Trail runners on the Grandmaster Quest now also have a chance to score a point at the rebranded A1 Philippines - Cordillera Mountain Terraces event in Banau, Ifugao, Luzon. Previously known as Amuyao, a Candidate Race in 2024, the event now features a 100 Miles race as longest ultra, alongside a 50 Miles, which still carries the name Amuyao Mountain Ultra 50 Miles. These are the two categories in which a Grandmaster point can be earned.

Less ambitious runners can also opt for shorter categories such as 42km, 25km and 10km.

A new name, but the event will actually already be held for a 10th time in 2026. Scheduled for the weekend of 20-23 August, it is also a fund raising event to support the rehabilitation od Batad Village, which was heavily affected of the landslide caused by the recent typhoon. We are in the heart of the Cordilleras here.

The official event description says it all: “Set in the stunning landscapes of Banaue, Ifugao. Runners will pass through the extreme natural landscapes of the great Ifugao and Mountain Province villages, mountains, and terraces, which were built more than 2,000 years ago and are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It will pass also with the two prominent mountains of Cordillera - Mt. Amuyao and Mt. Napulawan. Brace yourself for rugged trails, breathtaking views of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, and an unforgettable adventure alongside fellow passionate runners! leave your mark on one of the toughest courses in the Philippines.”

As beautiful as it may be, this is also very tough terrain. Start and finish is at Banaue Ethnic Village. 100 Milers already begin their long journey on Thursday at 15:00 in the afternoon, and are supposed to be back 72 hours later. The 50 milers start at 3 am on Saturday early morning need to return by 15:00 on Sunday as well.

Registration is already open. Via the facebook page below you can get all necessary details. As always for the Cordilleras, coming from Manila or Clark, your first gateway is Baguio.

Harkor 4: Ultra Trail Balakayo Mountains was held last weekend near General Santos in Mindanao, Philippines, and offered Grandmaster Quest points for finishers of the 75km long ultra. It’s a tough one with considerable elevation gain of over 4000hm, but the beautiful scenery along the ridges make up for the sometimes painful effort. Runners also expressed satisfaction with the aid stations during the event.

Three men set themselves apart at the front of the race. Ronny Jandog, Jeffrey Rivero and Peter Balolong, Jr finished 1-2-3 within 11 minutes of each other. The latter, Peter Balolong Jr , had just become Grandmaster at Silabur in Sarawak, Malaysia, two weeks ago. Winning time for Jandog was 11h04.

Valerie Mae Marcos proved to be the strongest female runner on the Harkor course. She won in 14h32 as 14th overall. Laica Rivas was second and Irene Tan third on the podium.

Ronny Jandog

Valerie Mae Marcos

Last week’s Grandmaster Quest event Zamboanguita Mountain Ultra Trail was held with the first Golden Grandmaster Masafumi Yamamoto part of the participant’s field for the 70km long ultra, minimum race distance for a Grandmaster point. Masafumi completed the course and so also began his Trail to Immortality.

Up front, the race was won by Loyd Echalar from Iloilo in a time of 12h04. Only 23 years old, Echalar was 24 minutes ahead of Johnrey Espadon, himself also just 25 years old. Third place on the podium was for the 43-year-old Chuck Paul Mata. Great to see also a youngster in fourth place, JM Esquilarga, 25. Those four were clearly the fastest of the pack.

The women’s race was won by Resie Gaudiano in 16h07. In second, we found Keziah Marieah Loreto and in third place Mary Rose Canete.

The event was organised by Happy Feet, which in the past also held the Mt Talinis Mountain Marathon in Negros Oriental.

70km runners before the start

Loyd Echalar: new name and a race winner at 23.

Meanwhile a traditional event in the ATM series, Silabur Ultra Trail in Sarawak, Malaysia, featured on our Grandmaster Quest calendar last weekend. The 100 km race attracted a lot of runners from several countries, many with the objective of scoring another Grandmaster point. A large group of 30 runners from Davao in Mindanao, Philippines, even made the trip over to Borneo Island. Quite a few chose Silabur as their mandatory international event, necessary to complete each level of the Grandmaster Quest. And a few also became an official ATM Grandmaster, as separate announcements show on our socials.

The 100 km race in itself saw two runners reaching the finish line together as ‘winners’: Azmil Saripudin and Azman Salama did the course in a time of 14h29. Silabur is not known for its elevation, but the heat of day is slowing a lot of people down. The passage through the famous cave complex always comes as a welcome and cooling relief. I Hsaing Huang was third on the podium just five minutes later.

