Thanks to our partner Race Timing Solutions, it is very easy to filter the final Asia Trail Master championship ranking into all separate countries. This way we can easily find out who were the best runners in the 2016 Asia Trail Master series in each Asian country. The table below provides the overview of the National Trail Masters this year. All the runners below will benefit from special arrangements in the course of the 2017 season. Congratulations to all national champions, and to all points scorers in general. It takes a significant race finish to get into the rankings!
The 2016 Asia Trail Master series has come to a close. The two final official result lists from UT Panoramic and The Punisher have been received, so the final 2016 championship ranking is now ready for consultation. Our two winners of this year have of course already been known since a few weeks: Manolito Divina from the Philippines and Tahira Najmunisaa from Malaysia are the male and female 2016 Asia Trail Master champions. They will be honoured and celebrated accordingly at the first race of the new season: Tahura Trail in Bandung, Indonesia on 21/22 January 2017.
Manolito Divina secured his title by defeating then-points leader in a straight battle with Jan Nilsen and a few other protagonists during CM 50, his home race by coincidence. The 36-year-old father of four this year also delivered a stunning 100 mile performance at Malaysia Eco 100. His other results were a joint second with Nilsen at UTHK, and a fourth place at UT Mapawa, which was worrisome as the result of an ankle injury just four weeks before CM 50.
Tahira Najmunisaa has managed to remain undefeated in the Asia Trail Master series. She started her winning streak already back in November 2015 (BTS Ultra in Indonesia), and continued her dominance this season at the Beach Bunch Trail Challenge, Malaysia Eco 100, Magnificent Merapoh Trail and MesaStila Peaks Challenge. Tahira, mother of three, will also next year be the woman to beat in the women's ATM championship.
Overall, the 2016 series were a success with significant competition for championship points and the celebration of the first three Asia Trail Grandmasters: Aleksis Capili (PHI/M), Jan Nilsen (NOR/M) and Ina Budiyarni (INA/F). Not only did the level of competition increase significantly, so did the level of organisation and race management of the events in our series.
On behalf of the entire Asia Trail Master Team, we praise all runners and event organisers for their fantastic achievements in 2016! Asian trail running has developed and matured, and will undoubtedly continue to do so next year. CONGRATULATIONS!
Manolito Divina
The top 20 - Men
1. Manolito Divina (PHI) 1650 points
2. Jan Nilsen (NOR) 1600
3. Isaac Yuen Wan Ho (HKG) 1450
4. Arief Wismoyono (INA) 1410
5. Abdul Rahman Abu Hassan (MAS) 1275
6. Aleksis Capili (PHI) 1260
7. Aldean Philip Lim (PHI) 1017
8. Kristian Joergensen (DEN) 840
9. Lee Jeong Ho (KOR)
9. Nohui Seong (KOR) 825
11. Ali Ajis Rasil (BRU) 810
11. Mohamad Huzairi Shah Mohd Hussin (MAS) 810
13. Xu Xiutao (CHN) 800
14. Hendra Wiyaja (INA) 755
15. Husnan Husin (MAS) 716
16. Marcelino Sano Oy (PHI) 710
17. Alan Toh (MAS)
18. Mingyun Park (KOR) 690
19. Kian Philip Yong Yeo (MAS) 680
20. Al Telias (PHI) 660
The Top 20 - Women
1. Tahira Najmunisaa (MAS) 1650 points
2. Majo Liao (PHI) 1525
3. Patricia Shindy (INA) 1110
4. Jassica Lintanga (MAS) 1015
5. Ruth Theresia (INA) 1000
6. Ina Budiyarni (INA) 990
7. Yuen Kit Shan (HKG) 950
8. Xiao Jing (CHN) 925
8. Sunghee Lee (KOR) 925
10.Faherina Mohd Esa (MAS) 850
11. Gyesook Lee (KOR) 825
11. Mila Mirlani (INA) 825
13. Jocelyn Cheung (HKG) 800
14. Gretchen Felipe (PHI) 760
15. Manilyn Mamugay (PHI) 740
16. Hyonsim Chong (KOR) 720
16. Cheryl Bihag (PHI) 720
18. Adelinah Lintanga (MAS) 690
19. Cherry Chung (HKG) 670
20. Ma Yanxing (CHN) 550
20. Sandi Menchi (PHI) 550
Check out the full final 2016 Asia Trail Master Championship ranking. Next week we will be highlighting all the National Trail Master champions of this year.
