ATM Ranking Update going into May

Season IX is in full swing and with just under five months to go before the Championship Final at Borneo TMBT Ultra in Malaysia on 14 September, it’s time for a first more detailed look at the country rankings, which lead to qualification for the country teams in the final race. The competition has been hot in the Philippines already, as most of the domestic races have already been concluded and filipinos are also keen travellers. Important to note is that the reigning ATM Champion John Ray Onifa has already scored his wild card for this year’s final by completing the 9 Dragons 50k and Lantau 70. This means Team Pilipinas can have 11 runners, or maybe even 12, if also 2022 champion Arnie Macaneras gets his wild card in the coming months. Macaneras did 9 Dragons 50/50 in February, so one more ATM race finish is sufficient for him. In the battle for points, Maynard Encornal is currently leading the ranking after three solid races including a win at Bagtit Ultra 100. Florence ‘Enciong’ Alave is in second, but 1265 points in four races is probably not going to be enough. Remember this is a ‘best-of-four points system’, so many other competitive runners will be catching up soon. Several relative new names on the board add to the excitement in Philippines, while Sean Aying has again managed to be in the mix, too. On the women’s side, Christine Montuya and Shally Yuson already scored points in four races, and even a substantial amount! Montuya was the upset winner of Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in March, but it’s Julie Ann Morales who has been undefeated in all three of her ATM races this season. While Montuya and Yuson currently can take a breather, the battle for the five top positions promises to be big in the coming months. Moreover, The Punisher in Mindanao on 10 August will be the all-deciding last points race of the season before the ATM Final..

Contrary to the Philippines, trail action in Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan - amongst others - is picking up now. Traditionally, also in Malaysia there is a tight contest between many runners to try and get inside the top five and into Team Malaysia. Especially as this year’s Final is in Sabah, Malaysia. No surprise therefore to see Milton Amat, Wilsen Singgin, Rejlen James already with points on the board. There’s plenty of other East Malaysian talent we are likely to hear much more about in the coming months: Shamiera Auther, Adelinah Lintanga, Yasbie Ismail, Maikol Oswald and good old Gustin Tiam. The next two Malaysian points races are coming soon with Silabur Cave Trail and Tioman 50, and of course UTSG 50 in Singapore is also close by.

In Vietnam, a very competitive men’s team is coming together after two races in the country already. Nguyen Si Hieu has marked this season’s Final dark red in his race calendar, and so no surprise he is leading the points ranking in Vietnam. Nguyen Tien Vo keeps improving and has just celebrated his first ATM victory at Cuc Phuong 100. Also Tu Do is a talent who has become a regular contender in races. On the female side, Loi Luong has put herself on the board and is one of those up & comers in Southeast Asia who could deliver a big surprise in September.

Nepal could be fielding a very strong team for the first time after two events took place in the country, giving local runners the opportunity to score the necessary points and race finishes. Reigning ATM Champion Rashila Tamang has secured her wild card by finishing Lantau 70 and Manjushree Trail 50. From an ATM perspective, she can focus on a full recovery from her thigh injury in order to be back at her best when defending her title at TMBT in September. Rashila could be joined by some other strong female runners, such as Priya Rai in the first place. Priya looked outstanding in both her 50k wins a few weeks ago. On the men’s side, Milan Kulung Rai and Lokendra Rai digested the combo MTR-Jumla Rara better than some of their better-known compatriots and are 1-2 in the points ranking. Also Hong Kong-based Dina Bagale and MTR 100 Miles winner Arjun Rai Kulung are currently qualified.

On the Japanese side, Tomohiro Mizukoshi and Akane Nemoto have already done well to get two solid results in the books. The same applies for Hong Kongers Luis Alvelais, Angie Yan - one of the revelations this season - , Naomi Fung and Kimmy Hong Kiu Leung. John Ellis is reportedly aiming for his wild card as 2019 champion, and Jeff Campbell is soon returning from a prolongued injury break to try and get himself qualified for the third year in a row. The Asia Expat team has seen 2018 champion and 2023 vice-champion Alessandro Sherpa already collecting his wild card, and also last year’s 3rd place Kristian Joergensen has clocked in two results already. As it goes, not all “expats” ranked are actually living in Asia, but in theory there’s a strong team in the making on both the male and female side.

To check the full ranking, please visit our dedicated webpage and the links to the male and female rankings.