Following the success of the first edition, the Tengri Ultra Trail returns to Tamgaly Tas in Kazakhstan on 8 May 2016 . One of the more remote races on our calendar, but therefore a unique chance for international runners to visit and enjoy the hospitality of the Kazakh people. The race course has been redesigned partially and the longest A race will measure 70 km in length. 

The inaugural edition in 2015 saw over 300 participants, amongst which a number of international runners from France, USA, Hong Kong, China and Belgium, spread out over three distances. There are good air connections to Almaty from various Asian neighbouring countries. Direct flights from Beijing, Seoul and Hong Kong are  a given. 

It is now possible to sign up for the 2016 edition via our online registration form. To find out more basic details about the event, you can check our cover page. Please note that this page will be further updated in January as information comes in from the organisation committee in Almaty.  For any specific queries, you can contact us at info@asiatrailmaster.com 

The first Asia Trail Masters in trail running history are Arief Wismoyono from Indonesia, and Ma Yanxing from China. Both were confirmed as the champions two weeks ago, having accumulated most points in races on the Asia Trail Master series' calendar in 2015. Their titles were obtained with panache, as both athletes scored two race victories and places of honour throughout the year. Let's chat with Arief Wismoyono and Ma Yanxing and find out more about who they are and where their hobby - both are non-professional runners - is leading them in the near future. 

Ma Yanxing:
"All people around me who love sports are my idols"

By Xiaozhao Zhao/Kris Van de Velde

Q: Congratulations with your Asia Trail Master title, how does this title make you feel?
MY: I am surprised with this honor, and I feel so happy and excited I became the first women's Asia Trail Master!

Q: You won the Dalian 100 and the Dali 100, which one was the most difficult for you?
I think 2015 Dalian 100km was more difficult than Dali 100. Perhaps because it was my first attempt to race in Dalian.

Q: You also finished second in the Grassland Marathon in Inner Mongolia in summer, are you disappointed you did not win that race as well?
No. I never just focus on my ranking in any races. I am not a professional living on running. For me, attending races is just a great excuse for travelling to some astonishing places, and for socializing there with so many friends who like running as well.

Q: Since when have you been trail running? Do you like it more than road running? Why?
I started trail running in a race in Linhai, Zhejiang Province, in October 2014 and I liked it very much. The reason is very simple, I used to do some mountaineering, so there was a link. 

Q: Do you have a sports idol?
All the people around me who love sports are my idols

Q: What is your best time on the road marathon?
I ran 2 hours and 50 minutes in the 2015 Beijing Marathon last September. 

Q: You live in Shanghai, where do you go training for long distance running in such a big city?
I do treadmill workouts and swimming. 20km is about the longest distance during my road running training.

Q: Have you done any races outside of China?
I have finished marathons in Bangkok and Prague (Czech Republic).

Q: Which races are you dreaming of?
I am eager to try UTMB in France one day in the future.

Q: What is the hardest part of an ultra trail race in your opinion? Did you ever feel like giving up during a race?
I tend to consider aborting the race just before the start...., but actually I just think about this and have never quit once underway. 

Q: By winning the Asia Trail Master championship, you will get quite some attention in 2016 and also be invited to take part in the 1st race of next year's series, Ultra Trail Hong Kong. Are you looking forward to that?
 It is my great honor to be invited to the UTHK as the female champion of 2015 Asia Trail Master series, but unfortunately I cannot go to Hong Kong at that time due to my working schedule and arrangements. In fact, mainly it is my friends who plan my races as they have all the information and know what is possible and what is not. I am registered for the Tsaigu Tangsi Plus race in Linhai in April [China's SuperTrail event in 2016, kvdv]. 

Q: What do you think about the development of trail running in China?
Much like the trend in western countries, I think trail running will continue to boom in China. The number of runners will keep increasing. But the runners will choose and select races based on the assessment from others, so the demands on organisers will increase, too. 

Q: Last week you finished 2nd female in The North Face Hong Kong, how was your experience in one of the oldest and most critically acclaimed trail races in Asia?
The course is well-maintained with good views, challenging terrain and appropriate weather for racing, which means not too hot.  Plus, participants were polite and environment-friendly. The race is recommended, but as for any 100km race, basic knowledge and trail running experience is definitely required. 

