For the second year in a row, adventure-minded trail runners who make the effort to go to a very remote part of the world will be rewarded with Asia Trail Master points for the 2016 Ranking, and for the Grandmaster Quest. Mongolia Sunrise 2 Sunset is one of Asia's oldest trail races and all to the benefit of the Hovsgol National Park and the local Mongolian communities. The event comes with a travel package from the country's capital Ulaanbaatar and the actual race is scheduled for 3 August. Please acquaint yourself with the event via the below press release from the Organising Committee , and key race details can also be consulted via our event cover page. 

In a nutshell

• In the first week of August 2016, adventure seeking runners from all over the world will take part in the 18th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (MS2S) at the shores of Lake Hovsgol.
• The registration period for this unique adventure 42km and 100km trail run, taking place on 3 August 2016, is open on www.ms2s.org!
• Runners from 22 countries participated in the 2015 race, creating an exceptional experience.

How deep blue can a lake be? And how many different shades of green do exist? Up to 100 runners from all over the world will find out in August 2016, when they gather at Lake Hovsgol in the wilderness of Northern Mongolia. Their quest: The 18th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (MS2S). The MS2S, a non-profit 42km and 100km ultra trail run, is without a doubt among the most beautiful runs of the world. Runners pass by wild horses and yaks, seas of wildflowers, the craggy mountains, windblown lowlands and of course the deep blue pearl of Mongolia, Lake Hovsgol.

“The untouched nature is truly stunning. Our race offers spectacular views from start to finish – be it on the lakeside single trail when the sun rises behind Lake Hovsgol, on the impressive mountain passes or in the marshy, remote forests”, says Nicolas Musy, race director of the MS2S. The MS2S is not only beautiful but also challenging: The accumulated elevation gain/loss in the marathon distance is more than 2.200 meters, in the 100km ultra run it is more than 3.300 meters. Musy: “Still, everybody with a strong spirit and good training can complete the race. The cut-off time is 18 hours.”

Early bird rates – The special offer is quit finished !

Runners with an appetite for a special adventure can now secure early bird rates for the race package online on www.ms2s.org. “This is not a one-day event. We offer a whole week full of discovery and adventure”, explains Musy. Participants gather in a picturesque camp at the lakeshore, sleep in traditional Mongolian yurts and get in touch with local nomads and their culture. In the days before and following the race, runners can enjoy a variety of leisure activities: horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, hiking, or mountain biking. The 2016 race week will take place from July 30th to August 6th 2016. To beneficiate of the special offer, register before march !

2015: an international crowd

In the 2015 race, runners from all over the world participated in the MS2S. Altogether, the organizers welcomed participants from no less than 22 countries. The young Mongolian runner Tumenbayar Shagdar was able to secure the win on 100km in a time of 11:54 hours. French Aurélia Veyre was the fastest ultra-lady in 15:16 hours. The 42km winners were the Mongolian Tugldur Tselmegsaikhan and the Canadian runner Jennifer Pasiciel. In the veteran 100km category, Swiss Marc Progin won in strong 15:36 hours.

Preserving the National Park

The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is organised on a non-profit basis. All proceeds are used to keep Hovsgol National Park pristine and clean as well as to support the culture of the local nomads via the “ecoLeap foundation” registered in Geneva, Switzerland. “We want to keep this pristine mountain area as beautiful as it is now. That is why we fund a litter control project and its ongoing operation including hiring park rangers, providing eco-friendly garbage bags and raising awareness nation-wide through TV ads and education of local children and families”, explains race director Nicolas Musy. The ecoLeap foundation also supports the local culture, adds Musy: “It is not only the pristine nature that makes this part of the world so special. It is also the unique culture of the nomads and their way of life. The nomads should be proud of their abilities and culture.”

We are happy to announce a new addition to the 2016 Asia Trail Master series with the 2nd Mount Apo Sky Race.  A 70km run to the summit of the highest mountain, also a volcano, in the Philippines. Scheduled for 23 April, the event near Davao on Mindanao is the third points-scoring race in the Philippines on our calendar. 

