This weekend’s Silabur 100 in Sarawak is the third Malaysian points race event of the ATM season. As last year, the event has attracted an impressive number of participants for the long ultra, the 100km race: more than 160 runners will be taking the start. Amongst them Chris Timms, the Singapore-based Briton, already a winner earlier this season at Ultimate Trails of Penang and second in Prenn Trail Summit in Vietnam. He is the logical favourite for the men’s race this Saturday, but 100km is a long distance for Timms, who is typically targeting shorter categories. Herein may lie the chance of other victory contenders, such as Sabah’s young talent Oswald Maikol. Twice a podium placer in Sabahan races last season, Maikol may finally be ready to make the step forward many have wished for him since some time. The better known established Sabahan stars such as Milton Amat, Daved Simpat, Wilsen Singgin or the Lintanga sisters have opted to focus on the upcoming Penang Sky Race in a fortnight. In their absence, it allows many other runners to score useful ATM Championship points this weekend, and to make a name for themselves.

The women’s competition is likely to see Grandmaster Tara Savage at the front. The Bangkok-based American and two-time Championship Finalist has already scored a 2nd place at V Trail in Laos a good month ago, and also placed herself in the 9 Dragons earlier. The start list also features Filipino Guia Angelie Cabigas as a potential contender for the top prizes. Cabigas has been doing well racing ‘at home’ , let’s see if she can challenge Savage in Sarawak. 2-star Grandmaster Carly Balmforth is also among the more experienced female trail runners this weekend and one who has been becoming ever more competitive. Perhaps a first ATM race podium is on the cards.

Silabur 100 is considered one of the ‘easier’ long ultras on the calendar, with modest elevation gain numbers and runable terrain. One of the highlights is the Silabur cave that runners will pass. Sarawak is Borneo, so ‘easier’ is relative and very much subject to weather conditions during the race. Last year, the 100km was won by Gustian Tiam and Rejlen James.

Mark Jinmin is in Sarawak this weekend to report live from SIlabur 100 on the usual Asia Trail Master channels.

Sierra Madre Trail Ultra once again proved to be one of Luzon’s most respected trail running events and witnessed an impressive first win in ATM for Randolf Gonzales and an equally strong fifth ATM race win for Cecille Wael. Barely a week after Gonzales came 7th in Lantau 70 in Hong Kong and behind Kristian Joergensen, he seemed more recovered than the latter and switched positions to take victory in Rodriguez. Wael had her own issues before the race, as she barely made it to the starting line following her regular daytime job in Manila. But once she got going, Wael outpaced Malaysia’s Rejlen James and took an important victory for her own self-confidence, after several races had not gone to plan due to her sensitivity to nutrition-intake while competing. The male and female top 3 was completed by Kik Suello and Jericha De la Paz, respectively.

Sierra Madre Trail Ultra, by the Maharlika Team, was the second Filipino points race of this ATM season and the first in Luzon. The 75km had some course changes compared to previous years, but Randolf Gonzales was pretty accurate in his own prediction. His goal was sub-9 hours and he did finish in 8h56. That was 14 minutes quicker than last year’s winner Kristian Joergensen. ‘Youth is catching up,” was the Manila-based Dane’s conclusion of the past two weekends’ races. For years, Joergensen has been the benchmark for races in the northern Philippines and the man-to-beat. Now at 40+, he sees a considerably large group of young, talented trail runners challenging him for the victories. Third-placed Kik Suello was the early leader at nighttime and also still finished ‘just’ ten minutes behind Joergensen. It is Suello’s third consecutive third podium place in ATM this season. At present, he is in pole position to join former champions John Ray Onifa and Arnie Macaneras in Team Pilipinas in October this year. Randolf Gonzales has also increased his chances for qualification considerably by means of this Sierra Madre victory. When you look at former obstacle racer Gonzales’ 3 ATM races so far this year, he has proven to be learning quickly on how to bring home big results. In February at 9 Dragons, he still blew himself up big time and would drop down the leaderboard from second to well outside the top ten. Beating Joergensen and Suello - 7th in last year’s ATM Championship Final - offers perspectives for Gonzales, who undoubtedly will still improve as he gains pure racing experience. Roberto Cain III was first of another trio of talents. Jomarc Ferrer and John Ivan Zonio ended up fifth and sixth.

Experience is what Cecille Wael by now has a truckload of, both with positive and negative outcomes. Her ‘acid reflux’ issues in races, along with irregular working hours make consistent training - especially on trails - difficult these days. However, her road running times over the past few months did suggest she is still in great form, and when the stars align for her she is always a potential victory and podium contender. She proved that once more at Sierra Madre. Cecille Wael now has no fewer than five ATM race wins on her record and she boosts her chances to qualify for her country’s team in the Championship Final in Vietnam in October. With also Angelie Cabalo on form already, Team Pilipinas could be stronger than ever this year and a serious challenger to take back the ATM Team Championship Title from Nepal.

Rejlen James kept the pressure on Wael all race and finished second 13 minutes later. James has won multiple ATM races on home soil in Sabah, but previously had always struggled abroad. This solid second place should give her confidence a boost, and she collected another 450 Championship points to go with the 500 for winning BUTM 100 last February. Also in Malaysia it is not easy to qualify for the ATM Final, but James certainly will find herself under less pressure after two fine results already. Jericha Laguna De La Paz scored third in Sierra Madre, a new name and a very decent performance given she kept Shekinah Velasquez behind by an hour. Keziah Loreto finished fifth.

The next Filipino points race event is coming up next month. The Philippine Mountain Trail Festival features the H1 - Hardcore 100 Miles - and the Mount Ugo Marathon 50km as the next opportunities for runners to score ATM Championship points.