We are glad to announce that Harkor 4: Ultra Trail Balakayo Mountains will offer a Grandmaster Quest point for all finishers of the 75km race category in 2026. The event, an ATM Candidate last May, is the first of its kind offering GM points in General Santos, which is a city in the south of the large Mindanao island in Philippines. It is scheduled for the weekend of 16/17 May 2026.

The event features a 75km main race distance with over 4000 metres of elevation gain, but is known to be quite runable. The event is organised by the Drunken Runners Team and Team Akbri.

Registration for the event is already open and can be accessed via the button below. There is a quota on the participation numbers, so if you are keen - better be quick. In 2025, the 75km had a cut-off time at the finish of 25 hours. Important, flag off is on Saturday at 14:00 in the early afternoon.

New on the Grandmaster Quest calendar in 2026 is Arakan Mountain Run in Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines. Organised by Vertical To Sky, the second edition of the event has a scenic 80km long ultra and is scheduled for the weekend of 21/22 March. The event venue is the Katipunan Central Elementary School in Arakan.

Less ambitious runners can also choose the 42km, 25km or 14km options.

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. The 2026 course map will be released in due course.

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. For registration, kindly check-out the details on the poster, or you can do an onsite registration at Podium Multisport in Davao.

We are happy to announce that Kokol Ultra in Sabah, Malaysia, joins the Grandmaster Quest calendar in 2026. The event was a Candidate a few years with good review, but with (too) much tarmac on the running course. Redesigned since then, Kokol has grown in popularity and will be a great new addition on our GM calendar. The 2026 event i scheduled for the weekend of 23/25 October with a 70km as main distance category.

It’s not so common for events to open registration so early and therefore the event organisers also have the opportunity to provide a limited set of 40% discounted bibs. The 70km is the race that matters, of course, but less ambitious runners can also choose the 50km, 35km, 21km or 15km distance categories. The registration link is pasted below.

Cut-off time for the 70km is set at 24 hours. It is advised to pick up the race pack on Friday, 23 October.

The event is organised By Expertise and is quite easily accessible from Kota Kinabalu, the main city in Sabah where the airport is also located. Follow the event’s facebook page to stay up to date with the latest developments.

Last weekend’s SC 70 race in Santa Cruz, Davao, Philippines, gave runners another chance to add a Grandmaster point to their records. As announced, it was a tough one, and technical, with rain that made matters even more complicated. Up front there was of course also a competition. 2022 ATM Champion and local hero Arnie Macaneras crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 12 hours and 4 minutes as male race winner. It was his first real race in two months. Macaneras is also scheduled to run the upcoming Season 10 Championship Final at the 9 Dragons in Hong Kong. last year, he still finished 3rd in Season 9’s Final at Borneo TMBT. In second place behind him was emerging talent Rodel Angatan, followed by Elbert Ligan who took third on the podium.

Just two weeks after winning DASAL 80, Bukidnon’s Shally Yuson also proved strongest female in SC 70. Becoming ever more consistent and dominant on Filipino trails, Yuson led from start to finish and came in in 19 hours (also showing how tough the course was). Luzon’s Jennifer Comandante secured second place in 21 hours, followed by Dolly Alonso in third.

Trail runners can stick around in Santa Cruz and Davao, because next weekend is the next event already: the Mount Apo Sky Race. This year, the redesigned Mount Apo event is also a qualifier again for the ATM Championship points ranking.

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.

Grandmaster Quest points were on offer in Penang, Malaysia, last weekend at the annual Ultimate Trails of Penang event, better known as UTOP. Just one week after the scheduled Season 10 Final, it could not be a Championship points race this year. Two race categories above 70km were on the programme, namely the 100 miles and 100km. Penang is highly underrated when it comes to difficulty level of the trails and so it proved once again.

On the 100 miles, Grandmaster Seng Lip Ku was leading the race comfortably until he dropped out with knee pain. His place at the top of the leaderboard was taken up by Mohammadlee Binlateh, who finished the 100 miler in 43h48. Sai Hee Lim and Zahiruddin Bin Mohammad completed the men’s podium. Siow Yen Wong was the strongest woman in the longest ultra, finishing third overall as well in 46h26. Chin Chin Chan was the second and only remaining female finisher.

On the 100km distance, victory went to Mohd Nazrin Shah Bin Jamlee in 21h58. He was followed by the first female, Ang Yee Mei in 24h07! A great win by Ang Yee Mei, ahead of Hong Kong’s Grandmaster duo Ellen Cheng and Rachel Chan, the latter one of several who went the wrong way at some point during the race. Ameer Izuddin Ridzuan and Harith Hatta were second and third male on the podium.

