This Saturday we already have the second of five Filipino points races in the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship and again we go to the vast mountain range of Rizal to the east of capital city Manila. This time we are heading to Rodriguez for the 75km long Sierra Madre Trail Ultra. The start list has a bunch of strong ultra trail runners but the spotlights will be mainly on home favourite Elmer Retolado - winner of Santa Ines Adenture early Febraury -, and Jeff Campbell - winner of Lantau 70 in Hong Kong six weeks ago.

The Maharlika Trail group organised this event as an ATM Candidate for the first time last year with a rather unique - but great- format: only 1 race category. It’s 75km or nothing. Certainly a big ask for a lot of people, but in this way the event does get a very respectable start list and an exciting competition to look forward to, which in turn stirs up interest in the event. Sierra Madre Trail Ultra is no walk in the park, with estimated elevation gain of 4200 hm and basically 12 hill peaks to overcome, the last one about 3 km before the finish line in Sitio Wawa.

Sitio Wawa and the Coco Mountain Resort function as the event venue with the race start scheduled for Saturday early morning at 2 am. That implies the first few hours will be run in darkness.

Elmer Retolado was second a year ago after a tight battle with Larry Apolinario. Other than being at home in the Rizal, he therefore also has actual course knowledge. Whether that will be enough to keep Jeff Campbell behind remains to be seen. Just six weeks ago Campbell proved that going flat out for 70km is no longer a mental barrier for him. What may be on the other hand is the hot and humid conditions that runners will be exposed to, and trail technicalities one hardly has to deal with in Hong Kong. It’s been a pretty wet ATM season so far, but the forecast for this Saturday shows only a little chance for a rainshower. What could also play in Retolado’s favour is the fact that Campbell will be going to the World Championships for his home country Canada in a month’s time. For Campbell being selected for his country is an achievement. Will he go ‘all in’ at Sierra Madre should the going get rough? There is a bonus attached to a potential victory, however. It would be Campbell’s 7th ATM race victory, and so he would once again share the male all-time victory record with Hisashi Kitamura.

On paper these two stand out as the op favourites, but there’s a lot more local and international trail talent on the start list to push Campbell and Retolado forward. Singapore’s Deric Lau, for example, has developed into an excellent podium contender in almost any ATM race. Also Maynard Encornal, third in Santa Ines, will be in the mix. John Zonio, Poy Brillantes, Sean Aying, Angelito Vertudazo, and Japan’s Taito Yasukochi are other runners who are likely to feature at the top of the leaderboard.

The women’s race seems to be all open without any clear favourite. ATM overall female ranking leader Irish Glorioso will start her third race of the season already, and might just grab her second win after V Trail in Laos in February. That would already put her in a strong position to again take one of five spots in Team Philippines for the ATM Championship Final on 2 December. Ann Jilian Pulanco, known from running mega ultras, was fourth a year ago and might have the speed and experience to challenge Glorioso. Japan’s Tamae Harada is certainly a podium contender as well, and Emily Raga. Or maybe it will someone completely different..

ATM will be broadcasting live from the start at 2 am local time, and keep you up-to-date with multimedia updates throughout the race on Saturday.

Jeff Campbell will be looking to score his 7th ATM race victory at Sierra Madre

Maynard Encornal had a solid podium finish at Santa Ines in February

Deric Lau will be one of the podium contestants for sure

Irish Glorioso tops the women’s ATM ranking and this Saturday she’ll already do her 3rd race of the season

Melanie Hingpit also features on the start list this weekend

Following last week’s announcement about the unfortunate cancellation of Mt Hamiguitan Trail, we are happy to announce that MUSPO Bukidnon Ultra 100 will be a great replacement on 22/23 July. The Filipino event is well-known in ATM, as it was already part of the Championship series last year. Given that the event is also taking place in Mindanao, it was logical to use its reserve status and promote it to the 2023 ATM Championship calendar. Please note that only the 100km race will offer points for the Championship ranking and the Grandmaster Quest.

MUSPO 100 is normally quite a runable ultra, but unexpected heavy rainfall turned the trails into a tricky mudfest last year. Larry Apolinario and Aggy Sabanal were the winners, but the event was overshadowed by Sherlyn Fugaban’s disasterous stumble at night, in which she sustained an open leg fracture. Fugaban, who had just become the number one female trail runner in her country, is still in recovery today.

