This weekend we are in Kazakhstan, but already the 3rd SuperTrail race is coming up soon  in this year's Asia Trail Master series, and it's Malaysia's!  Taking place opposite Penang Island in Bukit Mertajam, famous Malaysian ultra runner Seow Kong Ng has set up a beautiful gem of a race that received applause following its inaugural edition in August last year, when it was an Asia Trail Master Candidate Race. The event has been moved forward to 14/15 May this year, and also features a new 100 miles distance, on top of the existing 100 and 50km races. More than 500 runners will be taking part coming from many parts of the world. In order to be truly prepared for the Malaysia Eco 100, our partners at Gone Running in Hong Kong have selected a few products that come highly recommended for all participants. Selected by John Ellis, himself a very successful trail runner in Hong Kong, here's what his race bag would contain: 

Tailwind

Tailwind is an obvious one given the combo of energy and electrolytes, which is an absolute must for all runners in the Malaysia Eco 100, regardless of the chosen race distance- https://www.tailwindnutrition.asia/collections/all.

KAILAS

2. The Kailas tops are our lightest, most breathable, run tops. They are the same material as this year's HK 100 tops - https://www.gonerunning.hk/collections/run-tops/products/kailas-quickdry-running-tee.

Gurney Goo

3. Sweaty tropical climates are a magnet for running chafe so keep your sensitive bits safe and protected with Gurney Goo - https://www.gonerunning.hk/collections/lubricants/products/gurney-goo.

Cancer Council Repel

4. Repel Sunscreen is designed for harsh Australian conditions (SPF30+) and also has insect repellent - https://www.gonerunning.hk/collections/sunscreen/products/cancer-council-australia-repel-sunscreen-range-spf30.

Gone Running ships internationally from Hong Kong. As a partner of the event, Gone Running will also be rewarding the podium finishers on the long distance with prizes. 

One of the most exotic races in the Asia Trail Master series is the Tengri Ultra Trail in Kazakhstan, which will have its second edition this Sunday. It is a unique outdoor experience, as participants are expected to camp the night before at the race venue - the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Tamgaly Tas. The site has ancient rock paintings in some of the caves. After a successful debut last year, the event has entered the consciousness of citizens in the city of Almaty and around, proven by this week's interviews and feature on city television (see below). No doubt, the Tengri Ultra Trail has introduced trail running to Kazakhstan.  

The Tengri Ultra Trail runs through grasslands and canyons with snowcapped mountains from the Tian Shan range on the horizon. After the success of the inaugural race last year, the organisers have beefed up the longest course from 55k to 70k, which means that runners can also score one point for their individual Grandmaster Quest. There is also a 35k and a 10k for less ambitious runners. Elevation gain is rather limited, 1070 Hm, making this race a perfect opportunity for road runners to get a first taste of trail running. There are some technical sections, however, that should not be taken lightly. In particular, some of the trails through the canyons can be very rocky and narrow and if there was rain in the days before the race you will likely get your feet wet. 

Timur Arthyukin, organiser and race director of TUT explains: " We will show a new canyon to the runners this year, which means, there are 2 canyons on the 70k course. The last 15k will be along the Ili River to the finish at the camp site. " The long distance race will start at 6 a.m. and the cut off time is 12 hours. "Runners need to be prepared for hot conditions with lots of sunshine. All runners should equip themselves with a Camelback or at least 1,5 litres of water. There are several drinking stations along the course, but runners on the 70k and 35k  must take their own refreshments with them also." 

Given the last section will indeed be in wide open space, it is essential for runners to hydrate themselves well enough, and protect themselves from abundant sunshine via a cap or bandana. Something like the RaidLight desert and grassland cap, for instance. 

Almaty TV interview with Vadim Vinokourov, co-organiser of TUT (in Russian). 

Last year the race was won by local runners Georgiy Shejko and Akmaral Meirman. "This year we also have some strong runners from Czech Republic, USA, Russia and other Asian countries," says race director Timur. In any case, female champion Meirman has already confirmed her return and is in top shape, having just finished the Vienna Marathon in 3:07. Meirman was featured on our Talking Trail Running series a fortnight ago. 

The Kazakh running community is growing fast. "In Almaty our group is at least twice as big as last year, and I am sure several Kazakh runnes will also travel to take part in other Asia Trail Master races this year," according to the organiser. In fact, the winners of Sunday's race will be rewarded with a free race entry for the Magnificent Merapoh Trail in Malaysia this summer, and vice versa. 

The organisation team of Tengri Ultra Trail is ready for the second edition!

Akmaral Meirman returns to Tamgaly Tas on Sunday in defence of last year's title 

The Magnficent Merapoh Trail in Malaysia on 29/30 July is one of those races the international running community is very much looking forward to. Not only because it takes place at a time when there are few other events, but also because it is a race where runners can truly enjoy the trails on the 100, 60 and 30k courses without too much elevation gain (we all love that sometimes, don't we?). 

To get a better idea of what to expect, please watch the brand new trailer of the event produced by Running Project. 

It is still possible to register for the race, but you need to be quick! 

The 2016 Asia Trail Master series is happy to have partnered with the renowned and truly international trail running brand RaidLight. Together with a pan-Asian team of running ambassadors, RaidLight will share the trail experience throughout the Asia Trail Master tour this year! 

The French brand Raidlight has been pioneering the world of Trail running since its foundation in 1999 by Benoit Laval; an avid runner who has run over 100 trail races across all the continents around the world and was selected for the French Trail running team in 2010.

Raidlight France, the brand's headquarters, is based at 1000 metres of altitude in the heart of the Massif de Chartreuse where it employees a team of 30 highly motivated employees who are each passionate about outdoor activities. From its Eco-friendly designed offices Raidlight continues to develop sport specific lightweight products for every aspect of users anticipated needs; including shoes, bags, clothing, accessories and more. Raidlights desire to pioneer and share, led it to become the first brand to create both an inclusive trail community called “Team Raidlight”, as well a network of Trail Workstations (Station de Trail) across some of Europe’s most beautiful mountain ranges. Through this inclusion and integration of its customers, Raidlight’s Research & Development department can truly design collaborative and required trail running equipment in an interactive, innovative and passionate way.

Event organisers in the Asia Trail Master series can benefit from the partnership with RaidLight as well. Not only in the form of quality podium prizes for top runners or for lucky draws, but also for dramatically discounted customised event T shirts, race caps, hats, and all other gear available in the catalogue of RaidLight. Event organisers can contact us for more details if they like to obtain RaidLight as a sponsor of their event. 

RaidLight is also always keen on finding new retail partners in Asia, as the trail scene keeps growing and establishing itself in ever more countries. 

RaidLight products are easily available in Asia via distribution centres in a.o. Hong Kong (e.g. via Gone Running), China, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Korea. The online website store has a long reach as well, and within China there is an online Taobao store and info centre in Hangzhou. Via the Asia Trail Master website, it will also be possible to order discounted RaidLight products that will be highlighted or a specific race on our calendar. Stay tuned to this page for more information, and how to order and purchase the items.