The 5th anniversary edition of Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in Rodriguez, Rizal in Philippines saw brilliant race wins by Kik Suello and Angelie Cabalo. Two Filipino elites who were of course not unexpected, but the way in which they claimed victory was nevertheless impressive. For Kik Suello it was the second time he beat Kristian Joergensen for victory after Point Trail Ultra last year and a definite statement he has arrived at the very top of competitive trail running in his country.

Suello started with confidence in the 75km tough race and soon put the other contenders under pressure. Joergensen, winner in 2024 and second in 2025, did what he could to keep pace, but Suello just proved too fast. The gap would grow to over 35 minutes. Suello’s winning time was 9h03. Behind the duo, Bryan Mundiguing had a great performance that would result in third place at the finish. That was even ahead of Jordan Bugnay and Taichi Yui, two in-form runners. Japanese Yui has already won two races under ATM this season. John Solano came next in sixth place, followed by the female race winner Angelie Cabalo in 12h43. Jeremy Ritcey from Lantau 70 in Hong Kong and France’s Benjamin Nicolas were next. 

Angelie Cabalo showed again she is the benchmark in her country with a superb performance, leaving co-race favourite LJ Benitez no chance for victory. Cabalo ran smart, as well, taking a conservative start before catching Benitez and continuing solo to the finish. Last year’s race winner Cecille Wael followed in third place, a confidence booster again for the established silver Grandmaster, often plagued by digestive issues in ultra races. Wael ran a great second half of the race, moving up the leaderboard. Maria Isabel Reyes was a solid fourth place, followed by a duo of Akane Nemoto and Clarisse Yeung. Jericha de la Paz was next. 

The next ATM Championship qualifier in the Philippines is the PMTF event, which includes the legendary H1 race and the H60K race. 

TOP 5 RESULTS

Male

1 Kik Suello

2 Kristian Jorgensen

3 Bryan Mundiguing

4 Jordan Bugnay

5 Taichi Yui

Female

1 Angelie Cabalo

2 Lj Benitez

3 Cecile Wael

4 Ma. Isabel Reyes

5 Clarisse Yeung & Akane Nemoto

Another strong run by Kristian Joergensen, but Kik Suello again had the better of him

A strong finish gave Ces Wael another podium spot in the race she won last year

This weekend we have the 5th edition already of Sierra Madre Trail Ultra, the 75km ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest qualifier in the Rizal Mountains close to Manila, which has really developed into a new event classic. Organised by the Maharlika Team, SMTU is just good old-fashioned trail running powered by passion and with only 1 race distance on the programme : 75km. Hence, there’s always a good competition between well-known trail aces, who all like to add a win at SMTU on their career records. For others, newbies and short distance runners, SMTU may be the target, the goal for which they trained all year. It’s 75 km and it’s the only finisher t-shirt of the event.

Kristian Joergensen, winner in 2024 and second behind the surprising Randolf Gonzales in 2025, returns for the third year in a row. He is quite at home in the Rizal mountains, of course, and the usual hot weather tends to not affect his performance as much as cold weather. While not in peak form at the 9 Dragons ATM Final five weeks ago, Joergensen remains the one to beat at SMTU. There’s quite a list of other victory contenders, however. Starting with Kik Suello, who beat Joergensen in a dual at Point Trail last year and also finished ahead of him at 9 Dragons. The runner from Zamboanga City has kept on improving year after year and has matured into a proper victory contender whenever he starts a race, which - intelligently - is not that often. Also Jomarc Ferrer has worked himself to the top of the favourites’ lists. Finishing 10th in the ATM Final was no coincidence. This ATM season he has already collected two race wins and he also tops the overall points ranking. Other Filipinos worth keeping an eye on at SMTU are ‘locals’ Maynard Encormal, John Zonio, Anthony Calixterio and Jordan Bugnay - recently third on the podium in V Trail in Laos. But there’s great international talent on the start list, too. Benjamin Nicolas from France, for example, has quite a strong record of performances and is no stranger to racing in Philippines and Asia in general. With Joergensen as a ‘guide’, Nicolas might just as well score his first victory in an ATM qualifier. Japan’s Taichi Yui may also say a few words, though. Already a winner twice this season in the Laos races Luang Prabang and V Trail, Yui showed great running pace but the competitive level will be up a notch this weekend. Also in the field, Hong Kong’s Jeremy Ritcey. On his day still a serious podium contender and not afraid of the heat either.

