Hisashi Kitamura has won the race he had to win to retain his chances to become Asia Trail Master champion and prevent John Ellis from becoming it last weekend at The Punisher on Babak Samal Island in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines. A hot Uglow runner led practically the whole race and finished in a blistering time of 8:49.21. It is Kitamura's third ATM race victory of the season after Vietnam Jungle Marathon 70 and Magnificent Merapoh Trail in Malaysia 100. Local favourite Arnie Macaneras was strong as expected and stayed with him for about 20km on a dry and runable course. Macaneras claimed second place at the finish in 9:35 (quite a big gap!). Hong Kong's ATM Championship leader John Ellis, who was trying to clinch the title in this race but had to win to do so, had to settle for third place in 10:35. That's a huge margin to Kitamura. In the post-race interview (see the video on our facebook wall), Ellis confirms his Japanese rival was just too fast and at the end he preserved energy for the next two final races to come. Third place means no extra championship points for Ellis, which means it ain’t over yet! He stays on 2650. KItamura anyhow could not improve his total tally in this race and stays on 2575.

Sabah’s Milton Amat will draw a lot of courage from this going into his own crucial race next week in Thailand: Ultra Trail Panoramic. In it, he might meet Ellis while Kitamura will aim to win Izu Trail Journey in Japan.

Arnie Macaneras finally delivered a strong result that has been in the tank for a long time. He could become one of the runners to watch out for in the 2020 ATM season. He is not alone: 19-year-old Godwin Lachica Mirar from Bukidnon on Mindanao was equally impressive by finishing in fourth place while another local Davao runner, Joemar dela Cruz, arrived as fifth. Canada’s Michael McLean secured sixth place.

The women’s race was dominated by Hong Kong’s Jcy Ho, who scored her second ATM race victory of the season after VMM 70. The podium was completed by very experienced Grandmaster Cheryl Bihag and Manilyn Mamugay, a former winner of The Punisher.

A great 2nd ATM race win for Jcy Ho! She consolidates her top 10 ranking in the ATM Championship

The two race winners of the Punisher 80: Jcy Ho and Hisashi Kitamura

Arnie Macaneras delivered on all his promise: 2nd place!

19 years old and fourth place: Godwin Mirar!

Cheryl Bihag can never be underestimated: a well-deserved second place for arguably the most experienced female filipino trail runner

Quick 'Karate Kit' keeps Championship alive!