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.

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.

The 13th edition of Borneo TMBT Ultra once again delivered some amazing trail running performances from a variety of runners. Hisashi Kitamura and Rejlen James scored their 11th and 10th career wins in ATM - which was especially sweet for the Japanese ‘Karate Kit’ after four consecutive second places in this event! On the 50km for women, we saw another Japanese runner, Akane Nemoto, grab her second ATM race win of the season, while the men’s race witnessed an outstanding achievement by young Filipino Godwin Mirar, who increasingly looks like ‘the real deal’ with a finish time of 5h18 - nine minutes faster than his idol John Ray Onifa two years ago!

Kitamura defeated the two home stars from Sabah, Milton Amat and Daved Simpat to finish in 13h37 for what is in practice a 109km long course. It was the second race win of the ATM season for the Karate Kit after Shiga Kogen 100 in Nagano in July, and the 11th ATM race win in total. In the morning, Kitamura still had to let Milton Amat go ahead by a few minutes, but by WS 5 he closed the gap and then started to apply pressure himself. Amat did not really relent, however, and by WS 11 he narrowed the gap down again by a few minutes. The 2019 scenario must have gone through Kitamura's head. Back then, he was also leading Amat into that cruel final section of 10km that goes consistently uphill to the finish line. At the time, Amat caught and overtook him. But not last Saturday. In fact, Kitamura still had the strength to increase the gap from 16 minutes to 28 minutes! He really wanted this victory, and now he can look ahead to the ATM Championship Final next month in Vietnam... to tick that other box: finally winning the ATM Championship.

Milton Amat settled for second place in 14h05. Not a bad time for him, actually, yet Kitamura was outstanding. Third on the podium was Willy Wilson, also from Sabah. A great effort by him, resulting in his first ATM podium. Daved SImpat had to be content with 4th place, ahead of Haziq Asyraf and Humberto Baeza. Jasni Bin Gandi took seventh and Vitus Daimi eighth. An important eighth for Vitus, as he just scores enough points to get into the Malaysian Top 5 in the ATM points ranking, which makes him qualified for the ATM Championship Final!

In the women’s 100km, it was indeed already the 10th ATM race victory for local Sabah star Rejlen James! She won TMBT 100 for the second time after 2023, leading from start to finish in a time of 20h55. Already certain of qualification for Team Malaysia in the upcoming ATM Championship Final, Rejlen James proved once more she is the benchmark in her country. With 10 victories, she also ties with her compatriot Tahira Najmunisaa in the all-time victory standings, one less than Indonesia's Ruth Theresia. Behind her back, the women's race actually had some major twists during the night. Dazeree Joannes looked set for second place for a long time, but then dropped out of the race at the last aid station with serious cramps! Adelinah Lintanga then looked like a certain number two, but she suddenly got caught and overtaken by India's long ultra specialist Ashwini Bhat. In fact, Ashwini even still came to within 38 minutes of Rejlen James! A textbook run by the Malnad Ultra ambassador, who was not even in the top ten at halfway distance. Her first ATM race podium, even though she herself claims to be aiming more to complete her Grandmaster Quest. Adelinah Lintanga grabbed third place at the end, yet another podium for her in an ATM race. And, Adelinah is qualified for Team Malaysia next month as well! Australia's Sarah Webb scored a nice fourth place. Pf Goh finished the race in fifth place. Then it was Joyce Yong Hie Ying and Philippines' Avegail Depanay. Cecille Wael had a break of more than four hours after halfway due to severe stomach cramps, but nevertheless finished the race later in 10th place, which was enough to get her inside the top five of the Filipino ATM points ranking.

Godwin Mirar from Bukidnon in Mindanao was the star of the 50km, as we mentioned above with a remarkable finishing time of 05:18:27! A new course record for Godwin Mirar, who led nearly the whole race despite getting attacked and bitten by a dog! Ever since Penang Sky Race last April, Godwin Mirar looks to have come of age and it would be a mistake not to count him among the top favourites for the ATM Championship title on 4 October, alongside Kitamura, defending champion Jeff Campbell and his two compatriots and former champions John Ray Onifa and Arnie Macaneras. Last Saturday, Mirar preceeded the surprisingly fast local newcomer Sheron Sariman (5h34) and Nepal's Arjun Rai Kulung (5h46). Sariman finished ahead of none other than Wilsen Singgin and Oswald Maikol. Already a new Sabahan star in the making? For Arjun Raui Kulung , it. was also an important result as he jumps into the Top 5 of the Nepal ATM ranking with today's 425 points and is therefore qualified again for the team in the upcoming Championship Final at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October. Singgin took fourth in 5h57 and Oswald Maikol fifth in 6h05. Singapore's Scott Pugh was an great sixth today, having overtaken Vietnam's Nguyen Phuong Hieu - winner of Gombak 100 - at the end. All of them also secured their sports for their country's team in the upcoming ATM Final. The same holds for Brunei's Shamsuleffandy Haji Sulaiman who finished in 8th place - great effort by him!

