BUTM - The Sabahan Trio vs the Karate Kit

The first Malaysian event on the 2022 ATM Championship calendar is taking place in Sabah on the large island of Borneo, and it promises to be a cracker! BUTM, or the Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon, has a fantastic start list that will see great racing on both the 100 km and the 50 km, distance categories that both count for Championship points. BUTM is often called the little sister of TMBT, but in the mean time it has grown to be a popular highlight in itself. The races take place around Kiulu, an adventure playground where the famous Sabahan runners feel at home. Milton Amat, Wilsen Singgin and Daved Simpat, they will all be there on the 100 km. It would not be a major surprise if the trio takes the complete podium, but the competition will be fierce. Hisashi KItamura was no match for Wilsen Singgin last December at MMTF, but the KL-based Japanese has been working hard since then to get back to his best form. Also peninsular Malaysian runner Aqmal Adzmi has ambition to at least score another podium in an ATM race. In the women’s 100km, there’s Adelinah Lintanga, another local Grandmaster, who will have a good shot at another ATM race victory. Her sister Jess will be tackling the 50 km this weekend, a distance where she has booked her biggest competitive successes. Both women are of course favourites to be among the five Malaysian women to qualify for the ATM Championship Final in December. In the men’s 50km , we can expect a nice battle between local Saffrey Sumping and Mohammed Affindi.