NOTE: in case a runner erroneously misses out on some points, please contact info@asiatrailmaster.com
Jorge Lanante took a big victory in Thailand at UT Panoramic, but in The Punisher 50 miles race on Babak Samal Island, off the coast of Davao, in Philippines it was a Frenchman who ran away with the top hounour. Vincent Durier was too quick for local Mindanao runners Rene Amigleo, Gerardo Platon Jr and Hanover Amigo. Durier finished the race in 14:30:19. That was roughly 2h40 earlier than the others on the podium. On the other hand, in the women's race Manilyn Mamugay pleased the home crowd with her victory in 18:59:48.
There was also a shorter 50k distance. Edgel Obrero and Elizabeth Ornopia were the two fastest athletes in that one.
The Punisher is another young event that is quickly making a fine name for itself. Not only is it always nice to have a finish on a beach, but the entire race route has a good mix of everything what trail running is about. Lots of runnable terrain, but some technical bits and river crossings gave credit to the event's name. In all, The Punisher is a race for the all-rounder. Runners, including race winner Durier, gave great reviews of their event experience.
Race winner Vincent Durier from France
The women's champion of the day, Manilyn Mamugay
The start of the race at night with race director Doi Calbes in the middle
The first official edition of Ultra Trail Panoramic in Northwestern Thailand was a success with a finish rate of well over 50% despite the exclusive long distances of 100 miles or 100 km. From a pure performance point of view, it was remarkable to see so many runners from the Philippines taking up many of the top spots. The outstanding winner on the 100 miles is a Filipino as well, Jorge Lanante, who completed the course in 22:52, which was six-and-a-half hours faster than Grandmaster Aleksis Capili, also born in the Philippines but now residing in Thailand. Thanks to yet another big finish, only two weeks after CM 50, Capili is now within 2 points of obtaining his second Grandmaster star. In the ATM championship he also finishes in sixth place, just a few points shy of Abdul Rahman as the total number of participants in UT Panoramic was less than 100. It is assured that next year this number will grow significantly.
In third place on the podium was the local runner Supeeraphan Sreeduangjuan in 30:33. In the women's race we also saw two finishers on the 100 miles. Thailand's Sakuna Usanawasin took top honours and Cheryl Bihag - from Philippines - was a delighted second in her first 100 miles finish ever.
Cheryl Bihag
Top 10 100 Miles - Men
1 JORGE ALYN GIL JR. LANANTE (PHI)
2 ALEKSIS CAPILI (PHI)
3 SUPEERAPHAN SREEDUANGJAN (THA) 4 JARED TEVES (PHI)
5 WIWAT YINGRAM (THA)
6 JOEFFERY CAMARA (PHI)
7 HANET KAEWLEK (THA)
8 FATHI JUNAIDI (BRU)
9 SIDSDI PINSOOK (THA)
10 PONPAYON THONGTAWEE (THA)
Finishers 100 miles - Women
1 SAKUNA USANAWASIN (THA)
2 CHERYL BIHAG (PHI)
On the 100 km course, Frenchman Remi Galland ran three hours faster than local runners Pochara Thimasan and Pakawas Mangkang. Interestingly, the same time margin separated the two best women as well. Issaree Kengnok was actually very quick as she even finished fourth overall in 12:45. Second place went to Pakanee Burutphakdee, and Kwantana Kwamuangpan completed the women's podium.
Jorge Lanante
Remi Galland
The second points race in this final weekend of the 2016 Asia Trail Master series takes place on a small island off the coast from Davao on Mindanao in the Philippines. The Punisher 50 may sound like very serious business, but actually this is the ideal kind of trail race to end your year with. Babak Samal Island is often described as a charming haven: an island, a garden and a metropolitan area all rolled into one. It has wildlife, stunning waterfalls, awe-inspiring caverns and scenic underwater sanctuaries, and is often dubbed as a region for wellness tourism. On this island, participants in the Punisher will run for 50 miles or 50 kilometres. The long distance runners will actually go all across the island before returning to the Sunset Beach Resort, which serves as the host venue and the start and finish of the race this Sunday. In total, there are 2250 metres of elevation gain to be conquered, which makes this a runnable course that should be completed in 20 hours. It is the second edition of the event, organised by Vertical 2 Sky. It is the second race in Mindanao after Ultra Trail Mapawa on the other side of the island last October.