Akane Nemoto scored her 2nd ATM race win of the season and is qualified again for Team Japan next month at the Championship Final at Mu Cang Chai in Vietnam! Akane controlled the race throughout, but had to watch her rearview mirror nevertheless as France's Amale Omari stayed within 15 minutes of her. Her finish time was 8h05. The now Tokyo-based runner was a Top 10 Podium Finisher in the last two ATM Championship Finals. With two victories this season, she could even aspire more.

For Omari it was the first ATM race appearance. On the podium she was joined by SIngapore-based Filipino LJ Benitez, who took third place. Earlier this season, she was second in UTSG 50 as well. She can now join Team Singapore in the ATM Final next month, as she has stayed in the country for over ten years already. In fourth place came Korea's Hyunsung Chung. Satriana Sahirin and Xie Zhongyi took places five and six. Laslin Sarawi scored her best race result in quite a while with 7th place, just ahead of Nurul Emyra Fazira Isnariah Absi, who managet to score 20 points extra today and in so doing leapt ahead of Yvette Chong Mi Chin in the ATM points ranking. Yvette herself finished in 12th place today, scoring no points anymore.

Despite the fantastic performances by many runners, the 50km race concluded with a great deal of confusion and an anti-climax following TMBT’s meanwhile renowned post-race gear check. A practice, also performed by a few other organisers - especially in Malaysia - that is a known recipe for unnecessary controversy. Godwin Mirar and Arjun Rai Kulung were among those who received a 30-minute time penalty, which effectively relegated them both from rank 1 to 2 , and from rank 3 to 5. While the case of Arjun is hard to refute (not carrying minimum amount of water/liquids), Godwin Mirar’s is food for debate and his penalty seems harsh to the point of cruel. His infringement concerned the mandatory first-aid kit (plasters, anti-septic, gauze etc) that runners should carry. Only, he used it during the race following the aforementioned dog bite (for which he was also sent to hospital after the race). As it goes with plasters in tropical climates, they come off very quickly when running. So he had none to show at the finish. The runner, his entourage and many fans could not hide their confusion and disappointment , also because he was initially cleared by the staff at the gear check (it is not known why it was later still decided to give him a penalty). The case is a textbook example why Asia Trail Master has always recommended race organisers to perform gear checks before and during the race, but never after the finish line to avoid an anti-climax like this. The purpose of mandatory gear is not to carry a bunch of items from A to B, but to have them when needed and when urgent in the interest of one’s safety.

At last: Hisashi Kitamura wins TMBT 100 in his fifth attempt!

For the first time at TMBT, Milton Amat had to concede to Hisashi Kitamura

10th ATM race win for Rejlen James: she is now tied with Tahira Najmunisaa in the all-time victory ranking

India’s Ashwini Bhat underlined her long ultra credentials with a great last third of the race to take 2nd place

Adelinah Lintanga takes another podium at TMBT 100

One year after hosting the exciting 2024 ATM Championship Final, Borneo TMBT Ultra again features one of the best and most competitive participant fields of the season for its 13th edition already. It proves that TMBT has really claimed its stake in Southeast Asia’s trail world and can genuinely be called a classic event, of which there are not so many in our region. For elite runners, TMBT is a race anyone wants to win at least once. For all the others, it is a race everyone wants to experience at least once. This weekend’s event features the usual 100km and 50km race categories that matter for ATM Championship points, and as the penultimate ‘qualifier’ of Season 10, it will be make-or-break for many trail runners who wish to be part of their country’s team in the ATM Championship race at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October.

