For the first time runners could score a Grandmaster Quest point at Kokol Ultra, the annual event in Sabah, Malaysia - an ATM Candidate Race already before. Over the years, Kokol had kept growing and adding more offroad sections to its course map, so no fewer than 1200 participants turned up last weekend. To the extent the organisational team got a little overwhelmed and some heavy downpours of rain did not make it any easier.

The flagship race was of course the 70km - the category in which finishers could score a point for their Grandmaster Quest. Fastest runner was well-known Syahrul Neyzam Sukasdi, who completed the course in 10h23. That was well-ahead of Azman Salama and Samry Sainin (ATM Finalist for Malaysia earlier this month). Interestingly, three veteran runners thus scored overall podium

The women’s 70km race actually was super exciting to follow. ATM Finalists last month, Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna for Philippines and Harlin Richard for Malaysia, as well as Keziah Marieah Loreto looked like they were going to contest the race victory. However, 2-star Grandmaster Adelinah Lintanga suddenly switched on her turbo engine towards the end and overtook the others to claim a brilliant win, her first in a while. Lintanga dug deep and crossed the finish line in heavy rain in a time of 13h01. Harlin Richard was second one-and-a-half minute later, followed by Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna. Adelinah’s sister Jessica finished tenth in her first Grandmaster distance in ATM since 2019. Both Lintanga sisters now have 14 GM points, meaning one to go before they ‘graduate’ as 3-star Silver Grandmasters.

Malaysians still have another chance to score a Grandmaster Quest point in their home country this year. At the end of November, they can do so by finishing the 70km race at Trail des Lenggeng in Negeri Sembilan, not too far from KLIA.

For the first time since 2019, Vietnam Jungle Marathon in Pu Luong was back on the Asia Trail Master calendar last weekend, albeit only for the Grandmaster Quest in this incredibly crowded event month. The 70km of VJM remains among the most scenic in Vietnam and in ATM, similar but still different from VTM in January.

The event this year also saw the ‘graduation’ of one of Vietnam’s female trail runners as a new Grandmaster. Thuy Bee ran and finished the 70km at VJM, which was her sixth ATM long ultra within two years. She is also a pioneer for her country, as she is the first Vietnamese woman to accomplish this feat. Thuy Bee finished VJM in 15th place in 13h51. It was tough, as she had just done the ATM Championship Final two weeks ago as well, Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail 75km. More on her Grandmaster Quest achievement later this week.

The fastest runners last weekend were Pacome Poignant from France, who finished the men’s race in 7h25. That was fifteen minutes ahead of well-known Vietnamese runner Ngo Van Chinh. Another former ATM Finalist, Adam Nguyen Tien Vo was third in 8h16.

First woman was also an ATM Finalist from two weeks ago: Nguyen Ngoc Anh. She was fifth in the Final even, so she clearly recovered very well. Nguyen Ngoc Anh finished VJM 70 in 10h02. A good twenty minutes ahead of Phuong Thi Hong Nhung. Another established runner in Vietnam, Le Phuong Vy was third on the podium.

Grandmaster Quest runners in Vietnam still have two more events this year, both of them in the wider Dalat region in the southwest. First, Lam Dong Trail 85 in early November and then Prenn Trail Summit in early December.

Two weeks after finishing the ATM Final at Mu Cang Chai, Thuy Bee also completed VJM 70 and in so doing completed the first level of her Grandmaster Quest.

We are happy to announce that Hamugaway Ultra Trail in Barangay Kibatang, Don Carlos, Bukidnon has entered the Grandmaster Quest calendar. The 2026 edition will take place just before Christmas on the weekend of 19/20 December. Organised by the MUSPO Team - known from the MUSPO Bukidnon 100 in July - the race to focus on is the 70km category, the minimum distance for a Grandmaster point.

