Singapore-based American runner Humberto Baeza took his maiden ATM race victory on the 75km at Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam, last Saturday. Baeza inherited the race lead halfway through when Kristian Joergensen and Godwin Mirar were, unfortunately, pointed in the wrong direction by a confused marshal. As they got onto the shorter and just-as-marked 45km course, they did not realise it in a situation reminding many of last year’s Korea 50k, where the same happened. Still, it takes nothing away from Baeza’s great performance to finish the course in 8h43’ and half an hour ahead of Vietnam’s coming man Tran Van Nghia. After already scoring 2nd place in Dieng Trail Run in September, Baeza is now the overall points leader in our Season 10 ranking and he has already fulfilled the minimum requirement of two race finishes for qualification for the ATM Championship Final next year September. The women’s 75km race also had a remarkable winner in the sense that the very experienced Julia Nguyen Thi Duong showed recent coming-girl Loi Luong she is still around as a competitive athlete.

Behind Baeza and Tran Van Nghia, another SIngaporean runner took third on the podium: Scott Pugh from the Endurance Asia podcast. A great performance by him as well, especially when seeing who he kept behind. Nguyen Dang Quang and India’s only ATM Grandmaster Shashwat Rao both have a considerable competitive pedigree in our series.

Julia Nguyen Thi Duong finished ten minutes ahead of Loi Luong and they were sixth and eighth overall, respectively. It proves both their talent as competitive trail runners. For 35km, Malaysia’s 2-star Grandmaster Yvette Chong was looking good for third place, but cramps in both her legs decided otherwise. Pham Ngoc Dan Chau scored the women’s podium in the end.

Kristian Joergensen and Godwin Mirar topped the leaderboard early on until their misfortune

Scott Pugh managed to score his first ever podium in an ATM points race

Julia Nguyen Thi Duong had never left, but made sure everyone remembers she is still here

Humbero Baeza : first ATM race win and second podium in two months

The 75km race started at 3am

Loi Luong had to settle for second

Pham Ngoc Dan Chau got herself third on the women’s podium

After a short break since UTOP in Malaysia, Season 10 of the Asia Trail Master Championship continues this weekend with the 3rd edition of Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam. The 75 km race is the one that counts for both championship points and Grandmaster points, and we are looking forward to a very competitive men’s race with Quang Tran - winner of the previous two editions - facing none other than Kristian Joergensen, Godwin MIrar and in-form Nhon Trong - himself already twice second in Lam Dong.

The Valley of Love just outside the city centre of Dalat features again as the host venue for the event. Runners will do a 75km counterclockwise loop through hilly pine forests with start in the early hours of Saturday morning. Weather permitting, this is quite a runable course as usual in Dalat, with cool temperatures and clear forest trails. That benefits the likes of Quang Tran, of course, but he will certainly face a stern challenge this year with Joergensen and Mirar, both based in Philippines. Joergensen was third in last year’s ATM Championship and has already collected 7 ATM race wins since 2016. There is a question mark about his current performance level, however, following a nasty fall in training a couple of weeks ago. Godwin Mirar is the coming-man in Philippines, still just 24 years old. He still focuses on short distances mainly - and rightly so - but in Dalat he would like to give the 75km a try. He is not new to Vietnam: in 2022 Mirar already took third place in VMM 50km , not far behind the aforementioned Kristian Joergensen and his idol John Ray Onifa. Nhon Trong and Le Phi Lanh are the other two Vietnamese trail stars who could battle for podium. Nhon Trong is in good form lately, but has been focusing on the long ultras. Does he still have the speed to fight for the highest rankings in a 75km race? Let’s certainly also keep an eye out for India’s Grandmaster Shashwat Rao, who on his day can be very quick, indeed. Rao has won the upcoming Malnad Ultra on a course that can be compared somewhat to Lam Dong. Also Singapore’s Scott Pugh from the Endurance Asia podcast should finish among the top runners.

