By now everyone knows this year’s Asia Trail Master Championship will be concluded in Indonesia, with the deciding race being Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java on 2/3 December. But do you know the event also has many open race categories - that is, besides the ATM Final race? So, why not join and support your national country team members for their big appointment, and then run yourself, too? You can choose between 15km, 30km, 50km and - indeed - the 77km. The latter is on exactly the same course as the ATM Final, but starts two hours later.

Siksorogo Lawu Ultra is one of the most popular trail events in Indonesia, especially as Tahura Trail in Bandung has still not returned post-covid. Highly applauded for technical event organisation and overall event atmosphere, Siksorogo will be a wonderful trail party and an exciting end of our season VIII. Gunung Lawu is one of those many Indonesian 3000m+ mountain summits and the central point of the race. But there’s a lot of sightseeing options in the area as well. The event is held in Karanganyar, near Solo (a.k.a. Surakarta) and Yogyakarta, cities with a lot of Javanese history. Solo is famous as a stronghold and center of Javanese culture and tradition. It features two royal houses in one single city: the Kraton of Solo and the Mangkunegaran, a principality. Descendants of these two royal houses are still considered leaders today. A quick google search will provide you with loads of links to attractions and tourism options in the area, including visits to the old royal palace, batik and antique markets, historical temples and waterfalls. If you have more time on your hands during your visit to the Siksorogo event, you could even consider a trip to nearby Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world and widely considered as one of the seven world wonders. A great and relaxing opportunity perhaps for the day after the race on Sunday, on the way back to Yogyakarta, where most runners will fly in and out of.

Regular registration for the open races will begin in August via the website below. The second button links to a write-up of hikers’ experiences climbing up Gunung Lawu, which may serve as some background information, and stimulation as well!

The 6th edition of Mantra 116 (previously known as Mantra Summits Challenge) in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, was arguably its best so far. A wonderful high mountain trail festival with very competitive races, a considerably upgraded safety protocol and superb support from the community. It was very foggy on the summits this edition, but that also made the temperatures quite cool and comfortable for the runners. Despite 500hm less elevation gain this year, Mantra remains one of the toughest and more extreme trail races on our ATM Championship calendar, and yet there were only smiling faces at the Kaliandra Eco Resort.

Most of the current Indonesian trail stars proved to be inspired as well this year to take on Mantra. The 116km and 65k race categories were points races for the ATM Championship ranking in a season that has the Final in Indonesia, and not even so far from Malang: Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Karanganywar, featuring another 3000m+ mountain climb, Gunung Lawu. The 65 km race at Mantra with Gunung Welirang and the extension to Arjuno in particular is therefore a good indication, albeit 13 km shorter and more technical than the ATM championship decider on 2/3 December.

Risqi Kurniawan was the impressive winner of the 65km race on Saturday, after a great competition with fellow youngsters Akmad Nizar and the surprising Hilman Maulana. Also Bali-based Egyptian Ahmed Bedair and Sobiro Haerudin played along with the top three guys on the ascent of Welirang. The Malaysians, such as Amir Zaki, Amierul Amin and a very strong Ahmad Tanjong did the same. After Arjuno summit, Kurniawan, Nizar and Maulana pushed the throttle even more and it became clear they would contest the podium. Nizar twisted his ankle in the descent and the pain began to bother him more and more. Kurniawan opened the gap and arrived solo at the finish. A first ATM race victory on his debut! Kurniawan is from Magelang in Central Java, and one could argue the upcoming ATM Final takes place in his home area. He will need another ATM race first to have a chance to be qualified for Team Indonesia, though. The same applies for Hilman Maulana, who took second, and Akmad Nizar, who limped into the finish. In two weeks there is Dieng Trail Run 50km, the next points race in Indonesia.

Fourth place went to Ahmed Bedair, who stayed ahead of Amir Zaki, both fell victim to a confused marshal who sent them onto the wrong trail after the descent of Arjuno. Zaki lost a lot of time, but showed his mental resilience by fighting his way back up the leaderboard to fifth place.