Ma Yanxing won the Dalian 100 Ultra in April and the Dali 100 Ultra in October. In between she also scored second place in the Grassland Marathon in Inner Mongolia, TNF Hong Kong in December and ran a 2:50 road marathon in Beijing. She accumulated 1005 points for the Asia Trail Master ranking, 63 points more than Indonesia's Mila Marlina and 105 more than Malaysia's Tan Seow Ping. 
 

Ma Yanxing

Arief Wismoyono, pain in knees, ankles and toes:
"Ullas was a true challenger"

By K. Van de Velde

Q: Congratulations with your Asia Trail Master title, how does this title make you feel?
AW: Amazing! I feel happy for sure, also to be able to be competitive with foreign trail runners, especially in the Mount Rinjani Ultra.

Q: You won the Mount Rinjani Ultra and the MesaStila Challenge, which one was the most difficult for you?
Mount Rinjani Ultra is more difficult, although the distance is only 52km. The elevation gain of nearly 6000m is similar with the Mesastila Challenge 100k.  It takes a huge effort  to reach the very summit of Rinjani (3700m above sea level, kvdv)

Q: You had a very tough race on Bromo, how did you suffer the injury?
At kilometer 30, my knees began to ache. When that happened, I began to rely a lot more on my ankles, especially when running downhill. This then made my ankles hurt, too. So, I spent half of the race with pain in the knees, ankle and toes.

Q: Were you afraid that Ullas Narayana would take away the lead in the Asia Trail Master ranking? Did you think of giving up?
It never crossed my mind to give up. With Ullas being in the Bromo Tengger Semeru 100 Ultra it made me even excited, he was a true challenger. Whatever happens, I will still compete and give as much effort as possible.

Q: What is your biggest strength in trail running?
My Mental state of mind. I will finish what I started.

Q: Since when have you started trail running? Do you like it more than road running? Why?
Since two years I do this sport. When I first ran to the mountain, I immediately liked it. Running in the forest at midnight, alone, made me feel brave. During a trail run, my mind and body become more calm and fresh.

Q: Do you have a sports idol?
Muhammad Ali. It takes hard work and discipline to be able to be in the ring for 15 rounds.

Q: What do you do as a job every day?
I work as an elementary school teacher in Bandung, a city in West Java and the third biggest in Indonesia

Q: Have you done any races outside of Indonesia? 
Not yet. Vibram HK 100 which is held in January 2016 will be the first race abroad for me.

Q: Which races are you dreaming of?
UTMB. I want to feel a different atmosphere running with world trail runners.

Q: Next year there will again be several races in Indonesia where runners can score points the championship. Which race are you looking forward to most?
Mount Rinjani Ultra. That race makes me want to come back. Of course, also with a view to score a better time record. Also, Bromo Tengger Semeru 100 Ultra, it would be wonderful if we can do the route toKalimati in 2016.  I hope to get many points in Asia Trail Master competition again.

Ijen Trail is a new event on the ATM calendar next year, what was your experience in that race this year? 
Blue fire, there are only two in the world and I saw one of them in the Ijen race. Running in the mountains of beautiful Ijen, passing through coffee plantations, meeting friendly locals, it makes me have to go back there.

Q: What do you think about the development of trail running in Indonesia?
Although it’s not as popular as road running yet, trail running has now begun to develop and is followedby many runners bothfrom Indonesia and from foreign countries. This can be seen from numbers of participants in trail running events, and the emergence of various trail running communities, one of them, BDG Explorer,  is in my city in Bandung. Together with them, I am able to do many events throughout the year. 

Why should foreign runners come to Indonesia and do races in your country?
If they want more challenge, then they should come to Indonesia. Complete terrain characteristics, beautiful scenery, friendly locals and holds customs. In addition, they will find a lot of climbs.

Finally, what is your favourite piece of music when running? Do you have it on mp3?
I never listen to music when I run. The sound of nature makes me more focused and excited.

Thank you and good luck in 2016!

