Three weeks after MUSPO Ultra, we are back in the Philippines, and even back in Mindanao, for the next ATM Championship points race of Season VII. The Punisher on Babak Samal Island, just off the coast from Davao City, has become a bit of a classic entry on our calendar, and one which especially attracts people with a good running pace in their legs. Despite what the event name might suggest, The Punisher is arguably not the toughest race, especially when it’s dry weather. This makes it appealing for some to give an ultra distance of 50 miles or 80km a go for the first time. Also, The Punisher is incredibly varied in terms of running terrain, between sandy beaches, grassy fields, hills with superb vistas and some tough single jungle trails to spice things up a notch. Back in 2019, the last time the event was held before the covid crisis, it turned out to be the perfect race course for Hisashi Kitamura, who kept his ATM Championship bid alive by beating John Ellis and the surprising local newcomer Arnie Macaneras in very convincing style. No wonder Kitamura returns this year to The Punisher, and this time to basically secure his spot on Team Japan for the ATM Championship on 17 December - the Mount Apo Sky Race. For the Karate Kit, this weekend will already be his fourth ATM race of the season (2 wins, 1x 3rd place) so on this year’s ‘best-four-count’ system it’s unlikely any other Japanese runner will bump him off the team.

Can Kitamura win The Punisher for the second time, too? It is certainly possible, and his main rival is likely again to be Arnie Macaneras. The Davao running star had an unfortunate DNF at MUSPO after co-leading the race for a long time. Macaneras ATM counter therefore still reads 0 points, and with many Filipinos eager to get qualified for their national team in December, he needs to collect big this weekend to avoid unnecessary stress in the coming months. Another top runner from the Mindanao area, Godwin Mirar, also needs to open his 2022 account still. Mirar was a shocking 4th in this race in 2019 - aged only 19. Now he has more racing experience and maturity, could he be capable of an upset on Saturday?

More podium candidates on paper are Sean Aying, lest we forget 2nd at MUSPO 100, Ronie Torlao and former winner Rexell Aguirre. And why not our LBRY Sports & ATM reporter Richard Akol? Always fast on runable terrain.

On the women’s side, eyes will again be fixated on Cecile Wael as the woman-to-beat for the race victory. Aggy Sabanal had the better of her three weeks ago, but at present she does not feature on the start list. Julie Ann Morales, however, does. She was 3rd in her first 100k at MUSPO, and only a few minutes behind Wael. Another victory candidate is Emily Raga, Filipino but based in Singapore. Raga scored 8th at Cameron Ultra but did a very long road ultra afterwards, too. Has she recovered enough to compete with Wael and Morales?

Stay tuned for updates from Babak Samal Island starting on Friday. The race flag off is at midnight.

The Punisher: Kitamura vs Macaneras, take 2?