You can now watch the summary of the 50km race in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, which took place on Saturday, 27 May 2023. The new ATM points race in Indonesia saw local talent Erwin Simanjuntak beating his fellow Sumatran Andre Sinaga in the final section of the race, which runs through the natural habitat of the orang utan in the second half. Vanja Cnops was fastest female.

In the battle for points in the ATM rankings, Alex Tilley (4th) and Roan Bisuagen (2nd) did a great job and took the overall points lead. That means both are currently in a comfortable position to get qualified for the ATM Championship Final on 2 December at Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java.

We are very happy to announce the latest event by The Pace Republic in Philippines as a Candidate Race for the 2024 Asia Trail Master Championship series. Bagtit Ultra is a 80km - or 50 miles - race in Mayantoc, Tarlac, which is located about 3 hours north of Manila and quite close to Clark. The team of Grandmaster Rhea Batac and the Santa Ines Mountain Adventure will be organising this event for the second time on 11 June.

‘Bagtit’ is the local Ilocano translation of the word ‘crazy’. Or Bagtit Ultra actually means ‘Crazy Ultra’ . This 80km race is indeed considered to be tough. The course has an accumulated elevation gain of 3890 hm and has five distinct peaks. Mount Damas and Mount Sem-ilya. One can experience a panoramic view of the Tarlac and Pangasinan plains and Mt. Arayat from afar. Mt. Damas may arguably have the distinction of being the most scenic mountain in Tarlac. But it is the less explored trails on Mt Sem-Ilya that are considered to be the highlight of the event. The start and finish venue is in Mayantoc Town Plaza. Ambition is to foster a healthy lifestyle amongst its citizens and to boost the tourism industry in the area.

Gun start will be at midnight, and the cut-off time at the finish is 20 hours. There are two intermediate cut-off time spots, and you need to have finished at least 1 marathon already in order to be allowed a starting bib.

Find out all details on the official website linked below.

Also Angelie Cabalo was present in the inaugural edition of Bagtit Ultra last year

The 2nd edition of the Orang Utan Trail in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, again charmed all the event participants with its seemingly easy, yet surprisingly challenging 50k course, the brilliant arena with marquee tent and musical performances, and of course the wonderful orang utans in the grandstand, i.e. their natural habitat in the rainforest around the river village. And, just like a year ago, the local runners took the race by the horn and used the opportunity to show themselves in an international trail running context. As if to tell everyone: we are here, too!

Last year’s Candidate Race winners Ongki Saleh and Ina Lydia Utari did not join the 50k as they are both committed to the military marathon championship taking place next weekend. Their roles were especially taken over by two young boys, one military and one university student, by the names of Erwin Simanjuntak and Andre Sinaga. From the get-go at 6:15 am, they set the pace of the men’s race on the flat and runable wider trails, initially along with Singapore’s Chris Timms. The latter let them run ahead, however, just a couple of kilometres before the first aid station at km 10. Working assumption being they will drop back as soon as they hit the much more technical second half of the race inside the jungle on hilly and muddy single trails.

That proved to be underestimating the skillset and the stamina of these two boys, as Timms was unable to close the gap and had to settle for third ten minutes behind the winner. Simanjuntak turned out to have the fastest dash to the line as he attacked Sinaga on the final downhill trail section leading to a tarmac road towards the finish. A great victory in 6h07’51” for Simanjuntak. Sinaga arrived two minutes later. It is not easy for people on this large island to gain experience and even compete, but we surely hope to see them again soon on the ATM circuit. Especially with the Championship Final being in Indonesia on 2 December: Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java.

Penang-based Alex Tilley scored a superb 4th and kept even pace with the three guys in front during the second half, underlining he is one the best technical trail runners so far this season on our circuit. The winner of the V Trail in Laos, and 6th place in Cuc Phuong 42km in Vietnam, is now the new overall points leader in the men’s ATM Championship ranking. He already looks comfortable for a qualified entry into the ATM Finals. Another hilly jungle specialist, Jakarta-based Japanese runner Fuminori Kondo also showed his reputation is no joke, as he finished in fifth place after overtaking Jose Luis Alvelais, Mananakbo Washington and Thimo Kilberth. The latter actually suffered a heatstroke and was lucky to be able to walk to the finish in ninth place. Indonesia’s Rusmanto and John Sutanto sprinted for 7th ahead of him. Seiji Morofuji completed the top 10.

