An interesting new entry on the Grandmaster Quest calendar for 2027 is Pangantucan Ultra Trail. Organised by the Ultra Runner Republic - known from Mt Kalatungan Ultra - in collaboration with Sugar Cane Trail Ultra Runners, this event takes place in the southwestern part of Bukidnon in Mindanao, Philippines. On the programme for Grandmaster Quest point chasers is a 70km with approx 3000 metres of elevation gain. Rendez-vous on 20/21 February 2027.

As the aforementioned Kalatungan Ultra cannot be held for the time being, the Pangantucan Ultra Trail will honour the mountain nonetheless by providing stunning views of this fifth highest mountain in the Philippines. The 70km is described as a challenging route with a dirt road to a stunning view of one of the tourist destination,Lake Napalit. Also part of the trails are the famous Kimereges Blue Water and Kidanggin Hot Spring. Less ambitious runners can also choose a 42km and 21km option.

The main objective of the Pangantucan Ultra Trail, aside from promoting trail running as a healthy sport, is building camaraderie among runners and also to showcase the natural beauty of Pangantucan and its trails as an adventure and tourism destination.

All details can be obtained via the facebook page linked below. Note there is a fixed quota of 700 runners at most.

Last weekend’s Taman Negara Ultra in peninsular Malaysia saw a big turnout for its second edition. The event was labelled as an ATM Candidate and its programme featured several race distances including the classic 100km and 50km Organized by Persatuan Rekreasi Taman Negara, the event centred around Kuala Tahan in Jerantut and aimed to showcase the area as a premier eco tourism destination and it is also the gateway to the world's oldest rainforest.

The 100km and 50km logically claimed most attention. Both had significant elevation gain to. conquer with 4500 for the 100k and nearly 2400 hm for the 50k. Both categories had a lot of nighttime running and had to cope with some serious rainfall. The DNF rate was quite high as a result.

Amierul Amin added another race victory to his record and more and more seems to be the benchmark for long ultras in peninsular Malaysia. His finishing time of 19h46 indicates clearly how tough the 100km race was. He was nearly an hour ahead of Adam Danial Zailani in second and Hanafi Hasan in third on the podium. Only three women made the finish of the 100k. Elsa Ng took the victory in 30h23. Goh Pei Fen was second and Roziana Ladde third.

Also the winner of the 50km needed 9h23 to complete the course. Ibrahim Karim took the honours with a significant gap on Mohd Hatta Wahab and Mohd Hasrul Hisham Mazlan.

Halimatun Sa’adiah was the strongest woman last weekend in a time of 11h23. Michelle Ng was second in 12h02 ahead of Chong Mei Tze in 12h56.

The upcoming winter edition of Minamiaso Caldera Trail on 19 December has been entered into the ATM Championship calendar of Season 12. The race category to focus on is the 50km. For travellers to Japan, Minamiaso could be combined with Izu Trail Journey, which takes place on the Sunday before, albeit in a different part of the country.

Last summer, Minamiaso had a very wet edition that had to be cut short for safety reasons. It was therefore suggested that the winter edition may be a better option for inclusion in the ATM Championship as the weather - touch wood - is normally much more stable in December. Of course, it could also mean cold temperatures and even some snow, but runners tend to be fine with that. The event will already celebrate its 11th edition this year and takes part in a popular trail running region in Japan. It takes place on Kyushu, one of the larger southern islands of Japan with Fukuoka as best-known major city. Access to Minamiaso is via Kumamoto, another city with its own international airport and roughly 1 hour away from Fukuoka by high-speed train.

The 50km course is quite hilly with 2500 hm of elevation gain. The start is scheduled for 6 am and the cut-off time at 16:00 in the afternoon.

The Minamiaso Caldera Trail was first held in January 2021 to light a beacon of hope for the stagnant sport and local economy of Minami Aso Village. The 11th edition of the event will be held in four categories: 50 km, 30 km, 18 km and 2km, so less ambitious runners can also go for one of the shorter distances.

Registration via the official website linked below and any questions can also be addressed via the email below. Please note that there is also a - payable - shuttle bus service to the race venue.

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We are happy to announce a new ATM Candidate Race in the eastern Visayas of the Philippines. Sinirangan Trail Ultra will be held for the second time out of Tacloban City in Leyte with a 50km race as main distance category. Set up as a boutique event for proper trail running enthusiasts, the event is directed by Ray Neil Caminong and scheduled for 14/15 November.