While the majority of the course suits fast runners, there are some steep bits and other technical sections in the rocky mountain area. There's also a few river crossings to slow down the pace.
It will be an interesting race to follow without clear favourites in both the men's and women's field of participants. Several runners will be aiming especially to add a point to their tally for their Grandmaster Quest.
Race organiser Doi Calbes with Jan Nilsen during course discovery earlier in the year
For the first time since the launch of the Asia Trail Master series in 2015, runners will score championship and Grandmaster Quest points in Thailand this weekend. The inaugural Ultra Trail Panoramic, organised by Teelakow - known of UTKC -, is a great new addition to the race calendar. It is not for beginners, though, as the programme consists of 100 miles and 100 km races only. Experienced trail runners, on the other hand, love the notion of running all the way from A to B. In the case of the 100 milers that implies running from Maehongson to Pai, whereas the 100k participants start their journey 60 km down the trail. It is a race in the Northwest of the country with lots of variety in terrain, and with the biggest obstacle coming at the end: Mieang Mountain! A long mountain climb with 1200 metres of elevation gain, before the big descent to the finish. Total elevation gain for the 100 miles is approx 7000 hm, and 4200 hm for the 100k.
Asia Trail Grandmaster Aleksis Capili will be at the start in Maehongson, and of course for the long distance. Having just completed his seventh Grandmaster distance in Clark two weeks ago, Capili can claim his 8th point as he finishes in Pai, which would bring him within two points of the second level in the Grandmaster Quest: the two-stars shield. Moreover, the Thailand-based Filipino can still improve on his 2016 championship ranking as well. Currently sixth with 1147 points, a good result this weekend can eliminate his rather modest UTHK result of early this year and as such still jump ahead of Abdul Rahman and into the top 5. Also Brunei's Ali Ajis Rasil, currently 11th in the championship standings, will be trying to get into the top 10 still, as well as scoring his fourth Grandmaster Quest point
This weekend we will get to know a lot of local Thai runners entering the Asia Trail Master scene. Next year there will be several points races in Thailand, which has also fully embraced the sport of trail running. The first 2017 appointment will of course be UTKC, or Ultra Trail Unseen Koh Chang, on 17-18 February. That established event has been accredited with the Thailand SuperTrail label, which implies bonus points for the 2017 Asia Trail Master championship for all finishers!
The trophy of the race!
This weekend's double feature in Thailand and Philippines marks the end of the 2016 Asia Trail Master series. Whereas the male and female champions are already known, Ultra Trail Panoramic and The Punisher will still lead to changes in the top 10 of the final general classification, as well as determine who will be the national trail masters in each respective Asian country.
Let's take a look at the current standings going into the final weekend. As you know, only the best three race results count per runner this year. Please note that next year it will be each runner's best five results!
Men's top 15
1. Manolito Divina (PHI) 1650 points
2. Jan Nilsen (NOR) 1600
3. Isaac Yuen Wan Ho (HKG) 1450
4. Arief Wismoyono (INA) 1410
5. Abdul Rahman Abu Hassan (MAS) 1275
6. Aleksis Capili (PHI) 1147
7. Aldean Philip Lim (PHI) 1017
8. Kristian Joergensen (DEN) 840
9. Lee Jeong Ho (KOR)
9. Nohui Seong (KOR) 825
11. Ali Ajis Rasil (BRU)
11. MohamadHuzairi Shah Mohd Hussin (MAS) 810
13. Xu Xiutao (CHN) 800
14. Hendra Wiyaja (INA) 755
15. Husnan Husin (MAS) 716
Women's Top 15
1. Tahira Najmunisaa (MAS) 1650 points
2. Majo Liao (PHI) 1525
3. Patricia Shindy (INA) 1110
4. Jassica Lintanga (MAS) 1015
5. Ruth Theresia (INA) 1000
6. Ina Budiyarni (INA) 990
7. Yuen Kit Shan (HKG) 950
8. Xiao Jing (CHN) 925
8. Sunghee Lee (KOR) 925
10.Faherina Mohd Esa (MAS) 850
11. Gyesook Lee (KOR) 825
11. Mila Mirlani (INA) 825
13. Jocelyn Cheung (HKG) 800
14. Gretchen Felipe (PHI) 760
15. Hyonsim Chong (KOR) 720
See the full Asia Trail Master points championship ranking, and filter by nationality to discover each country's potential national champion.
