Rizal Mountain Run - 2nd chance for Manolito Divina

Just one week after the Tahura Trail, the 2017 Asia Trail Master tour already pitches its tents in the Philippines for the second points race. As last week's event in Indonesia, the Rizal Mountain Run is another Candidate Race that has moved up to our championship calendar this year. The 50 km in the Rizal mountains east of Manila is a tough rollercoaster with 2800 hm that seems to favour punchy runners. Kristian Joergensen, Danish but residing in the country, and Koi Grey fought a great battle last year and are back this weekend to open their 2017 campaign. However, one cannot look past Asia Trail Master champion Manolito Divina as top favourite for the men's race. Especially since Divina has something to make up. A DNF at Tahura by getting lost was an unexpected non-result last week! Instead of taking the new championship by the horns straightaway with two potential top points hauls, the pinoy star will have to make do with the Rizal Mountain Run this Sunday to get in the mix. At least one thing was obvious in Bandung: Manolito Divina is on the pace again. Race winner Abdoullah Mitiche was not finished with him yet, but that's trail running for you. 

The women's race will see Majo Liao competing more or less on home soil. Liao was second in the Asia Trail Master championship last year despite suffering from an injury for a large part of the season. Tahira Najmunisaa already showed everyone how strong she is again last week, can Liao do the same this weekend? Last year's winner Cheryl Bihag will also return to Rizal. 

Via our social media channels you can stay tuned to the race developments this weekend. 

A nice but tough 50 km loop in the Rizal Mountain area

2016 Asia Trail Master runner-up Majo Liao is the top favourite in the women's race

Kristian Joergensen won last year's edition after a splendid dual with Koi Grey