The 50km race has considerable elevation gain with nearly 2800 hm. The start will be at midnight on Sunday, thus making it a Sunday race. Cut-off time at the finish will be after 16 hours. Note that there is a registration quota so if you want to be part of the event, sign up quickly. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 32km, 16km or 8km categories.

Sinirangan Trail Quest takes place where the sport remains relatively uncommon and unknown. The event aims to grow trail running culture and community in Tacloban City and Leyte.. The event seeks to promote local tourism by showcasing the area's mountain trails and natural landscapes, while supporting the local economy and communities near the race course. Ultimately, the event aspires to establish Tacloban City and the Leyte Province as a recognized international trail running destination in the Philippines.

You can find out more details on the official facebook page , and also sign up via Racemeister.

It was great to see a new ambitious event taking off in the Cordillera mountains near Baguio in Philippines last weekend. UTCP as the event is now commonly known did not miss its inaugural edition and opportunity as an ATM Candidate Race. A great line-up of trail runners from across the country and a solid organisational team made for a great weekend out of the John Hay camp, close to the city of Baguio. UTCP was serious stuff for runners, however. To the extent some participants argued it was perhaps a bit too technical. Finishing times reflect the tough terrain of the 100km and 50km race courses.

Fastest man on the 100km, named Saleng 100, was Ligorinson Abbugao in a time of 16h18’17”. That was one-and-a-half hours quicker than second-placed Dennies Lajada. Ronnel Valero took third in 18h21, followed by Rafy Ciano and Johnrey Espadon. In the womens’ 100km, Rhea Falitnang was once again outstanding and took the victory in 22h14. Elma Bengwasen and Maria Isabel Reyes were second and third in 24h12. Sandra Patricia Bernal and Grandmaster Ann. Jilian Pulanco finished in fourth and fifth place.

On the 50km we got pleasantly re-acquainted with Randolf Gonzales after a season away from the ATM circuit. Gonzales was fastest in 6h02, twenty minutes ahead of a strong John Taquiqui. They were well ahead of the other competitors, of whom Kart Russel Dela Cruz grabbed third place ahead of Albert Codamon and Vinson Ramos. Also the women’s 50km saw a nice battle for victory with Trisha Reyes eventually taking it in 8h53, just ahead of Myrna Batiyeg. Loraine Dulagan was third in 9h12. One of Philippines’ female trail legends Majo Liao made a nice appearance and finished fourth, ahead of Mercy Tacloy.

For the first time runners could score a Grandmaster Quest point at Kokol Ultra, the annual event in Sabah, Malaysia - an ATM Candidate Race already before. Over the years, Kokol had kept growing and adding more offroad sections to its course map, so no fewer than 1200 participants turned up last weekend. To the extent the organisational team got a little overwhelmed and some heavy downpours of rain did not make it any easier.

The flagship race was of course the 70km - the category in which finishers could score a point for their Grandmaster Quest. Fastest runner was well-known Syahrul Neyzam Sukasdi, who completed the course in 10h23. That was well-ahead of Azman Salama and Samry Sainin (ATM Finalist for Malaysia earlier this month). Interestingly, three veteran runners thus scored overall podium

The women’s 70km race actually was super exciting to follow. ATM Finalists last month, Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna for Philippines and Harlin Richard for Malaysia, as well as Keziah Marieah Loreto looked like they were going to contest the race victory. However, 2-star Grandmaster Adelinah Lintanga suddenly switched on her turbo engine towards the end and overtook the others to claim a brilliant win, her first in a while. Lintanga dug deep and crossed the finish line in heavy rain in a time of 13h01. Harlin Richard was second one-and-a-half minute later, followed by Maria Jocelyn Manalo Tugna. Adelinah’s sister Jessica finished tenth in her first Grandmaster distance in ATM since 2019. Both Lintanga sisters now have 14 GM points, meaning one to go before they ‘graduate’ as 3-star Silver Grandmasters.

Malaysians still have another chance to score a Grandmaster Quest point in their home country this year. At the end of November, they can do so by finishing the 70km race at Trail des Lenggeng in Negeri Sembilan, not too far from KLIA.

The first edition of Zamboanga Ultra Trail, an ATM Candidate Race, took place last weekend in and around the home of Kik Suello. The 75km main race saw an exciting battle for victory between Exeqiel Velez, Ronie Jandong and Roel Castillo. They ran together, pushing one another to their limits until one finally fell behind. In the end, Exeqiel and Ronie reached the finish line together and decided to settle it, with Exeqiel Velez claiming victory followed by Ronie Jandong in 2nd place! Meanwhile, Mich Orbunda managed to still grab 3rd place.