Runners will start from almost sea level (the beach is not far from the start), and should consider the elevation gain is very relevant: Mount Apo is 2954m high, and total elevation gain for the 70km race has been measured as 4000hm. Less ambitious runners can aim for a 32km option. As an interesting add-on, the start and finish of the race is next to the San Miguel Brewery. 

This is a young race in a very young running community. Whereas running events on Luzon Island have become quite numerous the last few years, on Mindanao they are still rare. Race organiser Doi Calbes is a fervent trail runner and hiker himself and knows his home region inside out. Davao City is not far from the event venue, and neither are the famous beaches and hotel resorts in case participants wish to relax and extend their stay in the area following the ascent of Mount Apo. 

The main race measures 70km and so qualifies for 1 point in the Grandmaster Quest. 

Registration for international runners will open this week via the Asia Trail Master platform. 

Pioneers of the debut race in 2015

Mount Apo is the highest peak in the Philippines

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sapa continues to grow and on the weekend of 24/25 September will again be a points scoring race in the Asia Trail Master series. In fact, the 4th edition of the event - organised by Topas Ecolodge - gets a new and longest race distance: 100 km! 

On trails beaten by buffaloes is the motto of the event, which saw many  hundreds of participants in 2015 and it is the biggest trail race in Vietnam. Whereas the 70km, 42km, 21km and 10km remain on the programme, the fervent ultra runners can thus now look forward to a loop of 100km and no fewer than 4200hm. This is a tough one, and the race organisers insist that this cannot be your first ultra race. 

As we can read on the official announcement:

The 100k Ultra  will cover all types of landscapes of the mountain range, river crossings and beautiful sceneries. You will start running into the darkness with your (strong!) headlamp just before midnight, and soon the adventure is on.

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon will give finishers on the 100k, 70k and 42k points for the 2016 Asia Trail Master ranking. The two longest races also qualify for 1 point in the Grandmaster Quest. 

The official registration has already been opened, and it is possible to book 3 or 4-day travel packages as well to make your Vietnam trip as convenient as possible. 

Please read key details on our cover page, while for race registration you can go to the official event website. 

The Cordillera Mountain Marathon has become the Cordillera Mountain Ultra and is now scheduled for the weekend of 4/5 June. The new date also comes with a new location and a new race course of 50 km, which now features Mount Ugo as the highlight. Registrations open on Valentine's Day, 14 February. 

In fact, the new race venue, Dalupirip, Itogon, is closer to the nearest main city Baguio and therefore easier to access with Clark as the closest airport.  It is still a mountain race as no fewer than 3000 metres of elevation gain need to be conquered during the 50km. Mount Ugo towers above 2000m of altitude, which should also be taken into account. 

The event is organised by the NGO Cordillera Conservation Trust , which seeks to provide relevant practical and sustainable solutions to environmental problems arising in the Cordillera region that seek to undermine the continued ecological services that the mountain region provides for its people. Working in partnership with the different local communities the Trust develops practical and appropriate solutions to the environmental problems now confronting the Cordillera Region.

You can find key details of the event via our cover page, or you can go the event website for all the small print. 

Ultra Trail Hong Kong opens the 2016 Asia Trail Master series on from 19 to 21 February. The event is also Hong Kong's SuperTrail, and offers three race distances this year: 100 miles, 100km and 50km. If you want to be part of it, sign up this week still as the official registration closes on Friday. 

In order to meet the new regulations by relevant authorities in Hong Kong, the race course has been modified significantly compared to last year. The 100 miles race, which in practice is 156km, starts at section 4 of the Maclehose Trail. The finish will be at the Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp, which will also function as start & finish of the 100km and 50km races. 

Please find more technical info on the race courses here.  The event website also has maps for download. 

A number of strong runners and protagonists in last year's Asia Trail Master series have already signed up for UTHK. Those who are aiming for the Grandmaster Quest, UTHK offers 1 point for both 156km and 100km finishers. 

To sign up , please go to http://registration.asiatrailmaster.com/

Kuai Sports Promotions and the Asia Trail Master series team are happy to announce the cooperation with another fantastic young trail race: the Cappadocia Ultra Trail in Turkey! The 3rd edition follows a successful first two editions and will be held in Urgup on the autumn weekend of 22/23 October 2016. 

Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the central part of the large country known for its 'natural wonders' and a rich cultural heritage. Tourists tend to fly over the area in hot air balloons, trail runners will traverse the Cappadocia valleys and conquer the hills on foot for a truly amazing experience. On offer are three different courses and race distances with the longest one being 110km in length with an altitude gain of 3350hm. The medium course is 60km (1850hm) and the short is 30km (900hm). The second half of the 110km race has been modified a bit and will be even more spectacular. 

At Kuai Sports Promotions we are happy to offer interested runners assistance for their registration for the race and for optional multi-day tourist package extensions or just a balloon trip over the area. The travel packages are either Cappadocia-race-only, or a 1-week trip that includes visits to Istanbul and/or Ephesus. Please see details  in the PDF brochures below. If you wish to book one of these, please contact us for details. 

To register for the race only, please note that in order to gain access to our special conditions you need to enter a code in the online form that you can find on the event website. The registration code depends on the race distance you choose. Alternatively, just email us at info@asiatrailmaster.com and we do the race registration for you. 

izlesene.com/cappadociaultratrail | Videoya Git

In order to start 2016 on a fine note, we are happy to give away 1 free race entry for the Beach Bunch Trail Challenge event in Brunei on 28 February. The event is a new entry in our Asia Trail Master series, and excitement is high, given the domestic race slots were already sold out before new year. 

The Beach Bunch Trail Challenge features races over a marathon and half marathon distance. Our lucky draw for the free race entry is ONLY valid for the 42km marathon distance (no changes allowed afterwards neither), and does not include travel and accommodation. 

Our online competition runs for just 24 hours, and this on Thursday, 7 January, starting and ending at midnight Hong Kong time. Please note that this competition is targeted at international runners, i.e. coming from outside Brunei.

To have a chance to win the free ticket, you only need to provide the correct answer to the following question:

• What is the name of the beach where the Beach Bunch Trail Challenge starts and finishes? 

Participants can submit their answers via the form above, or via a message on the Asia Trail Master Facebook page. From among all the correct answers we will pick the winner by lucky draw on Friday, 8 January.  

GOOD LUCK! 

Best wishes to all of you for a happy, fun and healthy 2016!

The Asia Trail Master Team. 

The course of the 42km Beach Bunch Trail Marathon

PRESS RELEASE - Following a successful inaugural edition this year, the Asia Trail Master series return  in 2016 with an even larger and more diverse race calendar. Runners will be competing for points in over a dozen Asian countries with several people aiming to fulfill their Grandmaster Quest to finish six races of over 70km within two calendar years. The 2016 series will begin in Hong Kong on 19 February with UTHK, as the just released provisional calendar for the first semester of next year shows. 

UTHK, or Ultra Trail Hong Kong, will be the first of five so-called Super Trails, selected races of proven quality, wherein finishers will score 50 bonus points for the Asia Trail Master championship ranking. The Super Trails are one of a few innovations that will be introduced in 2016, along with a points allocation system that has been more harmonised across the various events, an abroad bonus for runners travelling to a third race outside their resident country, and an Asia Trail Master race registration portal available to all organisers and runners developed, by Hong Kong's Race Timing Solutions. 

Nearly all events of this year's first semester will return in 2016,  plus exciting new additions in Brunei, Philippines, Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia. China's Tsaigu Tangsi Plus, Kazakhstan's Tengri Ultra Trail and the two stage races by GlobalLimits in Sri Lanka (The Wild Elephant Trail) and Bhutan (The Last Secret) all retain their calendar spots following very positive feedback from this year's participants. Whereas the profile of most races is hilly and mountainous, next year's calendar will also feature a number of faster and technically less demanding races. These will be no less beautiful or exciting and will give road runners wanting a taste of trail running a fitting introduction.  In the coming weeks more events will be added to the calendar, and each event will be profiled in detail on a redesigned Asia Trail Master website. 