Both the 100K and the 50K this year are packed with runners who can aspire a prestigious race victory this Saturday. Focusing on the longer distance, Japan’s Hisashi Kitamura returns once more to try and finally win it after four consecutive second places! In 2019 and 2022, local hero Milton Amat had the better of him, and in 2023 it was good old Daved Simpat in a race when Kitamura - who had just moved back to Tokyo - was arguably not at his best. Many will remember last year’s ATM Championship Final, however. Jeff Campbell was fading significantly in the last 10km to the finish - which are mainly uphill -, and Kitamura nearly caught him only to finish second again. The Karate Kit is confident this season he is again in peak form, which he indeed showed in the Japanese double header Deep Japan Ultra and Shiga Kogen 100 nearly two months ago. However, this weekend he is up against Milton Amat and Daved Simpat again! So come what may, he will not get that elusive TMBT race win presented on a silver plate. In fact, Milton Amat needs the 500 ATM points for a victory if he still wants to have a small chance of getting himself qualified for Team Malaysia in the ATM Final. Milton only ran 2 ATM races so far this season, and of course it’s each runner’s best four race results that count for the points ranking. Brief, Milton is at the mercy of other Malaysians such as Vitus Daimi, Oswald Maikol, Kok Lam Yong and Assrul Aminur - all of whom are going to bank four solid results this season. And SImpat, he has never made the ATM Championship an objective, but another TMBT victory will certainly look good on his record. Besides, Milton Amat and Daved Simpat can win TMBT for a record 4th time. Kitamura, Amat and Simpat are the logical favourites to occupy the podium spots, but there’s a bunch of other runners who may throw a spanner in the works or pick up the spoils if one of the three melts down during the race. Singapore-based Humberto Baeza, for example, but also Sabah-based Australian Andrew Farmers, Moo Sat, Bernardo Linus, Haziq Asyraf and more.

In the women’s 100km , local hero Rejlen James will aim to score her 10th ATM race win. Already a TMBT winner in the past, James was - unfortunately - not at her best during the ATM Championship Final last year - and may wish to erase that memory with a solid victory this weekend. Her main competitors are not so different than in last month’s KAR Ultra. The difference is that Adelinah Lintanga, Cecille Wael, Avegail Depanay, Jamilah Durat and Dazeree Joaness have motivation to push. Besides James, basically no Malaysian woman is already certain of qualification for the team in the ATM Final next month. It’s a tight battle between many, and they’re almost all at TMBT this weekend. In addition, there’s more solid competitors such as India’s Ashwini Bhat, Vietnam’s Chau Pham, Lynda Marylyn and Pf Goh.

On the 50km, we are bound to witness a spectacular battle for victory between overall points leader in the ATM Championship ranking this season, Godwin Mirar from Philippines, local hero Wilsen Singgin - in the best shape of his life this year -, two motivated Nepali runners Arjun Rai Kulung and Lokendra Rai, and the dark horse from Vietnam: Nguyen Phuong Hieu, winner of Trail des Gombak end of June! Have we already mentioned Chris Timms, Maynard Encormal, Scott Pugh and Oswald Maikol ? Any one of those runners better be fresh and awake come sunrise on Saturday, because we can expect a serious race and pace. The question is of course, who will blow himself up and who will be able to control himself until it’s ‘money time’ ? Race tactics will be important. A lot at stake also for several of these runners: Arjun, Lokendra, Hieu, Oswald… all of them need a good result to assure themselves of qualification for their country’s team in the ATM Final. In other words, a DNF or a non-points finish is not recommended. Lokendra Rai and Arjun Rai Kulung were also there last year as part of Team Nepal. Both were in the front group with John Ray Onifa and others, but then made a crucial marking misjudgement that threw them outside the top ten. Arjun still recovered later to finish tenth in the race. For Godwin it’s his second ATM race in Malaysia. He was outstanding in winning Penang Sky Race last April, ahead of Wilsen Singgin. Since then, Singgin managed to defeat Milton Amat in KAR Ultra 50 last month. That had not yet happened too often and it was the second time this year.

The women’s 50km will also be great to follow. Philippines’ BUTM race winner Aggy Sabanal is on the start list for her second ATM race of the season after spending several months in the US. LJ Benitez, also Filipino but based in SIngapore, was a great second in UTSG 50 last June and can get herself qualfiied for Team Singapore if she does well this weekend. She has lived in Singapore for over ten years. From Japan, we have Gombak winner Akane Nemoto , who also aims to get herself into Team Japan for next month. There’s Korea’s Hyunsung Chun, Yvette Chong Mi Chun and Nurul Emyra Binti Absi.

ATM will as usual be reporting live from Borneo TMBT Ultra via our usual channels on facebook, instagram and youtube.

Borneo TMBT Ultra - Race Winners Main Distance categories

ATM Championship Final : 80 KM

2024: Jeff Campbell (HKG) and Priya Rai (NPL)

100 KM
2024: Oswald Maikol (MAS) and Laetitia Renaux (FRA)
2023: Daved Simpat (MAS) and Rejlen James (MAS)
2022: Milton Amat (MAS) and Siet Fah Lim (MAS)
2019: Milton Amat (MAS) and Wen Danyu (CHN)
2018: Daved Simpat (MAS) and Corinne Williams (USA)
2017: Milton Amat (MAS) and Eszter Csillag (HUN)
2016: Phairat Varasin (THA) and Christine Loh (MAS)
2015: Daved Simpat (MAS) and Joanna Kruk (AUS)
2014: Safrey Sumping (MAS) and Jasmine Goh (SGP)
2013: Vlad Ixel (AUS) and Olya Korzh (RUS)
2012: Jimmy Tee (MAS) and Katherine Plichta (USA)
2011: Jiri Vystein (CZE) and Katja Fink (SUI)

