This weekend we have the first Filipino points race in the 2022 Asia Trail Master Championship series, and it’s a newcomer as well: MUSPO Ultra in Bukidnon, Mindanao. On the programme of the event’s 3rd edition - the first since covid - are several race categories but ATM contenders and Grandmaster Quest seekers will focus on the 100 kilometres race that starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday. That essentially means it’s going to be predominantly a night race for most runners. Among the favourites we wind Arnie Macaneras and Sherlyn Fugaban in the women’s.

Bukidnon is the region between Cagayan de Oro and Davao on the large southern island of the Philippines. The area around Valencia City may not be as mountainous as the others, but the steep gradients of the hills and treacherous ground conditions (could be really muddy if there’s some heavy rain) will make this 100k challenging. Among the highlights are the touristic attractions Lake Apo and Musuan Peak, along with Sagumata Falls.

Arnie Macaneras was the coming man in southern Philippines before covid-19 halted everything. Macaneras was a surprise 2nd behind Kitamura but before John Ellis in the 2019 The Punisher race, and backed that up with another 2nd place at UTKC in Thailand - ahead of Kitamura - in February 2020. On paper, he will thus be the man to beat in Valencia this weekend, but how much has the corona crisis affected his performance level? We already know that Larry Apolinario from Antique is back at his best, courtesy of his great race victory in the ATM Candidate Sierra Madre Trail Ultra at the end of May. Apolinario could be Macaneras’ main challenger. Also on the start list is former Mt Apo race winner Ronie Torlao. Slightly older than the other two, but reportedly still going fast - also on less technical terrain. Other podium hopefuls will be Grandmaster 2 stars Aleksis Capili, Joeffery Camara, Al Telias and Hover Luis. And who knows we get suprised by a new face.

In the women’s we can expect a battle between three well-known ATM protagonists. Sherlyn Fugaban is the new lady on the block, having won both ATM Candidate Races in the Rizal this spring. Less experienced over 100k, Fugaban will need to watch out for the very experienced Cecile Wael and the 2018 ATM Championship runner-up Aggy Sabanal. The latter returned to trail action earlier in the year after giving birth. Fresh Grandmaster Rhea Baltac is also on the start list, along with Janet Halcon.

We will be covering the race live on our usual channels, and we have live tracking of the lead runners again, too. Link is below.