TMBT: the classic Borneo event returns on 30 August
Borneo TMBT Ultra, host of the fantastic Asia Trail Master Championship Final last season, has been scheduled for the last weekend of August this year. The premier event in Sabah, Malaysia, will again feature the classic races of 100km and 50km that both offer points for the Championship ranking, and also for the Grandmaster Quest in the case of the 100km. It will be the penultimate chance for runners to score points this season, if they wish to qualify for Season 10’s Final in Vietnam on 4 October.
TMBT is not only a classic trail challenge for runners of all levels, it’s also been a major battleground for competitive athletes over the years resulting in some of the most memorable races in ATM history. Not just last year’s exciting Championship conclusion with Jeff Campbell narrowly staying ahead of Hisashi Kitamura and Arnie Macaneras. Local heroes Milton Amat and Daved Simpat have left their marks at TMBT, particularly when competing against the same Japanese runner Hisashi Kitamura, who has finished second on no fewer than four occasions now, but never won. Will 2025 be the year he finally nails it? Kitamura, based in Tokyo, in any case has TMBT on his race calendar again.
The 50km has its own characteristics, culminating in a steep uphill finish. ATM stars such as John Ray Onifa and Vanja Cnops have put their names on the list of winners of that 50km already.
The event takes place five weeks before the ATM Championship Final at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam. Preceeded by The Punisher 80km in Philippines and followed by Ijen Mountain Marathon 50km in Indonesia, TMBT is the last points race event in Malaysia this season.
Access to the event is typically via Kota Kinabalu, where the airport is. Most runners stay in the city and take the official nighttime shuttle bus three hours before the start of the races.
Registration is open for Borneo TMBT Ultra, which you can do via the button below.
A typical view with hanging bridge during Borneo TMBT Ultra
Last year’s Team Pilipinas at the ATM Championship Final, hosted by Borneo TMBT Ultra
Hisashi Kitamura and Milton Amat have fought numerous battles at TMBT over the past years. Local hero Milton has always had the better of the Japanese ‘Karate Kit’, except last year… but then there was Jeff Campbell.