The women’s race also again has a considerable list of victory contenders including last year’s winner Cecille Wael. When she is in race mode and her stomach doesn’t bother her, Wael might just as well claim the top step of the podium again in what can be called her ‘home race’. But others have shown more competitive consistency in recent months, including Bukidnon’s Shally Yuson and Japan’s Akane Nemoto - both top 10 at the recent ATM Final. Especially Yuson will be very keen to add the prestigious SMTU to her ever growing list of race wins. Akane Nemoto used to live in Vietnam and has won races in Malaysia, so the heat should also not be an issue for the Japanese runner, now back in Tokyo. Former SMTU race winner Ann Jilian Pulanco also features on the start list. For her, it will mostly be a comeback after a prolonged injury break. Another Filipino, but residing in Singapore, who can cause a surprise this weekend is LJ Benitez. She nearly won UTSG 50 last year, and might find the more technical course of SMTU more to her liking.

ATM will report live from Rodriguez and Sierra Madre Trail Ultra as of 1:45 am local time on Saturday.

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

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

Philippines’ Bukidnon region remains on the ATM Championship calendar in Season XI with the confirmation of MUSPO 100 on the weekend of 11/12 July. The meanwhile traditional event in Valencia has opened registration (see link below). Focus for ATM is on the 100km only, which is both a Championship qualifier and valid for the Grandmaster Quest.

It is indeed great news to receive that MUSPO 100 is on, following earlier announcements that Mt Kalatungan Ultra and Point Trail Ultra may not take place this year. Bukidnon has been one of the trendiest new trail running destinations since the covid crisis, even with some very competitive runners. Bukidnon is a landlocked province in Northern Mindanao of the Philippines, roughly between Davao and Cagayan de Oro and als connected via highway with these two main cities.

The 100km course is overall quite runable in dry conditions, but can get muddy and slippery in case of prolonged rainfall.

It will be the fifth season in a row that MUSPO offers points for the ATM Championship ranking and the Grandmaster Quest. Last year, the 100k was won by Roberto Cain III and Shally Yuson.

Running back in time

The overall Philippine Mountain Trail Festival in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, Luzon is confirmed to take place this year between 30 April and 2 May. Just like a year ago, the legendary H1 race and the H60k race on the event programme are qualifiers for the ATM Championship points ranking, which leads to potential qualification for our Season 11’s Final in Vietnam on 3 October. Grandmaster Quest enthusiasts need to focus as per GM regulations on H1 and H50.

Intrepid Spirit took over the management and organisation of H1 as part of a bigger festival that caters for trail runners from all levels and experiences. Apart from the three main distance categories mentioned above, there’s also three short distances on offer so everyone can be part of the event.

Needless to say that H1 is a 100 Miles race that requires proper physical and mental preparation. In fact, the distance goes even above 170km and the estimated total elevation gain is higher than 9500 hm. Famous for its big challenge and high DNF rate, we actually witnessed quite a number of successful finishes last year with Rhys Pawid and Shally Yuson taking top honours.

The H60K replaces last year’s Mount Ugo Marathon on the programme and is a serious middle distance ultra measuring 63km and nearly 4000m of elevation gain. Kristian Joergensen and Japan’s Chisato Kario were the fastest women last year.

Details and registration can be found on the Intrepid Spirit facebook page linked below. To sign up, you need to scan a QR code provided also below. Just follow the steps. The event location is not too far from Baguio. Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya is a province east of the perhaps better known Benguet.

Last weekend’s ATM Candidate Race in Libertad, Misamis Oriental saw two of today’s biggest Filipino trail talents collect another race win. Bukidnon’s Godwin Mirar and Kimberly Flores were too fast for the competition on the 42km long main race of the event, held for the first time and organised by Bakyard. The event had to deal with a rather last-minute change of location and race course a few weeks ago, but nevertheless took place without any major hiccups.

Misamis Oriential is the province around Cagayan de Oro in the northwest of Mindanao. The 42km course had about 1750 metres of elevation gain and was run mostly at nighttime. Godwin Mirar completed the course in 4h45. That was 19 minutes quicker than Eric Candelanza and Edward Candelanza. Godwin will be one of the dark horses at the upcoming ATM Championship Final in Hong Kong (The 9 Dragons).