Brunei's Beach Bunch Trail Challenge is one of those new events in 2016 that caught the eye of plenty a trail runner in Asia. Brunei as a new destination for runners, but the race itself as it had a 50% DNF quote despite "only" being of 42k marathon length. For once, the term "challenge" in the event's title was not just randomly added. The race was a test of running abiility, but arguably even more so of mental resilience and even tactical choice of running gear. While the forest section in the first half of the course definitely was made for hardcore trail shoes, this type of footwear sank people's feet deep into the loose beach sand in the second half, draining their legs. Significantly, a pure road runner won the men's race: Sefli Ahar, a former winner of the Hong Kong Half Marathon, pushed Isaac Yuen Wan Ho into second place.
In 2017 the Beach Bunch Trail Challenge goes ultra with the main races over 100 km and 50 km. There is also a 30 km distance for beginners. The tale of the trail reveals that elevation gain is limited to 1830 hm on the 100 km, and a mere 570 hm on the 50 km, so lovers of runnable courses should still mark this race red hot in their calendars. In terms of points for the Asia Trail Master championship, special conditions will apply to this event. On both the 100 and the 50 km races the winner will pocket 400 performance points. The difference will be, logically, in the finisher points, whereby 100k finishers score the usual 100 and the 50k finishers 50 points. As such, the winner of the 100k will have a 50-point-advantage over the winner of the 50k, but in the grand scheme of things (in 2017 each runner's best five results count for the final ranking at the end of the year) the difference might be neglible.
Running along the beach is of course an important part of the race: mind your choice of shoe!
Rizan Latif, organiser of the Beach Bunch Trail Challenge, is looking forward to seeing the protagonists of his 2016 race and of the Asia Trail Master championship come to Brunei on 25-26 February, for what will effectively be the first ever ultra trail distance in the country on Borneo island.
Registration is open until 6 January 2017, but it is advised not to wait till last-minute as slots do fill up quickly.
But it is not all beach neither: the forest section was determinant in 2016!
Bandar Seri Begawan also catches the eye from a tourism point of view
The 3rd edition of the Tengri Ultra Trail, the premier trail running event of Kazakhstan, is confirmed for 7 May 2017 and will again be a points race in the Asia Trail Master series. The menu will not be changed: the main race will be 70 km - a Grandmaster distance - and less ambitious runners can opt for a 35 km and a 15 km through the grasslands and canyons of Tamgaly Tas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The registration has also been opened already.
Tengri Ultra Trail starts and finishes at a campsite along the banks of the Ili River, which flows into China. Tamgaly Tas is approx 100km from former capital city Almaty, which is also the international gateway to the event. You can fly to Almaty from most capital cities in Asia. Air Astana is the national carrier that flies direct to e.g. Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Seoul. Busses will bring registered participants from Almaty centre to the campsite on Saturday. Camping is a must, so people need to bring camping equipment, or rent it in advance. There will be a small-scale BBQ in the evening, but participants are recommended to bring some food and drinks along as well. As it suits an adventurous trip, there is no wifi and hardly any mobile signal in this remote area. In the past two editions there was abundant sunshine, so runners are advised to bring protective head gear and sunblock.
The race takes runners through the steppe, or grassland, which makes it a very runnable trail race. However, there are a few technical and rocky sections through the canyon that can even become tricky if there were significant rainfall in the days preceeding the event. You might even get your feet wet. Most of all, the views you will enjoy are the kind you will unlikely forget soon.
You can find all key details here on this website on the TUT cover page.
Manolito Divina is the new 2016 Asia Trail Master champion. The 36-year-old Filipino running star made it a hattrick of wins in the 50 miles race of theClark-Miyamit Falls Ultra event and as such overtook Jan Nilsen in the points standings. Although there are two more races on the ATM calendar in December, nobody can still match the 1650 points total by Divina. It was a classic battle in Clark last weekend between many of this year's protagonists in the Asia Trail Master series, also including the 2015 champion from Indonesia Arief Wismoyono, who proved his title was no fluke by fighting hard and finishing second in his first ever appearance in the Philippines. Jan Nilsen had an off-day and could not do better than fourth place. The 50-year-old Thailand-based Norwegian could not hide his disappointment at first, yet quickly realised that what he has achieved this season can only be described by one term: outstanding!