Arief Wismoyono burst onto the Asia Trail Master scene in August when he became the first Indonesian runner to win the brutal Mount Rinjani Ultra on Lombok Island. Later in October he also put the MesaStila Peaks Challenge on his record, and scored places of honour in a.o. Ijen Trail Running. Despite injuries, he finished sixth in the Bromo Tengger Semeru Ultra 170, securing his Asia Trail Master title ahead of India's Ullas Narayana with 1362 points against 1302. Patrick Singh from Guyanan accumulated enough points in stage races to get third place. 

Arief Wismoyono

The Mesa Spa & Hotel Resort group is happy to officially announce the official date of the 2016 MesaStila Peaks Challenge event. On the weekend of 8/9 October, trail runners from Indonesia and abroad will compete with each other over the traditional distances of 100km, 65km, 42km, 21km or 11km against the amazingly beautiful backdrop of Central Java's volcanoes.

Start and finish of the 6th edition of the event will be the MesaStila Resort in Magelang, which is close by the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur. Runners have the option of pure comfort and stay in the resort, which is ideally suited for families also, but there is other more modest accommodation nearby. In 2015, participants labelled this event a "hidden gem", given it has been taking place in the shadow perhaps of the more illustrious Indonesian races on Mount Rinjani and Mount Bromo. 

The main race courses offer a good mix of pure climbing and runable sections over various kinds of terrain. The ultimate goal of the event is the MesaStila 5 Peaks Challenge: 100km and over 7500m of elevation gain, that takes participants up to Gunung Merapi volcano at a height of nearly 3000m above sea level. For the slightly less ambitious participants there is the option of skipping the ascent of Merapi and do the MesaStila 4 Peaks Challenge over 65km, or the MesaStila Marathon over 42km. All three races will provide finishers with points for the 2016 Asia Trail Master ranking, and the 100km also qualifies for the Grandmaster Quest. 

In 2015 Arief Wismoyono won the race and laid the foundation for his overall championship victory there. Mila Marlina was the best woman. 

The official race registration will open soon, but travel packages are already available for those who wish a hassle-free experience. Packages include the race registration and race services, park fees, airport transfers (from Solo or Yogyakarta) and 2,3 or 4 nights at MesaStila including breakfast in double, triple or quadruple bungalows. The 3 and 4-night packages also include a sightseeing tour to Borobudur. Interested? Please contact us on info@asiatrailmaster.com for further details. 

Meanwhile, check our event cover page , and watch the below video clip to get a first impression of the race. You can also link to the event website itself. 

Trail running in South Korea is witnessing a boom, which will be clearly reflected in the 2016 Asia Trail Master series. Korea 50k, scheduled for 24 April, will be the first Korean race on our calendar and at least two more races will follow later in the year. High time to get to know some of the runners in the country, and we are happy to feature Gyesook Lee and Kim Yongkee in our Talking Trail Running series this week. 

The registrations for the 2nd edition of  Korea 50k, which takes place in Dongducheon City, close to the country's capital city Seoul, are open. You can read key details on our cover page, or go to the event website. The event makes for a great weekend getaway in spring with options for families! 

