Cordillera Mountain Ultra postponed to 28 June

Despite last week’s positive announcement that said the popular Cordillera Mountain Ultra had been given an official approval from the authorities to go ahead as planned, JP Alipio of the Conservation Trust now needs to postpone his flagship event nevertheless. The envisaged new event date is 27/28 June with the 50km on Sunday, 28 June. As the new date does not conflict with any other ATM race on the calendar, CMU remains the Philippines SuperTrail with bonus points for all finishers on the 50km.

In an emergency meeting with Brgy Tinongdan, the host of this year's Cordillera Mountain Ultra 2020, it was raised that despite the the increased risk mitigation CMU management was undertaking and despite the permit given by the Mayor of Itogon to conduct the race, many in the village are afraid of the effects of the COVID-19 virus and have raised this concern with the local Barangay officials. Many are also afraid now to offer their homes as homestays for foreigners because of fear of the COVID-19 despite CMU’s due diligence in risk mitigation. As CMU hosts over 30 nationalities they cannot possibly hold the race without the homestays, which is an integral part of the reason they do the race each year in order to provide opportunities for the locals communities.

The local council and CMU have decided to postpone the Cordillera Mountain Ultra 2020 to JUNE 27-28, 2020 once the COVID-19 threat is in hand. They have temporarily suspended registration but will reopen once everything is sorted. CMU will uphold and transfer all registrations to the new date of the race, this will include any merchandise purchases as well as transportation reservations any of you have made. For those who cannot come for the race CMU will offer a 100% refund of your registration [we will be posting the refund process here for those who choose to refund their reg] A non-competitive trail run will be held on a few sections of the CMU course on March 8, 2020 for those who cannot change their travel plans.

Given the postponement of CMU and also of Dalat Ultra Trail, there are no points races for the Asia Trail Master Championship until late April and the duo Korea 50K and Mt Apo Sky Race. All elites can therefore take a prolongued training break (stay positive!).

The 2021 ATM candidate race Mt Kalatungan Trail Ultra in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines is going ahead on 1 March. The event organiser has let us know yesterday that they have received the approval of the local authorities and do not expect a similar situation as now with CMU.

The other scheduled Candidate Race, Alicia Ultra on Bohol island in the southern Philippines, has been re-scheduled for early April or early May with date confirmation expected later this week or early the next.