CM 50 was once again characteristed by a jolly atmosphere throughout the event weekend. The start of the 50 miles and 60km races was held at 1 a.m., with a relatively mild temperature of 24 degrees that nevertheless proved hard to cope with for some of the faster runners. China's Xu Xiutao had flown into the Philippines with a mission to win and keep his own championship ambitions alive, but already after 26 km he threw in the towel. The humidity and the temperature difference between Clark and his native Beijing, where it has been seriously freezing recently, made the 22-year-old's legs feel like lead. However, also ATM points leader Jan Nilsen found himself struggling already at that early point of the race. Initially ahead together with Manolito Divina, Arief Wismoyono and Kristian Joergensen, Nilsen took a wrong trail and lost contact with the frontrunners. On the way up to the Miyamit Falls and the highest peak, he would still get close to Wismoyono, James Tellias and the surprisingly strong Louie Ganayan, but by then his main rival Divina was already out of sight.
As Divina increased the gap, taking full advantage of his familiarity with the course, a crisp Wismoyono and persevering Tellias were the strongest of the rest. Joergensen had already dropped back with stomach issues and Jan Nilsen gradually also lost more terrain. In the end, Manolito Divina finished comfortably in 10:21:52, having ample time to celebrate his third successive victory in this race and the Asia Trail Master championship. About an hour later, Wismoyono and Tellias arrived together, after the Indonesian had gone off course in the latter stages and was joined again by the local runner, who also finished third last year.
The men's podium with Manolito Divina, Arief Wismoyono and James Tellias
The respect runners have for Jan Nilsen was widely illustrated afterwards. Dominator of all big Indonesian volcano races, amongst other races outside ATM, what the 50-year-old has shown this year is highly remarkable. Pushing the youngsters to the best of their game, and still beating them on a regular basis as well. Visibly tired, Nilsen did admit it might be time for a short resting period. Divina was ecstatic himself: father of four young children and daytime worker in a warehouse, his ATM championship ambitions were severely under threat only a month ago when he injured his ankle during UT Mapawa. Fortunately for him, it healed just in time for CM 50, although Divina did suffer quite a bit of pain during the race.
Last year's Asia Trail Master champion Arief Wismoyono thus finished second behind the man who is taking over his title. The Bandung Explorer team ace has had a less consistent season than 2015, and was therefore visibly delighted to end the year on a high note in the Philippines. Wismoyono will certainly again be a strong contender in the ATM series next year, having already pencilled in a list of races including the Malaysia Eco 100 in Penang, the important Malaysia SuperTrail that Divina won this year.
In the women's race all attention went to Majo Liao, twice winner of this race, and the number 2 in the Asia Trail Master championship. A surprise to some, yet not to others, Sandi Menchi turned out victorious instead. From the get-go, Menchi was putting Liao under pressure and was able to open up a small gap on the long climb. Previously a short distance runner, Menchi has now arrived on the long distance stage and it looks like she can become a significant contender in ATM races in 2017. Majo Liao was nevertheless happy with her second place in both the race and the ATM championship. Third place went to Hong Kong runner Cherry Chung.
Sandi Menchi won the CM 50 race for women and looked strong in doing so!
Jan Nilsen and Manolito Divina: huge mutual respect
The last SuperTrail race of the year is taking place in Clark, Philippines on Sunday, and it could be the decisive battle for the Asia Trail Master Championship. In pole position and holding all the cards is Thailand-based Norwegian Jan Nilsen, who after a tremendous season leads the points ranking having dominated all ultras in Indonesia. Only the best three results count, and so Nilsen currently has a 100-point bonus over home favourite Manolito Divina. And here's the catch: Divina won CM 50 in the past two years. If he repeats that feat and beats Nilsen on Sunday again, he will wipe out his rather disappointing 4th place result of UT Mapawa last month and finish the season with 1650 points, 50 more than Nilsen. Those 50 points are the difference between winning a SuperTrail and a standard race. Divina won Malaysia Eco 100 in May, Nilsen took MesaStila Peaks Challenge in October. He who wins CM 50 is the 2016 Asia Trail Master champion.