In the women’s 75km race we could see a nice dual between Loi Luong and Julia Nguyen Thi Duong . Both have won Lam Dong before, and for Loi Luong it was actually her competitive breakthrough last year. The Mude Sports runner and teammate of Hau Ha outran Angelie Cabalo a year ago, a performance she has backed up since a few times, including fourth place in the latest ATM Championship Final at Borneo TMBT in September. There’s several other contenders for podium, including Malaysia’s 2-star Grandmaster Yvette Chong Mi Chin, who has recently shown strong pace on medium distance trails, resulting a.o. in a podium spot at Simpur Ultra 50 in Brunei in June.

Last year’s podium with Quang Tran ahead of Nhon Trong

Nhon Trong has placed second twice in this race

Loi Leung was the surprise winner last year, but has more than confirmed this feat afterwards

Kristian Joergensen: is his current form good enough for an 8th ATM race win?

The latest brainchild of David Lloyd and his team at Topas Travel is called Vietnam Ultra Marathon and joins the Asia Trail Master Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendar on 8 March 2025. The second edition of this event in Mai Chau, roughly three hours southwest of Hanoi, features a 75km category that is the one to focus on. VUM therefore joins VTM, Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau, in January on our current 2025 event calendar.

The events organised by Topas, spearheaded by VMM in Sapa, are among the most popular in Southeast Asia every year and we are indeed delighted that we will again have two of them with races for ATM points. Runners who took part in the first edition of VUM last March gave rave reviews of stunning landscapes on beautiful trails between remote villages. As the website describes, the route climbs up to the fabled land of Hang Kia, where Hmong communities live not far from the border with Laos. For many years, this area was completely off the tourist map. Now you can run here and discover another side of Mai Chau.

From a competition point of view, the 75km race profile shows the toughest sections with most elevation will be tackled in the first half. Pure mountain and technically skilled trail runners may need to use these, before the speedsters can get their running pace to work in the second half.

Registration is open already and can be done via the official website of VUM linked below. As usual, there’s travel packages on offer that take the hassle out of everything. Transport from Hanoi departs from the Turtle Lake Brewing company, same as for the other events organised by Topas.

We are happy to announce that Prenn Trail Challenge, taking place to the south of Dalat in Vietnam, has joined the ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendar for Season 10. A successful Candidate Race last year, Prenn Trail Challenge is catering for all types of trail runners with a wide range of distance categories available on the long weekend of 20-22 December 2024.

Organised by UEM and managed by James Nguyen, Prenn Trail Challenge gets its event name from the Prenn tea resort, which will be the event venue host. The Dalat area is not only known for coffee, but also has several major tea plantations. From the tea resort, participants can embark on trail runs from 3 to a massive 182 kilometres. The race categories for the ATM Championship will be the 182 km long ultra and the 55 km medium distance. Runners just aiming for the Grandmaster Quest can choose between 182 km and 100 km. Expect lots of pine hills and old forests. Elevation gain for the 182 km is estimated at 8500hm, with 2300hm for the 55km. The start location for the two longest ultras will be at the Kala Lake and Samten Hill, respectively. The organisation will provide shuttle busses from Dalat City to bring everyone there.

If you want to try the 182 km, you must show proof of having already finished at least one race of 70km or longer. Obviously, also do not forget to check the mandatory gear list.

The Prenn Tea Resort is not so far from Dalat City , but it is nevertheless recommended to base yourself in the resort, as it is the event centre. You can find more details on the official event website. Registration is already open and accessible via the same website.

The Lam Dong Trail in Dalat, Vietnam, is rapidly becoming one our series’ most popular events towards the end of the year. Held on 9 November, the race through lush pine forests, across several hills and coffee plantations is a textbook example of trail running in its purest form. The event centre and finish line is at the picturesque Valley of Love, located just outside Dalat City, one of the country’s main tourism hubs and known for its mild highland climate.

As the official press release reads, Lam Dong, nestled in the southern reaches of Vietnam's Central Highlands, is a province adorned with majestic mountainous landscapes. It's a convergence of rugged hills and winding trails, offering a picturesque tapestry of natural beauty.