The women’s 50k race was dominated by Vanja Cnops, returning from a knee injury. It was her first race of the year, and she found a course she truly loved. She crossed the finish in 7h23 as 7th overall without needing to put extra pressure on her knee. For the SIngapore-based Belgian it was the 5th ATM victory in her running journey. Second place went to up-and-coming Roan Biguasen Gumangan, Filipino but living in Malaysia. It was her second podium of the season, and combined with a 7th place in Sierra Madre Trail a month ago that puts her ahead of Irish Glorioso in the women’s overall ATM points ranking. Gumangan is actually still new to running, having picked up regular training only during the pandemic. Third place went to Heroin Paraluan.

The next edition of the Orang Utan Trail is scheduled for the first weekend of July in 2024.

The next ATM points race in Indonesia will be Mantra 116 for the high mountain lovers, and two weeks later another altitude race, albeit shorter, Dieng Trail Run 50.

Live broadcast of men’s race finish

Finish of female race winner Vanja Cnops

Men’s Finish Compilation of Rank 4 to 9

Live Broadcast of the 50km start

Vanja Cnops was her usual smiling self in her first race of the year coming back from a knee injury

Chris Timms kept the pressure on the two local youngsters, but could not catch them inside the jungle

Penang based Briton Alex Tilley now leads the overall ATM men’s ranking with his 3rd result of the season

Malaysia-based Filipino Roan Gumangan is the new overall points leader in the ATM 2023 ranking

The 2nd edition of the Orang Utan Trail in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, marks the first of four ATM points races in Indonesia ahead of the Championship Final in the country on 2/3 December. Domestic runners therefore have a great and easy opportunity to score points in their own country and get qualfiied for Team Indonesia at Siksorogo Lawu Ultra. On Saturday, however, most will be absent and it’s international athletes who start as favourites on the 50km course in the home jungle of the Sumatran Orang Utan, who will undoubtedly be watching the show with curious interest again.

A year ago, Bukit Lawang and organiser Arras Adventures delivered a great newcomer on the trail calendar and put the large island of Sumatra on the ATM map. The Candidate Race gave us a bunch of new running talent with locals like Ongkeh Saleh even winning the main event of 42 km ahead of established competitors like Arief Wismoyono. Arief is out of action due to covid at present, so he won’t be taking revenge on Saturday. Thimo Kilberth on the other hand will give it another go. The Bali-based German was third last year and ranks among the top contenders tomorrow, having fully recovered from his ankle injury sustained in Vietnam two months ago. The Japanese tandem of Fuminori Kondo and Seiji Morofuji, both ATM Finalists last year, will be important challengers for Kilberth. Especially Kondo is very familiar with Indonesian trails, having lived in Jakarta for a while now. Coming into Sumatra from Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia are Chris Timms, Jose Luis Alvelais and Alex Tilley. Timms made a fantastic debut on the ATM circuit late last year with places of honour in the highly competitive MMTF 100 (5th) and the Mount Apo Final (9th). Technically, that means he was ahead of Kondo, Kilberth and Morofuji in that race. Different country and different trails, however. No high mountains in Bukit Lawang but a nice divide between a flattish and runable first half and a technical and bumpy second half on single trails inside the proper rainforest. Alex Tilley showed in February he can handle the latter very well by winning the V Trail in Laos, ATM’s season opener. A good result this weekend will put Tilley on number 1 in the overall ATM Championship ranking, which makes him very much a benchmark already for all expats wishing to qualify for the ATM Final. Alvelais was a great third podium placer on the runable 42km of Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths in Vietnam. For the Mexican of Hong Kong’s Gone Running squad it’s his third ATM race of the season, being one of the unfortunate DNFs at Korea 50k a month ago.