In the women’s category, Shina Bernardo took home 1st place, while Grandmaster Realyn Lugo secured 2nd place.

People who made the long trip to Thailand’s Tulay Trail on the western border with Myanmar did not complain after a very scenic and well-organised event that was part of the ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendar for the first time.

Portugal’s Henrique Nicolau, who actually hails from the Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean, won his second ATM race in a fortnight. Nicolau was fastest in the men’s tough 45km race in 6h41. Thailand’s well-known Chartchay Inchai took second in 7h01. It was tight between the two until the last 8 km, when Nicolau clearly had some more pace left. With 1000 points already in the bag for winning Luang Prabang Trail 75 and Tulay Trail 45, Nicolau may already be qualified for next year’s ATM Championship Final in Team Asia Expat.

In third place we had Thai youngster Phatchara Sanasen in 7h13. Together with Inchai, Sanasen tried to keep up with Nicolau early on, but dropped back as the race progressed. He still managed to keep a good pace, though. Fourth place went to Preecha Bualuang. Indonesia’s Nizar Surydratama arrived in fifth place, after third in Luang Prabang 75. Weerapong Pongka claimed sixth place.

Krittiya Buabut won the women’s 45km race in 9h21. She led from start to finish. It was Buabut’s first ATM race victory and race participation, and arguably it won’t be her last. Experienced Areerat Kareeklin finished in second place in 10h00. She’s been around for some years and scored yet another ATM race podium.

Tichakorn Hemmakul and Ratchanok Boonkomood were third and fourth. Sawitree Piadech completed the Top five.

On the men’s 100km, victory went to Surasak Somboon in 15h37! Undisputed, Somboon dominated the tough race the entire day and claimed his first ever ATM race victory. Sanya Khancai and Napat Prompataya finished together in second and third place, at considerable distance from Somboon.

Prapaipit Chaowalit secured victory in the very tough 100km for women. Also leading more or less from start to finish, she was nevertheless kept focused by the strong Lao runner Yoth Soulivanthong, winner of V Trail earlier this year. Chaowalit finished in 23h29, half an hour ahead of Soulivanthong. Papichaya Lhosupasirirat was third on the podium

The next ATM Championship Qualifier in Thailand also takes place in Tak province. From 11 to 13 December, runners can score points in Soimalai Trail. The two distances to focus on are the 100 miles and the 65km.

It has unfortunately been rather quiet in Thailand with regard to Asia Trail Master over the past few years, but Season XII will be the big comeback with no fewer than four ATM Championship Qualifiers on the calendar again, and even an extra Grandmaster Quest event, too. What’s more, four of these take place within the next three months - also in Thailand we are now in the main trail running season, contrary to e.g. Malaysia or Indonesia. This weekend, Tulay Trail on the northwestern border with Myanmar kicks off proceedings with a scenic but tough 100km and 45km for Championship points. Besides the 100km, Grandmaster Quest enthusiasts can also choose the 75km race category.

The event takes place in a rather remote venue, but smoothly accessible by road from Chiang Mai city in six hours. The landscape along the way is already gorgeous and just an appetizer of what the many participants will experience on Saturday. The 100km starts at 3:30 am with just under 100 registrants and the 45km one hour later with nearly 330 runners signed up. Tulay Trail is part of the Thailand Trail Series (previously known as Tak Trail Series), which also includes Soimalai Trail in December, organised by the same event crew.

As last year’s Candidate Race proved, Tulay Trail is no joke. The 100km is a big 100, measuring 102km, with a whopping 6000 hm elevation gain. It’s been seriously hot in Chiang Mai and in the Tak province as well over the past days, so we could expect a significant DNF rate in this one. The start is scheduled for 3:30 am and the cut-off time at the finish is 34 hours later. The 45km also has 2900 hm to conquer, but with a race start at 4:30 am does look like a more digestible option.

The start list for both race categories logically sees mainly Thai runners given the remote event location and the super busy trail running period of the year in Southeast Asia, particularly. Good old Sanya Khancai maybe over 50 now, but remains someone to be reckoned with for those who wish to score a podium. In the women’s 100k, the same can be said about Natthanan Matthanang. Interestingly, the average age of the 100k participants seems a lot higher than e.g. in similar races in Philippines. More youngsters, runners in their twenties and early thirties can be found on the 45km start list. We are indeed looking forward to getting to know many new faces this weekend, some of whom we may indeed see several times more in the course of Season 12. Let’s also not forget that Thailand neighbours Myanmar, the country that hosts the ATM Championship Final next year. In any case, at least two international participants will also be eyeing a top result. Henrique Nicolau won Luang Prabang Trail two weeks ago and Nizar Surydratama was third in that same race. Both had two weeks to recover from that 75km race in Laos, was that enough time for another top result this weekend on a shorter distance?