The women’s 65km was won for the second consecutive season by Jakarta’s Siti Nuraini. In the lead from the start, she nevertheless could not take it easy as the surprisingly solid Yustina Setyowati kept the pressure on.

On the 116k , Indonesia’s long-time stars Arief Wismoyono and Shindy Patricia took top honours with convincing performances. Wismoyono made the different once again in the descent of Arjuno, having run up the mountain in the company of Fuminori Kondo, Nhon Trong and Rachmat Septiyanto. Kondo sprained his ankle badly and immediately called it a day. Nhon Trong and Septiyanto were trying to keep the gap to Wismoyono small, but towards the end of the race - at night time already - they had to acknowledge the 2015 ATM Champion and 2017 vice-champion was just too fast. Vietnam’s Nhon Trong even had a bit of a scare on the last hillclimb of the day: altitude sickness. With less than 15km to go , he tumbled from third to seventh on the leaderboard. Septiyanto came in second with a big smile: previously he had come in fourth in 2019 and 2022. Finally a podium for the event organiser of our ATM Championship Final, Siksorogo Lawu Ultra. Philippines’ Sean Aying put the cherry on the cake of his great race: third place on the podium.

Shindy Patricia has been around for so many years now, and yet she seems to be running stronger than ever in 2023. Her fourth place last December in the ATM Final, including the fastest summit attack time of all women on Mt Apo, was with hindsight already an indication of her new-found competitive form. Shindy has always been a podium and race win contender, but her overall performance level just seems to have gone up a notch. Best example: her winning time yesterday was almost 5 hours faster than what she did a year ago at Mantra. Five hours, that’s not because there was 500 hm less elevation this year! Indeed, even though a dozen women took the start of the 116k - a record - Shindy was in a league of her own from the get-go. She was even able to keep up with the men for a large part of the Welirang ascent. Ultimately, Shindy finished third overall behind Septiyanto but ahead of Sean Aying and the rest. Her local community in Malang even sounds impressed by her accomplishments this season. It’s her second ATM race win in 2023 following Cuc Phuong in Vietnam in April. With this kind of form, Shindy Patricia will rank among the top favourites for the ATM title win at Siksorogo!

Applause for the three other female runners who completed Mantra 116. Fitta Emike Sari, Nia Swastika and Sianti Candra.

On our ATM social media channels you can find loads of videos and photos taken during the weekend.

Local star Shindy Patricia wins twice in a row but this year with a time nearly 5 hours faster !

Siti Nuraini also won for the second consecutive year on the medium distance at Mantra

Risqi Kurniawan finally appeared on the ATM scene and with great style: victory on the 65km

Akmad Nizar and Hilman Maulana: two more youngsters taking the podium on the 65km

At last on the Mantra podium: after 2 times 4th in previous years, Rachmat Septiyanto is second on the 116km

Davao’s Sean Aying scored a superb 3rd place on the 116k, second time a Mindanao runner grabs podium in Mantra after Elias Tabac won it in 2018.

It’s Mantra time again! The high-altitude classic in Malang, East Java, Indonesia is celebrating its fifth edition this weekend with two points races for the ATM Championship - 116km and 65km - and quite a number of big names on the start lists. Arief Wismoyono, still the Indonesian mountain runner to beat, is arguably the top favourite on the 116km, especially after his fantastic display on the 75k last year. Wismoyono will need to deal with some very solid international competitors, however. Vietnam’s Nhon Trong returns to Mantra after his DNF last year. It was a defeat that bothered him, and already early in the season he announced he would try it again and try to follow into the footsteps of his compatriots Quang Tran and Nguyen Si Hieu, who dominated the 116km race a year ago. Nhon used to be a speedster, but has been focusing more and more on the ultra distances, recently. Another Indonesian ace has been 4th on the 116km already twice. Rachmat Septiyanto, La Sportiva ambassador and driving force behind this year’s ATM Championship Final Siksorogo Lawu Ultra. Can Septiyanto get on the podium this year? Other podium contenders are Japan’s Fuminori Kondo, Philippines’ Sean Aying, Malaysia’s Rasyid Salehuddin and Hafizan Lamin, and Vietnam’s Thang Hoang Huu.

