It’s a blockbuster weekend in ATM this weekend with no fewer than three points race events counting for the championship rankings. A mixture of circumstances led to this situation, in a way illustrating it remains very difficult to plan medium to long term in trail running. MUSPO Bukidnon 100 in Mindanao, Philippines, will be the first race to start on Saturday evening and is therefore featured first in our news reel. It’s the second time MUSPO is on our championship calendar after the very wet edition last year, which was unfortunately overshadowed by the bad fall of female favourite Sherlyn Fugaban, who fractured her thigh badly a few hours into the race. Fugaban today is doing well, the rehabilitation ongoing while it of course remains uncertain when or if she will return to competitive trail racing. Aggy Sabanal made a successful comeback to ATM in the same race, while Larry Apolinario looked impressive in the men’s after Macaneras threw in the towel after both of them had gotten off route for a significant amount of time. None of these Filipino star runners will be in the race this weekend and, instead, eyes will be focused on John Ray Onifa. Originally from the nearby Visayas, Onifa will be gunning for his 6th ATM race victory and the first of what he hopes to be several this season. His main competitor on paper seem to be Yoyong Sacayle, already twice on the podium this season, and Sean Aying, who just scored 3rd in Mantra 116. In the women’s race, Julie Ann Morales could be the one to beat in her first ATM appearance of 2023. Morales was one of the female newcomers on the scene, winning The Punisher, and scoring a solid 5th place in the ATM Championship Final. on Mt Apo. A year ago, she finished right behind Cecille Wael in third place at MUSPO. Other podium candidates are Manilyn Mamuguay - coming back to ATM after a few years off - , Shekina Velasquez, Mary Joy Sumanda and Rhea Batac.

We will be reporting from Bukidnon this weekend on our usual channels.

MUSPO 100 starring Onifa, Sacayle and Morales