ATM will be reporting live, connectivity permitting, from Tulay Trail all day on Saturday.

We are very happy to announce that also in Season XII of the Asia Trail Master Championship series, T8 will continue to be our premium apparel partner! Ever since co-founder John Ellis became ATM Champion in 2019, T8 has been a consistent and very supporting partner of the Asia Trail Master journey and we are indeed delighted that we can continue to collaborate for another season.

Both T8 and Asia Trail Master have continued to grow together over the past seven years, to the extent that in many Southeast Asian countries T8 now often seems the dominating apparel brand. The Ice Tees and the Sherpa shorts have become iconic, and then we cannot even see the T8 Commandos - the functional anti-chafing underwear by the brand - the product that actually started it all. As international manager David Longo states: “T8 is a brand designed and produced with South East Asian runners and trail running conditions in mind”.

Lots of elite runners in the region, but also elsewhere in the world, have been taken under T8’s wings over the years. Those include two-time ATM Champions John Ray Onifa and Priya Rai, Jeff Campbell, Arnie Macaneras, Kristian Joergensen, Rashila Tamang, Jessica Lam, Vanja Cnops and several others. The list is almost a “who’s who” of competitive trail running in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. It proves the good vibes but also the excellence of their products for trail running.

David Longo continues: “In 2027 we are proud to continue our longstanding relationship with the Asia Trail Master series and support the growth of trail running in Southeast Asia, especially at a grassroots level. We also plan to announce some new products and look forward to another exciting season of racing.”

While you can find T8 products in physical stores in nearly every country in the region, you can also order easily from the general online store, accessible via the link button below.

The 6th edition of Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in the Rizal mountains east of Manila has been scheduled for 10/11 April 2027. Registration for this tough, but popular community race has just been opened.

For Season 6, the organisational team of Maharlika Trail Series is bringing you a re-engineered course that defines what true mountain running is all about. With 77.5 km of technical trails and nearly 4,800 meters of vertical climbing, this route will demand everything you’ve got—and give you an unforgettable finish in return. Sierra Madre Trail Ultra remains true to its origins: it’s 75+ km or bust. No short distance categories at this event. This means the organisation and the atmosphere in Sitio Wawa, Rodriguez, must be excellent in order to remain sustainable.

SMTU has also aligned itself with the other major mountain trail event in Luzon, the Philippine Mountain Trail Festival (PMTF), which includes the iconic H1 (Hardcore 100 Miles), taking place three weeks later. Those keen on. a good showing in H1 could see SMTU as an ideal last test for the miler. Both Kik Suello and Angelie Cabalo did just that in 2026, winning SMTU first and then H1. In times when the heart of Filipino trail running has moved south to Mindanao in recent years, in April 2027 it will certainly be beating first and foremost in Luzon.
The Cut-off time for Sierra Madre’s 77km race is 21 hours. Participants need to come mentally prepared as well as it’s usually hot, too, during the race. Registration and details can be found via the event’s facebook page. Sign up early and get rather significant discounts. You can click on the link button below.

For the first time since 2019, Vietnam Jungle Marathon in Pu Luong was back on the Asia Trail Master calendar last weekend, albeit only for the Grandmaster Quest in this incredibly crowded event month. The 70km of VJM remains among the most scenic in Vietnam and in ATM, similar but still different from VTM in January.

The event this year also saw the ‘graduation’ of one of Vietnam’s female trail runners as a new Grandmaster. Thuy Bee ran and finished the 70km at VJM, which was her sixth ATM long ultra within two years. She is also a pioneer for her country, as she is the first Vietnamese woman to accomplish this feat. Thuy Bee finished VJM in 15th place in 13h51. It was tough, as she had just done the ATM Championship Final two weeks ago as well, Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail 75km. More on her Grandmaster Quest achievement later this week.

The fastest runners last weekend were Pacome Poignant from France, who finished the men’s race in 7h25. That was fifteen minutes ahead of well-known Vietnamese runner Ngo Van Chinh. Another former ATM Finalist, Adam Nguyen Tien Vo was third in 8h16.

First woman was also an ATM Finalist from two weeks ago: Nguyen Ngoc Anh. She was fifth in the Final even, so she clearly recovered very well. Nguyen Ngoc Anh finished VJM 70 in 10h02. A good twenty minutes ahead of Phuong Thi Hong Nhung. Another established runner in Vietnam, Le Phuong Vy was third on the podium.