In the women’s competition we look forward to the return of Belgium’s Vanja Cnops. The Singapore resident had a stellar 2022 campaign with a.o. 3 ATM race wins, but suffered a tough injury in the beginning of the year whilst training. The Orang Utan Trail will be her return to racing. Cnops has always been outstanding on the short and medium distance, so if she’s fit it’s hard to bet against her. Other podium contenders are Roan Gumangan, Larissa Nelson, Desi Aryani and Ratna Sudarga. In the case of Malaysia-based Filipino Gumangan, a podium would propel to the overall number 1 spot in the women’s ATM Championship ranking ahead of her compatriot Irish Glorioso. Orang Utan Trail will be her third race of the season.

ATM will be reporting live from Bukit Lawang on Saturday via the usual channels. Livestream of the start and finish - subject to connectivity - and video updates throughout the day.

Check out the race summary of last year’s Candidate Race:

Singapore’s Chris Timms was 9th in last year’s ATM Championship. A podium in Sumatra is on the cards!

Vanja Cnops had a great 2022 season, but a tough injury kept her away from racing so far this year

Thimo Kilberth was 3rd last year and could use that experience to maximum effect on Saturday

Japan’s Fuminori Kondo knows Indonesia well and will be a contender on a 50k like Orang Utan Trail

We are happy to announce that the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship Final will be held in Indonesia at the very popular Siksorogo Lawu Ultra event in Central Java on 2/3 December! Host area is Karanganyar near the cities of Solo (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta - two famous destinations for culture, art and outdoor enthusiasts. Last year, Siksorogo Lawu Ultra saw 3000 participants distributed over the various race distance categories and was universally hailed as a big success. The event is managed by some of Central Java’s most experienced trail runners including event director Rachmat Septiyanto, race director Furqoni Syabana and race manager Agus Wibisono.

The ATM Final will be held on the main 77 km race course including the ascent and descent of Gunung Lawu, of which the summit sits at 3265 meters above sea level. Total elevation gain is estimated at over 5000 hm, which is significant. However, the trails are quite runable and considered much less technical than last year’s Mount Apo in Philippines. Gunung Lawu is also the key section of the race with the summit coming around halfway. Start and finish is at the campground in Sekipan. Start time for the ATM Final is set at 5 am.

Gunung Lawu is a stratovolcano that is officially active, but has only had one reported and very modest activity as far back as 1885. It is a mountain with a lot of significance in Javanese history and culture, and basically divides Central Java from East Java.

As last year, runners need to qualify for the ATM Championship Final by scoring ATM points throughout the year. Per Asian country, maximum five male and five female runners - the highest point scorers - will receive the invitation to join the final race. A minimum of 2 ATM race finishes is required for everyone. Qualified runners will receive free entry, 3-night accommodation and airport shuttle service. The top 10 male and female will be honoured and awarded during the podium ceremony, as well as the best country team.

Previous ATM Champions can get a wild card no matter what, as long as they finished two ATM points races this year. Host country Indonesia has so far had two ATM Champions: Arief Wismoyono in 2015 and Ruth Theresia in 2018. A new generation of Indonesian trail athletes has come to the fore in domestic races, but so far they have not competed at the regional Asia level yet. Perhaps this year will be their breakthrough year?

Siksorogo Lawu Ultra is of course also open for everyone else. The mass participation 77km will follow the same course as the ATM Final but starts two hours later at 7 am. Less ambitious runners can also sign up for shorter distance categories, such as 50km, 30km, 15km and 7km. This means you can support and cheer for your country’s ATM Finalists and still do some running yourself also!

The reigning ATM Champions are Arnie Macaneras (Philippines) and Hau Ha (Vietnam). Both have proven already early this season to still be in fantastic shape. Hau Ha, in particular, has even stepped up to the global level with success already.

Below is the Siksorogo Lawu Ultra event website, which will soon be updated and open for regular race registration. All information and details about the ATM Championship Final will also be published as usual on the ATM Website on a dedicated webpage here.