Contrary to many other races in Mindanao, Hamugaway is considered runable with a total elevation gain not exceeding 2300hm for the 70km. The route is scenic and offers plenty of beautiful viewpoints. On paper, that means it is an ideal end-of-year run. Cut-off time is set at 20 hours, with the race flag off scheduled for 1 am on Sunday, 20 December. We are in Bukidnon, meaning air access can be either via Davao or Cagayan de Oro, but the organiser recommends flying into Davao for this one, if you are coming from abroad or from the other islands.

Less ambitious runners can also opt for a 42km, 21km or 10km race option. The MUSPO events have become very popular in the region over the past few years and Hamugaway is likely to fill up soon. Registration is open and can be accessed via the link button below.

We are happy to announce that the Merapoh Rainforest Trail is once again on the 2027 Grandmaster Quest calendar on the weekend of 28/29 May. Under a new event management since the end of covid, Merapoh Rainforest Trail is the successor of TMMT, which was part of ATM from 2016-2019. Since 2026, We are indeed delighted our series has returned to Merapoh for what has always been a true adventurous ‘jungle’ trail run. 2027 will already be the 6th edition of Merapoh Rainforest Trail, which enjoyed 2000 participants last year.

Merapoh is a small town located in the Lipis district of Pahang, known as "The Caving Paradise." There are approximately 200 caves around Merapoh, rich in historical value and unique features. Additionally, Merapoh serves as one of the gateways to Taman Negara Pahang. Taman Negara Pahang is part of Malaysia's largest national park, covering an area of 2,477 km², and is a renowned eco-tourism destination in the country. The main attractions in Taman Negara Pahang include its geological and biological features, particularly its tropical rainforest that is over 130 million years old.

The event has always had a major community angle. Organising such running events not only promises an increase in local tourism but also benefits the local economy. Persatuan Pencinta Alam Semulajadi Merapoh and MT Tahan Ventures, as the organizers, hope that this event will continue to promote Merapoh as an eco-tourism destination and provide economic benefits to the local community of Merapoh and the Lipis district. This event is fully supported by the Lipis District Council, Pahang State Forestry Department

The event features several distance categories of 10km, 30KM, 55KM, and the flagship 100KM. Of course, only the 100 km offers a point for runners’ Grandmaster Quest challenge.

Merapoh has several homestay options for runners, which can be checked via the website linked below. Gua Musang is a slightly larger town nearby. International runners can fly into KLIA or also Penang, and take a bus from there.

Registration is open and you better be quick as this one may close early after reaching max quota.

AWRA, organising company of New Corella Trail Ultra and Maco de Oro Trail Ultra, has informed us that the former NCTU event in Davao del Norte cannot be held in December this year following a decision made by local authorities. NCTU was scheduled to be a new Championship Qualifier in Philippines with a 70km race category that automatically also merits a Grandmaster Quest point. AWRA has therefore moved its October event - Maco de Oro Trail Ultra - to the weekend of 12/13 December instead. Runners should note, however, that said event, i.e. Maco de Oro Trail Ultra, will not be a Championship Qualifier as the date conflicts with existing events on our Championship Calendar that weekend (Izu Trail Journey and Soimalai Ultra). On the other hand, Maco de Oro Trail will offer a Grandmaster Quest point to all finishers of the 75km race.

The event takes place in the rugged and diverse landscapes of Maco, a coastal and mountainous municipality known as the“Gold Coast” of the province Davao del Sur in Mindanao, Philippines. The venue is about 1 hour away from Davao international airport.

The Maco de Oro Trail Ultra (MULTRA) has a 75km as longest distance with approx 3200 metres of elevation gain. The race course is diverse and will combine steep ascents, technical descents, forest trails, and scenic ridgelines. The event description continues: “The race showcases the raw beauty of Maco de Oro—where lush tropical forests, mineral-rich mountains, and coastal landscapes converge—offering a true test of endurance, strategy, and mental resilience. More than just a race, Maco de Oro is a celebration of outdoor adventure, local culture, and eco- tourism—highlighting the municipality’s growing potential as a premier trail running destination in Mindanao.”

