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

Trail runners looking to score an extra Grandmaster point on their records had a great opportunity at Tampin Transnaning Ultra in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, last weekend. Meanwhile a traditional annual event, the event takes place on a renowned loop of 34 km with seven hill summits in it. Participants could choose between two or three loops to score a Grandmaster point, given the 2 loops, i.e. 68km, has more than 4500 hm of elevation gain - similar to e.g. Mantra 68 in Indonesia a few weeks ago. Tamping Transnaning Ultra thus caters for technically skilled mountain trail runners with a strong endurance basis.

It’s the kind of long ultra that Grandmaster Siokhar Lim truly enjoys and excels at. Once again, she proved that by finishing the 102km race as overall winner in a time of 28h01! She finished ahead of Golden Grandmaster Kenneth Mun Keat Yow (30h19), but he had another thing on his mind last weekend: becoming Legend! A few weeks after Philippines’ Mario Yap, the Malaysian trail runner has become the second runner overall to become an ATM Legend, the new milestone created and announced last January for those who have scored four Grandmaster stars. To become Legend, Golden Grandmasters are required to collect 500 points - i.e. 500 kilometers - in at least five different countries. For Kenneth, finishing Transnaning 102km meant ‘mission accomplished’ (more in separate news announcement).

Interestingly, also third place overall on the 102km went to a female runner: Cheng Yutong finished the tough race just a few minutes behind Kenneth Mun Keat Yow. Amongst the runners who completed three loops was also 2-star Grandmaster David Khoo.

On the 68km or 2-loop race, we saw an outstanding competitive performance by Adam Danial, a new name on the ATM circuit. Danial managed to finish in an amazing time of 12h28, which was 3h30 quicker than second-place Henry Joe Cottilon from Philippines, who everyone knows is a solid competitor himself. Low Keng Sin took third on the podium, finishing slightly ahead of female race winner Ang Yee Mei in 16h23. 2-star Grandmaster Beng Siong Lee was next in 16h33. Siow Yen Wong and Chee Lai Lim were second and third female in the 68km race. A number of other Grandmasters fulfilled the challenge, such as Jyh Horng Lim, Swee Boon Lee and Yuen Loong Ho.

It’s trail running’s high season in Malaysia right now and already next weekend there’s another event on the Grandmaster Quest calendar: the Magnificent Baling in Kedah towards the north of peninsular Malaysia. An event that has grown to become one of the best attended trail events in the country.

Siokhar Lim - fastest overall on the 102km! Photo credit: II Image

2-star Grandmaster David Khoo and Golden Grandmaster Kenneth Mun Keat Yow, now ATM Legend! Photo credit: II Image

Tampin Transnaning Ultra, brought to you by Himalaya Sports, has moved two months forward on the trail calendar and is taking place again this weekend. It’s one of the toughest trail challenges in peninsular Malaysia. A race over several loops through the heart of Transnaning, featuring seven peaks in 34 km. Start and finish of the event is at the Tampin Water Park in Negeri Sembilan. Finishers can score a Grandmaster Quest point if they finish the Ultra race of 68km (4800 hm!) or the Challenger race of 102km (7200hm)

On the start list several known runners and Grandmasters seeking to add another point to their records. Including Golden Grandmaster Kenneth Mun Keat Yow, who is already on the Trail to Immortality. Also 2-star Grandmasters David Khoo and Siokhar Lim - long time no see - are expected to run the challenger course of just over 100km. 2-star Grandmaster Beng Siong Lee and Ang Yee Mei are familiar names on the 68km Ultra start list.

The official website of Tampin Transnaning Ultra 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:

• Gunung Datuk

• Gunung Rembau

• Gunung Gagak

• Puncak 701

• Puncak 705

• Gunung Tampin Utara

• Gunung Tampin Selatan

Tamping Transnaning Ultra could become an ATM Championship Qualifier in the near future. It will therefore again be interesting to see how the race unfolds this weekend.

