One of the tougher Grandmaster Quest events of the season took place near Davao in Philippines last weekend. The Datu Salumay Invitational Trail Run, better known as DASAL has a 80KM race starting at 10:00 AM in Datu Salumay in the Marilog District. With a total elevation gain of 5,500 meters, the race is known as one of 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼’𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 trail races. Also this yeart, DASAL pushed runners to their limits through steep climbs, technical terrain, and cold mountain conditions. Taking the top spots at the finish were ATM Finalists Jevie Cagatin and Shally Yuson from Bukidnon, both familiar faces in the Philippine trail running community. Cagatin finished together with new name Ulyses Esteva in 15h22. Elbert Ligan was third on the podium in 15h52.

Shally Yuson has really put herself on the throne in Mindanao over the past year, and her new victory just underlined this even more. She finished in 22h17, a good hour ahead of Razzil Sumalinog and Angelie Dawa.

DASAL80 continues to highlight the beauty and challenge of Mindanao trails while bringing together runners who share the same passion for endurance and adventure.

With special thanks to Pierre Vincent Pedrosa for the updates.

Datu Salumay Invitational Trail Run, perhaps better known as ‘DASAL’, is a new entry on the ATM Grandmaster Quest calendar on the weekend of 8/9 November 2025. The popular event takes place in Marilog - some 80km outside of Davao City and - indeed - has a full decade’s history already! This will be the 11th edition and following last year’s Candidate Race label, the organisers continue with the freshly introduced long ultra category of 85km that has instilled fear in many participants. Hence, the race carries the tagline “Leave you fears beehind” At least, it is regarded as a considerable challenge with 5000 metres of elevation gain on paper. Of course, the 85km is the category to go for if you wish to score a Grandmaster Quest point. For less ambitious runners there is still the shorter distances of 42km, 21km and 12km during the weekend. For those wondering: the bee is the event’s mascotte, chosen also to highlight the importance of bees for the natural environment.

The trails of Datu Salumay will have runners passing by waterfalls, streams, rivers, trees, grasslands, and steep hill ascents and descents. It starts and finishes at the Datu Salumay Elementary School grounds, which is just adjacent to the Syre National Highway. The start is usually at 2 pm in the afternoon, meaning nearly everyone will also need to run through the night, which at least has the benefit of being cooler.

Last year, the long ultra saw victories by Roberto Cain III and Metzi Joy Alson.

You can check the official facebook page for more details. Registration is open and you can also order some nice-looking merchandise while you are at it.

A tough candidate race in the outskirts of Davao with a 10-year history and a lot of runners. Datu Salumay can be called a classic and the event lived up to its reputation as being hardcore while at the same catering for runners of all levels.. Roberto Cain II was clearly the fastest man finishing the 85k in 16h45. That’s two hours ahead of Yoyong Sacayle and Jomarc Ferrer. Quite a performance! The race was halted at some point due to a swollen river that became unsafe to cross. Kudos to the event organising team to react quickly and appropriately in this situation. Runners were rerouted to ensure safety. The adverse weather also meant nearly 40% of the 85km course was on concrete.

The female candidate race at DASAL was won by Metzi Joy Alson in 20h16’. She preceeded Tressah Banas and Stela Coronica on the podium. Despite being on the start list, former winner Julieann Morales did not take part in the race last weekend.

This weekend, points can be scored in Dalat, Vietnam, during Lam Dong Trail, but we also keep an eye out on the 10th edition of the Datu Salumay Invitational Trail Run, a new ATM Candidate Race. Perhaps better known as ‘DASAL’, the event takes place some 80km outside of Davao City and - indeed - has a full decade’s history already! For this anniversary edition, the organisers have added a long ultra category of 85km that has instilled some fear in many participants. At least, it is regarded as a considerable challenge with 5000 metres of elevation gain on paper. Less ambitious runners will be eyeing the 42km and shorter categories this weekend.

The trails of Datu Salumay will have runners passing by waterfalls, streams, rivers, trees, grasslands, and steep hill ascents and descents. It starts and finishes at the Datu Salumay Elementary School grounds, which is just adjacent to the Syre National Highway. The start is at 2 pm in the afternoon, meaning nearly everyone will also need to run through the night, which at least has the benefit of being cooler.

Julieann Morales is a former female race winner at DASAL and as great technical trail runner ready to pick up the 85km challenge. She is one of a few courageous women on the start list that also includes Shekinah Velasquez, who also has a nice track record on rugged terrain. In the men’s race we will also see some big names from Mindanao, including Jomarc Ferrer, Florencio Alave, Yoyong Sacayle, Reymar Taleon, Roberto Cain and others.

The first Filipino Championship points race in Season 10 is still several months away (Mt Kalatungan Ultra), but there are several Grandmaster point races and Candidate Races coming up. The first Grandmaster points races are SC 70 and the Mt Apo Sky Race 100.

We are very happy to announce that the 10th anniversary edition (!) of the Datu Salumay Invitational Trail Run in Mindanao, Philippines, is a new ATM Candidate Race scheduled for the weekend of 9/10 November. ‘DASAL’ ,as the event is commonly known, has grown from what was essentially a local interclub competition to a fully fledged running event that every year attracts hundreds of athletes to Datu Salumay, the venue approximately 80km away from Davao City. The longest race category is 85km, but there’s also 42km, 21km and 12km for less ambitious runners.

In recent months there have been quite a few Candidate Races in this part of Asia, but DASAL is one that already has a decade-long history in itself. The participants of the different categories race through the trails of Datu Salumay, passing by waterfalls, streams, rivers, trees, grasslands, and steep hill ascents and descents. It starts and finishes at the Datu Salumay Elementary School grounds, which is just adjacent to the Syre National Highway. This is a major highway with public transportation available. Participants on the 85km should prepare well, as there’s about 5000 metres of elevation gain in this course. The start is at 2 pm in the afternoon, meaning nearly everyone will also need to run through the night, which at least has the benefit of being cooler. The cut off time is 25 hours.

You can stay up to date via the event facebook page linked below. Registration can also be done easily online via RaceTech.ph .

Last year, Julie Ann Morales was a race winner at DASAL