Taking advantage of its terrain and favorable weather in November, Lam Dong becomes the rallying point for thousands of trail running enthusiasts eager to conquer its lofty peaks. Following two successful editions, this year's race promises significant changes and commitments aimed at fostering community health and supporting volunteer efforts to showcase Lam Dong's cultural heritage and natural splendor.

Race-wise, the event programme has five different categories, as described below. As always, ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest point seekers need to focus on the 75 km race.

• + Health & Wellness Commitment (5km): Designed for the whole family, the 5km trail will be a fun and bonding experience, helping children and adults alike to discover the beauty of Lam Dong together.

• + Nature Restoration Commitment (15km): Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the plateau landscape and winding trails that traverse forests, valleys, and majestic pine-covered hills.

• + Local Culture Preservation Commitment (25km): Setting a common goal for conservation and value enhancement, the natural beauty of Lam Dong through volunteer activities is a special highlight of this event.

• + Personal Limits Breakthrough Commitment (45km): With the goal of building a trail-loving community to share, cheer on, and nurture passion in this discipline.

• + Emotional Connection Commitment (75km): With special challenges awaiting elites, athletes, or newcomers seeking intense sensations on the running trail.

The event has seen some of Vietnam’s greatest trail runners already at the start line. In 2022, Hau Ha and Quang Tran won the female and male races, respectively. Last season, it was Loi Luong and Nhon Trong.

You can find all details and registration facilities on the official website linked below.

Nhon Trong won last year’s men’s LDT 70

Loi Luong was the surprising winner of last year’s female LDT 70

A typical view in Dalat : trails in the pine forest

Conditions for the third edition of Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths in Vietnam were very similar to last year: damp, moist, cloudy and humid but not that hot. 100k ultra runners were warned in advance and clearly were better prepared mentally for the task at hand. Last season’s ATM Finalist for Vietnam, Nguyen Tien Vo was quickest of all in 15h45 and scored his first ever race win in our series. Tien Vo was in a league of his own, finishing almost two hours ahead of Tran Van Bac and Trung Nguyen, a double ATM Finalist for Singapore in the past two seasons. Trung entered the race battered and bruised from a bad fall on training, but nevertheless scored a solid podium. Do Trung Kien had to settle for fourth just a few moments later. Then, it was American Tara Savage as fifth and winner of the female 100k. Based in Thailand and already fifth in VTM early this year, Savage lived up to her status as race favourite and kept main challenger, the experienced Vy Le Phuong, behind by some 45 minutes. For Savage, who has a background in martial arts and is also coaching track & field in schools, it is the second ATM race win after UTCR 125 last October. Third place went to Pham Thi Thu Thuy.

On the (much) more runable 42km medium distance points race, Nguyen Si Hieu more than beat his own expectations. The winner of last year’s 100km finished first in 3h45 - well under four hours and that for a trail marathon! A very impressive result and only six minutes slower than established marathon runner Hisashi Kitamura a year ago! Is Nguyen Si Hieu actually even more competitive on the medium than on the long ultras? With that speed, he can get very far in this year’s ATM Championship Final. Only 20 minutes later, Nguyen Xuan Tu came second - also a strong run. The final step on the podium went to Tokyo’s famous Roppongi Runner Tomohiro Mizukoshi. No longer the youngest in the field, but still fast and competitive. The 42km course was also perfectly suited for him. Tomohiro clocked 4h36. Another pre-race favourite, Tu Do, did not have the best of days with stomach issues, yet still managed to get fourth place.