Joyce Yong Hie Ying was quickest woman last weekend in a time of 18h32. Eight minutes faster than Ana Fe Gamo. Noor Hafizah Zubaidi took third spot on the podium.

Silabur Ultra Trail is starting a rotation scheme with Jagoi Ultra by the same organiser, Alpha Sports Events, for a place on the ATM Championship calendar. This season, it’s Jagoi Ultra 70 early September that also gives runners a chance to score ATM Championship points alongside a Grandmaster Quest point. In fact, Jagoi will be the last championship qualifier in Malaysia this season before the Final in Vietnam on 3 October.

Lots of Filipino elite trail athletes in Danao last weekend for the Danao City International Ultra Trail event on Cebu island. The event is new on the ATM Grandmaster Quest calendar this season as well, and lured none other than Cecille Wael to come and complete her 20th long ultra under ATM! Just a week after finishing third in Sierra Madre Trail Ultra, Wael focused on just finishing the tough 100km in Danao - an event where she finished second on the 50km two years ago. She is the second Filipino woman to score a 4th star and is thus now a Golden Grandmaster!

Female runners stole the show in Danao overall, as the 100km race up front saw an exciting battle between Elizabeth Dangadan and Nepal’s Nirmala Rai - double winner of MTR 100 Miles and making her first appearance in the Philippines. Dangadan set the pace from the beginning, but Rai never gave up and remained close for nearly the entire race. Only at the finish the gap had extended somewhat to 20 minutes. Dangadan won in 18h34, proving again what a tough course Danao 100 is. Angelie Cabalo, winner a week ago at Sierra Madre, took third on the podium. Third was the highest achievable last weekend, but still she finished ahead of Aggy Sabanal.

The 50 km race in Danao saw the appearance of reigning and two-time ATM Champion Priya Rai, the younger sister of Nirmala. Priya is in the midst of university graduation and despite carrying an injury she won the race in 6h44.

The men’s 100km had a fantastic start list including ATM Champion John Ray Onifa, Arnie Macaneras and Godwin Mirar. With also Larry Apolinario, Joebert Elmaguin and former Danao 100 winner Andy Toniaco in the mix, fans were excited to see a tremendous battle between them for victory. Macaneras set the pace early, but would eventually slow down and DNF. Reportedly, Macaneras is between race goals at the moment and therefore not at his peak level. Onifa, Mirar, Elmaguin and Apolinario ran together like brothers. Mirar, however, would also retire from the race towards the end. While many fans were hoping to see a nice sprint between the remaining three stars for the win, they came in side by side. Andy Toniaco was fourth quite a bit later, and Jensen Pasaforte fifth.

Elizabeth Dangadan won the women’s 100k ahead of Nepal’s Nirmala Rai

No royal sprint for victory: Onifa, Appolinario and Elmaguin come in together

One of peninsular Malaysia’s toughest trail races keeps its spot on our Grandmaster Quest calendar this season, but runners should take note of the new event date: Himalaya Sports Tamping Transnaning Ultra has now been scheduled for the weekend of 24-26 July. A race in loops through the heart of Transnaning, featuring seven peaks in 34 km. Grandmaster Quest chasers need to aim for the Ultra race of 68km (4800 hm!) or the Challenger race of 102km (7200hm).

This is an authentic tropical rainforest trail with lots of local history. Start and finish of the event is at the Tampin Water Park in Negeri Sembilan.

The official website describes the route very well: “ Starting from Tampin Water Park, runners begin by taking on the outer segments of the Trans Naning route. This opening section serves as the warm-up, but make no mistake, it is no easy start. Over the first 14km, runners will face more than 600m of elevation gain, with rolling hills on tarmac and forest access roads through the rural foothills. Along the way, runners will pass Kolam Marine A.R.M and the rustic Malaysian kampung landscape before reaching Gunung Datuk Foothill where the real adventure begins. From there, the next 20km reveals the true heart of Trans Naning: a rugged traverse along the southern spine of the Titiwangsa Range, summiting all seven (7) iconic peaks:

1. Gunung Datuk

2. Gunung Rembau

3. Gunung Gagak

4. Puncak 701

5. Puncak 705

6. Gunung Tampin Utara

7. Gunung Tampin Selatan

A checkpoint/water station awaits at the valley between Puncak 701 and Puncak 705 (a.k.a Kem Ultra). The ascent to Puncak 705 is a true test of stamina, as runners drop to the valley floor, reset their elevation, and climb all over again. After passing Gunung Tampin Selatan, runners will then descend and return to Tampin Water Park to complete one (1) unforgettable loop.