This year’s 100km course will be modified quite a bit to also include a new hillclimb that leads to a ‘sea of clouds’. Total elevation gain is estimated at 4000hm. The preliminary (!) GPX can be checked below. The event takes place in Valencia, Bukidnon, which is roughly located between Mindanao’s best-known cities Davao and Cagayan de Oro. You can fly to either airport and continue by bus from there. The event is supported by the local authorities to boost tourism in Bukidnon.

Registration is opening this week.

Rewatch Tale of the Trail - MUSPO 2022

Thailand’s Jay Jantaraboon was the impressive winner of a very wet and treacherous Korea 50k in Dongducheon, in the northern outskirts of Seoul, last Saturday. In control of his own pacing and navigation from the start, Jantaraboon was briefly challenged by the speed of Japan’s Koken Ogasawara, but when most contenders somehow went off course, Jay kept it all together and completed the course in 5h50. He actually made it look easy to score his 3rd ATM race win after UTKC 100 (2017) and UTCR 125 (2018).

Heavy rain in the middle of the night was a foreboding for a tricky race that started at 6am. Rainfall decreased for the first two hours, but then came back downpour-style. As runners got soaked, many also began to get cold. Due to the extreme conditions, many of the 650 official 50k runners also threw in the towel. However, many also picked up a DQ - mostly to their surprise. Especially faster runners fell victim to ambiguous marking signs, and said they ‘kept seeing and following markers’ even though they were already off course. Hence, they kept going forward without realising they were actually shortcutting. Alessandro Sherpa, not having his best day but still competing for podium, arrived visibly confused at the finish line. The same for Jose Luis Alvelais, Spiros Kechrimparis and Mongolian Amgalanjargal Davaajargal and a list of others. It was a particularly sad tale for Koken Ogasawara, who was leading the race just after CP 2, at km 23. He took a wrong turn and continued to run himself out of the race. Given that many participants ended up on the same “wrong” trails, it is fair to claim there was an issue. And yet, in the flash interview after the finish, race winner Jay Jantaraboon argued that the markings were fine. As the cliche in sports goes: ‘the winner is always right’.

Kim Jisu - not to be confused with Kim Jisub - was a legitimate number 2 in any case, 25 minutes behind winner Jay Jantaraboon. He proved strongest of a Korean trio that put pressure on Alessandro Sherpa early on. In third we find Minchul Ko, who ran a strong final sector to still pass Byeungwon Park and Dongkuk Jang. America’s David Duffy was sixth.

Hisashi Kitamura was never really into contention for the podium. Looking tired after a series of farewell parties and logistical arrangements in the context of his return to Tokyo after ten years in Kuala Lumpur, he started the race slow for his standards and arrived at checkpoint 1 only in 13th place. However, by CP 2, he looked more energetic and had moved up to 7th place. Unfortunately, his race then came to a bitter conclusion as he slipped and fell face first against a rock. Black-eyed and heavily bleeding from a cut, Kitamura was shaken and waited for assistance to bring him to hospital. He required six stitches and it was also discovered he had broken a bone in his wrist.. Kitamura had no race plans until Deep Japan Ultra at the end of June, but will need the recovery time in any case.

The women’s race was convincingly won by Joung Sel A, who led from the start. Kim Jinhee overtook a freezing Japan’s Moeko Yasugahira at CP 2, but then also ran the shortcut to CP 4. Another unfortunate DQ. Gwak Mihee inherited second place and Jang Hee Hoo completed the podium. Notably, both stayed ahead of Yasugahira and Boyoung Lee.

ATM Live Video Update CP2

ATM Live Video Update CP1

Kim Jisu ran a hard race battling with Byeungwon Park and Alessandro Sherpa for podium and finished second

Minchul Ko was a superb finisher, moving up the leaderboard towards the end to take third on the podium

A wet Saturday is forecast for the many runners taking part in South Korea’s trail classic Korea 50k, with temperatures probably staying below 15 degrees all day. That is probably not the worst news for Koken Ogasawara, the Japanese star from Sapporo who launches his 2023 ATM campaign and squares off against the likes of Alessandro Sherpa, Hisashi Kitamura and Jay Jantaraboon.