ATM Final Qualification: Requirements

The 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship Final will be a winner-takes-the-title race as it was last year. The male and female finalists who cross the finish line first will be the new ATM Champions. The best team will be the new ATM Team Champion.

However, you do need to qualify to be able to take part in that last race, the ATM Final. In each country, maximum five male and five female runners who score most ATM points during the year will qualify and be invited to enter their country’s National Team for the Asia Trail Master Championship Final.

The Final is therefore projected to be a race with selected elites-only, who are members of National Teams. Maximum five male runners and five females. Apart from the Individual Championship there will also be a Team Championship. The latter will be based on the accumulated finish times of the best three male runners and best three female runners in each team (= 6 finishing times in total)

The number of runners per team is subject to there being an ATM points race in the country.

• Minimum 1 ATM points race —> 5 male runners, 5 female runners

• no ATM points race —> 4 male, 4 female

• Runners who are ranked 6th to 8th in their country are the eligible reserves in case anyone in the top 5 cannot take part in the Final.

Please note:

• Expats working and residing in Asia: if the expat is an Asian passport holder, he will represent his native country and not his resident country, unless he decides himself to represent his resident country. If the expat has a European or American passport, or any other non-Asian passport, he will be eligible to join Team Asia Expat. Exception: expats who have resided in one and the same Asian country for 8 years or more can join their resident country team.

• Minimum requirement of 2 ATM race finishes: runners in the top 5 of their country ranking must have completed minimum 2 ATM races to be eligible to join the ATM Championship Final and represent their country.

• Wild cards: former ATM Champions get a wild card to take part in the 2023 Final, provided they have scored points in minimum two ATM points races during 2023. Also, the team of the host country can at any times be represented by 5 male and 5 female runners, provided these have scored points in minimum two ATM points races during 2023.

• Equal points: if two runners have the same points total in the country ranking, a distinction will first be made on the basis of highest ranking obtained in a race (e.g. a 3rd place race result is better than a 5th place race result). If that still does not divide them, the number of kilometres run in the relevant races will determine who receives the highest place in the country ranking.

 

The 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship is in full swing now and with 8 points races into the record books, it is time for a first update of the ATM ranking per country. As last year, the ATM points ranking determines who gets qualified for the ATM Championship final race on 2/3 December (announcement this coming Monday morning!)

In most countries, runners have scored points in just one race so far, of course. In others, like Indonesia and Thailand, rankings will begin to fill up when the first points race in those countries has taken place. Remember UTKC in Koh Chang was cancelled. The below overview also does not include all countries. The full overview can be checked via the RTS webpage here. There’s a filter button per country.

Please note that anyone can contact us for making corrections to names or even nationalities. Unfortunately, the result lists we receive from race organisers are not always according to international standards.

We are happy to announce that Mount Daisetsu Trail Journey in Hokkaido, Japan, is entering the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship series as the third Japanese points race on our calendar. This classic event at the former Kita Taisetsu Ski resort in Engaru-cho will already have its 12th edition on Sunday, 23 July and is looking forward to seeing increasingly more international visitors to the island. The main race category is 60km and the one to target for ATM Championship points. Less ambitious participants can also opt for the 40km or 15km, and parents could also check out a kids race.

Given that the traditional ATM June event Echigo Country Trail in Niigata cannot set up a long distance race this year following the floods of last autumn, Mt Daisetsu Trail Journey is a logical replacement and opportunity for Japanese trail runners to score ATM points within their own country, too. It will be the first time ATM features an event on the northern island of Hokkaido, of which Sapporo is the best-known city and also host of the 2021 Olympic Marathon. The race venue of Mt Daisetsu is nearer to Asahikawa City, however, more into the centre of the island. Runners can take a pre-arranged shuttle service from Asahikawa station to the actual race place, the former ski resort of Kita Taisetsu in Engaru-cho (contact ATM or the event organiser to fix your seat on the shuttle bus).