Expect dense jungle, narrow ridgelines, steep ascents, and wild, natural terrain throughout the course. With a generous but firm 14-hour cut-off, this category is built for trail runners ready to embrace distance, elevation, and the raw beauty of Malaysia’s mountain heartland.”

Alongside Mantra 68, Transnaning Ultra 68 is valid for the Grandmaster Quest thanks to its elevation gain numbers of more than 4500 hm. It goes without saying that participants therefore need to come prepared for this race.

Registration and more details can be found on the CPS official webpage linked below.

The 2nd edition of Arakan Mountain Run in Mindanao, Philippines, last weekend counted towards the Grandmaster Quest, but saw some solid competition as well. Ulyses Esteva even managed to win the 80km men’s race by a big margin over none other than Roberto Cain III. In the women’s 80km race, Guia Cabigas once again raised her competitive profile with another victory in Mindanao.

Arakan is a municipality between Davao del Sur and Bukidnon and blessed with natural resources and magnificent landscapes. Organised by Vertical To Sky, Arakan Mountain Run is aiming to become one of the classic events in Mindanao, alongside Mount Apo Sky Race and The Punisher, established by the same company and its director Doi Calbes over a decade ago and still going.

Offering a good mixture of technical and runable terrain, Arakan has something for everyone. Ulyses Esteva was the surprise winner of the men’s long distance ultra, completing the course in 11h04’. Impressively, that was almost one hour ahead of Roberto Cain III and Ronie Jandog. Whilst not taking anything away from Esteva’s performance, Cain III does seem to find himself in a competitive slump - finishing below expectations in the Season 10 Final at 9 Dragons three weeks ago, too.

Guia Cabigas also won her race with a big margin in 19h43. As Shally Yuson, Cabigas is gradually becoming a repeat race winner in Mindanao and someone who keeps improving pace-wise. She was flanked on the podium by Devere Galo and Realyn Lugo last Sunday.

Arakan Mountain Run is on the shortlist to also become a Championship Qualifier in Philiipines in Season 12.

Podium 80KM Distance

*MALE

1st Ulyses Esteva (M'Lang Cotabato) - 11:04:48

-nd Roberto Cain III (Davao City) - 12:00:10

3rd Ronie Jandog (Zamboanga City) - 12:00:54

*FEMALE

-1st Guia Angelie Cabigas (General Santos City) - 19:43:38

-2nd Devere Galo (Libona) - 21:13:52

-3rd Realyn Lugo (Zamboanga City) - 21:17:43

Event Director of Vertical To Sky Doi Calbes with race winner Ulyses Esteva

Guia Cabigas boosts her competitive profile once more with a new and clear victory at Arakan

We are pleased to announce that Vietnam Jungle Marathon returns to the Asia Trail Master calendar this year, in particular the Grandmaster Quest calendar! One of the more popular events in the pre-covid era - when VJM was held in May - still offers a highly scenic 70km race in and around the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, around 160km southwest of Hanoi. VJM 2026 is scheduled for the weekend of 17/18 October.

VJM is part of the Vietnam Trail Series organised by the Topas Group, which also includes VTM and VMM. For many trail runners, all three are bucket-list races given their great organisational quality, scenery and vibe amongst the participants. We are indeed happy that people aiming to complete the Grandmaster Quest can now again score a point at VJM. Obviously, the 70km is the target distance for this.

As the website reads, “Pu Luong is an area where time stands still. Pu Luong is home to ancient jungle, soaring limestone peaks, waterfalls, rivers, vibrant rice paddy fields and small villages where life goes on as it has for generations.” The Nature Reserve is filled with rice terrace scenery and you will pass by several small minority villages during a varied race, featuring both runable and technical sections. Estimated total elevation is 3100 hm for the main category, the. 70km.

All details on the course can be found on the official website linked below. Via the website you can also register for the 70km race. Pay attention to the accommodation options and the travel packages on offer from Hanoi including the usual bus transportation from the West Lake on Friday morning.

This weekend, runners chasing Grandmaster points can do so for the first time at the Arakan Mountain Run in Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines. Organised by Vertical To Sky, the second edition of the event has a scenic 80km long ultra. The event venue is the Katipunan Central Elementary School in Arakan.

The race has attracted a solid field including Golden Grandmasters Mario Yap and Kenneth Mun Keat Yow who are already on the Trail to Immortality as well. Several other multistar Grandmasters like Henry Yang and Nick Pilapil also feature on the start list. On the competitive side, Roberto Cain III is arguably the top favourite to win the race. Roberto was an ATM Finalist at the 9 Dragons three weeks ago, but unfortunately did not have a good day there. He can reclaim confidence this weekend at Arakan. The best known female 80km runner is Guia Angelie Cabigas.