The route will also follow more famous hiking and trekking trails such as the Manipongol Trail. There’s several nature and tourism spots in the area, too. For example, the Bilawa Mainit Hot Waterfalls and Lake Leonard, which is a volcanic crater lake. There’s also several beach and coastal experiences, perfect for post-race relaxation and recovery. The municipality reflects a rich blend of agricultural and indigenous Mansaka culture.

It is recommended to follow the facebook page of the event to stay up-to-date on any news.

A genuine long endurance trail running festival will be held for the second time from 22 to 29 November in Pai, Thailand, this year and has been confirmed for our Grandmaster Quest calendar. At this ambitious event, runners can score a GM point at no fewer than five different races spread out during the week, of which the 100km is the shortest and taking place on 28/29 November. One week earlier, 500 Thailand already gets going with the massive Ultimate 500km race starting at noon on Sunday, 22 November.

Organised by Route Map, which also brings you Akha Trail and UTCM, runners also have a 300km and two distinct 200km races to choose from. The official website linked below has all details on the various race courses.

The event aims to attract mega ultra enthusiasts to Pai and Mae Hong Son in the northwest of Thailand. Fans of ATM may remember UT Panoramic from before the covid times taking place in the same areas.

500 Thailand is labelled as a ‘Race for Humans - not designed to break you, but to reveal you’. Pai is a quiet town surrounded by mountains, forests, and morning mist. Gateway to Pai is Chiang Mai, which is where you would fly to. As the transportation map below shows, from Chiang Mai there are shuttle vans and busses that can be reserved. Regardless which race category you choose, the shortest is 107km with 4500hm so you need to get your mandatory gear in order before the start. The 500km has a whopping 25,000hm and a cut off time of 168 hours (noon on Sunday, 29 November). The first 200km race (Mandra to Jig Jong) starts at the same time as the 500 on the 22nd, but the 300km and 2nd 200km (Jig Jong to Phi Lu) start on Wednesday, 25th of November - so please pay attention.

You can follow the official facebook page below to stay up to date. Registration is open, but not very long anymore, so decide quickly.

It is with great pleasure that we can announce today a new 4-star Golden Grandmaster! Jyh Hann Lim, a.k.a. Trevor Lim, finished his 20th ATM long ultra at the A1 Philippines event in Ifugao, Luzon, at the end of last month. It was also a big cherry on the pie, as Trevor ran the 100 Miles at that event! The Malaysian trail runner, originally from Sarawak, has been around ATM for nearly ten years. He started his Grandmaster campaign back in 2017 with VMM 70. His journey took him all across Asia, as Trevor did not want to restrict himself to his home country.

After he became a Silver Grandmaster at the 9 Dragons in February 2025, Trevor finished Trail des Gombak 100 in Selangor and The Magnificent Baling 100 in Kedah. Afterwards, he traveled abroad again to complete Izu Trail Journey 70 and Deep Japan Ultra 80 in Japan. For his final and 20th race he chose a Filipino event - the only one on his record - and the longest race he has done during his entire GM adventure: the aforementioned Altra 100 Miles. In total, Trevor ran 1990 km during his Grandmaster Quest.

“The most beautiful moment wasn’t when I finished the A1 100 miles race,” says Trevor. “It was realising that somewhere along those 2000-odd kilometres, I had stopped chasing finish lines and instead started collecting a lifetime of stories and friendships.” Let’s give him a big thumbs up, huge congrats for new 4-star Golden Grandmaster Trevor Jyh Hann Lim!

