We are happy to announce that Harkor Ultra Trail Balakayo Mountain in General Santos in the south of Mindanao in the Philippines has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label. The event features a 75km main race distance with over 4000 metres of elevation gain, but is known to be quite runable. The event is organised by the Drunken Runners Team and Team Akbri and scheduled for 31 May/1 June.

Registration for the event is already open and can be accessed via the button below. There is a quota on the participation numbers, so if you are keen - better be quick.

The 75km has a cut-off time at the finish of 25 hours. Less ambitious runners can also opt for shorter distances, such as the 42km, 25km and 12km. 2023 ATM Champion John Ray Onifa tested the trails of Harkor and gave a thumbs up, saying the trails reminded him of those in France.

General Santos has an international airport, but Davao is another bet - if you don’t mind some bus travel from there.

It is a trail blockbuster weekend in Vietnam with the Vietnam Ultra Marathon points race event in Mai Chau in the north, and Brah Yang Trail Summit near Dalat in the south as an ATM Candidate. Organised by the URS Team that brings you Prenn Trail Summit towards the end of each year, Brah Yang has attracted quite some Vietnamese trail stars including Loi Luong and Nghia Tran. The 60km main race stars at 9 pm on Saturday evening, meaning it is mainly a nighttime race.

As it is an ATM Candidate Race, there are of course no points to be scored. Loi Luong can afford to side-step away from VUM as she already has two big results in the pocket this season and is the top ranked Vietnamese female in our current Championship ranking. For Nghia Tran it is a bigger gamble. He scored a great second place in Lam Dong Trail last November, but certainly requires at least one more good result to finish the season in the top five of the men’s ranking and receive the invitation to join his country team in the ATM Finals at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail on 4 October. The same applies for Nguyen Van Chung, second in Prenn Trail Summit last December, and also choosing Brah Yang over VUM this weekend. And so are a few others solid local runners. Plenty of ATM points races still to go this season, however, and the attendance of many competitive runners certainly makes a great case for the new event, Brah Yang Trail Summit.

A few other expected contenders for the podium are To Tan Tai, Dau Tuan Kiet and Nguyen Dang Quang (4th in Lam Dong Trail). In the women’s 60km race, there is also Nguyen Thi Nguyet (2nd place in VTM), Truong Vo Bich Phuong and perhaps the young Kon Tap Trang.

Loi Luong choosing this weekend’s ATM Candidate over VUM

Nghia Tran

One of the female podium contenders: Truong Vo Bich Phuong

We are happy to announce a new Candidate Race in Vietnam, organised by the Unique Events & Media team that also brings you Prenn Trail Summit. Brah Yang Trail Summit takes place in Di Linh in Lam Dong Province and features 60km, 35km, 27km and 10km options with the longest category scheduled to start on Saturday night. .

Brăh Yàng Mountain is a place with a lot of spiritual value in the region. The race will go through the wild terrain of Brăh Yàng peak and other large and small mountains in the middle of the vast Di Linh plateau. The trail course will see a lot of green tea hills, but also goes through coffee fields and villages of the K'Ho Sre ethnic group. Those choosing the 60km need to be aware of the elevation gain in the race: 3900 hm, which is quite serious. The highest altitude is 1848m above sea level, so runners should also be mindful of potential chilly conditions.

Information on accommodation options and transportation can be checked on the comprehensive event website, linked below via the button. Important to note for international runners is that you can fly to Liên Khương International Airport in Đức Trọng, which lies between Dalat and Di Linh. From Ho Chi Minh City there is a bus travel time of approx 7 hours, so you might wish to opt for the domestic flight instead.

The second ATM Candidate Race organised by the AWRA Davao Team took place last Sunday in New Corella. The New Corella Trail Ultra (NCTU) had three distance categories on the programme, of which the 50km was the main event. Once again, we discovered a new emerging talent from Bukidnon , the landlocked province in northern Mindanao: Vincent Philip Sinanggote . The 24-year-old had the better of another promising talent in Eldy Bulod, whom we have already known since last season. In a tough race , made even more technical and complicated by the heavy rainfall hours before the race start, Sinanggote finished in a time of 7h11 , which was almost half an hour quicker than Bulod. In fact, Bulod had to hurry up in the end as Angelo Navarro concludes his race just 30 seconds after him.

Actually, Romar John Galingan came first into the finish arena, but he got disqualified for missing a checkpoint earlier in the race. Jong Mahinay, a pre-race favourite, DNFd at around the km 30 mark.

The women’s 50k Candidate Race was won by Guia Heistaire Angela, another talented runner on the rise in the Philippines. She finished quite a way ahead of Janet Arnego and Carmhelle Pilos, who completed the podium.

A tough candidate race in the outskirts of Davao with a 10-year history and a lot of runners. Datu Salumay can be called a classic and the event lived up to its reputation as being hardcore while at the same catering for runners of all levels.. Roberto Cain II was clearly the fastest man finishing the 85k in 16h45. That’s two hours ahead of Yoyong Sacayle and Jomarc Ferrer. Quite a performance! The race was halted at some point due to a swollen river that became unsafe to cross. Kudos to the event organising team to react quickly and appropriately in this situation. Runners were rerouted to ensure safety. The adverse weather also meant nearly 40% of the 85km course was on concrete.