The women’s 42km was hotly contested and the most exciting to follow from a competition point of view. Ho Chi Minh-based Japanese Mude Sports runner Akane Nemoto grabbed the victory after a tight battle with primarily Claire Berton and last year’s Lam Dong Trail winner and teammate Loi Luong. Nemoto, sixth in last season’s ATM Final in Indonesia, is typically very fast on runable trails and did not want to let this opportunity slide. She kept Berton behind by a mere two minutes and scored her second ATM race win after VMM 70 in 5h14.. However, the latter then got strangely disqualified by the race referees for not having a headlamp with her. Strange, because the race was held from sunrise to sunset in daytime. Loi Luong inherited second place in 5h21. Officially, third place went to Nguyen Phuong Van.

Nguyen Tien Vo scored his first ever ATM race win and did so impressively on the tough 100km

That’s 2 ATM race wins for Thailand-based American Tara Savage!

Also Akane Nemoto grabbed her 2nd ATM race win on the 42 km against great opposition!

Unbeatable in Cuc Phuong. Last year the 100, this year the 42: Nguyen Si Hieu

Great to be back on the overall podium: Tokyo’s Tomohiro Mizukoshi may no longer be the youngest in the field but remains a contender wherever he starts!

Last year’s winner in Lam Dong Trail, Loi Luong had to be content with 3rd place in Cuc Phuong, later upgraded to 2nd following the unfortunate DQ of Claire Berton

ATM double Finalist for Singapore, Trung Nguyen entered the race hurt and bruised from a fall, but still took a podium on the 100k!

If last year’s edition showed anything it was that Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths near Ninh Binh in Vietnam is a trail event with two significantly different faces. On the one hand a borderline extreme 100km going deep into the old rainforest, and on the other hand a very runable and pleasant 42 km. No wonder the event attracts all kinds of trail runners to the oldest national park in Vietnam, 120km south of Hanoi. Also this weekend, runners score ATM Championship points in both the 100k and 42k races. Those only looking for a Grandmaster point can also opt for the 70km.

Plenty of runners hardly knew what happened a year ago. Cuc Phuong’s 100km has a total elevation gain of about 2600 hm, which is peanuts in Asian terms. The first half of the race until CP6 also reflected this. But not only is most of the elevation covered in the second half, those hills are also deep into the jungle of Cuc Phuong with continuously treacherous, slippery and dark single trails. Armies of leeches added even more to the flavour. Some runners felt it was more adventure than trail running and retired at the first logical opportunity to do so. Those who continued to the finish loved it and were truly excited about their achievement. Nguyen Si Hieu in the men’s and Shindy Patricia in the women’s were the greatest stars of the day. This year’s 100km is virtually a mirror copy. The difference is that runners have been warned and should be better prepared. Among the expected contenders for the race victory we have Nguyen Tien Vo, already 4th in VTM in January. In the women’s 100km, Thailand-based Tara Savage is no stranger to tough ultras and might be the one to look out for. Savage won UTCR 125 last year and was an ATM Finalist, too. At VTM earlier this season she finished 5th. Vietnam’s Vy le Phuong has the experience, too, to eye a strong result.

Nevertheless, ultra specialist Nguyen Si Hieu has decided the 42km is enough for this season. He will start as a race favourite in any case, with the likes of in-form Tu Do and Tomohiro Mizukoshi as other known contenders. Mizukoshi was also a survivor of the 100 last year, but the Japanese Grandmaster will find the 42km perfectly suited to his competitive ability. A year ago, Hisashi Kitamura took top honours. Can Mizukoshi step into his footsteps? Trinh Nam Phong was a strong local contender last season. Can he make it onto the podium this time? The women’s 42km will feature Loi Luong, winner of the Lam Dong Trail in Dalat last November and part of the Mude Sports Team, which also features Hau Ha and the aforementioned Tu Do. Loi Luong may find the path to victory obstructed by her own teammate Akane Nemoto, Japanese but based in Ho Chi Minh City. Nemoto was an ATM Finalist last year (6th) and particularly quick on a 42km distance. Phung Thi Trang was third last year and is back on the start list. Can she cause an upset?

ATM will be reporting live from Cuc Phuong with focus on the 42km and 100km race. Mobile connectivity is not guaranteed outside of start/finish, so we need to wait and see how much information comes through in real time.