One week before the conclusion of Season 10 in the Asia Trail Master Championship series in Vietnam, runners on the Grandmaster Quest have a chance to collect another GM point in Santa Cruz, Davao, Philippines at the Santa Cruz Trail Ultra. Established by Santa Cruz Trail Runners and with Grandmaster*** Sean Aying as race director, the event was a Candidate last year and now offers a GM point for finishers in the 75km category.

2025 is the third edition of the Sta Cruz Trail Ultra. The event is in celebration of the 141st Araw ng Sta. Cruz, a tribute to the rich heritage and awe-inspiring landscapes of Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur. While the 75km is the main category, less ambitious runners can also choose 3K, 15K, and 30K categories options. As the official SCTU intro reads: “the event will be guiding participants through the heart of the central mountain ranges and across the rugged ridgelines of majestic summits. The course reaches its climax at Mt. Tinako, standing proudly at over 1,300+ above sea level—the highest point of the race—offering not just a test of endurance, but views that will take your breath away. “

Interesting to note is that SCTU is part of the Trailblazer Program under the Sta. Cruz Tourism Office, positioning the municipality as a top trail running destination in Southern Mindanao. A strong focus on eco-tourism and community involvement, the event brings together athletes, nature lovers, and local stakeholders for a cause that goes beyond the finish line.

The start venue is the new Sta Cruz New Municipal Hall and the 75km will be flagged off on Saturday afternoon 4 pm. On the start list, several well-known runners and Grandmasters such as Jay Delgado, Elron Joyce Josue, Ryan Arriola, Emman Manongsong, Leoniel Perez, Rhodel Sarande, Mario Yap, Benjamin Nueva Jr and even ATM Finalist Roberto Cain III.

It is true pleasure to announce today the first male Golden Grandmaster from the Philippines in our Asia Trail Master series : none other than Alfredo Reyes Jr managed to collect his fourth Grandmaster star at Marilog Ultra 70 in Davao a few weeks ago! Alfredo is the 7th Golden Grandmaster overall, following in the footsteps of a.o. his compatriot Rhea Batac, who completed her Quest back in July 2024.

Alfredo Reyes Jr required just three years to run and finish is 20 ATM ultras. He began his journey at MUSPO 100 in July 2022 and by the end of 2023 scored his first Grandmaster star in Indonesia. He continued with great determination and added his second star eleven months later in at Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam. But it’s only since then - ten months ago - that his engine really came up to speed. From 10 to 20 in less than a year! Alfredo was also not shy to include some really tough ultras on his itinerary , such as The 9 Dragons, Pulag Ultra and Hardcore 50 Miles. He traveled to several countries during his Grandmaster Quest, including Hong Kong, Indonesia and Vietnam while crisscrossing the Philippines from Mindanao to Luzon and back as well.

He may not be a Championship runner, but his amazing achievement - especially in the final year - is an inspiration for all of us, proving that with the right mindset you can do everything. Let’s have a very big and well-earned applause for new Four Star Grandmaster Alfredo Reyes Jr!