Grandmaster Quest runners in Vietnam still have two more events this year, both of them in the wider Dalat region in the southwest. First, Lam Dong Trail 85 in early November and then Prenn Trail Summit in early December.

The 6th edition of Ultra Fish N Sheep in the New Territories of Hong Kong was held in sunny and hot conditions last Saturday and saw great racing for the male and female victories and podium places. While Hong Kong-based Nepali Dilu Limbu was in front by herself the whole day - albeit by never more than 20 minutes -, the men’s contenders put up a great show with ever changing positions as the race progressed.

Eventually, local favourite Ferdinand Tsang, also known as Monster, won it in 9h44! Tsang kept the charging Daniel Crisp behind after a great dual between the two in the last 30 km of the race, after early leader Carlos Sanchez Villamil slowed down and former double ATM Champion John Ray Onifa DNFd (headache, see video CP 7). Onifa had initially looked relaxed and in control, but after CP 3 he felt gradually worse with a throbbing headache. The surprising Spaniard Sanchez Villamil, who has been residing and working in Hong Kong for two years, suddenly found himself alone in the lead. But the aforementioned Ferdinand Tsang and Daniel Crisp closed the gap by CP 5. KC Chan lost contact with the front as he also began to suffer from headaches and the heat. Cheng Kasin on the other hand was the fastest man on the course during these few hours and picked up runners one after the other. For a while he looked like he was still going to challenge for victory,. but in the end he got stuck at about 15 minutes from the two leaders. Tsang and Crisp were battling it out. The Britain nibbled away at the gap and briefly came within two minutes. Tsang still had something left in the tank, though, and secured his victory in the last 8 km to the finish. First ever race victory for home runner Ferdinand Tsang. Great and smart performance! Daniel Crisp was a very happy second, a performance he had not expected himself. Cheng Kasing was a great third on the podium.

Patrick Jaeger from Germany still sneaked past Carlos Sanchez Villamil in the last kilometre for fourth place! Limbu Yamanath was sixth and first of the Grand Slam finishers at the event. Tommy Yeung was next followed by KC Chan and Ng Wai Fung. Taiwan’s Ricky Sung, winner of Vietnam Trail Marathon last January, struggled with the hot temperaturs and finished 14th.

Dilu Limbu won the women’s race in 11h52. It was a rather dominant performance today by the HK based Nepali runner, who hopes to be back on Team Nepal in next year’s Season 12 Championship Final. Dilu led from start to finish, keeping a trio of runners always some 20 minutes behind. It’s her second race victory in ATM after Trail Des Gombak 100 in Malaysia last year. Interesingly, her advantage over the others came down significantly in the last 8km of the race to 13 minutes, indicating that the race had been long enough for her, too.

Taiwan’s Hsiu Fangtai scored second, just ahead of Kimmy Leung. Honna Hung couldn’t follow the pace of the two others she spent the whole day with and settled for fourth place. In fifth, Zhang Hualan. Amanda Min Ting Chen was next in sixth place and then it was Colby Chan in seventh. She was 9th in the ATM Championship Final in Vietnam. Natalie Webster scored 8th place, just a couple of minutes behind Colby Chan.

The next ATM Championship Qualifier in Hong Kong will be The 9 Dragons at the end of February, followed by Lantau 70 at the end of March.

Season XII had a very nice kick-off in Laos last weekend with Luang Prabang Trail and the good vibes will certainly continue this weekend in Hong Kong with the 6th edition of Ultra Fish’n Sheep - widely seen as one of the best newcomers on the ATM circuit last year. 75km through the New Territories on a tough course, also for Hong Kong standards, from Fanling in the north to Tseung Kwan O and in particular Lion’s - YMCA Junk Bay Youth Camp. The race is both a Championship Qualifier and valid for runners’ Grandmaster Quest records. Elevation gain is estimated at nearly 4000 hm and the cut-off time at the finish line is 18 hours.

