The final points-scoring race of the 2015 Asia Trail Master series is The Ancient Khmer Path in Cambodia, a 6-day stage race over 220km  organised by GlobalLimits. It will be the 4th edition already and we will be looking for the successors of well-known trail runners Mo Foustok and Olya Korzh, who won the event last year.

The event begins with a group dinner and gathering in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh and ends at the world famous temple complex of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. 

Registrations for the event are still open. Remember there's limited spots for this one, so do not hesitate too long. You can sign up both via our Asia Trail Master registration portal and via the Global Limits website. 

GlobalLimits Cambodia 2012 - The Ancient Khmer Path - OFFICIAL VIDEO from Stefan Betzelt on Vimeo.

The 5th edition of the MesaStila Challenge Ultra in Central Java's Magelang region  took place under a bright blue sky last weekend and was an eye-opening trail experience for many participants. The event, which offers five race distances in total, is not as well known as Mount Rinjani Ultra or Bromo Tengger Semeru, but this could soon change. Runners were treated with a fantastic and varied race course and with great hospitality from the MesaStila Hotel & Spa. 

The stars of the weekend were locals: Arief Wismoyono (men) and Mila Marlina (women) both won the 100k race and in so doing they grabbed the lead in their respective 2015 Asia Trail Master ranking with four races still to go.

Photos credit MesaStila

Arief Wismoyono ran a smart race to take his second Asia Trail Master race victory

Mila Marlina arriving at the peak of Mount Andong. 

Central Java, is a region known mainly for the UNESCO Buddhist temple site of Borubudur, and maybe also for its delicious coffee. From the race location there are various touristic sightseeing options.  Many a participant spoke of a "hidden gem" on the trail race calendar. The courses are characterised by volcano and mountain climbs, bamboo forests, ethnic villages and jungle trails.

Pretty but tough. The 100km has 7700 metres of elevation gain, and even for experienced local climbers such as Alan Maulana this can sometimes be too much. Maulana led the race at the 65km point, but began to feel unwell and retired from the race. It left the door open for Wismoyono to assume control, even though he had to cope with the final charge forward of new name Dzaki Wardana. Wismoyono, first Indonesian champion of Mount Rinjani Ultra last August, finished at midnight in 19 hours. The podium was completed by Pramonosidi Wijanarko, who came second in the gruelling Gede Pangrango Marathon in May.

Looking ahead, Wismoyono holds an advantage of 90 points over China's Xie Zhangrong, with India's Ullas Narayana, Wijanarko, Phairat Varasin, and Yan Longfei, amongst others, within striking range. Points-scoring races are still coming up in China, Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Mila Marlina has no real competition on the longest distances in her native country, but to become the 2015 Asia Trail Master champion she still awaits a stern challenge by Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping. The points difference between the two is only 42.

Top 3 Result - 100k - Men

1. Arief Wismoyono (Indonesia) 19:03:16
2. Dzaki Wardana (Indonesia) 19:37:30
3. Pramonosidi Wijanarko (Indonesia) 21:34:47

Women

1. Mila Marlina (Indonesia) 

50k - Men

1. Celian Baup (France) 10:28:16
2. Muhammad Fauzi Difinubun (Indonesia) 10:38:09
3. Vincent Chalias (France) 11:17:56

This year's Annapurna 100,   Nepal's oldest trail race,  took place in October rather than March following local political troubles and the devastating earthquake earlier this year. It has had an effect on the sports industry in the Himalayan country and also resulted in a modest participation field in Pokhara. Nevertheless, the performances of top runners in cloudy and wet conditions was anything but modest! The race was dominated by Nepalese, who took all the podium places in both 100 and 57km. The 100k winner Arjun Kulung in an incredible 10:33:56! Some first time Nepalese runners showed what incredible natural endurance athletes the Nepalese are by making top 5 in this very challenging, extremely hilly race, with one first time runner coming third in the 57km distance.

Annapurna 100km - Men

1. Arjun Kulung (Nepal) 10:33:56
2. Suman Kulung (Nepal) 11:11:00
3. Aite Tamang (Nepal) 12:51:50

50km - Men

1. Bhim Bahadur Tamang (Nepal) 5:33:10
2. Raj Kulung (Nepal) 5:53:50
3. Kiran Kulung (Nepal) 5:53:51

50km - Women

1. Katie McCarver (USA) 10:22:35
2. Eva Svensson (SWE) 10:58:29
3. Sonam Shah (Nepal) 12:40:30

Annapurna 100

Annapurna 100

Annapurna 100 

The Mesastila Trophy for this weekend's champions in Central Java. 