Kenneth Mun Keat Yow is on the Trail to Immortality

David Khoo is a 2-star Grandmaster

2-star Grandmaster Siokhar LIm

2-star Grandmaster Beng Siong Lee is aiming for the 68km this weekend

A successful 4th edition of Camiguin Island Trail in the north of Mindanao last weekend, an event with a 70km long ultra offering a Grandmaster Quest point for all finishers. As expected, we also got to discover several new faces at the front of the 70km race, which saw some nice tight racing for victory.

In the men’s 70km, Bryan Jay Mundiguing proved fastest at the end to complete the course as race winner in 9h42. That was 12 minutes ahead of established competition runner Marjones Abugan and 16 minutes ahead of Marlonette Esquierdo in third place. The times also indicate the toughness of the island course.

The women’s race was even closer with Mekaila Abel Cruz taking top honours in a winning time of 13h36. Just 8 minutes ahead of Linajane Aluba. Completing the podium was Jessa Vicente in 14h30.

Camiguin Island Trail is organised by Vertical To Sky and may develop into an ATM Championship Qualifier next season.

Ms. Makaila Abel Cruz from Jasaan Misamis and Bryan Jay Mundiguing from Ifugao Province

Winning the race: Bryan Jay Mundiguing

Female race winer Makalla Abel Cruz

Marjones Abugan had to settle for second place

Just 8 minutes away from victory: Linajane Aluba

Marlonette Esquierdo, third place.

Jessa Vicente, completing the female podium

This weekend the spotlights are on Camiguin Island Trail, just off the northern coast of Mindanao. a popular event by Vertical To Sky - known from The Punisher, Mount Apo Sky Race and others - and is again part of the ATM Grandmaster Quest calendar this season. The race distance to focus on is the 70km.

Camiguin is an island in the Bohol Sea, approximately 10km off the northern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. The trail event is held out of the island’s and provincial capital Mambajao. The island has some lush green forest reserves, even protected under the ASEAN Heritage Park label. Camiguin also has a rich cultural history and treasures, such as Old Mambajao Fountain and the façade of the Santo Rosario Church in Sagay. This is a mountainous island, which offers the opportunity for some splendid trail running, including some technical mountain sections. The highest peak is Mount Timpoong, which towers a respectable 1500 metres above sea level.

It is one of several events. in Philippines that may become part of our ATM Championship calendar in future, too. The 70km race has well over 3700 elevation gain, which is not to be underestimated.

On the start list this weekend we find nearly 150 runners for the 70km category, which is a good number, Amongst them, Golden 4-star Grandmaster and now on the Trail to Immortality, Masafumi Yamamoto from Japan. Masafumi continues to enjoy the down-to-earth boutique style of trail races and has received a lot of respect from the communities everywhere. Also Bronze 2-star Grandmaster Blanka Wong from Malaysia will be looking to score another GM point on the way to 3-stars. For the battle up front, with MUSPO 100 just one week ago, the start list does not immediately see the biggest of names, which only means we will get to know some new faces again. Arguably, Marjones Abugan will be the one to beat. Jonathan Pido, however, is a former Mount Apo Sky Race winner - all the way back in 2015. Henry Joe Cottillon may also be in podium contention this weekend.

As of July 2026, Asia Trail Master is creating a number of ATM Grandmaster Hubs in cooperation with recognised partners across the region. Grandmaster Hubs are places where trail runners can gather and collect Grandmaster achievement tokens, such as Grandmaster caps and Gold, Silver of Bronze achievement tees. The first two official Grandmaster Hubs are Trailside Treats near Kuala Lumpur City in Malaysia and Red Dot Running Company in Singapore.

As more and more trail runners have embarked on their Grandmaster journeys, it has become a logistical challenge to prepare and distribute achievement tokens at events. Hence, the idea of Grandmaster Hubs came to fruition. Hubs will be located in places with lots of runners and usually have a direct link with Asia Trail Master as well.

Trailside Treats, for example, is managed by a.o. Carly Balmforth, herself a 2-star Grandmaster already, and is located near Bukit Tiara, one of peninsular Malaysia’s main trail running training and gathering areas. It’s a coffee, tea and cake venue, breathing trail running, and so it also makes for a great gathering venue while you collect your Grandmaster token(s).