Last year, Hong Kong-based Dutchman Lodewijk Vriens very much dominated the race against strong opposition, such as Wai Hei Ng and Jeff Campbell. None of those are on the start list for tomorrow, but instead we have some other big names. Two weeks after losing his ATM Championship title, John Ray Onifa will already be back in action in his beloved city. Still not 100% recovered from a painful hip, which bothered him in Vietnam as well, Onifa aims first and foremost to finish the race with a comfortable feeling. Always a logical victory favourite nonetheless, he should see Wai Hung Wong around him on Saturday. A runner with name in Hong Kong, but whom we haven’t seen yet in an ATM race. Other victory and podium contenders are expected to be Limbu Yamanath and Dina Bagale from Nepal (based in HK, though), Aditya Kothari from Belgium, Alexander Lithgow, Tommy Yeung, Richard Kimber, Daniel Crisp and Andrew Graham. There’s also a group of Grandmaster Quest runners in Hong Kong, including Malaysia’s Munin Sundram, the Golden Grandmaster who last week also ran Luang Prabang Trail 75km. Fish ‘n Sheep will be his second race on the Trail to Immortality.

In the women’s 75km, another HK-based Nepali could be the woman-to-beat. Dilu Limbu was an ATM Finalist in Season 10 and that season also won Trail des Gombak in Malaysia. She will be up against Colby Chan, 9th two weeks ago for Hong Kong in the ATM Championship Final in Vietnam, 2018 ATM Champion Ruth Theresia, Kimmy Leung and Natalie Webster.

ATM will be reporting live from start to finish tomorrow. The 75km starts at 8 am local time.

A new ATM Championship Qualifier in Philippines has opened registration for its second edition on 22/23 May 2027. Kibalabag Trail Ultra near Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, Mindanao, is the successor of Point Trail Ultra, but considered spicier and more technical. That’s also what the first edition - an ATM Candidate - showed us a few months ago. The highlands around the city are relentless and both the 70km and 42km race categories need to be taken very seriously. Kibalabag cannot be your first ultra.

Catering for lovers of tough mountain trails, the 70km course has a whopping 6000 metres of elevation gain to conquer. Even the 42km has an estimated 4000 hm. They are both characterized by densely forested and mountainous terrain, with a deep gorge carved by the Kibalabag River running lengthwise through the barangay. Both distance categories are qualifiers for the ATM Championship points ranking and the 70km is of course also a valid Grandmaster Quest distance. Please read the conditions of entry carefully on the registration portal, accessible via the link button below. Registration has just opened.

The precise course map will be made available soon. Race director is Silver 3-star Grandmaster Yoyong Sacayle, himself also a triple Championship Qualifier for Team Pilipinas, including in Vietnam two weeks ago.

While you will be tested on the trails, you will also be treated very well by the organisational team and by the enthusiastic trail running community in Bukidnon. Malaybalay is accessible via highway from Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

Last weekend, the Dahilayan Baby Trail was held in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon - a new ATM Candidate Race by the MUSPO series team. The longest distance on offer was 42km with just under 1500 hm of elevation gain. Dahilayan is the name of a forest park at the foot of Mount Kitanglad.

The men’s 42km race saw an impressive performance by John Delgado, who crossed the finish line in 3h29’!! We are already looking forward to seeing him in a Championship Qualifier this new season. Delgado was more than an hour ahead of Jan Barangan and Melquisedec Akut.

In the women’s race, Jessa Vicente had the upper hand and finished first in 6h19. That was ten minutes quicker than Maricel Barde, who in turn was a few minutes ahead of Rechael Rosales.

We are happy to announce that Hamugaway Ultra Trail in Barangay Kibatang, Don Carlos, Bukidnon has entered the Grandmaster Quest calendar. The 2026 edition will take place just before Christmas on the weekend of 19/20 December. Organised by the MUSPO Team - known from the MUSPO Bukidnon 100 in July - the race to focus on is the 70km category, the minimum distance for a Grandmaster point.

Contrary to many other races in Mindanao, Hamugaway is considered runable with a total elevation gain not exceeding 2300hm for the 70km. The route is scenic and offers plenty of beautiful viewpoints. On paper, that means it is an ideal end-of-year run. Cut-off time is set at 20 hours, with the race flag off scheduled for 1 am on Sunday, 20 December. We are in Bukidnon, meaning air access can be either via Davao or Cagayan de Oro, but the organiser recommends flying into Davao for this one, if you are coming from abroad or from the other islands.

Less ambitious runners can also opt for a 42km, 21km or 10km race option. The MUSPO events have become very popular in the region over the past few years and Hamugaway is likely to fill up soon. Registration is open and can be accessed via the link button below.

Official Premium Sponsor | Official Footwear and Hydration Vest Sponsor

We are excited to announce a new chapter in the partnership between Asia Trail Master and Salomon, the French-born modern mountain sports lifestyle brand, for Season XII.

Born in the French Alps 75 years ago, Salomon has always been driven by a desire to help people connect more deeply with nature through mountain sports, while discovering their best selves through exploration and challenge.

