The 2nd edition of the Orang Utan Trail in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, again charmed all the event participants with its seemingly easy, yet surprisingly challenging 50k course, the brilliant arena with marquee tent and musical performances, and of course the wonderful orang utans in the grandstand, i.e. their natural habitat in the rainforest around the river village. And, just like a year ago, the local runners took the race by the horn and used the opportunity to show themselves in an international trail running context. As if to tell everyone: we are here, too!

Last year’s Candidate Race winners Ongki Saleh and Ina Lydia Utari did not join the 50k as they are both committed to the military marathon championship taking place next weekend. Their roles were especially taken over by two young boys, one military and one university student, by the names of Erwin Simanjuntak and Andre Sinaga. From the get-go at 6:15 am, they set the pace of the men’s race on the flat and runable wider trails, initially along with Singapore’s Chris Timms. The latter let them run ahead, however, just a couple of kilometres before the first aid station at km 10. Working assumption being they will drop back as soon as they hit the much more technical second half of the race inside the jungle on hilly and muddy single trails.

That proved to be underestimating the skillset and the stamina of these two boys, as Timms was unable to close the gap and had to settle for third ten minutes behind the winner. Simanjuntak turned out to have the fastest dash to the line as he attacked Sinaga on the final downhill trail section leading to a tarmac road towards the finish. A great victory in 6h07’51” for Simanjuntak. Sinaga arrived two minutes later. It is not easy for people on this large island to gain experience and even compete, but we surely hope to see them again soon on the ATM circuit. Especially with the Championship Final being in Indonesia on 2 December: Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java.

Penang-based Alex Tilley scored a superb 4th and kept even pace with the three guys in front during the second half, underlining he is one the best technical trail runners so far this season on our circuit. The winner of the V Trail in Laos, and 6th place in Cuc Phuong 42km in Vietnam, is now the new overall points leader in the men’s ATM Championship ranking. He already looks comfortable for a qualified entry into the ATM Finals. Another hilly jungle specialist, Jakarta-based Japanese runner Fuminori Kondo also showed his reputation is no joke, as he finished in fifth place after overtaking Jose Luis Alvelais, Mananakbo Washington and Thimo Kilberth. The latter actually suffered a heatstroke and was lucky to be able to walk to the finish in ninth place. Indonesia’s Rusmanto and John Sutanto sprinted for 7th ahead of him. Seiji Morofuji completed the top 10.

The women’s 50k race was dominated by Vanja Cnops, returning from a knee injury. It was her first race of the year, and she found a course she truly loved. She crossed the finish in 7h23 as 7th overall without needing to put extra pressure on her knee. For the SIngapore-based Belgian it was the 5th ATM victory in her running journey. Second place went to up-and-coming Roan Biguasen Gumangan, Filipino but living in Malaysia. It was her second podium of the season, and combined with a 7th place in Sierra Madre Trail a month ago that puts her ahead of Irish Glorioso in the women’s overall ATM points ranking. Gumangan is actually still new to running, having picked up regular training only during the pandemic. Third place went to Heroin Paraluan.

The next edition of the Orang Utan Trail is scheduled for the first weekend of July in 2024.

The next ATM points race in Indonesia will be Mantra 116 for the high mountain lovers, and two weeks later another altitude race, albeit shorter, Dieng Trail Run 50.

Another win for Cnops as local Sumatrans reign in men's race

Live broadcast of men’s race finish

Finish of female race winner Vanja Cnops

Men’s Finish Compilation of Rank 4 to 9

Live Broadcast of the 50km start