Gyesook Lee

•   Q: Where are you from in Korea, and what do you do for a living?
GL: I am from Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea. Until last year, I worked at a securities company and currently I am a stage actress.
•    Q: When did you start running? And what has attracted you to do trail running? 
In 2010, I finished my first half marathon and on the same year I also finished the first full marathon. That’s how I started running. I had interests in trail running and desert races, because I wanted to try new unconventional running experiences.
•   Q:  Is running part of your family background? 
No, it is not.
•    Q: Do you have any idols? Whose poster was hanging in your room as a teenager?
I do not have any poster in my room, but I am a fan of the masters runner Jaeduk Sim. 
•    Q: What is your best time in a road marathon?
Doing a dead run in front of the finish line is the best part.
•    Q: What feeling does running give you?
Running gives me the feeling that I am energetically alive. Also I am so thankful that I can run.
•    Q: How many kilometers do you tend to run each week, and do you do anything special in your training when you have a trail race on your race calendar?
I usually run about 30km a week. When I have a trail race scheduled, then at least once a week I go for a training at a mountain site for 5 to 6 hours. 
•    Q: Do you follow a specific diet?
I do not have a specific diet.
•    Q: What was your best achievement in trail running so far, according to yourself? 
The biggest achievement I made in trail running is that my body became stronger and healthier. 
•    Q: What is the longest distance you have run in a race? 
80km
•    Q: Will you attend Korea 50k next April and what do you think of the race course?
Yes I will. I already registered. The course that crosses 5 tops of the mountains in Dongducheon is difficult, however running beautiful forests with nice sceneries is very wonderful.
•    Q: Do you like mountainous races or would you like more runnable courses on the trail running calendar?
I prefer the course that contains both styles. 
•    Q: What race are you running in your dreams?
Desert Race, UTMB
•    Q: Trail running in Korea is very young, what is your favourite race in your country?
KOREA 50K!
•    Q: What do you think of the establishment of  KTRA (Korean Trail Running Association) and the development of trail running in Korea? 
I think KTRA is an important foundation for runner-centered trail events. I assume, with KTRA’s contribution, Korean trail run races will be well prepared with a high degree of safety measures and professionalism that will lead to the best international standards. 
•    Q: What is your personal running ambition for 2016?
My goal is to finish all 4 races of the Trail Korea Championship.
•    Q: What do you think about the Asia Trail Master series? Could the 2016 championship be an objective for you?
I did not know Asia Trail Master series have various races from many countries that I would all love to participate in. But since I am a beginner of trail running, I am not aiming for the 2016 championship. I enjoy running. Results depend on my efforts and condition on the day, sometimes the mere enjoyment produces good results. I do not feel much pressure, since I put more meanings on own satisfaction rather than other people’s attention and expectation. 
•    Q: What tips would you give to other Korean female runners? 
Eating well and sleeping well are important. If you are training for a race, experiencing similar geographical features are helpful. When you run, you will find the answer. 

Kim Yongkee

Q: Where are you from in Korea, and what do you do for a living?
KY: In Suwon City, and I am an engineer.
Q: When did you start running? And what has attracted you to do trail running?
In 2013. Actually I like mountain, river and nature. It’s very nice to run in open nature.
Q: Is running part of your family background?
Never. There are no runners in my family except me.
Q: Do you have any idols? Whose poster was hanging in your room as a teenager?
No.
Q: What is your best time in a road marathon?
3:40:15
What feeling does running give you?
Happy, Happy and Happy.
Q: How many kilometers do you tend to run each week, and do you do anything special in your training when you have a trail race on your race calendar?
100k per week, 250k when training for a race.
Q: Do you follow a specific diet?
No.
Q: What was your best achievement in trail running so far, according to yourself?
The 1st place in the under 30 age group in Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2015.
Q: What is the longest distance you have run in a race?
100k.
Q: Will you attend Korea 50k next April and what do you think of the race course?
If I have a time, I will attend the race in 2016. Actually I don’t know about the race course. The race director of Korea 50k changed the course recently.
Q: Do you like mountainous races or would you like more runnable courses on the trail running calendar?
I love both.
Q: What race are you running in your dreams?
UTMB!!
Q: Trail running in Korea is very young, what is your favourite race in your country?
Ultra Trail Jeju 100k (a stage race for 3 days).
Q: What is your personal running ambition for 2016?
HK 100, UTMB and UTMF
Q: What do you think about the Asia Trail Master series? Could the 2016 championship be an objective for you?
Every race looks nice, valuable and well-organized. I will try all those races in the future. Now, I am just a slow runner.
Q: You have taken part in the Vietnam Mountain Marathon, why did you decide to take part in this specific international race?
I joined the Vietnam race because I needed the points for UTMB 2016. So I researched some races to score the points, and this one was most convenient

The 2nd edition of Ijen Trail Running, scheduled for the weekend of 21/22 May 2016, has opened the online registration this week. The event in Indonesia's East Java region offers three race distances, of which the 70km and 42km options are points-scorers for the 2016 Asia Trail Master series. Last August, Alan Maulana and Asia Trail Master champion Arief Wismoyono finished a joint first in the inaugural event.

Ijen is a popular destination for adventure travellers and hikers, and relatively easy to reach from Bali as well. The race will be one of five Asia Trail Master races in Indonesia in 2016, and on paper it is the most runnable as having the least amount of elevation gain. Nevertheless, 2448 Hm over 70km is still considerable and the 16 hour cut off time is quite tight. Runners will reach an altitude of 2300m when climbing the Ijen volcano. The marathon race distance of 42km, which does not go all the way up to the summit but stays on the mountain sides, has a 10 hour deadline. 