In fact, this year the the longest trail 'Daisetsuzan Trail Journey' located on the north side of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, Hokkaido's roof, will be held on a new course. It is the only trail race in Hokkaido where you can run through the ridgeline of the North Daisetsuzan Mountains. The ridgeline over 1700m in Hokkaido is equivalent to the natural environment of 3000m in Honshu, making it an extremely challenging natural environment. Please note that should the weather deteriorate on race day, it can become a very harsh environment and the course may be changed for the safety of the runners. However, normally, you can enjoy magnificent views, encounters with alpine plants, and animals such as naki-usagi (Japanese hares). The 60km has 3100 metres of elevation gain, indicating that this is a challenge race. The flag-off is set at 4 am and cut-off at the finish is 18:00 p (= 14 hours). There is also a maximum number of participants set at 400.

Registration goes via Sports Entry as usual. People who have difficulty finding their way on the Japanese website can also get in touch with info@asiatrailmaster.com to sign up for this event. Registration fee is 12,000 JPY, roughly USD 90,- for the 60 km category. Please see the buttons below to access the official event website and the registration platform.

‘Trail Be With You’ is the tagline of the latest ATM Tee by Olé Athletic in Malaysia, now available on its e-store and at selected upcoming ATM events. ‘Trail Be With You’ is our sincere wish to all runners competing in races across Asia and the globe.

The colourful and original design pattern is unique in trail and makes runners stand-out amongst their fellow community members. This is a limited edition, so be quick to order your Tee on the Olé Athletic e-store that you can link to via the button below. The Tee is also scheduled to be available for purchase at The Borneo Miler event in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in two weeks from now.

Olé Athletic was established in 2019 as an athleisure wear brand that is dedicated to delivering the best combination of quality and design to runners and athletes everywhere.

With the tagline, BELIEVE.ACHIEVE, they aim to inspire athletes to achieve their target and goals.

From the well-established team that brought you GOAT Run in Indonesia comes a new event in Central Java: Dieng Trail Run - Run Above The Clouds. An event with a 50km points race for the Asia Trail Master Championship ranking scheduled for Sunday, 23 July. Dieng Trail Run takes the place on our annual calendar of Ijen Trail, which unfortunately can still not be held this season. As such, Indonesian runners still have four major opportunities to score points and get qualified for Team Indonesia in the ATM Final on 2/3 December, which will be held in Indonesia as well (stay tuned for details later this week!)

The race route of DTR will take participants across the unique natural and cultural beauty of the Dieng plateau. The 50k category will go through 5 (five) drinking post points and check points, the third is at the top of Mount Bismo. The difference between the ultra route and the others is that participants will go through 4 peaks, Mt Prau, Seroja Peak, Mt Pakuwaja peak, and Mt Bismo peak. Especially for 50k, qualification will apply to participants who register. The condition is that you have finished a trail run of at least 20k. This is intended so that the 50k participants are more prepared physically and mentally.

DTR is not just a trail running competition, but a joint campaign to build awareness of the threat of climate change, especially around Dieng. The event is part of the annual agenda of the Wonosobo Tourism and Culture Office, Central Java. In this 2nd edition in 2023, the big theme of DTR is sustainability:

ONE HEALTH, RUN FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THE PLANET

Where the health of runners is closely related to the health of planet Earth. The threat of damage to the Earth is also a real threat to human health.

The race in a nutshell:

• Race Day: Sunday, 23 July

• Distance: 50km

• Elevation gain : 3.850 m

• Flag off : 00.00 (midnight)

• Start/Finish : Taman Syailendra

• COT : 18 hours (i.e. 6 pm)

• AS & CP :

• 1. Puncak Gn. Prau

• 2. Puncak Gn. Pakuwaja

• 3. Puncak Gn. Bismo

Last year, the 50km race was won by Taofik Hidayat and Siti Nuraini.

 

Sabah’s Milton Amat won the Koboi Malaya Trail Classic 50 km in Jerantut, Pahang, last Sunday with a superb time of 3 hours 56 minutes. . Just like Hisashi Kitamura and Jeff Campbell earlier this season, it's Milton's 7th ATM race victory ever and he further underlines he is now also his country’s benchmark over the medium trail distance.