Last year he won the 100km, this year he is going for the 42 km

Loi Luong burst onto the competitive trail scene last year, a.o. with a great victory in Lam Dong Trail

ATM Finalist last year, Tara Savage will be trying to follow into Shindy Patricia’s footsteps on the 100k

One of the toughest ultra races on our ATM Championship calendar since last year is Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 100 in Vietnam. Not necessarily because of high-altitude mountains, but because runners go deep into ancient rain forest to get a real “Indiana Jones” experience. It is one those 100km races that makes every finisher proud of himself. However, runners who are more into faster and runable trail courses also find their playground at the CPJP event with the 42 km race. Both the 100km and 42km offer ATM Championship points, and if you’re only looking to score a Grandmaster finish point, there’s also a 70k option.

Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths is scheduled for the first weekend of April and registrations are open. The event by Race Jungle is quite easily accessible from Hanoi as runners can book and take the event bus to the race venue inside the Cuc Phuong National Park. Participants with more time on their hands can also explore nearby Ninh Binh and other very popular tourist areas such as Tam Coc.

If you are choosing to tackle the 100km, you will need to be prepared and perhaps even more mentally than physically. Know that in the second part of the race on the long way back to the start/finish arena you will literally disappear off the map as there is zero connectivity inside the deep forest. Marshals and event staff are present as well, of course, yet be aware that you are expected to be able to handle yourself for a while in case of injury or other issues. Runners are expected to show fair play and help people in need, too. Given the high degree of technicality and adventure (never mind leeches!), participants should also take the mandatory gear list seriously.

Last season, Nguyen Si Hieu and Shindy Patricia were the toughest of the bunch in the inaugural 100k race through the National Park. Hisashi Kitamura and Christine Mitchell were the fastest runners on the 42km distance.

All information and details can be found on the website of Race Jungle, including on travel and accommodation packages. if not yet registered, please do so quickly.

For the 100km runners: the path to the deep old rainforest of Cuc Phuong National Park

On a truly beautiful running day in and around Moc Chau, Vietnam-based Frenchman Valentin Orange won the Vietnam Trail Marathon 70km just inside the course record time set by Quang Tran earlier! It’s Orange’s first ever ATM points race victory in a time of 7h01'40". He ran solo for basically the entire race as co-favourite Hung Hai had an off-day and never challenged for the win. It’s the kind of performance that would make Valentin Orange a favourite for this season’s ATM Championship. Until halfway, Nguyen Si Hieu was able to keep the gap at around 15 minutes, but in the second half of the runable but steep rollercoaster Orange boosted his advantage to an impressive margin of over 1 hour at the finish. Nguyen Si Hieu still got caught by the ever improving Nguyen Duc Tuan Anh (better known as Tu Do) and the two finished side-by-side. Si Hieu admitted that Tu Do had waited for him in the final kilometers. Nguyen Tien Vo was fourth and kept the podium within reach but was unable to close the gap in the end. Hung Hai appeared somewhat disinterested but still finished fifth. Who knows those ATM points can still be important later in the season.. Tomohiro Mizukoshi was running 6th for as far as 50 km, but then began to suffer from the midday sun and dropped down the order quite dramatically to finish 12th. Brian Angwin did well in the second half to take sixth ahead of Luis Alvelais.

Men's Top Results:

1. Valentin Orange

2. Nguyen Duc Tuan Anh (Tu Do) at 1h03'48"

2. Nguyen Si Hieu (VIE) at 1h03'48"

4. Nguyen Tien Vo (VIE) at 1h'18'12"

5. Hung Hai (VIE) at 1h35'42"

6. Brian Angwin (GBR/VIE) at 2h30'17"

7. Luis Alvelais (MEX/HKG) at 2h31'38"

8. Tran Van Bac (VIE) at 2h40'34"

9. Ivan Grigoriev (RUS) at 2h42'46"

10.Nguyen Hoang Nghia (VIE) at 2h49'57"