The 70km race also offers finishers 1 point for the Grandmaster Quest. 

The event, organised by Egon Trails, is held on Ijen plateau, in Sempol, Bondowoso. The course passes by the picturesque Ijen volcano crater, the world's largest highly acidic lake and isthe site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets are hand-carried from the crater floor. Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern side of the caldera. Coffee plantations cover much of the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to the waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery. 

Please find key information on our own event cover page,  or visit the event website.  Take note that the early bird rate for the event ends on 15 January 2016. 

As 2015 is gradually coming to a close and Arief Wismoyono and Ma Yanxing have been crowned the inaugural Asia Trail Master champions, we can begin to look forward to next year. Whereas the core concept of the Asia Trail Master series remains the same, a few details are being amended. One of the biggest innovations for the points ranking and therefore the championship, is the creation of the SuperTrails. 

A SuperTrail race is a race in which finishers score 50 bonus points for their Asia Trail Master ranking. Looking at the final rankings of 2015, those 50 points can make a difference. The selected SuperTrail races take place in different countries. In 2016, there will be 5 SuperTrail events, selected on the basis of 2015 merits and future vision. 

• Ultra Trail Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Tsaigu Tangsi Plus (China)
• Malaysia Eco 100 (Malaysia)
• Mount Rinjani Ultra (Indonesia)
• Clark-Myamit Falls Ultra (Philippines)

The 50 SuperTrails points will be allocated on all race distances of these five events, as long as they meet the criteria for Asia Trail Master points. 

Please read more about the 2016 points allocation via our dedicated webpage. 

The Grandmaster Quest is not affected by the new SuperTrail category. Each Asia Trail Master race of 70km or more will give finishers 1 point on their path to reach Grandmaster status. More on the Grandmaster Quest in the coming days. 

The 2016 SuperTrails 

(click on the logo to go to the event's cover page)

February: Ultra Trail Hong Kong 

April: Tsaigu Tangsi Plus

May: Malaysia Eco 100

August: Mount Rinjani Ultra

November: Clark-Myamit Falls Ultra

Abroad bonus

Another novelty regarding the points allocation in Asia Trail Master races in 2016 is the abroad bonus. Runners who have finished and scored points in at least three races, will at the end of 2016 be credited with 50 bonus points if one of those three races was outside of their country of residence at the time of the race. 

Interaction between runners from all Asian communities is one of the key objectives of the Asia Trail Master series, and people who take the opportunity and initiative to travel and explore races in a different country deserve to be rewarded in points. 

Win points in C races as well 

A third significant amendment to our points system is the fact that runners can now also score finisher and performance points on an event's C-distance race, provided that event is 25km or longer. The treshold for a B-race distance has also been increased from 21km to 25km. The reason for this change is that several organisers are introducing a 100 miles race to their event. We feel it is justified that runners who do, for instance, a 70km (Bromo Tengger Semeru) or 50km (Malaysia Eco 100) race are entitled to points even if those races are only the third longest of the event. 

Organisers, join the 2016 Asia Trail Master series

While our race calendar has been shaping up nicely for 2016 already, event organisers are still welcome to approach us and apply for entry into our calendar. Please contact us on info@asiatrailmaster.com for further details. Note that we do not accept new entries for races that take place before 15 March 2016. 

On 28 February 2016, Beach Bunch will host the first major trail running race in Brunei, one of three countries on the large island of Borneo. The President of the environmental NGO is also the main organiser of the event, which will be the second points scoring race in the 2016 Asia Trail Master series. Mr Rizan Latif is himself an enthusiastic runner and therefore a great guest in our Talking Trail Running series. 

Q: Mr Latif, first, could you please tell us in a few words what Beach Bunch stands for, and what was the reason you launched this project.

RL: Beach Bunch is a registered Non-Government Organization who's objective is aimed at protecting Brunei's beaches from waste pollution. Our vision is to keep them clean and enjoyable to all including its coastal wildlife.

Our natural beaches have been pristine up until the last decade, especially so with the emergence of plastic waste. Something had to be done. In 2010, a group of friends and I gathered for a cleanup at Tungku and the rest is history. Now, we've done 31 cleanups and have had up to nearly 4,400 volunteers and have collected a not so great; waste collection of 16 tonnes. 