Local Malang resident Shindy Patricia will again line up for her home race as well. Patricia won the 116km as only female finisher last year. Now there’s more women giving it a try on the redesigned course, which has become easier on paper after the initial climbs up Gunung Welirang and Arjuno at an altitude of over 3000m. The Mahapena ascent and descent have been taken out of the course following runners’ feedback. Shindy will need to focus to win again as Jakarta’s Sianti Candra was second on the 75km last year and has been rising through the Indonesian ultra running ranks. ATM Overall Points Leader Roan Biguasen is also present again for already her fifth ATM race of the season. Three second places so far, can she claim that first victory this weekend? Septiana Nia Swastika is another strong and experienced Indonesian who can score her maiden win in our series. Tamae Harada can also never be underestimated, and who knows Halimatun Sa’adiah finds her great form from last year back.

Grandmasters Rhea Batac and Yvette Chong are also on the start list.

On the 65km medium distance, we keep our eyes on the performance of Central Javanese up-and-comer Risqi Kurniawan in his ATM debut. One of those Indonesian young talents who have been a bit shy in leaving their comfort zone. Will Mantra 65 be his launchpad to regional fame? There’s quite some challengers for the race victory, including Malaysia’s Mohamed Affindi, who has already won twice in Indonesia in his ATM career. In-form Amir Zaki is running, and so is Amierul Amin, Ahmad Tanjong and Husnan Huzin from Malaysia. There’s another Indonesian youngster, Akmad Nizar, who was third in Jember Hills 70k last season. There’s nearly 200 names on the start list so we are bound to discover some new people as well.

The women’s 65km features last year’s winner Siti Nuraini as the one-to-beat. The battle for the podium is also likely to include La Sportiva’s Norlela Ismail, ATM Finalist for Malaysia last year and Dian Pradina from Bali.

ATM will provide live race coverage on our usual channels starting this afternoon at the race pack collection in the Kaliandra Eco Resort in Malang, and later at night for the start of the 116k and 65k. Mantra 116 takes place in a remote mountain area with little mobile connectivty, but all 116k runners and elite 65k runners will carry our GPS trackers from DTA, so everyone can follow his favourite runner throughout the race.

Arief Wismoyono was flying on the 75km last year. Now he is tackling the 116km longest category

Shindy Patricia was the only 116k finisher a year ago. Now she will have more competitors

Sianti Candra was 2nd on the 75km last year. What can she do on the 116km?

Rachmat Septiyanto has been 4th twice at Mantra 116. Finally a podium this weekend?

You can now watch the summary of the 50km race in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, which took place on Saturday, 27 May 2023. The new ATM points race in Indonesia saw local talent Erwin Simanjuntak beating his fellow Sumatran Andre Sinaga in the final section of the race, which runs through the natural habitat of the orang utan in the second half. Vanja Cnops was fastest female.

In the battle for points in the ATM rankings, Alex Tilley (4th) and Roan Bisuagen (2nd) did a great job and took the overall points lead. That means both are currently in a comfortable position to get qualified for the ATM Championship Final on 2 December at Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java.

The 2nd edition of the Orang Utan Trail in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, again charmed all the event participants with its seemingly easy, yet surprisingly challenging 50k course, the brilliant arena with marquee tent and musical performances, and of course the wonderful orang utans in the grandstand, i.e. their natural habitat in the rainforest around the river village. And, just like a year ago, the local runners took the race by the horn and used the opportunity to show themselves in an international trail running context. As if to tell everyone: we are here, too!

Last year’s Candidate Race winners Ongki Saleh and Ina Lydia Utari did not join the 50k as they are both committed to the military marathon championship taking place next weekend. Their roles were especially taken over by two young boys, one military and one university student, by the names of Erwin Simanjuntak and Andre Sinaga. From the get-go at 6:15 am, they set the pace of the men’s race on the flat and runable wider trails, initially along with Singapore’s Chris Timms. The latter let them run ahead, however, just a couple of kilometres before the first aid station at km 10. Working assumption being they will drop back as soon as they hit the much more technical second half of the race inside the jungle on hilly and muddy single trails.