Alfredo Reyes Jr.’s Grandmaster Quest Palmares

1. Muspo 100km July (2022),

2. Mt. Apo Skyrace 100 Dec (2022)

3. Sta. Ines Mountain Adventure Run 80k (2023)

4. Sierra Madre Trail Ultra 75 May (2023)

5. Matanao Mountain Marathon 70k Oct (2023)

6. Siksorogo Lawu Ultra 80 Dec (2023)

7. Bagtit Ultra 100k Feb (2024)

8. Mt. Kalatungan Trail Ultra 85k Mar (2024)

9. Bali Ultra 80k Aug (2024)

10. Lam Dong Ultra 75k Nov (2024)

11. Santa Cruz 70 Nov (2024)

12. Malico Grand Ultra 75 Jan (2025)

13. The 9 Dragons 50miles Feb (2025)

14. Pulag Ultra 65km Feb (2025)

15. Vietnam Ultra Marathon 75k Mar (2025)

16. Lantau 70 Mar (2025)

17. Hardcore Ultra Trail 50miles May (2025)

18. Camiguin Ultra Trail Race 70km July (2025)

19. Punisher Ultra Marathon 50miles Aug 16-17 (2025)

20. Marilog Trail Ultra 70km Aug 30-31 (2025)

The Tampin Transnaning Challenge last weekend in Negeri Sembilan, not too far from Malacca, lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest trail running races in Malaysia. The loop-race, each loop featuring Mount Tampin, is 34km long and has about 2400 metres of elevation gain! Runners who completed three or two loops all scored an extra point for their Grandmaster Quest. 13 runners managed to do the “big one”, the 100km race category with three loops. Grandmaster Seng Lip Ku was fastest among them in a time of 24h51’36. He was in the lead all race, already having once done five loops at a previous edition in 2022. Kee Ming Lim was about 40 minutes behind him at the finish. He had tried to chase Ku down, but began to suffer from heat exhaustion and reportedly even contemplated quitting the race. Many participants struggled with dehydration this year. Muhammad Quayyum Bin Suleiman came in third in 26h27. No female runners attempted the three loops this year.

The 68km race, two loops, saw Chong Han Sia and Real Ho having a good competition. Eventually, Chong Han took top honours in a time of 15h05, about 40 minutes ahead of Real Ho. The men’s podium was completed by Ares Hee in 16h14.

Yu Tongcheng was the quickest female runner on the two loops in 17h35. She was followed by Tsui Chin Ho, about half an hour later at the finish. In third was Grandmaster Roan Biguasen in 18h53.

Seng Lip Ku the fastest runner on the 100km

Wayne Tang scored his Grandmaster 1 star at Transnaning

David Khoo

This weekend, trail runners have the opportunity to collect another Grandmaster point in Malaysia at the Tampin Transnaning Ultra in Negeri Sembilan. It’s the penultimate Grandmaster Quest event of Season 10, with Santa Cruz Trail Ultra still upcoming in the Philippines next week as well. In a fortnight, all eyes are of course focused on the ATM Championship conclusion at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October.

Tampin Transnaning was a Candidate Race two years ago and is a loop event with two GM distance categories: 102km and 68km. The latter is officially not 70km, but has 4800 metres of elevation gain - enough for a GM point, similar with Mantra 68km. The 102km is essentially 3 loops and named “Challenger”, the 68km is 2 loops and named “Ultra”. The ‘loop’ is 34km on and around Mount Tampin.

Tampin Hill is close to Malacca and a popular hiking destination away from the hustle bustle of nearby Seremban city, which is approximately 1 hour drive or 60km away. One of the nation’s oldest forest reserves, Tampin Hill is a hill dipterocarp forest. By geographical definition, Mount Tampin stands at the southern end of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the longest and most contiguous mountain range in Malaysia and part of the Tenasserim Hills. Being a twin-peaked mountain, it consists of the main peak (North Tampin Peak), measuring 764 m (2,507 ft) above sea level; and the lower Tampin Hill, of the height of 560 m (1,837 ft) above sea level, connected by a saddle. The South Tampin Peak, situated just south of North Tampin Peak and north of Tampin Hill, is 733 m (2,405 ft) above sea level.

The race course is not just an ordinary loop; it follows for more than 21 km of the famous Trans Naning Trail. That’s a reputedly tough trail with thick forests, steep slopes, and two genuine mountain peaks. The looping concept has the advantage that spectators and friends can see the runners a few times as they return to Tampin Water Park after each lap. Runners aiming for a Grandmaster Point need to complete 2 or 3 laps.

The 102 km is considered very tough, and a true challenge for all participants to complete.

For the second year in a row , trail runners looking to score Grandmaster points can draw a red line around SC 70 into their diaries. One of the annual events in the ever growing trail hub Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur, SC 70 takes place this year on the weekend of 22/23 November. On the menu, just like last year, is a 70km main race - exactly the required GM distance. ‘Challenge your limits’ is the event’s tag line.

Less ambitious runners can also take part in the shorter 32km and 16km categories. The event venue is the L' Circulio Sea Blue Garden Resort, Brgy. Talisay, Coronon in Santa Cruz. SC 70 is organised by Team Jegol.

Registration is open and can be done HERE: https://forms.gle/VrMqQ6vxenXSvse16

The 2024 course map of SC 70

We are happy to announce that the Merapoh Rainforest Trail enters the 2026 Grandmaster Quest calendar on the weekend of 1 to 3 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 already. We are indeed delighted our series returns to Merapoh for what has always been a true adventurous ‘jungle’ trail run. 2026 will already be the 5th edition of Merapoh Rainforest Trail, which enjoyed 1600 participants this 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, 100KM and 100 Miles. Of these, the 100km and 100 Miles offer 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 already open via checkpointspot Asia - see link below. Note that registrations will close already at the end of March 2026.