50 KM

2024: Daved Simpat (MAS) and Denise Ping Le (HKG)
2023: John Ray Onifa (PHI) and Vanja Cnops (BEL)
2022: Pierre-Victor Morales (FRA) and Vanja Cnops (BEL)
2019: Kim Jisub (KOR) and Lauren Woodwiss (GBR)
2018: Daniel Perez Fernandez (ESP) and Jess Lintanga (MAS)
2017: Petr Novotny (CZE) and Chris Yee Ting Kwan (HKG)
2016: Jahirin Ginsos (MAS) and Nathalie Darbon (FRA)
2015: Safrie Sumping (MAS) and Meagan Douglas (CAN)
2014: Etienne Rodriguez (FRA) and Meagan Douglas (CAN)
2013: Safrey Sumping (MAS) and Chang Zhi Zhen (TPE)
2012: Nigel Thomson (NZL) and Shiri Leventhal (USA)
2011: Jimmy Tee Chin Li (MAS) and Judy Leslie (GBR)

Overall Points Leader in Season 10: Godwin Mirar

For two years in a row , Arjun Rai Kulung was strongest in MTR 100 Miles

Lokendra Rai: finisher in the ATM Final last year.

Wilsen Singgin: home star in the best form of his life this season

Hisashi Kitamura: fifth attempt to win Borneo TMBT 100

Rejlen James: overall female points leader in Season 10 and going for ATM race win number 10!

Akane Nemoto: looking for another ATM win and qualification for the Championship Final

Adelinah Lintanga: one of several Malaysian women trying to secure her spot for the team in the Finals

From the makers of Trail des Gombak now also comes Trail des Lenggeng. Projek Hijo in Malaysia announces the second edition of ‘TDL’, as the event is known in short, for the weekend of 29/30 November and it has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label. The event takes place in Dusunnas Farmstay & Campsite, Ulu Beranang in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan. That’s the state roughly between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

On the race programme we find a 50km main category, with also a 30km and 15km for the less ambitious. There’s 1800 metres of elevation gain on the 50km long route and the start is scheduled at 3 am on 30 November. The shorter distances will commence at sunrise, 7 am. Main highlights on the route include the 140 years old SAK Dato Temple (Malaysia’s largest statue of Monkey King), Bukit Gondol Berup (Trig Station), and Kg Orang Asli Chelogeh

Projek Hijo aims to develop Trail des Lenggeng into a a premier event on the Malaysian and Asia Trail Master trail calendars. Foreseen is a 70km Grandmaster Quest distance in 2026 as well. . Ulu Beranang and Lenggeng have natural beauty and cultural richness to attract plenty a trail runner. Lenggeng also aims to position itself as a sustainable eco-sport tourism destination and support environmental conservation, cultural heritage and rural economic development.

Registration for Trail des Lenggeng is already open via Checkpointspot. All details can be found on the website of Projek Hijo and you can stay up to date via the event’s facebook page.

We have the utmost pleasure to announce our 6th Golden Grandmaster today, and the second runner from Malaysia to accomplish this outstanding feat. Kenneth Mun Keat Yow earned his 4th Grandmaster Star at the Trails des Gombak on home soil in Selangor, close to Kuala Lumpur at the end of June. That’s 20 ATM ultra race finishes for the runner, originally from Ipoh in Perak, but now residing in Kajang, Selangor.

Kenneth had quite a methodological approach to his Grandmaster Quest, basically scoring a star every year since the end of the covid crisis. The first already came in 2022 and Kenneth continued to collect GM points to reach the Bronze level of 2 stars at the end of 2023 (the ATM Championship Final event in Indonesia). Barely eight months later, he was already at Silver level following Akha Trail in Thailand. For the final five ultra races, he required just ten months. And he did not make it easy for himself. Look at his chosen list of ultras: Prenn Trail Summit 103km in Dalat (Vietnam), the 9 Dragons 50/50 in Hong Kong, the Manjushree Trail Race 160km (= 100 Miles), BTR Bali 110km in Indonesia and finally - in his home state - Trail des Gombak 100. A highly deserved 4th star in other words!

Kenneth Mun Keat Yow follows Munin Sundram as the second Malaysian Golden Grandmaster. He is the sixth overall, after Hisashi Kitamura, Masafumi Yamamoto, Rhea Batac, Tomohiro Mizukoshi and the aforementioned Munin Sundram.