Ogasawara is arguably unknown for many following the Asia Trall Master series, but if we mention he was second in last year’s Izu Trail Journey a loud bell may be ringing already. Apparently inspired by fellow-Sapporo runner Moeko Yasugahira, who won the women’s Seoul 50k last October on the way to 6th place in the ATM Championship Final on Mt Apo, Ogasawara has a few ATM points races lined up for this season. At Korea 50k, he may find a course and conditions that suit him very well, and it will be exciting to see how the battle with ATM regulars Sherpa and Kitamura unfolds. Sherpa started the new season in great style, winning Dalat Ultra Trail 85 and placing second behind Jeff Campbell in Lantau 70 after giving the Canadian a stern challenge. Already in Seoul for a week, Sherpa is motivated to give it his best again this Saturday. Hisashi Kitamura has already demonstrated his form this season as well, easily grabbing victory in Cuc Phuong 42km four weeks ago, and beating Milton Amat in BUTM 100 in March. However, ‘Karate Kit’ has just moved from Kuala Lumpur back to Tokyo with his family and we can imagine that is not the best physical and mental preparation for a highly competitive race. There’s certainly one other serious contender on the start list in Thailand’s Jay Jantaraboon. Around for many years, not running in ATM often, but when he does he wins (eg UTKC 100 in 2017, UTCR 120 in 2018). Wet conditions won’t hamper him too much normally, as Jay has always considered himself an adventure racer first, and a trail runner second.

At the time of writing we have not yet seen the start list, but there’s certainly one more contender for podium if the dice rolls in his favour: Jose Luis Alvelais. The Hong Kong-based Mexican was 3rd in his comeback race following injury at Cuc Phuong last month. There was a considerable time gap between him and Kitamura, but that was a fast and dry course. Korea 50k has 3300 metres of elevation gain, and when it’s really wet, there’s only so much speed anyone can develop. Korea’s leading trail runner since many years, Kim Jisub, won’t be running as he competed in Japan just a week ago. The same for Sim Jaeduk.

In the women’s race we have the previously mentioned Moeko Yasugahira on the start list. She was the winner of last year’s Seoul 50k race and on paper the one-to-beat as a result.

We will be reporting live from the race on our usual ATM channels starting at 5:30 am Korea time.

Koken Ogasawara was 2nd in last year’s Izu Trail Journey.

Alessandro Sherpa currently leads the 2023 ATM Championship points ranking

Jay Jantaraboon has been the benchmark in Thailand for many years. How does he fare around Seoul on Saturday?

Hisashi Kitamura is the most successful male runner in ATM with 7 race victories

Moeko Yasugahira was 6th in last year’s ATM Championship Final, and won Seoul 50k in October

Sad news arrived today from Mindanao in Philippines, where the 6th edition of Mount Hamiguitan Trail, scheduled for 11 June, has been cancelled by event organiser Vertical To Sky. It would have been the first time that this event around the UNESCO World Heritage site has points races for the ATM Championship ranking. Event venue and event organiser did not reach a final agreement in time to guarantee a smooth edition of the races this year.

ATM will consider replacing Hamiguitan with another Filipino event on our 2023 Championship calendar. More news on this to come very soon.

The 4th edition of the Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon event in the west of Nepal delivered two great race winners who both broke the course record in their respective male and female categories. Dal Bdr Kunwar covered the 49km race in 4:54:10, just three minutes ahead of second-placed Dhir Bdr Budha. Third place on the podium went to Sher Bdr Budha in 5:08:41, indicating a tight and highly competitive race.

In the women’s race the different was clearer as Manju Rawot came into the finish in 6:06:23, a solid 48 minutes ahead of Ganana Bhandari. Anita Budha completed the podium a short while later.

The Jumla Rara Ultra obtained the ATM Candidate Race label and is aiming to enter the ATM Championship calendar in 2024. If so, it would be the first Nepali race in our Championship since 2018. The event takes place in a stunningly beautiful setting in the west of the country, which also makes it remote and far from capital city Kathmandu. It is organised by the Karnali Sports Club, which is determined to assist talented youngsters in gaining sporting experiences and develop their skills for potential international competitions later on.

Male winner Dal Bdr Kunwar

female winner Manju Rawat

The team of Alicia Ultra on Bohol island produced a successful first edition last Sunday and gave us a nice introduction to some new names in the southern Filipino trail world. The ondulating 50km ATM Candidate Race was won by Candelario Logrono and Kathleen Ligan in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Logrono completed the scenic and mostly runable course in 6h23, twelve minutes faster than Andy Toniacao. Joliemar Aquino completed the podium in third. Kathleen Ligan was clearly the fastest woman in 8h56. Jessie Ejoc and Sharon Torres joined her on the podium.

