BDUTM: Wilsen Singgin outguns Sefli Ahar

Brunei Darussalam Ultra Trail Marathon has claimed a rightful spot on the trail calendar with its daring loop concept. The inaugural event last weekend had received the ATM Candidate label and saw a fine competition on a 5km loop course that was - as so often in Brunei - more challenging than most had anticipated. Race-wise, we saw an impressive performance by Sabah’s Wilsen Singgin, who of course always thrives when the trails are tough. Singgin took victory on the 50km by passing local hero Sefli Ahar on the last lap. In the women’s competition, Mailin Salungin -also from Sabah- was the strong winner.

BDUTM took place at night time in the Tasek Lama Recreational Park and had over 3000hm of elevation gain for the 10-lap 50km race. Other than the 50km, there were also shorter distance categories, with Milton Amat winning the 30km, for instance, as he prepares for his upcoming ATM points races BUTM 50 and Lantau 70.

As in almost every race he starts, Sefli Ahar decided to set the pace from the beginning. A multiple race winner in ATM in the early seasons, Ahar returned to the scene at TMBT last year and scored second behind John Ray Onifa on the 50km. Now approaching 50 years of age, Sefli is still very fast, but the much younger and technically very skilled Wilsen Singgin turned out to have a little more power left at the end. Singgin will also be featuring at BUTM 50 and Lantau 70 in March. Sefli Ahar came second ahead of his countryman and ATM Grandmaster Alexander Chung Kwei Ming.

The experienced Mailin Salungin, who has scored podium places in a.o. TMBT in the past, was leading most of the race, with Kona Liau and Jennyifer Townsend joining her on the 50km podium.

In early June, runners can score ATM Championship points in Brunei as well at the Simpur Ultra event.