We are happy to announce that Ultra Trail Zamboanga (UTZ) has obtained the Asia Trail Master Candidate Race label for its inaugural edition on 25 October. It will be the home race of local trail running star Kik Suello and a new challenge for trail runners looking to experience the beauty, character, and adventure of Zamboanga City through the trails.

Zamboanga City is on the southern tip of the Zamboanga peninsula in the western part of Mindanao and has over a million residents. It’s the second most populous city in Mindanao after Davao City. It’s here and in its immediate surroundings where Kik Suello does his countless hours of training, which made him a race winner and ATM star over the past two seasons. UTZ, as the new event is abbreviated, will take participants through a mix of beautiful scenery, mountain trails, ridges, and breathtaking viewpoints, from one ridge to another and from one mountain to the next. Zamboanga may not have the highest mountains or the biggest waterfalls, but the organisers believe it has something special to offer: trails that tell a story and views that you will remember. The course will be Suello-like and is designed to be runnable, challenging, and enjoyable.

As Kik always says, “Run all the way if it’s possible.”

Expect a combination of runnable sections, climbs, descents, ridgelines, mountain-to-mountain trails, and scenic viewpoints that will test your strength and endurance while allowing you to experience the unique character of Zamboanga’s trails.
And, of course, you can expect the kind of aid stations and race support that the Zamboanga Trail Runners are known for. With the experience of organizing and participating in trail events, the team is committed to providing runners with a safe, organized, and memorable race experience.

The event location will be the Freedom Park-Girl Scout in Pasonanca. The main race will be 75km and the start will be given at 3am. As the organisers say: “The early morning start is part of the adventure. As the race progresses, runners will experience Zamboanga’s trails as the sun rises and the mountains begin to reveal the scenery around them. It is an invitation to run, explore, struggle, enjoy, and discover.” In any case, with over 4600 hm of elevation gain for the 75km, participants better come prepared. Of course, there are also shorter distances on offer, too.

For race updates, announcements, registration information, and other details, please follow the official event page.

Trail running is certainly not always about racing and competition, and sometimes it is even purely about supporting good causes. The Lake Balanan Trail Run in Siaton, Negros Oriental, Philippines is one of those events. An event with the purpose of purchasing a bangka (local boat) to be donated to the pupils and teachers of Managubsob Elementary School as modus of transportation across the lake.

Organised by Parokya ni Basti Happy Feet Events and its director Rhodel Sarande, Lake Balanan Trail Run will have its 4th edition on 28/29 November and has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label.

Siaton is the southernmost municipality in Negros Oriental, one of the islands in the visayas. It is about 50km from main city Dumaguete, which has a domestic airport well-connected to the rest of the country. Lake Balanan is a mountain lake surrounded by lush green forest and waterfalls.

The main race is 50km in length and is quite spicy with over 3000 metres of elevation gain. The cut-off time is 17 hours with start at 11 pm at night.

Via the official facebook page you can stay up-to-date and reach out to the event team for any queries on logistics.

The goal of the event

The 50km course map this year will be the same as in 2025

We are delighted to announce a new ATM Candidate Race in the Province of Bukidnon in Mindanao, Philippines. Lilingayon Ultra Trail is scheduled for 7 February 2027 and will have Valencia City as host city. The main race category will be a punchy 55km with over 3000 hm of elevation gain. Less ambitious runners can also choose shorter options as there are 42km, 21km and 10km.

Lilingayon Ultra Trail is organised by Dagan Ta and supported by the Bunal Running Club. Despite also taking place in Valencia, the new event will have a different start & finish venue (Barangay Hall) compared to MUSPO and will also feature a different course showcasing the highlands of Lilingayon. Mountainous terrain with some proper rainforest jungle and less than 10% of paved roads. The start of the 55km race is planned for 2 am and the cut-off 12 hours later at 2 pm.

To get to Valencia and Bukidnon, you could fly to both Davao and Cayagan de Oro, the latter being closer but having no international connections that Davao has.

Trail running in Bukidnon has boomed since the corona crisis. Within just five years several Filipino elite runners have emerged from this province including but not limited to Godwin Mirar, Yoyong Sacayle, Shally Yuson, Kim Flores and Mary Joy Sumanda.

We are delighted to announce that the inaugural edition of Yam Trail Run in Mongolia will be held as an ATM Candidate Race on Saturday, 15 August. The 75 km long ultra trail run is part of a bigger outdoor sports festival under the banner of the Mongolian Empire Adventure Series and also includes a Gravel Granfondo cycling competition on the day after the trail run. What’s more, the event is held out of Mongolia’s capital city Ulaanbaatar, making it convenient for a weekend trip for the entire family.