Alicia Ultra was postponed for over three years due to the corona crisis. Normally scheduled in February - when the air is cooler - the race was approved by local authorities quite late to be held in April instead. RD Richard Anania said afterwards Alicia would move back to February in 2024. Our race reporter Richard Akol gave the thumbs up for the event, characterised by good accessibility, great hospitality by the local community in Bohol, and a fine and quite runable race course mostly on single trails.

The next Filipino ATM points race takes place near Manila on 6 May, Sierra Madre Trail Ultra 75.

We are happy to announce the continuing premium partnership between La Sportiva and the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship series. The internationally respected brand, founded almost 100 years ago (1928) by Narciso Delladio in the majestic Dolomites mountains in Northern Italy, remains the official trail footwear partner of Asia Trail Master as part of its ongoing marketing push in the region.

La Sportiva has a long history of growth and success in climbing, mountaineering, and alpine trekking cross country skiing, and increased its engagement in the blossoming sport of trail mountain running® about two decades ago. At first primarily in Italy and neighbouring European nations, but today La Sportiva’s footwear can be found in no fewer than 70 countries across several continents. Nevertheless, the company is still largely family-run and headquartered in Ziano di Fiemme with Lorenzo Delladio at the helm. In recent years, La Sportiva has received plenty of awards for its technical innovations, but also for its commitments in the environmental field and its development of sustainable products and processes. “Our driving force is passion, our passion is the mountains” is the slogan. A good number of global elite trail runners have taken up the brand and brought it to the foreground of the sport’s footwear and apparel industry. The continuing partnership with Asia Trail Master aims to further increase its market share in Asia in the coming years as well. La Sportiva has a great group of running ambassadors in several countries who will be competing in this year’s Championship, with the big Final planned for the first weekend of December.

Trail running shoes of La Sportiva come in a number of distinct models, each designed for specific requirements, and offer several colour options as well. The most popular model sold in Asia is the Akasha II. Designed for long-distance routes, UltraMarathons and prolonged use during training, the three key words are protection, comfort and cushioning. The wearing comfort is given by the cushioning, thanks to the Cushion Platform ™ footbed insert and the large internal volumes as well as the soft, breathable and enveloping upper with Slip-on construction that avoids compression points during the race. The Akasha II comes in various colour designs, so anyone can find his or her favourite match. Other models to check out are the Jackal (lightweight and medium distances) and the Ultra Raptor II (robust and for technical long mountain ultras).

In 2023, the Jackal II will be in the spotlights. The lightweight shoe, ideal for competitive runners, not only offers outstanding grip but now also comes with the BOA-system. Some of you may know the BOA system from modern-day cycling shoes. Classic shoe laces are replaced by stainless steel wires, connected to a turning knob for micro-precision fit (see picture below).

La Sportiva also has a wide range of apparel and accessories in store, which you can find in detail on the comprehensive website https://www.lasportiva.com/en .

Stay tuned for news updates on La Sportiva throughout the year, and win prizes at selected ATM events!

The new BOA system on the Jackal II

The first quarter (Q1) of the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship season is already behind us. Traditionally the more quiet quarter, as there’s not too many points race events in the first months of the year, but still some runners have already put in more than one ATM result. Some of them have also been catching the headlines, too. Alessandro Sherpa is very much back at the top of his game with a convincing race victory in Dalat Ultra Trail and second place behind Jeff Campbell in Hong Kong at Lantau 70. With 950 ATM Championship points collected he is leading the men’s points ranking. As a former ATM Champion - in 2018 - Sherpa has also already qualified himself for this year’s ATM Final (former champions only are required to score two race finishes during the season to earn a spot in the ATM Final). Reigning ATM Champions Arnie Macaneras and Hau Ha, conquerors of Mount Apo last December, also already put a result in the bank in March. Hau Ha was unbeatable as usual in Dalat, while Macaneras took third place in Lantau.

Nguyen Si Hieu, Yoyong Sacayle, Alexander Tilley and Nguyen Tien Vo also scored two great results already, putting them in the top 5 of the standings. Last week in Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths, Nguyen Si Hieu finally took another ATM win after VMM 70 in 2018. In between the clever Vietnamese runner had been collecting podium after podium, including third in Dalat early March. Yoyong Sacayle proved that he can also run podium outside of Philippines at the same Cuc Phuong 100k. Other ATM protagonists such as Hisashi Kitamura and Jeff Campbell have also already opened their 2023 season with a race victory.