Q: Had the situation on Tungku Beach or in Brunei in general become so bad?

We've done lots of cleanups on various beaches in Brunei and the cleanliness varies from slightly dirty to OMG it's a dump situation. Tungku beach is the latter, it has and still requires a lot of TLC, not just from cleanliness end but waste management as well. It's chaotic on any given Sunday with the combination of food vendors on the beach and beach visitors.

Q: Where does the majority of the pollution come from?

The majority of the pollution is generated locally by visitors to the beach. This is mainly due to a lack of rubbish collection and disposal in designated areas.

Q: Beach Bunch aims to keep the beaches clean for humans and for wildlife. What kind of wildlife is there?

Wildlife that we've encountered on the coast are the sea turtles, mainly Olive Ridleys & Hawksbill as  well as seabirds where most of them are on the endangered and protected list. Dugongs and dolphins are also seen but they are more towards the marine coastline. We are doing conservation programs on the sea turtles in Brunei which includes youth camps and doing nightly night watches for sea turtle landing during the nesting period.

Q: Is there still a lot of cleaning-up work to be done?

Yes indeed. When Beach Bunch started getting into groove of things, we soon realized that no matter how many cleanups we do, the rubbish will come back again. We decided to take a different approach. Our cleanups are now more educational which involves the community; from schools, organisations and families, to get them down to the beach and be apart of that 'feel good' feeling.

Q: Why did you start with the organisation of a 21km half marathon trail run?

I was looking at how we could connect fitness and health with the beach environment, a healthy activity where people could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the beach. Running was the first activity that came to mind. I wanted it slightly challenging and to introduce locals to  long distance trail running. With that set in my mind, I started looking (running) around the beaches here and found the spot. A 21km loop going through 3 beaches; Empire, Tungku and Berakas Forest Reserve. 

Q: Do you also organise other types of events to raise funds or awareness for Beach Bunch?

Yes, I have led numerous beach cleanups, the largest being of 1,000 volunteers as well as a river and island cleanup. I've brought several groups of volunteers at night to the beach for sea turtle landing during the nesting season here.

Q: Is running a popular leisure activity in Brunei?

Open road running has been a popular leisure activity for the last 2 decades. This goes to short distance trail running too. Long distance road running came up over the  last decade or so and the 1st competitive full road marathon started back in 2005. To date, Brunei has only done 4 full road marathons and our event will not only be the fifth full marathon but also the first of its kind as a long distance trail run.

Q: What is the most popular sport in Brunei?

Like any Asian country, football has been the most popular sport in Brunei. Nuff said.

Q: You will be organising a workshop on the day before the race. Could you tell us a bit more about that?

Yes I'll be organizing a workshop for the 2 days prior to the race. I'm working on bringing in a professional international trail runner and not will not be forgetting the local flavor because we too have elite runners, the only difference is not being under the professional category. The aim of these workshops is to educate the runners on long distance trail running as well as to promote trail running. Most of the runners are local Bruneians who range from 2 extremes; from experienced long distance trail runners, road marathoners, ironmen to the other extreme where it would be their first ever marathon and on top of that, on trail!

Trail running has long been established here in Brunei due to our jungle and hilly terrain. Most of the local competitive trail events are of short distance. Long distance trail running is still new here and this will be the inaugural event to do so.

Q: Are you an active runner yourself, and if yes, what have been your main achievements

Yes. Back in the day I used to play football like any local in Brunei. I got into running back in 2012 and like most runners, I started off with a 5km run. To date, I've now done 3 full road marathons and 3 ultra marathons both local and international; the latest one was Sabah's The Most Beautiful Thing 50k category. I managed to finish it and grab first for the Bruneian 50k category.

Q: Do you have any specific trail running ambition yourself?

I'm now looking forward to the TNF's 100k in Australia which will be in May 2016. In terms of ambition, to me it's more about fun... serious fun and not forgetting the pain and suffering that comes with that fun. LOL

Q: The race course of the BB Trail Challenge looks very varied with several very distinct sections. What type of runner has the best chances of winning in your opinion? 