Start and finish of the Yam Trail Run is the major Genghis Khan Monument just outside the city inside the vast green grasslands Mongolia is known for. Participants can make use of an event shuttle bus from the city centre to the race venue. The official event hotel is the Aurora Hotel (https://en.aurorahotel.mn) in the city, where the race pack collection will be held. International participants are recommended to make use of this accommodation option, but there’s plenty of other hotels in the vicinity as well.

The 75 km course will be nearly entirely off-road and go deep into the grasslands. It’s runable, but there is elevation gain, too. The area is hilly in parts, remote and offering unforgettable views. You may also encounter flocks of sheep, horses, cows and even eagles during your run. One day later, the gravel ‘mediofondo’ riders will use the same course. Cyclists also have a longer option of 140km. It is possible to sign up for both the Yam Trail Run and the Gravel Granfondo. The official course map will be available within the next few days.

On the programme is not only a 75 km long ultra, but also a 10 Miles (16 km) option, catering mainly for domestic runners and hikers. Indeed, there is a also a non-competitive ‘hiking’ option. The Mongolian Empire Adventure Series has great ambitions and aims to attract as many local people as possible to create an exciting annual sports festivity .

The 75km long ultra will start at sunrise (5:45 am) and has a cut off time of 13 hours (18:45 pm). The 10 Miles run & hike has a scheduled start of 11 am. Note that Ulaanbaatar lies at an elevated altitude, so it should not be that hot.

Coming from abroad, it has been easier than ever as visa-free policies have been extended over the past few years for ever more countries. Flights to Ulaanbaatar have increased also from many places in Asia, including Hong Kong.

For this inaugural edition, registration fees are deliberately kept low. You can sign up via the button below, which links to a google-based form. Any questions about the race can be sent to Asia Trail Master directly via info@asiatrailmaster.com . Asia Trail Master is collaborating with Mongolian Empire Adventure Series on this project. A dedicated web page with all further details on Yam Trail will be opened on ATM Web this coming Wednesday.

The Cordillera mountain range in the Philippines has been an integral part of our series since the beginning and we are pleased to see continuous excitement for trail running in the area. On the weekend of 24-26 October, a new event enters the calendar: Ultra Trail Cordillera Philippines. Organised by Aid Station Cafe with experienced runners Louie Ganayan and Roflyne Fangayen, the new event has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label.

On the event programme we find a 100km flagship race, but also a 50km, 25km and 10km. As the comprehensive website reads: the UTCP course will traverse the scenic and challenging mountain trails of Itogon, featuring a combination of pine forest trails, mountain ridgelines, technical single trails mixed with wider dirt roads, highland communities and amazing views overlooking the Cordillera.

Event venue will be the familiar John Hay Camp in Baguio, the city that functions as gateway to the Cordillera mountains, and which is connected to Manila and Clark. The 100km will be flagged off at 2 am on Saturday, with the 50km one hour later at 3 am. Elevation gain is estimated at 6600 hm for the 100k and 3300 for the 50k. Runners participating in the longest category have a cut-off time at the finish of 32 hours, those doing the 50k should return within 15 hours.

The UTCP website is a nice piece of work where you can find all other details, plus a great gallery of images to get you in the mood.

Trail running in india is growing and we are happy to announce that the Summit Run Lurntsu Circuit has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label for its next edition on 5 December 2026. The event is part of the SUMMIT RUN Series and takes place in the Tehri-Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, Indian Himalayas, a few hours from Delhi in the north of the country. Mussoorie is a well-known hill station and local gateway. The event is organised by Boots & Crampons Pvt. Ltd.

The Summit Run Series currently focuses on shorter trail distances, yet that’s relative as elevation gain is substantial and the altitudes, too. The Lurntsu race measures 42km - making it a trail marathon - and has over 3000m of elevation gain. No walk in the park, in other words, and the cut off time reflects that as well: 14 hours. The 42km race starts at the Deolsari Forest rest house at 4:30 am. The course is run entirely on mountain trails through dense forests, high ridgelines, and two prominent Himalayan summits. After the start, participants will be climbing towards Nag Tibba via the quieter Ontor village side, a lesser-used approach that winds through deep forest before opening out near the summit at just above 3000m altitude. After touching the Nag Tibba temple, the route descends briefly towards the Bhatwari / Shrikot side for about 3 km before turning back up for a second climb towards Nag Tibba top.

From here, the course moves onto one of its defining sections — a long, scenic ridgeline traverse towards the Ghodiappa meadows, gradually gaining elevation towards the second summit of Lunrtsu Peak. After crossing Lunrtsu, runners descend through forest trails back towards Deolsari Forest Rest House, where the finish line awaits.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, 5 December and it is recommended to register with overnight camp stay + meals. If you wish to remain independent, the organisation can recommend some homestay options in villages surrounding Deolsari you can choose from.