In the women’s race, New Caledonia’s Leslie Nowicki won convincingly ahead of pre-race favourite Vanja Cnops. It was Nowicki’s first race in Vietnam, and nobody had seen her coming, but she is quite experienced as a trail runner. A surprised Vanja Cnops never realised until only halfway into the race that she was running in second. Still, Cnops admitted she did not have the best of race days and finished 23 minutes after Nowicki. Both Nowicki (5th) and Cnops (7th) finished high up the overall result list, indicating their high level of performance. Vietnam-based Japanese Akane Nemoto, 6th in the ATM Final early December, confirmed her competitive progress in long distance races once more with third place on the podium. Vietnam’s Le Thi Hang came fourth (after running a marathon on each day of 2023) just two minutes ahead of Thailand’s duo Tara Savage and Sutinee Rasp.

VTM was the first Vietnamese points race of this season’s ATM Championship series. The next one is Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths early April.

Women's Top Results:

1. Leslie Nowicki (FRA/NCD)

2. Vanja Cnops (BEL/SIN) at 23'22"

3. Akane Nemoto (JPN) at 1h41'19"

4. Le Thi Hang (VIE) at 2h18'17"

5. Tara Savage (USA/THA) at 2h19'35"

6. Sutinee Rasp (THA) at 2h33'30"

7. Mai Thi Hoa (VIE) at 2h52'34"

8. Thuy Nguyen Thu (VIE) at 3h19'26"

This Saturday, for the first time in its 6-year history, the Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau is a points race for the Asia Trail Master Championship series and Grandmaster Quest. ‘VTM’ has been the traditional series opener of the Vietnam Trail Series, which also includes September’s classic Vietnam Mountain Marathon, and offers a majestic course across Moc Chau’s tea plantations and peach blossoms. The 70km race is the one for points and starts on Saturday morning at 5 am.

While technically our 9th ATM Championship season already started with Izu Trail and Mt Apo Sky Race last month, VTM is the first points race event in 2024. With also V Trail in Laos, Bagtit Ultra in Philippines and The 9 Dragons in Hong Kong coming up in the next few weeks it will indeed be a busy start. The set-up and regulations for the new Season IX mirror those of the past two years. In each race, the fastest 25 runners (male and female) score points for the ATM Championship ranking and at the end of the season the best five male and female points scorers get an invitation to join the ATM Final race to decide the new ATM champions. This year’s final event is projected to take place at the end of Q3 in September, as we are moving gradually away from the usual end-of-year date in December.

Vietnam Trail Marathon is known to have a runable course that nevertheless has about 3000 metres of elevation gain. Looking at the below course profile, competitors for the win and podium do need to keep something in reserve for the final 20km and all participants better measure their efforts early on as the trails go up almost immediately after the start.

Vanja Cnops has been coming to VTM already quite a few times and the 2023 vice-ATM champion will be back again this weekend to open her new ATM season’s account. The more runable trails suit Vanja a lot , even when the race lasts for 70 km. She is clearly the top favourite in the women’s race this Saturday, but behind her the battle for podium seems quite open. Le Thi Hang, who just completed her Project 365 to run a marathon each day in 2023, will be there, but also Japan’s Akane Nemoto. A 2023 ATM Finalist, Nemoto is now part of Team Mude Sports and after being outstanding in Vietnam’s shorter race distances for years is looking to reach the same level of performance consistency on the 70km. Last September, she won the 70km at VMM but then had a tough day at Lam Dong Trail 75 (5th) before claiming 6th in the ATM Final at Siksorogo Lawu 77km. Thailand’s Sutinee Rasp was 3rd in VMM 70k last season, and Tara Savage - winner of UT Chiang Rai and 13th in the ATM Final last year, are other podium candidates.