An experienced long distance road runner with a knowledge of the local terrain and weather will be able to win this. With the right strategy on pacing and nutrition/ hydration, this runner will be able to blaze through the course. This is due to route being relatively flat on the beaches and the elevation is of hilly variance rather than mountainous compared to normal ultra trail environment. 

Q: On the website we read that the temperatures in February are scorching, humidity is high and there is a high chance of rain. Should participants be afraid of the natural elements?

They SHOULDN'T be afraid of it but EMBRACE it like any natural outdoor loving person. Coming into the race with a well prepared body and mind through proper training regimen, and well equipped gear through the mandatory kit, participants should be enjoying the weather and the race.

Q: Hydration will be very important during the race. How many water stations are you planning, and what recommendations would you have for runners traveling in from colder climates? 

There will be 5 water stations throughout the route. Runners who are not acclimatized to the high humidity and temperature of Brunei, please adhere to the 1.5 liter current capacity of your hydration as part of your mandatory kit.

Q: Who do you regard as a favourite to win the races in the men's and women's categories? 

As a local brethren, I'm supporting our local elite long distance runners to win the race in both categories since the participants compromise 75% locals. But of course, the international elite runners will be a running for their money for the top spot! It will be exciting from start to finish!

Beach Bunch's Trail Challenge is open for registration. Careful: standard registration with a full gift package closes on 15 December. Click here to sign up for this great new addition to the Asian trail running scene. 

Arief Wismoyono from Indonesia and Ma Yanxin from China are our first ever Asia Trail Masters. Both champions managed to hold on to their points lead in the final races of the season, and are well-deserved champions with two big race victories on the Asia Trail Master circuit during the year. 

The final two months of the inaugural series brought great action and changing fortunes for the series'  protagonists. The Bromo Tengger Semeru Ultra 100 miles race in East Java turned out to be the key to success for both Wismoyono and Ma Yanxin. Suffering from a knee injury, the Indonesian winner of Mount Rinjani Ultra (August) and MesaStila Peaks Challenge (October), had a very tough day in the lava fields to defend his points advantage in the ranking. In particular, India's Ullas Narayana, Norway's Jan Nilsen and his own compatriot Pramonosidi Wijanarko put up a major challenge. Aided by a few strong runners losing the right trail and Nilsen dropping out due to painful blisters, Wismoyono crossed the finish line in sixth place, which was just enough to stay ahead of race winner Narayana and claim the championship. 

After scoring in Dalian back in April, Shanghai resident Ma Yanxing grabbed her second 100km race win of the year in Dali, Yunnan at the very end of October, which placed her ahead of Mila Marlina in the women's ranking. Marlina tried to reverse the situation also in the Bromo race, but did not make it to the finish line and thus failed to score points. 

Arief Wismoyono and Ma Yanxing will receive their awards and prizes during Ultra Trail Hong Kong, the first race of the 2016 Asia Trail Master series from 19 to 21 February 2016. Next year's second edition promises to be at least as exciting with several new race entries and also in a few new destinations. We will also be celebrating the first Grandmasters, as a number of runners have already gathered 3 or 4 points out of the required 6. 

Stay tuned to our website, facebook and wechat channels to stay up to date for all news related to the 2016 Asia Trail Master series, including interviews with Arief Wismoyono and Ma Yanxing! 

Final ranking Men

Final ranking Women

The final winners of the year are known: British runners Jill Hamill and Thomas Watson turned out victorious in the 4th GlobalLimits' Ancient Khmer Path stage race in Cambodia as they crossed the finish in front of the famous Angkor Wat Temple. After six days of racing over 220km in total, Jill Hamill raised a lot of eyebrows by also being the champion.... overall.  A unique performance!

The podium in Cambodia was completed by Austria's Johannes Mohr and Leonard Dion from Australia in the men's competition, and Eufemia Coppi (Australia) and Christina Khinast-Sittenthaler (Austria) in the women's. Especially Mohr gave Watson quite a bit of a challenge in the second part of the week, with a stage victory on the 4th day, but eventually fell 38 minutes short. 

SIgnificant for the Asia Trail Master points ranking is the 7th place of Patrick Singh and 11th place of Leonard Stanmore, both of them finishing their third stage race of the year, which also implies they both already gathered 3 points for the Grandmaster Quest! 