That proved to be underestimating the skillset and the stamina of these two boys, as Timms was unable to close the gap and had to settle for third ten minutes behind the winner. Simanjuntak turned out to have the fastest dash to the line as he attacked Sinaga on the final downhill trail section leading to a tarmac road towards the finish. A great victory in 6h07’51” for Simanjuntak. Sinaga arrived two minutes later. It is not easy for people on this large island to gain experience and even compete, but we surely hope to see them again soon on the ATM circuit. Especially with the Championship Final being in Indonesia on 2 December: Siksorogo Lawu Ultra in Central Java.

Penang-based Alex Tilley scored a superb 4th and kept even pace with the three guys in front during the second half, underlining he is one the best technical trail runners so far this season on our circuit. The winner of the V Trail in Laos, and 6th place in Cuc Phuong 42km in Vietnam, is now the new overall points leader in the men’s ATM Championship ranking. He already looks comfortable for a qualified entry into the ATM Finals. Another hilly jungle specialist, Jakarta-based Japanese runner Fuminori Kondo also showed his reputation is no joke, as he finished in fifth place after overtaking Jose Luis Alvelais, Mananakbo Washington and Thimo Kilberth. The latter actually suffered a heatstroke and was lucky to be able to walk to the finish in ninth place. Indonesia’s Rusmanto and John Sutanto sprinted for 7th ahead of him. Seiji Morofuji completed the top 10.

The women’s 50k race was dominated by Vanja Cnops, returning from a knee injury. It was her first race of the year, and she found a course she truly loved. She crossed the finish in 7h23 as 7th overall without needing to put extra pressure on her knee. For the SIngapore-based Belgian it was the 5th ATM victory in her running journey. Second place went to up-and-coming Roan Biguasen Gumangan, Filipino but living in Malaysia. It was her second podium of the season, and combined with a 7th place in Sierra Madre Trail a month ago that puts her ahead of Irish Glorioso in the women’s overall ATM points ranking. Gumangan is actually still new to running, having picked up regular training only during the pandemic. Third place went to Heroin Paraluan.

The next edition of the Orang Utan Trail is scheduled for the first weekend of July in 2024.

The next ATM points race in Indonesia will be Mantra 116 for the high mountain lovers, and two weeks later another altitude race, albeit shorter, Dieng Trail Run 50.

Live broadcast of men’s race finish

Finish of female race winner Vanja Cnops

Men’s Finish Compilation of Rank 4 to 9

Live Broadcast of the 50km start

Vanja Cnops was her usual smiling self in her first race of the year coming back from a knee injury

Chris Timms kept the pressure on the two local youngsters, but could not catch them inside the jungle

Penang based Briton Alex Tilley now leads the overall ATM men’s ranking with his 3rd result of the season

Malaysia-based Filipino Roan Gumangan is the new overall points leader in the ATM 2023 ranking

The 2nd edition of the Orang Utan Trail in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, marks the first of four ATM points races in Indonesia ahead of the Championship Final in the country on 2/3 December. Domestic runners therefore have a great and easy opportunity to score points in their own country and get qualfiied for Team Indonesia at Siksorogo Lawu Ultra. On Saturday, however, most will be absent and it’s international athletes who start as favourites on the 50km course in the home jungle of the Sumatran Orang Utan, who will undoubtedly be watching the show with curious interest again.