Initially, Amat had to cope with the surprisingly fast Jia Xian Tai from Johor. The newcomer on the ATM scene eventually had to let Amat go but still held on to second place, 19 minutes behind. But Jia Xian Tai did stay ahead of 2018 race winner Mohammed Affindi. Affindi was solid as usual, but a bit frustrated as he was one of several competitive runners who had issues with the markings. Amir Zaki finished fourth right on the tail of Affindi. Amierul Amin Shamsul Kamal was a great fifth very closely behind. Next came Dzul Izwan Sire Ee, Aqmal Adzmi, Wilsen Singgin - not his best race, clearly - Abdul Rasyid Mohd Salemuddin and Etienne Sapin.

Rashila Tamang from Kathmandu, Nepal, was the great winner of the women's race in 5h08! Wonderful debut on the ATM circuit for the runner from Team T8 Nepal, promising a lot for later in the season and this year's Championship. In second place we found Sarawakian Sally Yap, confirming she can also perform on runable courses. Sally, the vice-ATM champion from last season, completed Koboi Malaya in 5h27. Early race leader Chhiok Sherpa, also from T8 Nepal, came third after missing a marking late in the race. Both Nepalese runners showed their running talent, but are likely to be even more in their element in the mountains. In fourth we have an excellent result by Norlela Ismail from Team La Sportiva Malaysia. Norlela was an ATM Finalist last year. Canada's Isabelle Bedard arrived in 5th place, but was later relegated as she also fell victim to the seemingly inadequate marking. Fifth place was inherited by mountain runner Izzah Hazirah.

The race in Jerantut, Pahang, lived up to its promise as being a 'speed trail'. After the start was delayed due to heavy rainfall, runners got going in quasi ideal circumstances and the finishing time of Milton Amat says it all.

This Sunday we have the first of five Malaysian points races in the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship and it’s also -on paper- the fastest one. Koboi Malaya Trail Classic by Malatra Events is a 50km as good as flat forest trall in Jerantut, Pahang, roughly three hours north of Kuala Lumpur. A race in the spirit of Sungai Menyala Forest Trail in 2018 and 2019 that caters for runners with a good pace in the legs, including road runners who want to give trail a try. 

We are in Southeast Asia so rainfall may always turn things upside down, and increase the technicality of the course. The event was held once before in 2018 under a different name and saw Mohamed Affindi as male winner. No surprise that Affindi features again on the start list for Sunday, opening his 2023 ATM campaign exactly one year after his superb victory in Bali over 30km. Affindi is always at his most competitive in the short to medium distance, and he will start logically as one of the favourites in the men’s race. However, a certain Milton Amat is coming over from Sabah to give him a run for his money. Amat has always been a longer distance guy, but proved last year in a number of 50k races that he has become a faster runner during the corona crisis years. For Amat, the vice-ATM champion finishing just five minutes behind Arnie Macaneras in the Final on Mt Apo last December, it is also the first race of 2023 in ATM. Amir Zaki, Wilsen Singgin, Jeffery Budin and Aqmal Adzmi are also expected to be podium contenders this weekend. 

In the women’s 50km race we have vice-ATM champion Sally Yap on the start list as one of the top favourites. Sally Yap was an exciting newcomer on the scene in 2022, and it will be interesting to see how she further develops as a runner this season. We all know Sally is strong on long and technical ultras, in Koboi we will find out how she fares on runable trails. She is likely to be tested by two even younger Nepalese runners: Rashila Tamang and Chhiok Sherpa (no relation to Alessando Sherpa). Both have been recruited by T8 for their new T8 Nepal Team and have ambition for this year’s Asia Trail Master Championship. Coming from Kathmandu, Koboi will be their first appearance on the ATM scene. Other podium contenders are Izzah Hazirah and Halimatun Sa’adiah. 

Malaysia is one the countries where the competition to enter the national country team for the ATM Championship Final is tough, as many want to get in. Koboi is the first opportunity to collect points, followed in three weeks by The Borneo Miler in Sabah. Penang Eco, Borneo TMBT Ultra and MMTF are the other three events with points for the ATM Championship. Last year, Team Malaysia won the ATM Team Championship at the Final in the Philippines. 