In the women’s ranking, Manila’s Irish Glorioso had a blitz start in February, running both V Trail and Santa Ines Mountain Adventure within two weekends. Glorioso won V Trail 85km in Laos, and despite not being recovered followed-it up with fifth in her home race. Behind her, it’s all the current race winners so far with Hau Ha, Christine Mitchell, Elizabeth Dangadan, Katrina Hamlin, Shindy Patricia and Lao runner Sou Soulivanhthong

The ATM Championship ranking will also again determine who gets qualified for his or her national country team for the ATM Final early December. Those five men and five women who score most ATM points during the year will be offered a spot.

April is a quiet month in ATM this year, as many countries observe the fasting month and/or Easter. The next points race is Korea 50k on 29 April, followed by Sierra Madre Trail 75 near Manila and Koboi Malaya Classic 50, the first Malaysian points race of the 2023 season.

Men’s ATM Championship ranking

Full ranking, click Link

1. Alessandro Sherpa (ITA) 950 points (2) - Team Asia Expat

2. Nguyen Si Hieu (VIE) 925 points (2) - Team Vietnam

3. Yoyong Sacayle (PHI) 875 points (2) - Team Philippines

4. Alexander Tilley (GBR) 850 points (2) - Team Asia Expat

5. Nguyen Tien Vo (VIE) 740 points (2) - Team Vietnam

6. Elmer Retolado (PHI) 500 points (1) - Team Philippines

   Jeff Campbell (CAN) 500 points (1) - Team Hong Kong

   Hisashi Kitamura (JPN) 500 points (1) - Team Japan

   Narin Kongsiri (THA) 500 points (1) - Team Thailand

Women’s ATM Championship ranking

Full ranking, click link

1. Irish Glorioso (PHI) 875 points (2) - Team Philippines

2. Hau Ha (VIE) 500 points (1) - Team Vietnam

   Shindy Patricia (INA) 500 points (1) - Team Indonesia

   Elizabeth Dangadan (PHI) 500 points (1) - Team Philippines

   Katrina Hamlin (GBR) 500 points (1) - Team Hong Kong

   Sou Soulivanhthong (LAO) 500 points (1) - Team Laos

   Christine Mitchell (GBR) 500 points (1) - Team Asia Expat

We are happy to announce a new ATM Candidate Race in Nepal: the 4th edition of Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon takes place in the northwestern part of the Himalayan country on Monday (!), 24 April. On the programme is a daytime 50km race from A to B, at high altitude with accumulated elevation gain of approx 3900 hm. In other words: a race for mountain goats, of course unsurprising for Nepal.

The event has been set up by Karnali Sports, a non-profit organisation that aims to nurture local running talent - and sports talent in general, as well as turn the Jumla area into a high-altitude training center for athletes. This year’s edition on 24 April is already the 4th, and international trail runners are now kindly encouraged to come to Nepal and take part.

The race starts from Jumla bazaar at an altitude of 2305m (i.e. please allow for some acclimatisation time when you travel here), and finishes at the Rara lake at 2990m. The race course is measured at 49 km, and is basically uphill and downhill all the way with a few distinct points of note: Danphe at 3500m, Kavra Cave, Bhulbhule at 2950m and Chuchemara at 4017m. Yes, 4017m above sea level! A very interesting but definitely challenging mountain trail course, and runners from outside Nepal must be aware of the very high altitudes and allow for some days to get used to them before taking the start of the race. Moreover, be prepared for snow as well.

Rara is the largest lake in Nepal, and the multiday trekking from Jumla to the lake is a popular backpacker activity for travellers who like to explore nature off-the-beaten-track.

On the website, linked below, you can find details of how-to-get-there from Kathmandu. Options are long distance busses or a domestic flight. There’s also a recommended itinerary for 7 days mentioned as an example, including time to acclimatise.

The event takes place soon already, so early decision-making is required.