However, there are runners who can spoil the party for both Divina and Nilsen this weekend. Runners who have not yet given up on their own ambitions to become this year's ATM champion. CM 50 is not the final race of the year, there are still points and opportunities to be scored in UT Panoramic (Thailand) and The Punisher (Mindanao, Philippines) from 9 to 11 December. Indonesia's Arief Wismoyono and Xu Xiutao (China) in particular have both travelled to Clark this week with a clear mission: to beat the two protagonists and postpone the championship outcome. Wismoyono is of course the defending Asia Trail Master champion and won Ijen Trailrunning this season. Recently married, Wismoyono finds a trail course very much to his liking in Clark and is highly motivated to show to the Asian trail community he can also win outside his home country. Xu Xiutao has already done that: the young Chinese runner from Beijing was a strong winner at Korea 50K last April, and before that came second at UTHK 100 behind Tom Robertshaw. Xu has already pencilled in the 9-11 December long weekend in his diary... which says enough.
Fact is that if Wismoyono or Xu Xiutao win CM 50, the ATM championship will in theory not be over yet.
There's a number of other strong competitors this weekend who could also steal points away from the favourites. Isaac Yuen Wan Ho from Hong Kong is in great shape and could cause an upset still. Denmark's Kristian Joergensen is a real dangerman on the Pinoy trails, as he proved in the preparatory MF42 race two months ago. And of course, there's an entire armada of strong and experienced local runners at the starting line. In addition, there will be Aleksis Capili, the first Asia Trail Grandmaster, who just like Jan Nilsen will aim for a seventh finish on the way to the 2 stars shield (10 finishes).
These are the four leading favourites for this year's Asia Trail Master championship
Majo Liao is the top favourite for the women's race again this weekend
Tahira Najmunisaa is already confirmed as the women's 2016 Asia Trail Master champion, and this weekend local star Majo Liao can assure herself of second spot. Also a double winner of CM 50 already, Majo can do a hattrick on Sunday.
This weekend's CM 50 is already the sixth edition and therefore one of the pioneering races in the Philippines. Running from the Clark Freetrade Zone to the Miyamit Falls and back over 50 miles (82 kilometers). It is quite runnable, yet there are over 3000 metres of elevation gain to be conquered as well. Less ambitious participants can also opt for the slightly shorter distance of 60 km.
The race starts at 1 a.m. and you can stay up to date on all the action throughout the weekend live from Clark.
Link to Race summary 2015 edition
Aldean Philip Lim is one of the better known faces in the trail running community of the Philippines. To a large extent that is because Aldean Lim is wearing several different hats. First of all, he is a great trail runner with pedigree. His current tenth place in the 2016 Asia Trail Master championship is even more testimony to that. Secondly, he is the co-organiser of the Rizal Mountain Run, the new points race to the east of Manila in next year's Asia Trail Master series on 29 January. Thirdly, Aldean Lim is co-founder of the rising trail running accessories brand Ahon, producing stylish and quality technical items such as gaiters and running socks. And if you thought Aldean Lim is spending 100% of his time on our beloved sport? Nope, on a daily basis he earns his living as a lawyer. A busy man, and we are happy to have had a few moments this week to talk trail running with Aldean Lim in advance of this weekend's Clark-Miyamit Falls (CM50) race.
By Kris Van de Velde
Q: Where were you born and did you grow up in the Philippines?
AL: I was born in Iloilo, Panay Island, Visayas. I spent my younger years (elementary to college) in Iloilo and spent lots of summer in the farm of my grandparents until I moved in Manila for law school.
Was running something you have always done, or is it a recent hobby?
Running has always been a part of my life since I grew up in my grandparents farm. Plus, I was a member of my HS, College and Law School Soccer Team which requires a lot of running. As a singular sport, running started only in 2009 when i need some physical activity while reviewing for the bar exam.
Are you member of a running club?
Yes. I am part of the Salomon Team here in the Philippines and part of Suunto Philippines. But my regular training group is the Baboy Ramo and Co. which is composed of mostly top trail and ultra runners here in the Philippines.
Do you have any sports idols, athletes you look up to?
Yes. For trail running, I look up to Kilian Jornet, Ryan Sandes, Hal Koerner, Tofol Castanyer and Scott Jurek for inspiration. Recently, I've been reading the life and career of Mike Kloser, a north american adventure racing legend.
When did you discover your talent as a runner? Did you do other sports before?