TREVOR LIM’s GM RECORD:

• Asia Trail Master Grandmaster Quest races:
  3x 70km, 1x 80km, 13x 100km, 1x 110km, 1x 130km, 1 x 160km
  Total distance: 1990km

  
  1. Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2017 70km
  2.Ultra-Trail Panoramic 2017 100km
  3.Vietnam Jungle Marathon 2018 70km
  4.Penang Eco100 2018 100km
  5.The Magnificent Merapoh Trail 2018 100km
  6. The Most Beautiful Thing 2018 100km
  7.Ultra-Trail Koh Chang 2020 100km
  8.BUTM 2022 100km
  9.Cameron Ultra 2022 100km
  10.Seoul 100k 2022 100km
  11.Bali Ultra 100k 2023 100km
  12.MMTF 100 2023 100km
  13.Kadamaian Adventure Race Ultra 110 2024 110km
  14.Prenn Trail Summit 2024 100km
  15.9 Dragons 50/50 2025 130km
  16.Trail Des Gombak 100km 2025 100km
  17.The Magnificent Baling 100 2025 100km
  18.Izu Trail Journey 2025 70km
  19.Deep Japan Ultra (Uonuma 80km) 2026
  20. Altra 100 Phillipines 2026 (100miles)

New on the Grandmaster Quest calendar this year was last weekend’s Pahang Eco. Taking place out of Kuantan on Malaysia’s east coast, Pahang Eco has been around for some years and was a Candidate Race just after the covid crisis. Now offering Grandmaster points, many runners took the call for the 100km race category. A race that lived up to its reputation as being one of the country’s toughest. Heat and humidity is obviously common in Malaysia’s trail racing scene, but during Pahang Eco it seems to hurt runners more than elsewhere.

The finishing times of the podium runners on the 100km distance reflect this as well. Race winner Adam Danial Zailani took top honours reaching the finish in 18h53. Last month, he also won the equally challenging Transnaning Ultra, also a race on the Grandmaster Quest calendar. One hour later, Johari Mohd Ali grabbed second place ahead of Hanafi Hasan.

First female runner was Nurul Emyra Fazira Isnariah Absi in 25h11. Just four weeks ago, she won the 100 Miles race at KAR Ultra. She’s having a great competitive season and with two more Championship Qualifiers to go in her home country - TMBT and Jagoi - she could still get herself in the top five of the ranking and get qualified for Team Malaysia in the upcoming ATM Championship Final in Vietnam on 3 October. At Pahang Eco, it got tough for her as well towards the end as her margin over Yee Mei Ang came down to just 14 minutes. Yee Mei Ang, herself in great shape this year, also scored her first Grandmaster star with her race finish last weekend. Third on the podium was Najah Adibah Ridzuan.

The next two weeks runners in Malaysia can continue to collect Grandmaster points in their home country at Borneo TMBT Ultra and its 109km category, and at Jagoi Ultra with its 70km category.

Adam Zailani is boosting his profile a lot in recent weeks

Just three weeks after KAR 100 Miles, Nurul Emyra again was the strongest in a tough 100k race

Ang Yee Mei scored her 1st Grandmaster star at Pahang Eco and a 2nd place in the race to boot

The 12th edition of Dasal Invitational Trail Run in Davao, Philippines, features once again on the ATM Grandmaster Quest calendar and is scheduled for the weekend of 7/8 November this year. Dasal is known to be among the most popular, but also tougher trail running races on Mindanao, taking place in the Marilog District of greater Davao. Grandmaster Quest star chasers need to focus on the 80km race category and, indeed, come prepared.

DASAL pushes runners to their limits through steep climbs, technical terrain, and sometimes cold mountain conditions. The start and finish is 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 80km should prepare well, as there’s about 5000 metres of elevation gain on this course.

Registration is open. All details and links can be found via the Dasal facebook page, linked below.

Last year, the 80km race was won by ATM Finalists Jevie Cagatin and Shally Yuson. Dasal is also on the shortlist of Filipino trail running events to join the ATM Championship calendar in the near future.

The 2025 course map of Dasal. The 2026 course is coming out soon, but won’t be much different.

The Magnificent Baling in northern Malaysia’s Kedah State has grown into one of the country largest trail running events in terms of participation numbers with over 4000 runners spread out over five distance categories. The flagship TMB 100, or 100km, is part of our Grandmaster Quest calendar for the second year in a row. Baling offers a runable course when dry - which it was all weekend this time around - giving newbies to long ultra trail running a great opportunity to finish a 100k race for the first time. However, the sting is in the tail, as the toughest part with one significant hill climb and a few more bumps come in the last 30km.