The Ancient Khmer Path was the final race of the 2015 Asia Trail Master series. The official announcement of our first champions comes on Monday, 7 December. 

Credit: GlobalLimits

The inaugural edition of the much anticipated Shaman Trail has been scheduled for 1 October 2016 following the postponement due to the general elections in Myanmar last month. The event will be the country's first serious ultra trail run with a 70km main race distance from the Kalaw hills down to the great Inle Lake. 

The trail is purely ethnic and used on a daily basis by the many local villagers you will come across during the run. In some of the villages a traditional shaman will greet the runners and expel all the bad spirits - and maybe even those blisters and muscle cramps. 

Participants will gather the day before the race in Kalaw, a nice little town surrounded by hills, which has become the start or end point of many tourist trekking trips that are being organised in the area nowadays. While hikers take three to four days to get to the southern tip of Inle Lake, runners will do it in one day. The first part of the course is the most technical as you will be running through dense vegetation at times and there is some elevation gain as well. The second part is arguably more runnable as the terrain tends to be more flat and along various farm fields.  Here and there one will pass a monastery, too.  Just before the Lake there is still a rocky section before a descent towards the final kilometer of the race. The finish is right at the boat jetty. 

After they have finished, runners can take a small boat up the lake towards the Inle Sanctum Resort, which hosts the participants as well as the after party with ceremony in the evening. Inle Sanctum is a five star luxury resort, so a perfect spot to relax after the race. Runners who wish to stay there longer can do so and plan accordingly via the race organisation. 

The Shaman Trail event comes with a travel package that takes all hassle out of your race participation. You can find all information on the website. Registration goes via this link.  

The first section is quite mountainous and very green

Whereas the second part has more open and runnable terrain

Inle Lake is the destination, where you will undoubtedly also be kindly greeted

There's some stunning golden temples to visit in Myanmar and at the lake

You can register immediately via this link.  

One of the most applauded events in this year's Asia Trail Master series was Tsaigu Tangsi Plus, a 58km mountainous run in Eastern China that saw one of the country's biggest running stars, Yan Longfei, take a splendid victory. Participants from first to last talked about the great organisation and wonderful race trail, so it is no surprise that Tsaigu Tangsi Plus has been selected to be China's Super Trail in our 2016 Asia Trail Master series. The international registration has just been opened via our website form. 

Tsaigu Tangsi Plus is scheduled for 16 April 2016 and features an updated and extended main race course. Race director Cai Yu, himself a fervent runner, announced the new 50 mile (82km) distance last week as the main race of the event. Less ambitious participants can go for the 60km or 30km options, bearing in mind that elevation gain is considerable for all. In fact, on the new 50 miles no fewer than 5300 altitude metres need to be conquered, and this within 24 hours. 

Linhai again hosts the spectacular event. A relatively small town in Taizhou, which belongs to Zhejiang Province. International runners can fly into Hangzhou or Ningbo, from where there are easy railway or bus connections to Linhai. It's a tourist town on the banks of the Lin River, which also features an ancient great wall from the Jin Dynasty 1600 years ago. The wall is still 5km long and provides opportunities for exquisite photos. Get an idea of what Linhai looks like via this link. As our event cover page mentions, there are a few hotels in Linhai that can be booked via international websites such as Ctrip and Booking.com. 

Yan Longfei running towards the finish to win the 2015 edition of TT Plus

TT Plus, as the event is commonly called, is an Asia Trail Master Super Trail, so finishers will score 50 points more for the 2016 championship when they finish the race. Important for high level runners who wish to become next year's champion! Super Trail is a new addition to our points system in 2016. In total, there will be five Super Trails and each in a different country. All details of the 2016 points system and set-up will be announced next week upon completion of the Ancient Khmer Path in Cambodia, which is the final race of this year's Asia Trail Master series. 

As 50 miles exceeds 70 km, Tsaigu Tangsi Plus now also qualifies for 1 point in the Grandmaster Quest. 

Registrations are open and expected to sell out quickly. While international runners have a bit more time, do not wait too long to sign up for one of China's trail running highlights of the year!

Little known, but wonderful trail running terrain

Participants loved the 2015 edition of TT Plus