We will be reporting live from the Felda Residence in Jerantut on our usual ATM channels starting Saturday afternoon. 

Mohamed Affindi starts his 2023 ATM campaign in a race he won back in 2018

Sally Yap emerged on the scene with a bang last year, finishing with a 2nd place in the ATM Final

Milton Amat and Wilsen Singgin: 2nd and 4th in last year’s ATM Final

Jeff Campbell grabbed his 7th ATM race victory - joining Hisashi Kitamura again as male record holder - in a very hot and humid edition of Sierra Madre Trail 75, one month before he runs the World Championship race for his team Canada. Initially joined by home favourite Elmer Retolado, winner at Santa Ines earlier this season, Campbell shifted to a higher gear after a small stumble in a river and quickly produced a gap of 30 minutes on the rest by km 20. Retolado was already fading away, suffering from a knee injury sustained just two weeks ago. It was the young John Ivan Zonio, cousin of Jeffery and making his ATM debut, who very quickly emerged as the main challenger for second place. Zonio even managed to keep more or less an even pace with Campbell in the middle part of the race. Even though it was only 8 am, temperatures had already risen above 30 degrees and dehydration was beginning to plague plenty of runners. Another newcomer, Ariehmar Bardoquillo, ran himself into the mix for a podium finish, along with Maynard Encornal. Retolado continued to lose terrain and would eventually DNF, struck by heat and dehydration along with his knee problems. A race to forget for the young and talented Retolado, who will hopefully take time to allow his knee to heal properly. Despite being safely in the lead, Campbell suddenly remembered the course record set by Larry Apolinario last year and upped his pace again. He would take the course record by a handful of minutes, but probably regretted going for it as - clearly overheating - he was desperate for ice as he crossed the finish line without any celebrations. An hour later, a visibly fatigued Campbell stated it had been his “hottest race ever”.

John Ivan Zonio held on to a great 2nd place, ahead of Maynard Encormal, who really got going in the second part of the race. It’s Encornal’s second third place podium finish of the season. In fourth place came Ariehmar Bardoquillo, Anthony Calixterio was fifth and Singapore's Deric Lau sixth.

The women’s race developed into a tight battle between Manila’s Ann Jilian Pulanco and Penang-based American Danielle Perry. Pulanco is known as an ultra endurance specialist, but has recently changed her training regime to also include more speed work. It paid off. She took the lead quite early into the race, but Perry would always stay close. Halfway, the American caught up with Pulanco and even dropped her to lead the race for nearly 10 km. However, Pulanco did not drop her guard and fought back bravely. In the end, she even won - her first ATM race victory - by over 50 minutes as Perry had no energy left to stick with her. On the basis of her performance in Sierra Madre, we should expect Pulanco to feature up front in next month’s Borneo Miler as well. Points leader Irish Glorioso never found herself in podium contention, but revealed that she has been slowing down her training after her blitz-start of this season. Her main goals come towards the end of the year. Instead, it was great to see Melanie Hingpit back on the podium in third place. A former winner of the Mt Apo Sky Race, Hingpit was ten minutes faster than Mary Joy Sumanda and Sarawak’s Siet Fah Lim - winner of Borneo TMBT 100 last year, but seemingly less in her element in the Rizal mountains.

The Sierra Madre Trail Ultra turned out to be a great newcomer in our ATM Championship series, with start/finish in Sitio Wawa, the heart of Manila’s trail community. All weekend, a pleasant party atmosphere was never away, and foreign participants had a great time mixing with all the enthusiastic local runners and people. The heat during this edition proved a little too much for some, but as the cliché goes “you can never book the weather”.

The next Filipino points race is MUSPO Ultra 100 on 22/23 July.

John Ivan Zonio made an impressive ATM debut with 2nd place ahead of some experienced top guys

Maynad Encornal battled hard to get the podium, and he did. His 2nd third place after Santa Ines in February