A year ago, Bukit Lawang and organiser Arras Adventures delivered a great newcomer on the trail calendar and put the large island of Sumatra on the ATM map. The Candidate Race gave us a bunch of new running talent with locals like Ongkeh Saleh even winning the main event of 42 km ahead of established competitors like Arief Wismoyono. Arief is out of action due to covid at present, so he won’t be taking revenge on Saturday. Thimo Kilberth on the other hand will give it another go. The Bali-based German was third last year and ranks among the top contenders tomorrow, having fully recovered from his ankle injury sustained in Vietnam two months ago. The Japanese tandem of Fuminori Kondo and Seiji Morofuji, both ATM Finalists last year, will be important challengers for Kilberth. Especially Kondo is very familiar with Indonesian trails, having lived in Jakarta for a while now. Coming into Sumatra from Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia are Chris Timms, Jose Luis Alvelais and Alex Tilley. Timms made a fantastic debut on the ATM circuit late last year with places of honour in the highly competitive MMTF 100 (5th) and the Mount Apo Final (9th). Technically, that means he was ahead of Kondo, Kilberth and Morofuji in that race. Different country and different trails, however. No high mountains in Bukit Lawang but a nice divide between a flattish and runable first half and a technical and bumpy second half on single trails inside the proper rainforest. Alex Tilley showed in February he can handle the latter very well by winning the V Trail in Laos, ATM’s season opener. A good result this weekend will put Tilley on number 1 in the overall ATM Championship ranking, which makes him very much a benchmark already for all expats wishing to qualify for the ATM Final. Alvelais was a great third podium placer on the runable 42km of Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths in Vietnam. For the Mexican of Hong Kong’s Gone Running squad it’s his third ATM race of the season, being one of the unfortunate DNFs at Korea 50k a month ago.

In the women’s competition we look forward to the return of Belgium’s Vanja Cnops. The Singapore resident had a stellar 2022 campaign with a.o. 3 ATM race wins, but suffered a tough injury in the beginning of the year whilst training. The Orang Utan Trail will be her return to racing. Cnops has always been outstanding on the short and medium distance, so if she’s fit it’s hard to bet against her. Other podium contenders are Roan Gumangan, Larissa Nelson, Desi Aryani and Ratna Sudarga. In the case of Malaysia-based Filipino Gumangan, a podium would propel to the overall number 1 spot in the women’s ATM Championship ranking ahead of her compatriot Irish Glorioso. Orang Utan Trail will be her third race of the season.

ATM will be reporting live from Bukit Lawang on Saturday via the usual channels. Livestream of the start and finish - subject to connectivity - and video updates throughout the day.

Check out the race summary of last year’s Candidate Race:

Singapore’s Chris Timms was 9th in last year’s ATM Championship. A podium in Sumatra is on the cards!

Vanja Cnops had a great 2022 season, but a tough injury kept her away from racing so far this year

Thimo Kilberth was 3rd last year and could use that experience to maximum effect on Saturday

Japan’s Fuminori Kondo knows Indonesia well and will be a contender on a 50k like Orang Utan Trail

We are happy to announce that the 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship Final will be held in Indonesia at the very popular Siksorogo Lawu Ultra event in Central Java on 2/3 December! Host area is Karanganyar near the cities of Solo (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta - two famous destinations for culture, art and outdoor enthusiasts. Last year, Siksorogo Lawu Ultra saw 3000 participants distributed over the various race distance categories and was universally hailed as a big success. The event is managed by some of Central Java’s most experienced trail runners including event director Rachmat Septiyanto, race director Furqoni Syabana and race manager Agus Wibisono.

The ATM Final will be held on the main 77 km race course including the ascent and descent of Gunung Lawu, of which the summit sits at 3265 meters above sea level. Total elevation gain is estimated at over 5000 hm, which is significant. However, the trails are quite runable and considered much less technical than last year’s Mount Apo in Philippines. Gunung Lawu is also the key section of the race with the summit coming around halfway. Start and finish is at the campground in Sekipan. Start time for the ATM Final is set at 5 am.

Gunung Lawu is a stratovolcano that is officially active, but has only had one reported and very modest activity as far back as 1885. It is a mountain with a lot of significance in Javanese history and culture, and basically divides Central Java from East Java.