Ever since mid-2025, Kim Flores has been scoring race win after race win in her home region. Last weekend, she was 34 minutes faster than Maria Dannica Embalsado to win in 7h05. Merry Luz joined them on the podium with third place.

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.

The last points race of 2025 saw two pre-race favourites live up to the expectations and take their second ATM race win of Season 11. Jomarc Ferrer and Kimberly Flores both ran a smart New Corella Trail Ultra race and underlined their growing reputation as young and upcoming trail talents in the Philippines.

After a neck-and-neck battle with Ulyses Esteva, Jomarc finally took the lead at around km50. Successfully navigating the more technical sections in the latter part of the race, he emerged victorious with a finishing time of 8:18 hours. Esteva did well to score second just 13 minutes later, with Prince Gabucay a great third place as well. Another top favourite, the experienced Yoyong Sacayle, managed to score useful ATM points for fifth place, but was still preceeded by Marlonette Esquierdo - yet another new name.

With this win, Jomarc again confirmed his current form and already looks like a near-certainty for Team Pilipinas in the Season 11 ATM Championship Final. Three weeks ago, he also emerged victorious in the 42 km of the Mount Apo Sky Race. Ferrer is also. qualified for the Season 10 Final. With his current form he might be a contender for minimum top 10.

Also Kimberly Flores scored her second win of the still young season, and in fact it is her third ATM race win in just four months. In August, she was also fastest female in the Punisher. After Shally Yuson’s and Shekinah Velasquez’ DNS, Flores was the clear woman to beat in New Corella. As such, she ran to another rather comfortable victory. Finishing in 11h50, she preceeded Luzon’s Krizia Bondad and Jenny Grace Padillo.

The next Filipino qualifier event for the ATM Championship Final of Season 11, which will end on 3 October 2026 with Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam, will be held near Manila with the Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in April.

The final ATM points race event of 2025 is upon us this weekend and it’s a new one: New Corella Trail Ultra (NCTU). Taking place in New Corella, located in Davao del Norte, Mindanao, the third edition of the event features a 70km race that serves as a qualifier for the ATM Championship points ranking and, as it’s 70km, for the Grandmaster Quest. The event is organised by AWRA Davao featuring 2-star Grandmaster Alran Cifra, and was a Candidate Race last year.

That edition had a 50km as longest distance and was won by Vincent Philip Sinanggote . The 24-year-old had the better of another promising talent in Eldy Bulod in a tough race , made even more technical and complicated by the heavy rainfall hours before the race start. Sinanggote finished in a time of 7h11. Fastest woman a year ago was Guia Heistaire Angela, who will provide us with a lot of insight this weekend during our live broadcast from the event on Saturday afternoon and evening. The main race starts at 10 pm, implying a night race for the quicker amongst the many participants.

Participants will traverse diverse terrain, from rolling hills and dense forests to river crossings and rugged mountain trails. Amongst the highlights are Bundok Cave, a remarkable 200-foot-long cave that runners will traverse, and the Panas and Casilak Waterfalls. In addition, there is Balaang Bukid, a prominent landmark with significant local cultural and spiritual relevance.

Among the men’s race favourites for the 70km are the trio of Jomarc Ferrer, Yoyong Sacayle and Marjones Abugan. All well-known competitors in ATM and in very good shape as Ferrer and Sacayle have shown already in recent weeks. Other known podium contenders are Sean Aying, Adam Jovane and Marvin Buizon. The two latter runners, plus Ferrer and Sacayle are already on the points board of Season 11 after Mount Apo Sky Race last month.

The women’s race may see an interesting competition as well featuring Shally Yuson, who has become the benchmark in Mindanao, and the young up-and-coming Kimberly Flores, winner of The Punisher and Mount Apo 42km in the past few months. Shekinah Velasques, ATM Finalist just like Yuson, is another challenger for the victory, and there’s other known contenders such as Dolly Alonzo and Jennifer Commandante.

You can follow the action at NCTU live on our ATM Channels with focus on facebook and youtube. The 70km race starts at 22:00 local time.

Jomarc Ferrer

Yoyong Sacayle

Marjones Abugan

Shally Yuson

Kim Flores

Shekinah Velasquez

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.