Red Dot Running Company in Singapore was founded by Jeri Chua, legendary endurance athlete and someone who has been supportive of Asia Trail Master since the very beginning. RDRC, as it is commonly known, is the reference store for runners - both trail and road - in Singapore. ATM has often had livestreams and gathering sessions at RDRC over the years.

In the coming weeks we aim to announce more Grandmaster Hubs, including in the Philippines. Meanwhile, similar venues keen on becoming a Grandmaster Hub can reach out to kris@asiatrailmaster.com for more information.

Addresses

• Trailside Treats: Located near the green Bukit Kiara forest at G-3, Wisma WIM, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

• Red Dot Running Company Store - 108 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387432

Socials

One of the events that is becoming every more popular on our ATM calendar is Prenn Trail Summit in Dalat, Vietnam. Scheduled from 9 to 13 December 2026, trail runners on the Grandmaster Quest will again have no fewer than four categories to choose from in order to collect a new GM point. The longest race category is the 250km mega ultra, but the programme also offers the more traditional 100 Miles, 100km and 75km distances.

Organised by Unique Events & Media that also brings you Brah Yang Trail Summit in March, Prenn has been catching the attention since its inaugural edition back in 2023. Dalat in the southern Central Highlands of Vietnam has no shortage of trail events any more, but Prenn draws appreciation for its emphasis on the basics of trail running, the communities, combined with a solid and pleasant organisation. The event centre, also expo place and finish line for all distance categories, is the Prenn Tea Resort.

The website of the event is incredibly detailed and you can find all you need to know right there. In a nutshell, the 250km race - labeled “The Gods” - has an estimated elevation gain of 11730 hm and a cut-off time of 73 hours. Runners start the adventure at the Kala Lake at lunchtime (13:00) on 10 December . 100 Miles participants also start at the Kala Lake on the 11th at 7 am. They will conquer over 8000 hm and need to complete the distance in 55 hours. Those who thought a few years ago that running in Dalat is ‘easy’ surely have changed their minds by now :-).

The 100km also has a respectable 4500+ hm and 29 hours of cut-off time. Important, this category starts more or less at sunset on Friday at 18:00. The 75km starts at 3 am on Saturday and comes close to 4000hm and a cut-off time has been placed atv 24 hours.

Dalat is accessible by airplane , or you can also arrange overland transport from Ho Chi Minh City. The website also offers lots of options how to reach the Prenn Tea Resort.

The annual ATM appointment on Samal Island off the coast of Davao City in Mindanao saw the 19-year-old Michael Angelo Lorono and Merudin Idsla as fastest male runners on the 80km long course. Strongest female was Ana Fe Gamo, who a month ago also finished first in SIlabur Ultra Trail 100 in Sarawak, Malaysia. The 12th edition of The Punisher was part of the Grandmaster Quest calendar.

No elite superstars on the start list meant that upcoming talents had a great opportunity to show themselves. Lorono and Idsla did that in style, completing the course in a time of 14h30. Joshua Pateno and Rennier Arcenal came next in 15h45.

Ana Fe Gamo took the women’s race win in 15h53 , fifth overall. Jasmin Dela Pena and Devere Galo joined her on the podium.

Golden Grandmaster Mario Yap has come very close to becoming Legend by finishing The Punisher. Mario has already accumulated 480 kilometers (= 480 points) in five different countries. Originally, he had planned to reach the Legend milestone of 500 kilometres at BTR Ultra in Bali two weeks ago, but there he suffered an uncharacteristic DNF. In any case, Mario Yap seems keen to be first!

The Punisher is organised by Vertical To Sky and was one of the pioneering trail running events in Mindanao alongside the Mount Apo Sky Race now well over a decade ago. It remains a great introduction to long ultra trail running given its varied course and easy accessibility from Davao City. Moreover, Samal Island is worth a weekend stay no matter what.

Photos below credited to Vertical To Sky (facebook page)

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