A new ATM Championship Qualifier in Philippines has opened registration for its second edition on 22/23 May 2027. Kibalabag Trail Ultra near Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, Mindanao, is the successor of Point Trail Ultra, but considered spicier and more technical. That’s also what the first edition - an ATM Candidate - showed us a few months ago. The highlands around the city are relentless and both the 70km and 42km race categories need to be taken very seriously. Kibalabag cannot be your first ultra.

Catering for lovers of tough mountain trails, the 70km course has a whopping 6000 metres of elevation gain to conquer. Even the 42km has an estimated 4000 hm. They are both characterized by densely forested and mountainous terrain, with a deep gorge carved by the Kibalabag River running lengthwise through the barangay. Both distance categories are qualifiers for the ATM Championship points ranking and the 70km is of course also a valid Grandmaster Quest distance. Please read the conditions of entry carefully on the registration portal, accessible via the link button below. Registration has just opened.

The precise course map will be made available soon. Race director is Silver 3-star Grandmaster Yoyong Sacayle, himself also a triple Championship Qualifier for Team Pilipinas, including in Vietnam two weeks ago.

While you will be tested on the trails, you will also be treated very well by the organisational team and by the enthusiastic trail running community in Bukidnon. Malaybalay is accessible via highway from Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

No Point Trail Ultra this season, but the event organising team is happy to announce a new event near Malaybalay in Bukidnon: Kibalabag Trail Ultra i set for the weekend of 16/17 May and has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label. On the menu are four distance categories, of which the 50km attracts most attention.

The course is serious with 3800 metres of elevation gain to be conquered in those 50km. Participants have to be back in the finish by 17:00 in the afternoon, following a midnight start. There won’t be much of a warm-up as the the trail goes up almost immediately after the start. Given the technicality, pay attention to the mandatory gear list for this 50km race, also pasted below.

The event is hosted by the Barangay Kibalabag near Malaybalay City. It is characterized by densely forested and mountainous terrain, with a deep gorge carved by the Kibalabag River running lengthwise through the barangay.

You can stay up to date on the event via its facebook page linked below.