Two races this weekend with Asia Trail Master points up for grabs. In Nepal, there is the 9th edition of Annapurna 100, the Himalayan country's oldest trail race that was postponed earlier this year, and in Indonesia we have the 4th edition of the picturesque Mesastila Challenge. In both races the longest distance of 100km also gives finishers 1 point for the Grandmaster Quest.

Mesa Hotels & Resorts hosts the race in Magelang, Central Java, as part of the event portfolio by FOneSport, also organiser of the Mount Rinjani Ultra and upcoming Bromo Tengger Semeru. The race takes place relatively close to the world famous Buddhist temple complex of Borobudur and features  unused train tracks, uncovered rail bridges, overgrown jungle trails, small village roads, rice paddies, and up to five mountains in Central Java. 

For the first time, the Mesastila Challenge will offer a 100km course to its participants. This one includes five peaks, including Gunung Merapi and twice Gunung Merbabu at over 3000m altitude. Total elevation gain is 7560hm, and is clearly something for fast climbers. The main event arguably has two big favourites on paper: Arief Wismoyono and Alan Maulana. They conquered Ijen Trail in August, and Wismoyono is of course the great champion of this year's Mount Rinjani Ultra, the first Indonesian runner to achieve that feat. The Rinjani victory gave Wismoyono a solid points haul, and the 31-year-old can become the new number 1 in the Asia Trail Master ranking this Sunday. In order to move ahead of current leader Xie Zhangrong, Wismoyono needs to finish in the top 3 of the 100km race. Another participant who can propel himself into the top 5 of the ranking is Belgium's Gaspard Dessy, who is currently sitting in 17th place having scored points in Gede Pangrango Marathon and Borneo 100 TMBT this season. Dessy has registered for the classic 65km race at Mesastila on Sunday. 

In the women's ranking, we might see local Javanese runner Ina Budiyarni move up to second place if she finishes the same 65km race distance. Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping's 900 points are out of reach this weekend, but Budiyarni has also already registered for the Bromo Tengger Semeru race in November... The Mesastila event also offers shorter races of 42km, 21km and 13km but none of these qualify for Asia Trail Master points. 

Annapurna 100 is the oldest official trail race in Nepal

As the world knows, it has been a very challenging year for Nepal and we are therefore very pleased that the team of Annapurna 100 in Pokhara has managed to set up the 2015 edition of their oldest race at all. The Annapurna trail needs little introduction, being a famous route for trekkers and hikers since decades. Running it with a cut-off time in mind is of course still a different matter.  Postponed from its original date in February (unrelated to the earthquake), this weekend's race will be a bit of a fresh start for the event, with a slightly modified running course as well. According to the measurements by ITRA, the race will actually total 110km and an elevation gain of roughly 4700 Hm. As always in Nepal, it will be interesting to see how the local runners perform against a very international field. The event also offers a B-distance race of 50km. 

CURRENT TOP 5 ASIA TRAIL MASTER RANKING

Men:

1. Xie Zhangrong (China) 862
2. Patrick Singha (Guyana) 745
3. Ullas Narayana (India) 732
4. Phairat Varasin (Thailand) 710
5. Yan Longfei (China) 709

Women:

1. Tan Seow Ping (Malaysia) 900
2. Yuen Kit Shan (Hong Kong) 575
3. Veronique Messina (France) 575
=. Marcia Zhou (USA) 575
5. Kathy Yu (Hong Kong) 525

Arief Wismoyono could claim the top spot in the Asia Trail Master ranking for men this weekend at the Mesastila Challenge race in Magelang, Java, Indonesia

PRESS RELEASE - Following a successful inaugural edition this year, the Asia Trail Master series return  in 2016 with an even larger and more diverse race calendar. Runners will be competing for points in over a dozen Asian countries with several people aiming to fulfill their Grandmaster Quest to finish six races of over 70km within two calendar years. The 2016 series will begin in Hong Kong on 19 February with UTHK, as the just released provisional calendar for the first semester of next year shows. 