Runners may encounter snow along the course to the lake

 

While Hisashi Kitamura cruised to an easy 6th ATM race victory in his running career on the 42km course, all 100k ultra runners were struggling their hearts out on the very tough 100km course through the Cuc Phuong National Park. What was labeled as an easy and runable trail turned out to be one of the more extreme races in ATM history with participants even vanishing off the GPS map between five to seven hours. No surprise then there were a lot of DNFs. Most had just not mentally prepared for a technical battle with thick jungle and sharp rocks, let alone armies of leeches. The contrast between the 100k and the 42k could not be bigger. Race winner Nguyen Si Hieu had estimated a finish time around 11-12 hours based on his performance on the 70k last year. Instead, he crossed the finish line in 15h20! Shindy Patricia - with a long pedigree on tough ultra races - won in 19h14, and was fifth overall, slightly ahead of Japan’s Tomohiro Mizukoshi. There were only three women who completed the race. Paulina Svoboda - anything but a softie - and Grandmaster Yvette Chong were even among the DNFs.

It was moist and drizzling at times in the oldest national park of Vietnam, which is one explanation for the much slower running times compared to a year ago. However, the routes were also changed quite a bit and the 100k. was a new distance that would cut straight through the Park. The 100k started at 10pm, which meant the first half was ran entirely in darkness. Pre-race favourite Nguyen Si Hieu quickly set the pace up front, seeking his first ATM win since VMM 70 in 2018. Thimo Kilberth was following neatly, together with Yoyong Sacayle - in his debut outside of Philippines - and Vu Tien Viet Dung. Mizukoshi was a little further back with Nguyen Tien Vo. Paulina Svoboda and Shindy Patricia stayed together at the front of the women’s race with 2022 ATM Finalist Vu Thi Lan Huong not far behind them. By the time the 42km race got underway at 7am on Sunday morning, most of the 100k runners had gone beyond CP6, where their GPS trackers stopped signalling. That’s how remote and deep the jungle was. Only at CP 7.1. we would still catch a glimpse of what was happening, before everyone disappeared again until 2-3km before the finish line. At CP 7.1. a lot of participants threw in the towel and caught transport back to the race venue. Later, when runners arrived at CP 8, the first thing they all had to do was rip off the many leeches from their body parts (see the video of Shindy and Tomohiro below).

Eventually, Nguyen Si Hieu retained and extended his advantage over the others and won the extreme race. After third place in Dalat Ultra Trail, things are already looking good for him to qualify for Team Vietnam in this year’s ATM Championship Final in early December. The same applies for Yoyong Sacayle. The popular runner from Mindanao stayed with second Vietnamese and internationally experienced Vu Tien Viet Dung all race. While he could not respond to the late dash of his companion to take second, Sacayle’s third place in his first race overseas was very promising for the future. The duo was one hour behind Nguyen Si Hieu and 45 minutes ahead of fourth place Nguyen Tien Vo.

As said, the 42km was nowhere near as complicated. Race winner Hisashi Kitamura even said “easy course” halfway into the race. Nobody was able to keep up with the Karate Kit, who had time to plan his trademark kick across the finish line (see video below). Behind him, there was a big battle between five, six runners for the podium. Vietnam’s up-and-coming mountain trail talent Nguyen Phuong Quang tried to follow Kitamura in the very early stages, but blew himself up and in the end dropped to fifth place, just ahead of V Trail winner Alex Tilley. For the three traditional podium spots, Chris Devoize held the best cards until an unfortunate late misunderstanding with the otherwise excellent marking signs saw Trinh Nam Phong and Jose Luis Alvelais sneak ahead. Note that Kitamura won the 42km in 3h39, a full 40 minutes ahead of the others.

In the women’s race, Hanoi-based Christine Mitchell was tipped as the favourite to win and so she did in 4h45. The British woman was also unthreatened with half an hour advantage over Nguyen Thi Huong and Phung Thi Trang.

The next Vietnamese points race event is Vietnam Mountain Marathon in September. Runners can opt for 3 distance categories: 100km, 70km and 42km. In agreement with the event organiser, all 3 categories will offer ATM Championship points.

Later on 11 November, there is also Lam Dong Trail in Dalat. Registration for both VMM and Lam Dong Trail is open.

It was the 4th ATM race victory for Shindy Patricia since 2015

Second podium of the ATM Championship season for Mindanao’s Yoyong Sacayle

This weekend already the second Vietnamese points race event takes place a few hours south of Hanoi near Ninh Binh: it’s the 2nd edition of Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths. An event by Race Jungle with several distance categories, of which the 100km and 42km offer ATM Championship points. On paper the course here is fairly runable, but moist or wet conditions may make it tougher than expected. despite modest elevation gain of about 3000hm for the 100km and only 1000hm for the 42 km.