GRANDMASTER RECORD KENNETH MUN KEAT YOW

• MMTF 100km (MAS)

• BUTM 100km (MAS)

• Cameron Ultra 100km (MAS)

• UTOP 100km (MAS)

• Borneo TMBT Ultra 100km (MAS)

• The Borneo Miler 160km (MAS)

• Penang Eco 100km (MAS)

• Mantra 116km (INA)

• Lam Dong Trail 75km (VIE)

• Siksorogo Lawu Ultra 80km (INA)

• Lantau 70km (HKG)

• Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 70km (VIE)

• Silabur 100km (MAS)

• KAR 110km (MAS)

• Akha Trail 80km (THA)

• Prenn Trail Summit 103km (VIE)

• The 9 Dragons 50/50 (HKG)

• The Manjushree Trail Race 160km (NPL)

• BTR Ultra 110km (INA)

• Trail des Gombak 100km (MAS)

The Magnificent Baling 100, also known as TMB 100, featured on our Grandmaster Quest calendar for the first time last weekend, which resulted in many Malaysians taking the opportunity to add another GM point to their tallies. TMB 100 is essentially the follow-up to TMMT, the Magnificent Merapoh Trail that was part of our series for five years 2015-2019. It is organised by Ten Senses, which also manages several road running events in the Putrajaya area, such as the Twin City Marathon. Ten Senses has a significant corporate responsibility angle and helps local communities in more remote areas to set up sustainable sporting events. After TMMT, TMB100 is their second major trail running project. Given the legacy, it was no wonder to see a large field of runners at the event, including some of Malaysia’s finest - even coming all the way from Sabah.

The men’s 100km race actually had a highly remarkable conclusion, which could even gain in significance in years to come. Sabah’s Wilsen Singgin grabbed victory ahead of his mentor Milton Amat in a splendid time of 10h35! That’s the second time this season he accomplishes this after BUTM 50km back in February. Are we seeing a changing of the guard in purely competitive context? Singgin had an advantage of 16 minutes at the finish line. In any case, he once again illustrated that he is in the best shape of his life this ATM season. It’s now been almost two years since he began to take more rest time between races and do more 50k than long ultras. This change in approach clearly works for Wilsin Singgin, who is one of the very few runners who has qualified now four years in a row for the ATM Championship Final. Milton’s finishing time of 10h51 of course shows he still has great pace himself. Will he take revenge in 10 days when he is again up against Hisashi Kitamura at Borneo TMBT Ultra ? In third place in Baling was Yih Huan Sua in 11h15, ahead of Indonesia’s former Mantra 116 winner Ma’Mun Khariri in 11h52.

The women’s race saw Ritzy Amor on top, which may not have been unexpected and yet. Multisport athlete Amor has been struggling with an injury over the past month that prevented her from training long distance. She was surprised to win a 100km race last weekend. Ritzy Amor, based in KL but originally from Philippines, has been a certain qualifier for the ATM Final in Vietnam on 4 October already quite a long time. Her victory in 15h33, ahead of Malaysia’s Syarifah Hamzah and Indonesia’s Septiana Nia Swastika, in any case proves that she is increasingly comfortable competing in trail running. One of those newbie runners who could spring a surprise in the ATM Final, especially if the going gets tough due to weather or what not.

Check out the TMB 100 facebook page below and see more videos and photos from the event.

Another hot edition of KAR Ultra in Sabah saw established protagonists Milton Amat, Dening Lo and Rejlen James take top honours, in addition to relative newcomer Azmil Bin Saripuddin. The latter trail runner from Sandakan in East Sabah won the men’s 110km race in convincing style - which given previous results came rather unexpectedly. Bin Saripuddin nicely tagged along with last-minute registrant and local hero Daved Simpat in the first half of the race. When Simpat pulled out with a thigh injury, Bin Saripuddin had no issue retaining his pace for the remainder, even though the equally surprising Filipino Rod Axel Butac and experienced Malaysian Syahrul Neyzam Sukasdi kept the pressure on some 15 to 30 minutes behind the leader. Last year’s winner Gustin Tiam continues to be hampered by injury and played no role at the front this year. Tiam would finish 8th .Behind the Top 3 it was Jainuddin Sainuddin, who may have secured his spot in Team Malaysia for the ATM Championship Final with this latest effort. Sainuddin crossed the line together with Haziq Asyraf, a finalist last year.

