A successful edition of Point Trail Ultra in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, as one several ATM Candidate Races this season. The 50km race had a big and interesting field and at the end we saw Jevie Cagatin and Shally Yuson come out on top of the result sheet. A great performance by both of them, showing competitive progress and also that their current high ranking in the Philippines’ ATM standings is not a coincidence. Both runners took the lead quite early, but could not relax if they wanted to secure victory. Ian Ray Hilapon, Jomarc Ferrer, Ariehmar Bardoquillo kept the pressure on Cagatin, while Shally Yuson had to fend off Mary Joy Sumanda, ATM Finalist and 10th on the extended championship podium last season. In the end, Yuson kept a nice 16-minute advantage over Sumanda. Both are aiming to qualify for this season’s championship final at Borneo TMBT. Yuson actually ranks 2nd at the moment with four results already. Sumanda is 7th with two races in the account so far. Jevie Cagatin is currently in fifth in the men’s ranking, meaning he is currently set to make his debut in the ATM Final in September. Also Jomarc Ferrer, third in Point Ultra, is qualified for the team at present after three top five placing in points races this season.

Within their own country Philippines, runners still have two chances to score championship points and qualify for Team Pilipinas. On 13 July at MUSPO 50 - also in Bukidnon - and finally on 10 August at the Punisher 80 on Babak Samal Island.

Jevie Cagatin is also going well in the ATM Championship: he is currently 5th Filipino and thus qualified

Shally Yuson finishing ahead of Mary Joy Sumanda was news of the day in the women’s race

The women’s top 5

Bukidnon Province in the northern Mindanao region of the Philippines is claiming attention for the next few weeks with MUSPO coming up on 13/14 July as the next points race event in the country, but first there is the inaugural edition of Point Trail Ultra this weekend. Point Trail Ultra is a Candidate Race taking place in the province’s capital city Malaybalay and is directed by Yoyong Sacayle, one of Bukidnon’s star elite runners who is part of last year’s ATM Championship winning Team Pilipinas. The main race category is the 50km with a total elevation gain of over 2300 hm.

As we wrote back in April, Bukidnon means “highlander” or “mountain dweller” so you know what to expect. In fact, the province is one of the country’s leading rice, corn and pineapple producers, too, and is stated as one of the Philippines’ fastest growing economies. Also in trail running, Bukidnon has developed as a genuine runners’ destination. Earlier this season, we have already had Mt Kalatungan Ultra, too.

While Yoyong Sacayle will be taking up RD duties, one of the other local protagonists features on the start list: Mary Joy Sumanda, also a member of Team Pilipinas last season and a Top 10 finisher. A start list for the 50k that has 174 names on it, by the way. Mary Joy and Shally Yuson rank among the favourites in the women’s race, but with so many new names we might as well see a surprise come along. In the men’s 50k, we have strong competitors like Kik Suello, Florence Alave, Ariehmar Bardoquillo, Jevie Cagatin, Carlo Chiong, the Amigleo brothers and last-but-not-least Jomarc Ferrer. Several of them are currently in the mix for this season’s team spots at the ATM Championship Final in Malaysia on 14 September.

ATM will be reporting from the Point Trail Ultra event as usual.

RD and 2023 ATM Finalist and winning Team Championship member Yoyong Sacayle

Local runner Mary Joy Sumanda finished 10th in last year’s ATM Championship Final in Indonesia

Bukidnon Province in the northcentral part of Mindanao in the southern Philippines is increasingly profiling itself as a trail running hub in the country and beyond. A few years ago, events such as MUSPO and Mt Kalatungan Ultra put the region on the map - also in ATM - and since then plenty of runners have emerged. Think of Yoyong Sacayle and Mary Joy Sumanda, just to name two competitive athletes in our ATM Championship circuit. More runners means more opportunities to set up new trail events, too. Hence, Point Trail on 8/9 June. Directed by the aforementioned ATM race winner and 2023 Finalist Yoyong Sacayle, Point Trail is centred around Bukidnon’s capital city Malaybalay and has applied for Candidate Race status. The event offers three race distances, of which the 50km is the main one. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 30km and 15km. The 50km course map and profile reveal a total elevation of 2360 hm and basically seven distinct ‘peaks’ , of which the second, third and fifth stand out. Along the way, runners will be treated to magnificent views across the area. Bukidnon means “highlander” or “mountain dweller” so you know what to expect. In fact, the province is one of the country’s leading rice, corn and pineapple producers, too, and is stated as one of the Philippines’ fastest growing economies.

To reach Malaybalay from outside Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is arguably the easiest and closest as it is a main domestic flight hub.

Via the official facebook page you can stay up-to-date with the latest news about the new event. Registration can be done via the link below.

ATM race winner and Finalist Yoyong Sacayle is the RD of Point Trail Ultra