Around 2012 when I joined my first ultra trail race (CM50), that's when I discovered that I have a knack and talent on racing trail and trail ultras. I was a soccer player since HS, College and Law School days. I have been an avid mountainbiker and mountaineer since college days.
What does your training plan look like? Do you have a coach?
It really depends on the type of race that i am preparing. If it is a 100 miles race, I usually log around 100-180km per week with significant elevation gain. I do some strength conditioning and speed workouts if I can fit it in my schedule. I do not have a coach currently but planning to have one soon, but i love to read books and research on my own. I love the experimentation during the training stage.
Do you pay attention to your food before a race? Are there any special products you take in preparation for your race?
Yes. I always make sure that I get a lot of good nutrition a week before leading to an important race. No strict diets and nothing specific, just good and nutritious food. I do take multivitamins, supplements and recovery drinks in preparation for the race.
What is your best time on the road marathon?
3:21
What is your favourite type of trail race?
100 km with lots of vertical and technical trails.
What do you do for a living?
I am a lawyer and a businessman.
How did AHON come about?
Ahon is a two-man company, with a little help from close friends in the trail running community. My partner (Ronald Declarador) and I started it back in 2015. At that time, we knew that the big brands of trail running came from North America and Europe, and we want to develop a trail company born in Asia, particularly in the Philippines.
What is the philosophy behind the brand AHON? Does the word 'AHON' have a meaning?
Ahon is a Filipino word which means ascent or climb. We are a proud Filipino company. We take pride in hands-on product development and testing. The products we make were adapted for the Philippine trails (as may well be the same across Asia) which are tough, wild and raw. We want to develop products which are at par, if better than the world standards.
Hong Kong is known as the Asian centre of trail running, but actually there are an enormous number of races in the Philippines as well. How did you experience this sudden boom of events in your area? Who were the pioneers in your country?
It all started in 2008 when TNF Philippines started the TNF 100k Philippines. It was the first ultra trail run in the Philippines. Back then what was booming was the road running events and culture. With the boom of social media and mountaineering plus the people's need for new challenges after 2010 that's when trail running skyrocketed in the Philippines. Right now, we have trail races almost every week for the whole year and the community is getting bigger. Back when i started in 2012, i could recognize all the people who were joining the trail races. Now, there are a lot of new faces. I love it because trail running is not limited to one area only (before), now there are already lots of races in the Visayas and Mindanao region as well. The Philippines is already starting to show the world how beautiful (and raw) the Philippine trails and mountains (and people too) are.
How do you see the future of trail running?
It will be bigger and a lot of people will get into trail running. We barely scratched the surface.
Do we need more rules and guidance coming from above, i.e. the IAAF and/or ITRA or IAU?
Yes.
Many athletics federations in Asia do not recognise trail running as a genuine discipline. Is this holding the sport back? For example, it makes it very difficult for Asian runners to compete in the official world trail championships held every year.
Yes. Trailrunning is still quite young in the Asian setting. As of now it will be a hard and we will experience lots of setbacks but give it time and they will have no choice but to recognize trailrunning as a genuine discipline. Just like any other sport during its younger years.
Should trail running become recognised as an olympic sport?
Yes. We'll get there.
From a legal point of view, which advice would you give to trail race organisers?
Medical Certificate attesting for the fitness of runners should be made mandatory on all trail races. Waivers should be mandatory. Organisers should always partner with the Local Government Units, and partner with a search and rescue team
What is your dream as a trail runner?
Short term: To run Hardrock, Western States, and Tor des Geants. Long term: To see trail running become an olympic sport. To travel, explore and see the whole world thru trail running. To join a trail running event in all 7 continents.
What do you think about the Asia Trail Master series?
For race organizers: It is a good movement to set a certain degree of standard of races in the whole of Asia. It is one way to learn from one another. For runners: A way to record and keep track of your trail running career and races. It is one way to compare your standings to the rest of the field in Asia.
You are also co-organiser of the Rizal Mountain Run, which enters the 2017 Asia Trail Master series as a points race. What can you tell us about the event?
Rizal Mountain Run is an internationally acclaimed, challenging race, back dropped in a beautiful and brutal course in the mountains of Rizal Province which is readily accessible from Metro Manila. It would be one of the best trail running destinations in the Philippines.
Thank you very much for this Q&A, and good luck in your defence of a top 10 spot in the 2016 ATM championship ranking!