For less ambitious runners there is also a 30k and 16k on the programme. Expect mountain trail running pur sang , and bring a sense of adventure. Lurntsu Summit Run aims to become a recognised international trail event and become part of the ATM Grandmaster Quest.

You can find registration and further event details on the website linked below.

Today we have a rather special announcement as for the first time in the history of Asia Trail Master we put the spotlights on Bangladesh! A new destination in Asian trail running highlighted by the Albatross Ultrail, which will be organised for the second time on the weekend of 30 October/1 November and which has received the ATM Candidate Race label. On the programme for runners are three race categories: 100km, 50km and 33km.

Albatross Ultrail was established last year by Run Bangladesh, the country’s leading sports event organiser that also has, amongst others, the Dhaka 25k international road race in its portfolio (accredited by World Athletics). Run Bangladesh has a clear goal to showcase the raw, untapped beauty of the country’s trail terrain to the international community. While Bangladesh is known for its flat terrain, there are hills, in fact, and these hills offer a technical, raw trail experience that should fascinate the international ATM community. The hill sector is known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Albatross Ultrail is held in loops of just over 16km, to be done twice (33km), four times (50km) or six times (100km). For the longest distance that results in an estimated elevation gain of 2800 hm. A dedicated and experienced team - RBAN Team - is committed to ensuring international standards are met. The core team consists of endurance athletes and brings over a decade of deeply rooted, hands-on experience to the endurance sports landscape.

Zooming out, Run Bangladesh “revolves around building a functional, highly active societal unit through competition and education. By hosting diverse sporting events and capacity-building sessions, we foster social bonding and drive nationwide campaigns, including our upcoming Run 4 Good Cause initiatives, to create a better, more active Bangladesh.” The company is committed to being a catalyst for positive change and put Bangladesh firmly on the map of international sports tourism.

The event takes place in Southeastern Bangladesh in the northern part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. To get an idea of what it is like, we recommend checking out the videos below as well as the official facebook and youtube channel of Run Bangladesh. To obtain further information, also on logistics, please contact Run Bangladesh via the facebook page or via email on official.runbangladesh@gmail.com .

Trail running has been booming in Mindanao since a few years. Not only are there now several good events, but also a huge number of runners - some of whom even have reached elite status. Think of Arnie Macaneras, Godwin Mirar, Kik Suello, Roberto Cain III, Jomarc Ferrer, Shally Yuson, Kim Flores, Julieann Morales and many others. Initially, events got established in Davao and later in Bukidnon, but recently we also observe several new organisations popping up near General Santos City in the south of the large island of Mindanao, which is actually closer to Sabah on Malaysian Borneo than to Luzon (Manila). F’Lomlok Trail Run is the latest new addition to the trail calendar and the event has applied for ATM Candidate Race status for its inaugural edition on 5/6 September.

Organised by Lady Justice Endurance Events, F’Lomlok turns around Polomolok and Mount Matutum. On the programme are several race distance categories, of which the 70km is the longest. Goal of the organising team is indeed to have that longest race included in the Grandmaster Quest calendar going forward. Furthermore, the event aims to position itself as a recognized and sustainable destination race by continuously attracting local and international trail runners, while promoting eco-tourism and community involvement within the municipality of Polomolok.

Mount Matutum stands out in the landscape and is a remote volcano, the highest point in the South Cotabato region. The peak is 2286m above sea level. Trail runners cannot go to the peak but will run on the slopes of the volcano. Elevation gain for the 70km is estimated at over 3100 hm and the route is nearly entirely offroad. The race director points out that proper trail running footwear is a must for this course. Start and finish is set at the Landan Elementary School at the Landan Barangay in Polomolok. Cut off time is 21 hours with the start set for 15:00 in the afternoon (Saturday).

Less ambitious runners can also opt for shorter distances, such as 42km, 25km, 15km and 5km.

General Santos City is the nearest airport (30km fron Polomolok) and there are also bus services from Davao and a few other places.

Registration goes via the form linked below.

No Point Trail Ultra this season, but the event organising team is happy to announce a new event near Malaybalay in Bukidnon: Kibalabag Trail Ultra i set for the weekend of 16/17 May and has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label. On the menu are four distance categories, of which the 50km attracts most attention.

The course is serious with 3800 metres of elevation gain to be conquered in those 50km. Participants have to be back in the finish by 17:00 in the afternoon, following a midnight start. There won’t be much of a warm-up as the the trail goes up almost immediately after the start. Given the technicality, pay attention to the mandatory gear list for this 50km race, also pasted below.