The men’s 70km is likely to see a battle between Hung Hai and Valentin Orange, with Nguyen Si Hieu, Tomohiro Mizukoshi, Luis Alvelais, Nguyen TienVo and Nguyen Duc Tuan Anh and Ivan Grigorev heading a larger field of podium contenders. At VMM last September, Hung Hai was back in top form, winning the 100km in a very fast time ahead of Sange Sherpa. Definitely the more experienced runner on an ultra distance, Hung Hai has an advantage over Valentin Orange, who has only really moved up from the shorter distance categories in the last year. Orange does carry a lot of speed with him, and as a member of the Mude Sports Team it will be fascinating to see how he fares against Hung Hai this Saturday. And what to expect of Nguyen Si Hieu? His record lists 9 ATM podiums with 2 race wins. Nguyen Si Hieu is always there and can never be ignored for the prizes at the finish.

ATM will be reporting live from VTM from start to finish, starting at 5am local time.

Hung Hai is the man to beat on the 70km this weekend

Vanja Cnops will be looking to score her 8th ATM points race victory

 

Lam Dong Trail is the second ATM points race event in Vietnam’s Central Highlands main city Dalat this year and once again showed how great trail running can be. ‘Challenging but achievable’ is the tagline of the event that is determined to give every participant a very welcoming and enjoyable weekend. With the finish line set at the Valley of Love, just 4-5km outside the Dalat city centre, runners can bring their friends and families along. It does not even get so hot, as Dalat sits on a plateau a good 1500m above sea level.

The 75km points races for men and women saw two local race winners, interestingly both from the Mude Sports Team, the team around Hau Ha. The 2022 ATM Champion herself, who won Lam Dong Trail last year, now has other ambitions so she left the competition open for others to take the spotlights. For the first half of the race, Philippines’ Angelie Cabalo, winner of MMTF 100 in 2022, looked the strongest and on the way to collect her second ATM race victory. Julia Nguyen Thi Duong was in second and Luong Loi third. Cecille Wael (ankle pain) and Akane Nemoto were further back and never got in position to challenge the podium. Japan’s Nemoto also suffered from the mid-day sun. Upon entering the last 15 km, Luong Loi surprised most on-lookers as she overtook Nguyen Thi Duong and Cabalo to take the lead! Still young to trail, Luong Loi had already scored two 3rd place podiums this season, but this was unexpected. She crossed the finish with a big smile as winner with nearly 13 minutes advantage over Cabalo and 25 over Nguyen Thi Duong. In fourth was Le Hang, also not unknown in Vietnam’s competitive trail scene.

The men’s race was dominated by Nhon Trong, who - despite being around for several years now - also scored his first ever ATM race victory. Nhon Trong was too fast for his own protégé, Nghia Van Trang - second at 51 minutes. Nguyen Tien Vo confimed his great and consistent ATM season with a third spot on the podium. Nguyen Tuan Anh and Nguyen Dinh Minh were four and five.

Nghia Van Trang: 2nd place

Rhea Batac: now a 3-star ATM Grandmaster!

We are happy to announce that Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau will for the first time be a points race event in the new season of the Asia Trail Master Championship. The sister event of VMM is scheduled for 20 January 2024. Runners aiming for championship and Grandmaster points need to focus and sign up for the 70 km race category.

Vietnam Trail Marathon follows VMM and VJM as the third offering by the Topas Team, and is a wonderful early season event characterised by a not-too-difficult and colourful course thanks to the many orchards with white and pink blossoms. This 70k ultra has everything that Moc Chau has to offer. As usual, participants will go through some remote areas and enjoy a warm welcome by the villagers. The course covers a huge variety of trails and landscapes, taking runners to wild areas rarely visited by anyone but locals. Total elevation gain is estimated at 3000 hm.

Registration is already open, click on the button below.

Moc Chau is also located in the north of the country. The international gateway is Hanoi , from where there’s shuttle busses to the event venue. Travel packages including accommodation are also available as usual. The official website has details. Please also make sure you read the mandatory gear list for the 70k race.

Vietnam Trail Marathon 70 will be the first of two Vietnamese points races in the first semester of 2024. The second one will be Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths in April.