The women’s long ultra again saw Rejlen James a competitive class above the others. James has proven to be nearly unbeatable on home soil in Sabah, even though she has been struggling when traveling abroad. This was her 9th ATM race win ever, lest we forget! Philippines’ Cecille Wael, who had beaten her in Sierra Madre Trail last April, did not feature at the front in KAR. Wael lost a lot of time early on by a marshalling misjudgement and eventually had to settle for 11th place - which may jeopardise her chances to qualify for the ATM Championship Final this year. James is a guaranteed qualifier again for Malaysia, but the other spots in the team remain quite hotly contested and may only be decided come Borneo TMBT next month. Sarawak’s Grandmaster Celeste Teo ran a great 100k race - basically by herself nearly the whole way - and finished second last weekend. Adelinah Lintanga looked like a certain third place podium placer, but faded in the final 20km of the race. Jenny Jamilah Durat and Yee Ling Chai both still overtook her. Important 3rd place for Durat , in particular. She is one of several in the running for a spot in the championship final team. Behind Lintanga in fifth, it was youngster Shamiera Auther - who completed her debut on the long ultra.

The 60km medium distance for men saw a rejuvenated Milton Amat back on top. Amat had had a quiet season with only a 3rd place in BUTM 50 and this victory at least still gives him a slim possibility for qualification. He is also scheduled to run TMBT next month, but it’s a best-of-four points system and three races may just not be enough to finish the season in his country’s top five. At KAR 60, he kept Sabah’s new name Oswald Maikol behind by 17 minutes. Canada’s Francis Boutin came next, just five minutes later. Boutin reportedly will be around in SE Asia for two years, so we may get to see more of him. Wilsen Singgin was fourth - not what he had hoped for, but diarrhoea in the days before the race had weakened him. However, Singgin is certain of his spot in Team Malaysia already. It’s also his fourth consecutive qualification. Not many can say that. Hong Kong-based Mark Iandoli ran a great race and arrived at the finish in fifth place, boosting his chances for Asia Expat in the Final as well.

The women’s 60km went to Singapore’s Dening Lo as expected. Still, it remains a remarkable feat given Dening Lo did and won the tough high mountain ultra Mantra 68 just two weeks ago. Job done, too. with two race wins in the bag this season, Dening Lo should be safe to be part of Team Singapore in Vietnam on 4 October. Canada’s Elisabeth Petit, Lolita Lintanga and the surprising Sofia Raidin had a great competition for the remaining podium places. In the end, Raidin grabbed second and Lintanga third.

Malaysians still have another final chance to score ATM Championship points at home: Borneo TMBT Ultra takes place on 30/31 August.

Syahrul Neyzam Sukasdi took a great third place on the 110km

A new 3rd place in an ATM points race for Lolita Lintanga

Jenny Jamilah Durat keeps her ATM Final chances to alive with 3rd on the 110km

For the second year in succession, KAR Ultra offers 110km and 60km race options for Asia Trail Master Championship points. ‘Kadamaian’ was a great newcomer on our calendar last year and managed to create its own identity next to Sabah’s classic Borneo TMBT Ultra, which takes place again next month. The start lists promise some very interesting competitions. Local stars Wilsen Singgin, Milton Amat and Oswald Maikol are squaring off against each other on the 60km, and in the women’s 110km we have another dual between Rejlen James and Philippines’ Cecille Wael, who won Sierra Madre Trail this season ahead of Sabah’s female long ultra star. But: we also have the debut of youngster Shamiera Auther on the 110km.

KAR Ultra certainly also attracts big numbers for its two flagship categories. The 110km will have over 250 starters, for example. Perhaps the women’s 110 attracts more attention due to the aforementioned runners, but also in the men’s we have former winner Gustin Tiam returning. Tiam has had a difficult season, plagued with injury, but he knows the KAR trails like the back of his hand. Haziq Asyraf had a bit of a competitive breakthrough in this race last year and may be trying to score his first ever race win under ATM. More podium contenders in the women’s 110km are the inevitable Adelinah Lintanga, Celeste Teo and also the newcomer on the ATM scene Nurul Emyra Fazira Isnariah Binti Absi, currently ranked third in the Malaysian ATM ranking and almost for sure a qualifier for the ATM Championship Final.

The 60km will see the Sabahan stars Singgin, Amat and Maikol, but there’s others who could feature. Vitus Daimi, for example, and also Hong Kong-based Mark Iandoli. For the Malaysians competing for the five spots in Team Malaysia for the ATM Championship Final coming up in Vietnam, it's an important race. In fact, Milton Amat better aims to win both KAR 60 and TMBT next month to retain at least a chance for qualification. Milton has had a quiet season with only 1 third place result (BUTM) so far. In contrast, Wilsen Singgin can assure himself of his fourth consecutive qualification this weekend.

The women’s 60km sees Dening Lo trying to score her second victory in one month after Mantra 68. She is the logical favourite also, but will need to keep an eye out on Lolita Lintanga, Joannes Dazeree, Singapore-based Miki Ueki and perhaps Lynda Marylyn.

ATM will be reporting live from KAR Ultra all day on Saturday.