The male and female race winners finished just five minutes apart. Karim Ibrahim was too fast in the last climbing section for Ritzy Amor to take an overall victory in 13h30. Ibrahim scored a nice 4th place at Trail des Gombak last month also. Grandmaster Ritzy Amor is keeping a very busy race schedule, but nevertheless was 1h36 faster than her own best time in Baling last year (when she carried an injury, though). Muhammad Azamuddin Nurdin was second male in the finish in 13h47. Senee Seesen was third man on the podium a few minutes behind him. In second place in the women’s race was Grandmaster Siokhar Lim, last week still overall winner of Tampin Transnaning Ultra 100! Guan Shin Law completed the podium in third place.

It’s the high season for Malaysian trail runners now and in a few weeks there’s more chances for Grandmaster Quest chasers in Pahang Eco, and afterwards Borneo TMBT Ultra and Jagoi Ultra - all still this season.

Karim Ibrahim had to dig deep to catch Ritzy Amor again on the last hillclimb and win the race overall

Muhammad Azamuddin Nurdin took third overall not so far behind the top duo

It would not be right to say he is closely following the footsteps of our first ATM Legend, Mario Yap, but Malaysia’s Golden Grandmaster Kenneth Mun Keat Yow has also already become Legend in just five months! Having collected 510 points (= kilometres) in minimum five countries, Mun Keat Yow accomplished this feat at the Tampin Transnaning Ultra event in Negeri Sembilan. In his famous yellow/blue Run Happy shirt, which has almost become his trademark outfit, he finished the gruelling 102km ultra course at that event - in second place in the result even. Going through his Grandmaster record and his six races on the Trail to Immortality so far, we can see that Mun Keat Yow is not shunning the toughest ultras out there, but smartly mixes them with more runable races, too. The recipe for being able to absorb so much in a short time frame.

As Mario Yap, Kenneth Mun Keat Yow only needs four more countries to meet the first of two requirements to become Immortal. The second requirement is to accumulate 1000 kilometres. In this, Mario has a 50-point lead over Kenneth at the moment.

Mun Keat Yow’s Trail to Immortality record

Legend Milestone achieved via 6 countries / 510 km

• 1) 100km (MYA) Kalaw Ultra Trail Run

• 2) 80km (PHI) Arakan Mountain Run

• 3) 80km (SGP) Ultra Trail Singapore

• 4) 80km (JPN) Deep Japan Ultra

• 5) 68km (INA) Mantra

• 6) 102km (MAS) Tampin Transnaning Ultra

In January we opened the Trail to Immortality for Golden 4-star Grandmasters. Amazingly, it didn’t take six months for someone to already reach the first milestone and Become Legend. Mario Yap from Philippines managed to accumulate 560 kilometres in 6 countries in just five months! He is the first official ATM Legend!

After scoring his fourth GM star at Vietnam Trail Marathon in January, Mario immediately proceeded on the Trail to Immortality with another Vietnamese race, Brah Yang Trail Summit in Dalat. As you can see below, he went on to race in four more countries, but didn’t reach 500 km. A sixth race was therefore necessary to reach Legend status. It cost Mario a lot of effort, too, because with the milestone in sight he suffered two DNFs ! BTR in Bali and UTSG in Singapore did not work out as he had wanted, so it was in Deep Japan Ultra that he completed the level.

Mario Yap’s Trail to Immortality record

Legend Milestone achieved via 6 countries / 560 km

1) 70km (VIE) - Brah Yang Trail Summit
2) 80km (PHI) - Arakan Mountain Run
3) 70km (HKG) - Lantau 70
4) 80km (NEP) - Manjushree Trail Race
5) 100km (MAS) - Merapoh Rainforest Trail

6) 80km (PHI) - The Punisher
7) 80km (JPN) - Deep Japan Ultra