Cuc Phuong is the oldest National Park of Vietnam, founded in 1962, and located 120 km southwest of Hanoi and close to Ninh Binh. It’s very big and densely forested with limestone mountains, rice terraces, hundreds of birds species and all kinds of wildlife. It’s also the home of the Muong ethnic minority. Close by are also Tam Coc and Hoa Lu, famous sites on Vietnam’s backpacker tourist trail.

Competitive runners are divided between the categories (and there’s even a 70km option as well..), but both the 100km and 42km should see some great action for the top placings. Arguably the biggest star on the start list, Hisashi KItamura, has chosen the medium distance for this weekend in an attempt to extend his premium form for longer than was the case last year, when he gradually burned out in August and September. Also, contrary to the 100km that starts at 10 pm Saturday night, the 42 km will be held entirely in day light with the start scheduled for Sunday morning 7 am at Mac Lake. Looking at the profile, this should be Kitamura’s kind of race. but he will receive a challenge from two newcomers on the ATM scene: Hong Kong-based Mexican Jose Luis Alvelais and Vietnam’s Nguyen Phuong Quang. Avelais belongs to the Gone Running-Joint Dynamics Team, which also consists of a.o. Jeff Campbell. Coming back from injury, he last week took part in the Lantau 70 Relay race with a.o. Ezster Csillag. Alvelais has ambitions for this year’s ATM Championship, but says his favourite running distance is actually 70 to 100km. However, medium-distance speed work first, as he is also scheduled to run Korea 50K next month. Hanoi’s Nguyen Phuong Quang impressed the local community in recent months with some strong performances in short races with considerable elevation gain. Question now is how does he fare on more runable terrain. Outsiders for the 42km podium are Britains’ Alex Tilley - winner of the V Trail in Laos two months ago -, France’s Chris Devoize and Vietnam’s Bui Duc Long.

On the longest distance, the runner-to-beat is probably Nguyen Si Hieu. Always meticulously prepared, Nguyen Si Hieu has been accumulating ATM race podiums for years, seven in total now, and recently still so in Dalat Ultra Trail (3rd). This weekend presents him with a good chance to score his first victory since 2018, when he was fastest in the 70km race of VMM. But it won’t be straightforward because Filipino Yojong Sacayle has been in great form of late. Sacayle, from Mindanao, won Mt Apo 100k last December and finished second behind Elmer Retolado in Santa Ines Mountain Adventure 80k two months ago. It’s his first race abroad, however, but the fact the Cuc Phuong rainforest is cooler than those at home allegedly plays in his favour. Other podium contenders are Thimo Kilberth, always solid on runable courses just like Tokyo’s Tomohiro Mizukoshi. On the Vietnamese side, we also watch out for Vu Tien Viet Dung, Le Trong Nghia, Vu Xuan Binh and Vuong Xuan Hoa.

In the women’s race, Indonesia’s Shindy Patricia might as well collect another international race victory this weekend. From a competitive point of view, Shindy hardly ever has a bad day and it would be surprising if we don’t see her on the podium again. The runner from East Java is especially known for her mountain climbing strength (she was the fastest climber on Mount Apo during the ATM Final last December, en route to a 4th place in the race). Still, she has also won more speedy races like Cameron Ultra 100 (2019). Her main competitor for the race victory in Cuc Phuong may be Paulina Svoboda, Czech but living in Singapore and a former winner of MMTF (2018) and TTMT (2018). Vietnam has ATM Finalist Vu Thi Lan Huong and Pham Chi Mai in the women’s 100k race.

Hung Hai, one of Vietnam’s top runners, is the course director of Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths and will not be racing himself.

ATM Champion Hau Ha is taking a rest after Dalat Ultra Trail and a road marathon in the past weeks.

ATM will be reporting live from Cuc Phuong on Saturday and Sunday on our usual channels, with livestreams of the start and finish planned on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, and video updates throughout the race including on instagram.

Always a favourite: Shindy Patricia - 4th in last year’s ATM Championship on Mt Apo

Nguyen Si Hieu: ATM race podium collector - can he win this weekend on the 100 km?

Jose Luis Alvelais, up-and-comer from Hong Kong, will make his debut in ATM on the 42km race