UTHK, or Ultra Trail Hong Kong, will be the first of five so-called Super Trails, selected races of proven quality, wherein finishers will score 50 bonus points for the Asia Trail Master championship ranking. The Super Trails are one of a few innovations that will be introduced in 2016, along with a points allocation system that has been more harmonised across the various events, an abroad bonus for runners travelling to a third race outside their resident country, and an Asia Trail Master race registration portal available to all organisers and runners developed, by Hong Kong's Race Timing Solutions. 

Nearly all events of this year's first semester will return in 2016,  plus exciting new additions in Brunei, Philippines, Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia. China's Tsaigu Tangsi Plus, Kazakhstan's Tengri Ultra Trail and the two stage races by GlobalLimits in Sri Lanka (The Wild Elephant Trail) and Bhutan (The Last Secret) all retain their calendar spots following very positive feedback from this year's participants. Whereas the profile of most races is hilly and mountainous, next year's calendar will also feature a number of faster and technically less demanding races. These will be no less beautiful or exciting and will give road runners wanting a taste of trail running a fitting introduction.  In the coming weeks more events will be added to the calendar, and each event will be profiled in detail on a redesigned Asia Trail Master website. 

While faster athletes can aim for prizes and a high ranking at the end of the year, every single runner with enough perseverance can become an Asia Trail Grandmaster. It is expected that several people will reach the milestone of six +70km races in 2016 and obtain the honourary title, which will give access to the forthcoming Asia Trail Master Hall of Fame. 

Thanks to its overall growth, members of the 2016 Asia Trail Master series and race participants will benefit from extended media coverage via a wide range of media partners, as well as from several new commercial sponsorships to be announced in due course. 

Staying true to its core objectives, the Asia Trail Master team will continue to foster the development of a genuine pan-Asian trail running community and boost environmental conservation efforts across the continent. Reducing pollution and preserving natural habitats is likely to become a key trend in Asia in 2016. Emphasis will also be placed on improving general safety standards at trail running events.  

This year's inaugural Asia Trail Master series is heating up towards its conclusion with six races still to go. The current men's ranking is still headed by China's Xie Zhangrong, but he will have to fend off challenges by a.o. Indonesia's Arief Wismoyono and India's Ullas Narayana. In the women's competition, Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping is in pole position to claim the title. The next two points-scoring races take place upcoming weekend in Nepal (Annapurna 100) and Indonesia (Mesastila Challenge). 

2016 Provisional 1st semester calendar

19-20/02 - Hong Kong - UTHK
28/02 -  Brunei - Beach Bunch's Trail Challenge
04-12/03 - Sri Lanka - GlobalLimits: The Wild Elephant Trail
19/03 - Philippines - Cordillera Mountain Marathon
09/04 - China - Tsaigu Tangsi Plus
24/04 - South Korea - Korea 50k
08/05 - Kazakhstan - Tengri Ultra Trail
14/05 - Malaysia - Malaysia Eco 100
22/05 - Indonesia - Ijen Trail Running
27/05-04/06 - Bhutan - GlobalLimits: The Last Secret

Annex:

2016 Guidebook for event organisers (including details on the 2016 points system)

Following the Vietnam Mountain Marathon from last weekend, the pressure at the top of the men's ranking is building up. China's Xie Zhangrong remains in the lead with 862 points, but Phairat Varasin from Thailand is yet another strong runner who has moved into the top 5 and has a solid shot at the 2015 Asia Trail Master title. 

Varasin scored 710 points in the last month by finishing 2 big runs: Borneo 100 TMBT and Vietnam Mountain Marathon. He finished 7th in Malaysia and 4th last weekend. 

In the women's ranking, Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping remains in the lead with 900 points. The next trio of races in Indonesia, Nepal and China may shake up the rankings quite a bit before the big final races at the end of November. For sure, nothing has been decided yet. 

Varasin and also Alexis Capili from the Philippines added another point to their Grandmaster tally. Runners who finish six races of at least 70km in 2 calendar years will obtain the honourary title of Asia Trail Grandmaster and be included in the forthcoming online Hall of Fame. 

The 3rd Vietnam Mountain Marathon was won in dominating fashion by Thailand's Sanya Khancai in 8:42:15. He was ahead from start to finish, but always had to keep on pushing because Spain's Roberto Arevalo and Britain's Shorrock Robert Charles were not that far behind. The women's race turned out into a joint victory for Samantha Young and Federica Brugnara.

Rainfall made Vietnam's only serious trail running race tougher than expected for most runners. 154 of them attempted to complete the 70km distance with another 194 going for the 42km distance. The event was well-appreciated by the participants and seems bound to continue growing. A major after party in the mountains of Sapa concluded the event in style. 

