It’s early July and that means it’s Mantra time again! Arguably the toughest mountain trail race on our ATM Championship calendar, the 2024 edition has once again attracted a considerable field of trail runners in both the 116km and 68km categories - both also valid for the Grandmaster Quest. Most of Indonesia’s trail elites will be competing, with former ATM Champion Arief Wismoyono on the 116km against the likes of Taofik Hidayat, and Risqi Kurniawan against Akmad Nizar on the 68km.

The 116km has 7400 metres of elevation gain, which is not the highest number, but the technicality of the Welirang and Arjuno ascent and descent makes this race incredibly tough. Throw in the high altitudes of well above 3000m, potential cold temperatures, rain and wind and you are in for a real adventure. It’s the kind of race that elite mountain runners want to have on their record of wins, and regular runners want to have the finisher tee or medal of. While the 68km usually has a stronger competitive field, the 116km does draw most attention at this event.

Arief Wismoyono is approaching 40 now, but still ranks as the benchmark in Indonesia when it comes to long mountain ultras. His younger Bandung teammate Taofik Hidayat will be challenging him this weekend, along with Japan’s Yuta Matsuyama - who just ran Deep Japan Ultra 100 miles and finished fourth. There’s a strong Malaysian contingent featuring the likes of a.o. Hijazi Rija and Jin Heng Oh. The women’s race looks potentially more open, even though local runners such as Sianti Candra and Septiana Nia Swastika can be expected to lead the pack along with Mei Li. Malaysia’s Guan Shin Law, Japan’s Tamae Harada, Thailand’s Siriporn Leumathong and Philippines’ Irish Glorioso are all podium contenders this weekend on the 116km.

Risqi Kurniawan, already winner of the 68km last year, will again be up against Akmad Nizar and Hilman Maulana, podium runners a year ago. Normally speaking Risqi should have the edge on them, but he has been plagued by injury in recent times reducing his performance on the trails. Mohd Sulhan, Amierul Amin, Faris Azahri and Jeffery Budin from Malaysia could be challengers - at least for a podium spot. Thimo Kilberth has always been more competitive on the runable trails, but he has focused on Mantra this season. In the women’s race, Silabur Cave Trail winner Dening Lo from Singapore is one of the top favourites alongside former ATM Champion and former Mantra winner Ruth Theresia. However, Sabah’s Rejlen James may find Mantra to be a trail 100% to her liking. Also Malaysia’s Lynda Marylyn, in-form Yvette Chong and Halimatun Sa’adiah can be podium contenders.

ATM will be covering Mantra 116 throughout the weekend on our usual channels, with live feeds and most updates on ATM Facebook.

Mantra 116: Wismoyono and Kurniawan face strong competition