The female candidate race at DASAL was won by Metzi Joy Alson in 20h16’. She preceeded Tressah Banas and Stela Coronica on the podium. Despite being on the start list, former winner Julieann Morales did not take part in the race last weekend.

This weekend, points can be scored in Dalat, Vietnam, during Lam Dong Trail, but we also keep an eye out on the 10th edition of the Datu Salumay Invitational Trail Run, a new ATM Candidate Race. Perhaps better known as ‘DASAL’, the event takes place some 80km outside of Davao City and - indeed - has a full decade’s history already! For this anniversary edition, the organisers have added a long ultra category of 85km that has instilled some fear in many participants. At least, it is regarded as a considerable challenge with 5000 metres of elevation gain on paper. Less ambitious runners will be eyeing the 42km and shorter categories this weekend.

The trails of Datu Salumay will have runners passing by waterfalls, streams, rivers, trees, grasslands, and steep hill ascents and descents. It starts and finishes at the Datu Salumay Elementary School grounds, which is just adjacent to the Syre National Highway. The start is at 2 pm in the afternoon, meaning nearly everyone will also need to run through the night, which at least has the benefit of being cooler.

Julieann Morales is a former female race winner at DASAL and as great technical trail runner ready to pick up the 85km challenge. She is one of a few courageous women on the start list that also includes Shekinah Velasquez, who also has a nice track record on rugged terrain. In the men’s race we will also see some big names from Mindanao, including Jomarc Ferrer, Florencio Alave, Yoyong Sacayle, Reymar Taleon, Roberto Cain and others.

The first Filipino Championship points race in Season 10 is still several months away (Mt Kalatungan Ultra), but there are several Grandmaster point races and Candidate Races coming up. The first Grandmaster points races are SC 70 and the Mt Apo Sky Race 100.

Bislig Ultra Trail can look back to a successful inaugural edition last weekend. The new event in Surigao del Sur, north of Davao in Mindanao (Philippines) is organised by the AWRA Team and had a varied 50k as main race category. The course offered a challenging and exhilarating course that showcased the region's diverse terrain, including barangay roads, scenic trails, waterfalls, river crossings, and ridgelines. The excellent service and volunteer support gave the many participants a memorable trail experience.

The men’s 50k race was won by pre-race favourite Jhon Mahinay. He was 9 minutes faster than Ian Ray Hilapon and finished in 6h42. In third place, a bit later, was Reymar Taleon.

The women’s race went to Lory Gacusan in 10h28. In a rather tight race, she was faster by 19 minutes over Gilda Pagal and Chona Mae Dingal.

The winning times indicate that Bislig is indeed challenging. AWRA organises another ATM Candidate in December, the New Corella Trail Ultra. This one takes place a bit further south and therefore closer to Davao City.

This weekend we also have a new ATM Candidate Race in Mindanao in the Philippines. Bislig Ultra Trail is the first event in Surigao del Sur, which is located to the north of Davao, and features a 50km as main race category. The start list is long for a debut race, showing the enthusiasm of the local trail community.

As the official event tagline reads: “the race routes designed to challenge and inspire you amidst the stunning natural beauty of Bislig. Whether you are tackling the 50km, 25km, or 15km category, you are about to embark on a journey that showcases the very best of our region’s landscapes and wildlife.” The highlight is the magnificent Tinuy-an Falls, often called the "Niagara Falls of the Philippines.

In addition, there is the sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle, one of the world's rarest and most majestic birds. The presence of such unique wildlife adds a special dimension to your run, making it not only a test of endurance but also a celebration of Bislig’s natural heritage.

Among the race favourites of the 50km is Jhong Mahinay, but we are looking forward to discovering quite a lot of new talent from Surigao and surroundings. The event is organised by AWRA, which in December also has another Candidate Race named New Corella Trail Ultra.

Aguila Wanderers Recreational Adventure, in short AWRA, is organising the 2nd edition of the New Corella Trail Ultra in Brgy. Carcor New Corella, Davao del Norte in Philippines on 8 December 2024. The event features three categories of 50km, 30km and 15km and has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label. New Corella is known for its beautiful but challenging trails not too far north of Davao City.

Participants will traverse diverse terrain, from rolling hills and dense forests to river crossings and rugged mountain trails. The course has a number of distinct highlights. Bundok Cave is a remarkable 200-foot-long cave that runners will traverse. The Panas Waterfalls and the Casilak Waterfalls are two breathaking natural falls. Then there is Balaang Bukid, a prominent landmark with significant local cultural and spiritual relevance. Furthermore, runners will also pass by neighbouring municipalities that will show the beauty of Nabunturen and Mawab.

One of the race's highlights is the passage through the famous Bundok Cave, a stunning 200-foot-long natural formation, as well as scenic spots like the breathtaking Panas Falls. The race route also extends to neighboring municipalities, showcasing the natural beauty of Nabunturan and Mawab. Beyond the competition, the NCTR50 promotes environmental awareness, supports the local tourism industry of Davao del Norte, and highlights the rich culture of New Corella.

