow her persistent ankle injury to heal

Larry Apolinario when he impressively won MUSPO 100 in July 2022. He will be on the 50k this weekend.