Trail running has always been at the core of Salomon’s DNA. Our partnership with Asia Trail Master (ATM)—the continent’s premier racing series founded in Hong Kong in 2015—is driven by a shared vision: to expand the footprint of trail running across Asia and discover and support a new generation of talent.

From ATM's iconic Grandmaster Quest to elite ATM championship battles, we share the same passion for the mountains. Armed with our industry-leading footwear and hydration gear, we are proud to back the community, empower emerging runners, and help everyone Master the Quest.

As the Official Premium Sponsor and Official Footwear & Hydration Vest Sponsor of Asia Trail Master Season XII, Salomon will equip runners with a range of high-performance gear designed for trail running, supporting runners through every challenge on the long-distance trail.

ADV SKIN Hydration Vest

Built for long distances. Designed for freedom of movement.

As one of Salomon’s most popular trails running hydration vest, ADV SKIN combines efficient hydration, versatile storage and long-distance comfort in one streamlined design.

Designed for high-intensity endurance events and long-distance trail running, ADV SKIN gives runners quick access to hydration and essential gear while providing a secure, comfortable fit that moves naturally with the body.

Available in 5L and 12L capacities, ADV SKIN is built to support everything from trail races to extended outdoor adventures. We also offer a women-specific version, designed around the female body to provide a secure and comfortable fit over long distances.

Key Features

• Adaptive Fit

The adjustable chest strap allows runners to quickly fine-tune the fit while on the move. The vest naturally stretches with the body, making it easier to breathe.

• Easy Hydration

Elastic flask pockets securely hold soft flasks in place while keeping runners easy to access during the run.

• Y-Shaped Construction

The back features a new Y-shaped SensiFit construction, combining stretch and supportive materials to help stabilize the load and keep the vest securely in place as you move.

• Easy Access

The redesigned tunnel pocket provides additional storage space while making it easy to access and store your essentials.

GENESIS 2 Trail Running Shoes

Built to explore. Ready for the mountains.

GENESIS 2 is designed for trail exploration, balancing comfort, stability and grip to help runners move confidently across changing mountain terrain. Whether tackling long-distance runs or technical and unpredictable trails, GENESIS 2 provides reliable support for every adventure.

Key Features

• Stable Support

The updated activeCHASSIS system provides support and guidance for runners while maintaining the agility needed to move naturally across technical terrain.

• Responsive Cushioning

OptiFoam features cushioned EVA foam, delivering lightweight, springy cushioning and comfort for day-long mountain runs.

• Reliable Grip

The All-Terrain Contagrip outsole features an updated lug pattern for reliable grip across a variety of terrains, helping runners move with confidence.

• Durable & Breathable

The Upper Matryx is a highly resistant technical upper material that combines durability, lightweight construction and breathability, built to handle demanding trail adventures.

Salomon will support selected races on the ATM race calendar and Season XII Championship Qualifiers Final, with vouchers for podium finishers.

Runners registered for any ATM Season XII race can enjoy an exclusive offer by joining Salomon S/PLUS member and presenting a valid race registration confirmation — up to 15% OFF.

Available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, both retails store and .com.

More details at your local Salomon website.

Season XII (12) opened in Laos last weekend with the beautiful Luang Prabang Trail. Excellent trail conditions and relatively cool weather made the 75km race significantly faster than last year. Portugal’s Henrique Nicolau took a convincing first victory in a race under ATM. He grabbed the lead from France’s Hugo Soro at the km 42 mark and extended the gap till the finish. He is the first winner of the new Championship season and so collected 500 points. Nicolau’s finish time was quick at 9h12.

Hugo Soro arrived in second place in 10h01. Roughly 50 minutes behind race winner Henrique Nicolau. The Frenchman lives in Lao and also for him it was the first appearance in an ATM Championship Qualifier.

Nizar Surydratama scored a third place on the podium in 10h49. The Balinese runner likes Laos as he has been on the podium of V Trail in Vang Vieng already before. Surydratama managed to stay just ahead of the first female runner: Jessica Lam from Hong Kong. Member of the T8 team, Jessica Lam ran an outstanding pace in what was for her unfamiliar territory. Coming in after 10h52, Lam may very well become a regular contender for ATM race wins in this new season.