Shamiera Auther, winner of the 60k last year. Now she makes her debut on the 110k

Oswald Maikol: coming man in Sabah

Wilsen Singgin: winner last year and in even better form this season. Up against Milton Amat on the 60k

Singapore’s Dening Lo has just won Mantra 68 once again. Another top result puts her in the ATM Final

Sabah’s Rejlen James: winner last year, can she repeat and avenge her loss against Ces Wael in SM 75

Cecille Wael took a great victory over Rejlen James and others in Sierra Madre 75 this season

Malaysia’s new event entry on the ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendar did not dissapoint. Trail des Gombak not only enjoyed great participation numbers for both the 100km and 50km points races, but it also provided four new race winners in our ATM series and all four went out to get the honours against tough competition. Vietnam’s Nguyen Phuong Hieu even won his ATM race debut! Having begun running in the covid era, Gombak was his first race abroad with qualification for the ATM Championship Final as a key objective. Nguyen Phuong Hieu had achieved some great domestic performances already, but in our series until last weekend. Leading the 100k race from early on, the runner from Dalat steadily increased his advantage over pre-race favourite Wilsen Singgin, Oswald Maikol, Dina Bagale and initially also Aqmal Adzmi. While Adzmi would throw in the towel halfway due to severe cramps, Singgin, Maikol and Bagale had a nice scrap going between them, but they did not come any closer to Nguyen Phuong Hieu. Once darkness set in on Saturday night, the Vietnamese also began to struggle a bit more, but the advantage was more than big enough and he made it to the finish in approximately 14h26 for what was essentially a 108 km long race .Wilsen Singgin finished in second place, visibly exhausted in a time of 14h57, which does mean he made good 30 minutes of time in the last two sections of the race. A superb Dina Bagale - Nepalese but living in Hong Kong - took third place, just 7 minutes behind Singgin! Bagale was part of the Championship-winning Team Nepal last year, but this is his best individual result in an ATM race. Oswald Maikol settled for fourth, followed by Assrul Aminur in fifth.

The women’s 100km had a similar scenario, whereby the Sabahan race favourite - Rejlen James - was chasing a ‘foreign’ runner all the way. Dilu Limbu was expected to feature at the front, though, after her fifth place in Lantau 70 earlier this year. Already at AS2, Limbu was ahead by herself, but James would never let her get further ahead than 20 minutes. However, Limbu would not slow down and even had the better pace still at the end to win in 17h31. Also for her it is the first ATM race victory, and an important one that may see her qualified for the ATM Championship Team Nepal this coming October. In third place was Nurul Emyra Fazira Isnariah Absi, who emerged the strongest of a group of runners who were battling all day for the final step on the podiun. In-form Dazeree Joannes was fourth and Hong Kong’s Rachel Chan fifth.

On the 50km that started at 3 am in the middle of the night, Malaysia’s Muhammad Faris grabbed his first ever ATM race victory after a few podium spots in the past two years. A great run, keeping Iceland’s Kristjan Chapman behind by a mere three-four minutes for most of the 54k race. Faris won in a splendid 5h33. He is basically guaranteed a spot in Team Malaysia for the ATM Championship Final. Chapman is a new face in our series, impressive debut. From Iceland but residing in KL. Third on the podium in his debut on the 50km is Japan’s Hiroyuki Kawachi in 5h58! Just a few seconds later, Sabah’s Sheron Sariman took fourth place, and Nepal’s Santosh Tamang fifth. Vitus Daimi was sixth and Humberto Baeza, a regular in ATM this season, finished in seventh today. Azzamudin Nurdin came in in in eighth.

Finally it was also the big day of Ritzy Amor, who took her first ATM race victory in her 5th outing of the season! The Filipino runner, based in KL, took the lead in the race early and kept Akane Nemoto behind by about 20 minutes. She finished in 7h26. Amor is the overall points leader in the women’s ATM Championship ranking. With this victory she eliminatedher modest result (8th) of BTR Bali and increased her points total some more. She is therefore assured of qualification for Team Pilipinas in the ATM Final in October. Previously Amore had finished on the podium in Broder 50 and BUTM 50. She was also 4th in VTM 70.

Japan’s Akane Nemoto was second in 8h10. Her first ATM race after finishing on the top 10 podium of last year’s Championship Final at Borneo TMBT . Also her first race since her prolonged injury break. Siti Aisyah Kharuddin was a great third place on the podium, ahead of Guan Shin Law, who saw herself get disqualfied for a mandatory gear infringement. Norlela Ismail inherited fourth place ahead of Megan McKenna.

The next Malaysian points race is scheduled at the end of July: KAR Ultra, again with two distances for Championship points: 110 and 60.