Arakan is a municipality between Davao del Sur and Bukidnon and blessed with natural resources and magnificent landscapes. Runners should definitely also try the local cacao drink, which is a genuine treat. The 80km course features the 3 famous waterfalls of Arakan -Matigol, Epol and Lebbas. It has an estimated total elevation gain of 3600 hm.

As always, Vertical To Sky remains true to its boutique style of trail events with restricted participation numbers to give everyone the chance to fully enjoy the place and the trails.

Kenneth Mun Keat Yow

Mario Yap

Guia Cabigas

Roberto Cain III

The Trail to Immortality is the long-awaited extension to the Grandmaster Quest announced two months ago (see link below). This weekend, Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau officially launches the ‘TTI’ with its 70km race category, the first ‘Grandmaster distance’ of 2026 in our series.

The Trail to Immortality opens for runners who have collected all four stars of the Grandmaster Quest, i.e. who have finished 20 long ultras on the ATM race calendar. They are also called “Golden Grandmasters”. At present, eight people have managed to complete this extraordinary feat, but many more are on the way, underlining the increasing popularity of ATM’s Grandmaster Quest. Following popular demand, we have introduced an extension to the Grandmaster Quest, so runners of all performance levels continue to have a clear goal to run and train for. The Trail to Immortality has two sections. Broadly speaking, when you score 500 points (1 km = 1 point) in minimum five different countries, you Become Legend. When you score 1000 points in ten different countries, you Become Immortal.

Details can be checked via the announcement linked below.

The 8 Golden Grandmasters in ATM so far are:

• Hisashi Kitamura (JPN, male)

• Masafumi Yamamoto (JPN, male)

• Rhea Batac (PHI, female)

• Tomohiro Mizukoshi (JPN, male)

• Munin Sundram (MAS, male)

• Kenneth Mun Keat Yow (MAS, male)

• Alfredo Reyes Jr (PHI, male)

• Ruth Theresia (INA, female)

This weekend at VTM, two Silver Grandmasters are going for their 4th and golden star: Malaysia’s Yvette Chong Mi Chin, who can be the first Malaysian female to achieve the Golden Grandmaster title, and Mario Yap, who can be the second Filipino male to become Gold.

What do you do when you collected all four Grandmaster stars? Become Legend, Become Immortal!

Yvette Chong Mi Chin

After a successful stint as ATM Candidate in 2024, we are delighted to announce that Danao City International Ultra Trail has joined the Grandmaster Quest calendar for its third edition on 18/19 April 2026. It will be the first time trail runners can score ATM Grandmaster points on the popular island of Cebu in the Philippines. Focus hereby is of course on the 100km category, the only category of 70+ km at the event.

The Danao 100 km is a tough one with well over 6000 metres of elevation gain, accumulated via numerous ups & downs in a real rollercoaster of a course. Start and finish is in the city centre by the sea. A beautiful setting for a challenging trail run. Less ambitious runners can also choose for the 50km, 35km or 15km.

Danao is located roughly one hour north of Cebu City and its airport, which has several international connections within the region. Known as a popular tourist destination outright, this is certainly one of the easier events to get to. You will need to fly in on Friday as the 100km starts at 3 am on Saturday morning. The cut-off time is set at 33 hours. The official course for this edition will be revealed soon but is based on last year’s, which is pasted below.

Interested runners should follow the facebook page linked below to stay up-to-date on news and information about the event. Registration will open soon.

Running back in time

We are happy to announce that Zamboanguita Mountain Ultra Trail has been added to the Grandmaster Quest calendar on the weekend of 9/10 May 206. Organised by Happy Feet Events and Rhodel Sarande, ZMUT - as the event is called in brief - takes place on Negros Oriental, one of the southern islands in the Philippines. Previously in ATM, the company also organised the Mount Talinis Mountain Marathon.

The main race distance in which trail runners can score a Grandmaster point is the 70km category. It is a tough 70km with an estimated elevation gain of over 4000 hm. To note also is the maximum number of participants for the race, i.e. 300. The start is scheduled for 3 o'clock in the afternoon and runners have 24 hours of time to complete the course. Host of the event is the town of Zamboanguita and along the course runners will enjoy great scenery: waterfalls, lakes, dams and grassland ridges. Mount Talinis will also appear in view.

To reach Zamboanguita, you need to fly to Negros Oriental’s main airport city Dumaguete City, which is connected to Manila, Cebu, Davao etc.

Registration for the event will open very soon. You can stay tuned via its facebook page.