While faster athletes can aim for prizes and a high ranking at the end of the year, every single runner with enough perseverance can become an Asia Trail Grandmaster. It is expected that several people will reach the milestone of six +70km races in 2016 and obtain the honourary title, which will give access to the forthcoming Asia Trail Master Hall of Fame. 

Thanks to its overall growth, members of the 2016 Asia Trail Master series and race participants will benefit from extended media coverage via a wide range of media partners, as well as from several new commercial sponsorships to be announced in due course. 

Staying true to its core objectives, the Asia Trail Master team will continue to foster the development of a genuine pan-Asian trail running community and boost environmental conservation efforts across the continent. Reducing pollution and preserving natural habitats is likely to become a key trend in Asia in 2016. Emphasis will also be placed on improving general safety standards at trail running events.  

This year's inaugural Asia Trail Master series is heating up towards its conclusion with six races still to go. The current men's ranking is still headed by China's Xie Zhangrong, but he will have to fend off challenges by a.o. Indonesia's Arief Wismoyono and India's Ullas Narayana. In the women's competition, Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping is in pole position to claim the title. The next two points-scoring races take place upcoming weekend in Nepal (Annapurna 100) and Indonesia (Mesastila Challenge). 

2016 Provisional 1st semester calendar

19-20/02 - Hong Kong - UTHK
28/02 -  Brunei - Beach Bunch's Trail Challenge
04-12/03 - Sri Lanka - GlobalLimits: The Wild Elephant Trail
19/03 - Philippines - Cordillera Mountain Marathon
09/04 - China - Tsaigu Tangsi Plus
24/04 - South Korea - Korea 50k
08/05 - Kazakhstan - Tengri Ultra Trail
14/05 - Malaysia - Malaysia Eco 100
22/05 - Indonesia - Ijen Trail Running
27/05-04/06 - Bhutan - GlobalLimits: The Last Secret

Annex:

2016 Guidebook for event organisers (including details on the 2016 points system)

We are delighted to announce our latest official media partnership with RunSociety, the first online magazine for runners in Singapore governed by editorial guidelines and the fundamentals of journalistic integrity. As of October, RunSociety will publish previews and reviews of all Asia Trail Master races on the calendar and throw in a couple of extra stories and reports as well throughout 2016.  Obviously, this is good news for all event organisers under the Asia Trail Master umbrella. 

RunSociety has a particular focus on the Singaporean, Malaysian and Australian running communities and will at times also offer special travel and/or registration deals for some of the events on the ATMs calendar. 

As stated on its website: "The online platform was founded with the purpose of uniting the cumulative interests of runners from all walks of life under a common umbrella; keeping them abreast of the latest developments. It’s a place where both professional and aspiring runners can feel at ease, knowing they are receiving information that has been rigorously vetted by a team of experienced writers". Objectivity, reliability and community are the three main pillars of RunSociety following the motto 'Records are broken by bonds'. 

A few links to recent international press articles on trail running and Asia Trail Master races.

Action Asia Online (03/09/2015)
Colourcoil Borneo 100 TMBT Marathon

New York Times (31/08/2015)
Running in the Wild
 

iMoney Hong Kong (August 2015)
Trail running in Asia (focus on Tengri Ultra Trail) - (Chinese) 

Our media partner Action Asia has just released its September/October issue, including coverage of the latest Asia Trail Master races in Indonesia and Mongolia. Available throughout Southeast Asia, for further inquiries please contact Fion Chan in Hong Kong. 

We are continuing to post a selection of quality images of the past four Asia Trail Master series races in China, Indonesia and Kazakhstan on our dedicated channels like Pinterest, Instagram and facebook. Shots were taken by professional photographers within the Kuai Sports Promotions media network. 

Images are credited particularly to Studio Zag, Hong Kong (Dalian 100, Gede Pangrango Marathon), and Red Plus Studio, Shanghai (Tsaigu Tangsi Plus)

Asia Trail Master Pinterest board

Dalian 100 Endurance Trail (facebook)

Tsaigu Tangsi Plus (facebook)

Gede Pangrango Marathon (facebook)

Tengri Ultra Trail (coming soon)