NCTR 50 will have its flag off at 3am on Sunday, 8 December with the shorter distances respectively one hour and two laters later. The cut-off time for the 50km is set at 16 hours. The course is not flat, but elevation gain is relatively modest at 1900 hm for the 50km. The event has an official hotel , which is the Kojo Hotel in Tagum.

Registration is easy via a Google form linked below. You can also stay up-to-date via the AWRA facebook page. Please note that on 12 October, the AWRA Team is organising another ATM Candidate, Bislig Trail Ultra in Surigao del Sur, further north.

The 60km main category of the Santa Cruz Trail Ultra, near Davao in the Philippines, saw yet another race win for Roberto Cain III, in recent months also already the strongest in MUSPO 100, for instance. Cain finished the ATM Candidate Race in 11h 16 minutes and was well ahead of second-placed Remlar Monang. Cain belongs to the new wave of competitive runners from Mindanao, and we are looking forward to seeing more of him in the ATM Championship during this new season.

Third place on the podium was for Angelo Navarro Sabijon. Antonio Anino and Jinky Garcia took fourth and fifth. First woman in the finish was Razzil Sumalinog. However, she arrived 12 minutes outside the time limit and is therefore not considered the race winner.

Santa Cruz Trail Ultra has a tough and technical 60km course with several peaks.

Roberto Cain III

Remlar Monang

Angelo Navarro Sabijon

Razzil Sumalinog crossed the finish line first, but was officially outside the time limit by 12 minutes

We are happy to announce that VJ 100 Ultra Trail Challenge in Baguio City is a new ATM Candidate on Luzon in the Philippines. Organised by the experienced team Intrepid Spirit, VJ 100 aims to highlight the beauty and the challenge of trail running in the Cordillera region. This is a logistics-friendly, and supporters-friendly event at the end of the year, scheduled at the Camp John Hay in Baguio City itself for the weekend of 14-15 December.

VJ 100 is just one event in the extensive portfolio of Intrepid Sprit, Inc. Also e.g. Pulag 100 and the Philippines Mountain Trail Festival are organised by this team led by Robert Watson, a long-time resident and organiser in the country. VJ 100 is essentially an endurance run on a 10km loop that can be done once, twice, five times or -indeed- ten times for a 100k. The course is very solid: there’s 700m of elevation gain in just 10km, and you will be running on soft trails and rolling hills through countless ascents and descents. If you are a beginning trail runner, the 10k - maybe even the 20k - is a perfect start to your (mountain) trail journey. If you are experienced and aim for the 50k or the 100k, you better do not take this race too lightly. No matter what choice you make, you will encounter various different trail conditions and be challenged while enjoying the beauty of the pine forests and the Cordillera mountains.

The cut off time for the 100k is set at 32 hours for both men and women. A distinction is made for the 50km and the shorter distances, e.g. 15h15 for men on the 50km, while women can allow themselves 45 minutes longer (16h).

As the event takes place in the city, suitable accommodation is plentiful and there is no official event hotel. To reach Baguio, you could fly to Clark (CRK), which is a 2,5 hours bus drive from Baguio. Alternatively, just fly into Manila, which will then take you 4,5-5 hours to reach the event destination.

Registration and details on specifics, such as mandatory gear, can be found on the official website, which you can link to below. VJ100 also has a Facebook page that you can follow for quick updates.

We are happy to announce that Bislig Ultra Trail in the Caraga region of Mindanao in the Philippines has obtained the ATM Candidate Race label for its edition on 13 October. Taking place at Brgy. Burboanan in Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur, the event offers three race distance categories of which the 50km is the longest. It is the first time an event receives our label in this region, which has plenty of tourism potential. Bislig City is located just north of the Davao region.

As the official event tagline reads: “the race routes designed to challenge and inspire you amidst the stunning natural beauty of Bislig. Whether you are tackling the 50km, 25km, or 15km category, you are about to embark on a journey that showcases the very best of our region’s landscapes and wildlife.”

Highlight is the magnificent Tinuy-an Falls, often called the "Niagara Falls of the Philippines.

In addition, there is the sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle, one of the world's rarest and most majestic birds. The presence of such unique wildlife adds a special dimension to your run, making it not only a test of endurance but also a celebration of Bislig’s natural heritage.

While the 50km is obviously designed for experienced trail and distance runners, also the 25km and 15km have exciting sections for beginning trail runners to enjoy to the maximum. Total elevation gain is 1600 hm for the 50, 900hm for the 25 and 600hm for the 15km. There will be separate race starting times at 3:30am, 4:30am and 5:30am with the longer distances going first. Cut-off times are 16 hours,8 hours and 5 hours respectively.

Registration for Bislig Ultra can be done easily via the button below that connects with a Google form. For more details and news about the event, it is recommended to follow the facebook page.

Our brand new 4-star Grandmaster, Rhea Batac - first female and Filipino runner to score the 4th star - will be at the starting line as well.