Nguyen Phuong Hieu: fantastic winner on the 100k in wonderful debut

Dilu Limbu: kept Rejlen James behind her to take first ATM race win

Muhammad Faris Azhari keeps on improving and raised eyebrows by taking the 50k race victory

Also for Filipino Ritzy Amor it was the first ATM race win of her trail running journey

This weekend’s Trail des Gombak in Selangor, not far from Kuala Lumpur, is the last Malaysian points race of the season on the peninsula, before we are heading to Sabah for the duo KAR Ultra and Borneo TMBT Ultra at the end of July and August respectively. Gombak is a new entry on our calendar, after a successful edition as a Candidate Race a year ago. Organised by Projek Hijo, the event has attracted a big number of participants and features two relevant categories for the ATM Championship points ranking, the 100km and 50km, whereby the 100 is of course also valid for the Grandmaster Quest. Start of the race proceedings is scheduled for 8am on Saturday morning, when 213 registered runners will embark on their 100k journey. The 50k is set to commence at 3 am on Sunday early morning, or middle of the night - as you wish.

Not only are the numbers impressive, the start lists also have quality and feature lots of well-known names from across Asia. It promises to be an exciting race weekend, as the course is not overtly demanding with an estimated 3500 hm elevation gain for the 100km and half of that for the 50km. On paper, Gombak is one of the more runable races of the season.

Gombak is the name of the district located just 80km north of KLIA, Malaysia’s international airport. The area has been a drawcard for tourists thanks to the proximity of the Batu Caves. The venue of Trail des Gombak is located just to the north of the caves at Dewan Sergabuna. “Exploring Possibilities” is the tagline of the event. The route of the race consists of jungle trails, river creeks, waterfalls, asphalt, rolling hills, and more .

Looking at the 100k start list, with bib number 1, is Wilsen Singgin. In top form last time out in the Penang Sky Race, Singgin returns to the longer ultra for the first time in a while. An ATM Finalist already three years in a row, and always a podium finisher, Singgin has upped his game even more this year. Focusing more on speed and 50km races has clearly benefited his competitive performance, and Singgin might still pull off some surprises this season - who knows event at the Championship Final in Vietnam on 4 October. In Gombak, he will start the 100k as the top favourite, but he will face some very solid competition from the likes of Oswald Maikol, Gustin Tiam, Haziq Aysraf, Andrew Farmers, Nguyen Phuong Hieu, Asyraf Ghazali and certainly also from Aqmal Adzmi. The winner of UTOP 100 Miles early in Season 10 could in any case position himself as a serious candidate for a spot in Team Malaysia at the ATM Finals this season, which would be a first for him.

For the women’s 100km, the favourite has to be Sabah’s Rejlen James, as usual within Malaysia. However, she can expect to be challenged by Hong Kong’s Rachel Chan , who last year already gave James a run for her money once at SIlabur 100. Also Hong Kong-based, but originally from Nepal, is Dilu Limbu. Limbu was fifth in Lantau 70 at the end of March, so let’s keep an eye out for her. In fact, a second good result this weekend may put Limbu into Team Nepal for the ATM Championship Final. Lynda Marylyn is also on the 100k start list, and always a podium candidate. Other known potentials for a good placing are Dazeree Joannes and Yvette Chong Mi Chin.

An important starter on the 100km this Saturday is also Kenneth Mun Keat Yow. The Malaysian ultra specialist is aiming for his 20th ATM ultra race finish, meaning his 4th Grandmaster Star. If he manages, he will be only the second Malaysian to complete the fourth golden level of the Grandmaster Quest after Munintaran Sundram at PMTF in early May!

The 50km race also promises to be exciting to follow with several potential winners and podium candidates in both male and female races. Singapore’s Malachy Kirwan is a contender on this type of course, for sure. Muhammad Faris Azhari has been in-form all season and looks one of Malaysia’s certitudes for the team in the ATM Championship Final. Singapore-based American Humberto Baeza won Lam Dong Trail in Dalat early in the season, and may wish to erase his DNF due to injury in the Penang Sky Race. Also from Singapore and a solid-paced runner: Deric Lau. Hong Kong-based runners Jeremy Ritcey, Luis Alvelais and Mark Iandolo are all in with a shot at the podium, and so is Alex Tilley - based in Penang - although he may find Gombak a bit too runable for his liking. More runners can pull off a surprise.

In the women’s race we will see Ritzy Amor back in action as one of the race favourites, alongside Japan’s Akane Nemoto, back from injury.Nemoto was on the podium in the past two ATM Championship Finals. Guan Shin Law is also among the usual podium contenders in what will also be a large field.

ATM will be reporting live from Trail des Gombak as of Saturday morning 7:30 am local time, with the 100km starting at 8 am.