The event is hosted by the Barangay Kibalabag near Malaybalay City. It is characterized by densely forested and mountainous terrain, with a deep gorge carved by the Kibalabag River running lengthwise through the barangay.

You can stay up to date on the event via its facebook page linked below.

We are happy to announce that Taman Negara Ultra in Malaysia has received the ATM Candidate Race label for its upcoming edition on 24/25 October 2026. Organized by Persatuan Rekreasi Taman Negara, the event centres around Kuala Tahan in Jerantut and aims to showcase the area as a premier eco tourism destination. It is also the gateway to the world's oldest rainforest.

The event programme features four distance categories, of which the 100km and 50km claim most attention. Less ambitious runners can also sign up for the 30km, 15km and 7,5km. As the website reads: “Participants will embark on a journey through pristine trails surrounded by lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and the dense humidity of Taman Negara, offering one of the highest levels of tropical immersion in the world.”

The races have a decent number of altitude metres to conquer as well. The 100km measures approx 4560 hm and the 50km almost 2400hm. The cut-off time for the 100km is set for 35 hours after the start on Saturday morning. The medium distance runners have 20 hours of time for what is planned to be a nighttime race.

Participants in the event will also discover the rich heritage of the Orang Asli, the indigenous people of the region. On the website we read: 'These remarkable communities share their timeless traditions and harmonious way of life, which are deeply rooted in their connection with the natural wonders of Taman Negara. From traditional crafts to captivating stories of the rainforest, runners will gain a deeper appreciation of this region's cultural richness.”

Taman Negara has major ambitions and is much more than just a sporting event.

“ Aligned with the vision and mission of Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) to shape a more prosperous, harmonious and united Malaysia through youth development and the culture of sports, this event supports the holistic advancement of youth and sports to fulfill the nation's aspirations. By participating, runners not only celebrate health, unity and the spirit of adventure but also become ambassadors of Malaysia's rich natural and cultural heritage.”

You can find all details on the official website linked below, and you can follow the latest news and announcement via the facebook page. There, you can also see the event’s extensive transportation schedule - including from Kuala Lumpur to the event venue in Kuala Tahan. Plenty of accommodation options and activity options are also on offer.

For any queries, you can also contact Miss Hani as mentioned on the poster below.

The 2025 course map for 100km. The updated 2026 map is coming in due course

The 2025 course map for 50km. The updated 2026 map is coming in due course

Last weekend’s ATM Candidate Race in Libertad, Misamis Oriental saw two of today’s biggest Filipino trail talents collect another race win. Bukidnon’s Godwin Mirar and Kimberly Flores were too fast for the competition on the 42km long main race of the event, held for the first time and organised by Bakyard. The event had to deal with a rather last-minute change of location and race course a few weeks ago, but nevertheless took place without any major hiccups.

Misamis Oriential is the province around Cagayan de Oro in the northwest of Mindanao. The 42km course had about 1750 metres of elevation gain and was run mostly at nighttime. Godwin Mirar completed the course in 4h45. That was 19 minutes quicker than Eric Candelanza and Edward Candelanza. Godwin will be one of the dark horses at the upcoming ATM Championship Final in Hong Kong (The 9 Dragons).

Ever since mid-2025, Kim Flores has been scoring race win after race win in her home region. Last weekend, she was 34 minutes faster than Maria Dannica Embalsado to win in 7h05. Merry Luz joined them on the podium with third place.

Minamiaso Caldera Trail was the first ATM Candidate taking place on Kyushu, the southwesternmost island of Japan. Organised by the Local Gain group out of Kumamoto, Minamiaso has a winter and a summer edition, so participants can visit and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the trails in two completely different set-ups. The Winter Minamiaso took place in dry and good running conditions, albeit without snow this time. As such, it was a relatively fast race at the front, despite the significant elevation gain of 2500 hm for the 50km distance.

Tomohiro Machida proved to be quickest on the day in 5h53, winning the men’s race by some three-and-a-half minutes over Yohei Kawahara. The third spot on the podium was taken by Yuichiro Hayashi. Fastest female runner was Kyona Nonaka in 7h33, five minutes ahead of Seika Higashi. Sayo Matsuda claimed third place.

Minamiaso is one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. You reach the area via Kumamoto, one of Kyushu’s main cities - the biggest is nearby Fukuoka. Kumamoto has an airport with even some international connections such as Hong Kong, and otherwise Fukuoka has more. Both cities are worth a visit, too.

The Summer Minamiaso is scheduled for early July 2026 and is expected to be officially announced in the course of January.