TOP 5 RESULT WOMEN:
1. Samantha Young (USA) 10:36:32
2. Federica Brugnara (ITA) 10:36:32
3. Billinda Marshall (NZL) 10:57:26
4. Ann Mari Lilijord (NOR) 10:57:34
5. Napassaporn Chumnarnsit (THA) 11:49:28

TOP 5 RESULT MEN:

1. Sanya Khancai (THA)8:42:15
2. Roberto Arevalo (ESP) 8:54:26
3. Shorrock Charles (GBR) 8:58:05
4. Pharait Varasin (THA) 9:19:31
5. Yuen Wan Ho (HKG) 10:02:50

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon is up next this weekend in the Asia Trail Master series, and many people are looking forward to that. Not only because it is the only major trail run in the country, but also because it is witnessing a boom in registrations from all over the region. Saturday's race "on trails beaten by buffaloes"  is the third edition of the event organised by Topas Travel in Sapa, in the northwest of Vietnam. 

The event offers 4 different race distances, of which the 70km and 42km are points-scorers for the Asia Trail Master ranking. Finishers on the longest 70km also get 1 point for the Grandmaster Quest. This is a mountainous race with 3000m of elevation gain on the long distance, and together with the altitude and potential high temperatures the race can be very tough. 

Among the many hundreds of runners will also be Thai star Sanya Khanchai, who will be one of the men to beat on the 70km. There will be many Thai runners in Sapa this weekend, along with a large contingent from Malaysia and Singapore, but also many local Vietnamese runners will take the start, in what is clearly a boost for the trail running sport in the country. Let's see if one of the local runners can cause an upset this weekend! 

Topas Travel, an adventure travel agency based in Sapa, organises the event together with the Danish embassy and regards it mainly as a social event through the rice fields and breath-taking valleys, cross bamboo bridges, bypass water buffalos, mountain pigs and cheering local children. VMM  is the result of a lifelong love of running and a fascination with Vietnam, and participants will run on paths in the  Hoang Lien National Park that are traditionally not-used by trekkers. 

Even though our inaugural edition of the Asia Trail Master series is still in full swing, preparations for next year have already begun. Event organisers who are keen to join us in 2016 are kindly invited to check our latest guidebook and fill in the event application form below or online. The earlier you contact us, the more we can do for you. 

Several new events have already applied and are being included in next year's calendar. The first version of the 2016 race calendar will be released at the end of next week. We are delighted and grateful to see the Asia Trail Master series maturing so quickly, and are looking forward to working together with all  of you! 

A general remark: just like this year, there is a maximum of 5 races per country.  An application does not automatically mean inclusion in our calendar, and will be subject to proper evaluation. 

As today, runners score points in all races they finish, but only their best three results will be taken into account for the final ranking at the end of the year. Runners who finish a 70km race also get 1 point for their Grandmaster Quest. By the waym in 2016 we are likely to have our first Asia Trail Grandmasters, who will enter our Hall of Fame! 

LINKS

2016 Event Application Form

2016 Guidebook for Event Organisers 

CONTACT

Email to info@asiatrailmaster.com 

One of the early protagonists in our inaugural Asia Trail Master series is China's Yan Longfei. Winner of the Tsaigu Tangsi Plus 58km race in his home country's Linhai (Zhejiang Province) in April, Yan Longfei continued with another solo victory only one week later on the 50 km race distance in Dalian. Before that, he had already beaten the course record on the Vibram Hong Kong 100 in January. As successful Yan Longfei has been in Greater China, outside of Asia fortunes have been more mixed in his first season as an international elite. Modest by nature, Yan Longfei knows his current limits and continues to train and learn to push those limits ever further. A short Q & A with an impressive athlete. 

Translated from Mandarin by Xiaozhao Zhao

1）You run a 2:15 marathon and were part of the China National Team, what made you make the leap to trail running instead?

YLF: I chose to end my career as a professional road marathon runner in 2013 out of my free will. Because I think, as I get older, I am more and more eager to be myself and do not want to live under the regime of a team. My first trail race is the 2013 Hanghzou 100km, but due to little experience in training for trail running, I hurt my Achilles tendon one month before the race and had to quit after about 20km.  However, I fell in love with trail racing from then on.

2）You won't miss the possibility to go to an Olympic Games? 