Half an hour afterwards, Jaap Hamelink from the Netherlands finished in fifth place overall. There was a great result for local Lao runner Sengpaseuth Keobounnam to claim fifth male in 11h31. He was followed by Italy's Nicola Nodari. A solid run was done by Thailand's Amorn Kimnguan, one week after running the S11 Championship Final last weekend. Kimnguan scored 7th place and that meant a good points haul already again. In eighth, we had Lyu Meng from China. Golden Grandmasters Kenneth Mun Keat Yow, Munin Sundram and Mario Yap all finished the 75km race as well and added points to their records as they proceed on the Trail to Immortality.

In second place on the female podium we found local runner Chitsamai Souklueangkham, for whom it was her longest ever race distance. In third was Thailander Monthatip Rakpan, who also ran last weekend's ATM Final in Vietnam.

Season XII continues already next week with Ultra Fish’n Sheep in Hong Kong.

When one season ends, the next one is ready to go! Last week we were still in Vietnam celebrating the new ATM Champions at the final race of Season XI in Mu Cang Chai, and now we are already in neighbouring country Laos for the opening of Season XII. Just like a year ago, Luang Prabang Trail hosts the seasons opener with its 75 km race starting at 5:30 am local time on Saturday.

All runner accounts have been reset, everyone starts back from zero and the qualifying for next year’s S12 Championship Final begins! The regulations have remained exactly the same for the new season, i.e. winners of ATM Championship Qualifiers score 500 points, second place gets 450, third place 425 and so on until rank 25 in the race result. Each runner’s best four races will be taken into account for the final points ranking at the end of the season. The best five men and best five women will be automatically invited to join the Final - scheduled to take place in another exciting location in Myanmar by the end of October. Indeed, it will be a few weeks later due to the world championships of trail running taking place early October. Check out the regulations in any case, there’s also some bonus points for people who do a race abroad and for people who finish in the top 25 of a 100 miler (or longer). Everything is as transparent as ever and can be consulted on our dedicated webpage.

As previous seasons have shown, it hasn’t become easier to win or score Top 10 in our annual Championship, but achieving that and even just qualifying for it has therefore also become all the more rewarding for efforts done over a period of twelve months.

Luang Prabang Trail takes place in a great location for the opening of S12. A UNESCO World Heritage City, former capital of Laos, and an event that appeals to genuine trail enthusiasts. Deliberately kept ‘boutique-style’ by organisers Green Step to avoid overcrowding on the precious trails around the city and its nature reserves. The 75 km race course was introduced last year and has an estimated elevation gain of 2780 hm. That sounds moderate, but participants should not focus on the numbers here. If anything were proven in 2025 it was the underestimation of the difficulty level. First of all, we’re in Laos and surrounded by rainforest - it’s going to be hot and potentially humid.

Japan’s Taichi Yui was the men’s winner in 11h28 - with quite a gap on the other contenders. For Yui it was the first step towards a very successful Season 11 campaign, in which he finished 12th and second Japanese behind Kitamura last weekend. In other words, Taichi Yui is a serious competitor and he needed 11h28 for the 75km here. Fastest woman a year ago was Vietnam’s Luong Dong Anh in 20h04…

Looking at the start list for this weekend, we first of all see the names of three Golden Grandmasters - two of which have even already become ATM Legend: Philippines’ Mario Yap and Malaysia’s Kenneth Mun Keat Yow. Both seem to be going head-to-head in their attempts to finish the Trail to Immortality, introduced in January for runners who have completed the four levels of the Grandmaster Quest. Mun Keat Yow, by the way, ran the open public race at Mu Cang Chai last week, too! The third Golden 4-star Grandmaster on the start list is also from Malaysia: Munin Sundram. The trail runner from Taiping has had a relatively quite year hampered by injury and is basically returning to the scene this weekend, hoping for better luck in Season 12.

Among the expected victory contenders we are looking forward to T8 athletes Isaac Yin Tse King in the men’s and Jessica Lam Hoi Yee in the women’s. For Isaac it will be a step up in competitive distance, being known in Hong Kong for excelling in shorter distance races. Indonesia’s Yanizar Surydratama could be a great guide for him. Already once on the podium in Laos in the other event, V-Trail, Surydratama - running for Salomon - proved to be in good form just over a month ago at the ATM Candidate Race Tunggul Melati Trail in Selangor, Malaysia. Good old Thailander Santi Phongsraphang can also never be underestimated when he feels good on the day. Just like Amorn Kimnguan and Monthatip Rakpan, Santi did run Mu Cang Chai last week also, though. In Laos, there’s also always expat runners showing up who could create the surprise. Philippines’ Lauron Rizalyn could also be a podium contender in the women’s 75k race.

ATM will be broadcasting live from Luang Prabang on Saturday with start and finish, and produce the usual video and text updates throughout the day.