Of course, I would try again with a full effort provided there is a chance. Running the Olympic Marathon for Team China has been a kind of honor and a boost to my self-esteem when I entered the professional team.

3）What is your main goal to achieve in trail running?

I do not have any specific target and just like to keep running like what I have been doing. I enjoy running and racing, fulfilling my deepest love of the sport.

4）Where do you usually train?

I usually train in Shanghai, where the atmosphere within the running community is very good. But Shanghai is a city and relatively flat. So I have to go to Hangzhou for training on proper trails.

5）What is your favourite type of terrain? High mountain, hilly or flattish?

Hilly terrain and mountain definitely. After trying trail running, I have found road running to be quite boring. Perhaps I ran too much flat courses before, I prefer the alpines now.

6）How do you prepare for a race the day before?

Nothing special. Just prepare the necessities and my favorite food for the race,  and then have a good rest.

7）Do you drink a lot during a 100k race? What do you eat? 

I do not need to drink much. 3 litres is enough, usually. I eat some gels and bananas, plus some nuts.

8）What made you start running and try to become a professional runner? Did you have any idols as a child or teenager? 

I was a naughty boy in my childhood. I started running because I did not like sitting down in the classroom all day. Since I have become a professional runner, I have not really had any idols. I just admire and respect some people and I hope I will be better than them in the future.

9）You have won the Tsaigu Tangsi Plus 58k race and the Dalian 50k race, so you have a high place in the Asia Trail Master ranking. Are you keen to take part in a 3rd race of the Asia Trail Master series to try and become the 2015 champion?

If I have enough time, I will try for sure.

10）What do you think about the Asia Trail Master series? Could this be a goal for the 2016 year? 

The more quality races the better. But together with my sponsors I have to negotiate and select races for my international calendar.

11）What have you learnt from your races outside of China, such as Gran Canaria and Australia?

Running abroad has made me more mature than before. I can feel my own growth in thinking. I have learnt a lot about oversea races and have had more opportunities to communicate with  and study from elite runners all over the world.

12）Your more experienced compatriot Yun Yanqiao finished ahead of you in TNF Australia. Does that bother you? Do you think you can beat him next time?

I think no one is perfect and will be invincible forever. Most important is to remain humble to be able to enjoy the races.

13）You have won Vibram Hong Kong 100 in a new record time (9:52:42), will you defend your title there or rather try to win the 170km Ultra Trail Hong Kong on 19 February?

I will again run the Vibram HK100 in 2016. I fear races longer than 100 km are too long for me at this stage of my career.

14）How long do you need to recover after a 100km race?

I need around two months for full recovery.

15）What should be improved in the organisation of trail running races? 

I think it is vital to understand the needs and demands of trail runners. For example, what do runners need specifically in a given race?

16）There are more and more trail running races in China, some better organised than others. Do you have any tips for organizers in China?

I hope the trail running scene in China can keep on developing and attracting more people to come and enjoy the trails and open nature. I support any endeavor which is good for our sport.

Yan Longfei receives another set of prizes from Asia Trail Master sponsor Newline Sports at TT Plus. 

We are delighted to announce our latest official media partnership with RunSociety, the first online magazine for runners in Singapore governed by editorial guidelines and the fundamentals of journalistic integrity. As of October, RunSociety will publish previews and reviews of all Asia Trail Master races on the calendar and throw in a couple of extra stories and reports as well throughout 2016.  Obviously, this is good news for all event organisers under the Asia Trail Master umbrella. 

RunSociety has a particular focus on the Singaporean, Malaysian and Australian running communities and will at times also offer special travel and/or registration deals for some of the events on the ATMs calendar. 

As stated on its website: "The online platform was founded with the purpose of uniting the cumulative interests of runners from all walks of life under a common umbrella; keeping them abreast of the latest developments. It’s a place where both professional and aspiring runners can feel at ease, knowing they are receiving information that has been rigorously vetted by a team of experienced writers". Objectivity, reliability and community are the three main pillars of RunSociety following the motto 'Records are broken by bonds'. 

A few links to recent international press articles on trail running and Asia Trail Master races.

Action Asia Online (03/09/2015)
Colourcoil Borneo 100 TMBT Marathon

New York Times (31/08/2015)
Running in the Wild
 

iMoney Hong Kong (August 2015)
Trail running in Asia (focus on Tengri Ultra Trail) - (Chinese)