As last year, runners need to qualify for the ATM Championship Final by scoring ATM points throughout the year. Per Asian country, maximum five male and five female runners - the highest point scorers - will receive the invitation to join the final race. A minimum of 2 ATM race finishes is required for everyone. Qualified runners will receive free entry, 3-night accommodation and airport shuttle service. The top 10 male and female will be honoured and awarded during the podium ceremony, as well as the best country team.

Previous ATM Champions can get a wild card no matter what, as long as they finished two ATM points races this year. Host country Indonesia has so far had two ATM Champions: Arief Wismoyono in 2015 and Ruth Theresia in 2018. A new generation of Indonesian trail athletes has come to the fore in domestic races, but so far they have not competed at the regional Asia level yet. Perhaps this year will be their breakthrough year?

Siksorogo Lawu Ultra is of course also open for everyone else. The mass participation 77km will follow the same course as the ATM Final but starts two hours later at 7 am. Less ambitious runners can also sign up for shorter distance categories, such as 50km, 30km, 15km and 7km. This means you can support and cheer for your country’s ATM Finalists and still do some running yourself also!

The reigning ATM Champions are Arnie Macaneras (Philippines) and Hau Ha (Vietnam). Both have proven already early this season to still be in fantastic shape. Hau Ha, in particular, has even stepped up to the global level with success already.

Below is the Siksorogo Lawu Ultra event website, which will soon be updated and open for regular race registration. All information and details about the ATM Championship Final will also be published as usual on the ATM Website on a dedicated webpage here.

ATM Final Qualification: Requirements

The 2023 Asia Trail Master Championship Final will be a winner-takes-the-title race as it was last year. The male and female finalists who cross the finish line first will be the new ATM Champions. The best team will be the new ATM Team Champion.

However, you do need to qualify to be able to take part in that last race, the ATM Final. In each country, maximum five male and five female runners who score most ATM points during the year will qualify and be invited to enter their country’s National Team for the Asia Trail Master Championship Final.

The Final is therefore projected to be a race with selected elites-only, who are members of National Teams. Maximum five male runners and five females. Apart from the Individual Championship there will also be a Team Championship. The latter will be based on the accumulated finish times of the best three male runners and best three female runners in each team (= 6 finishing times in total)

The number of runners per team is subject to there being an ATM points race in the country.

• Minimum 1 ATM points race —> 5 male runners, 5 female runners

• no ATM points race —> 4 male, 4 female

• Runners who are ranked 6th to 8th in their country are the eligible reserves in case anyone in the top 5 cannot take part in the Final.

Please note:

• Expats working and residing in Asia: if the expat is an Asian passport holder, he will represent his native country and not his resident country, unless he decides himself to represent his resident country. If the expat has a European or American passport, or any other non-Asian passport, he will be eligible to join Team Asia Expat. Exception: expats who have resided in one and the same Asian country for 8 years or more can join their resident country team.

• Minimum requirement of 2 ATM race finishes: runners in the top 5 of their country ranking must have completed minimum 2 ATM races to be eligible to join the ATM Championship Final and represent their country.

• Wild cards: former ATM Champions get a wild card to take part in the 2023 Final, provided they have scored points in minimum two ATM points races during 2023. Also, the team of the host country can at any times be represented by 5 male and 5 female runners, provided these have scored points in minimum two ATM points races during 2023.

• Equal points: if two runners have the same points total in the country ranking, a distinction will first be made on the basis of highest ranking obtained in a race (e.g. a 3rd place race result is better than a 5th place race result). If that still does not divide them, the number of kilometres run in the relevant races will determine who receives the highest place in the country ranking.

From the well-established team that brought you GOAT Run in Indonesia comes a new event in Central Java: Dieng Trail Run - Run Above The Clouds. An event with a 50km points race for the Asia Trail Master Championship ranking scheduled for Sunday, 23 July. Dieng Trail Run takes the place on our annual calendar of Ijen Trail, which unfortunately can still not be held this season. As such, Indonesian runners still have four major opportunities to score points and get qualified for Team Indonesia in the ATM Final on 2/3 December, which will be held in Indonesia as well (stay tuned for details later this week!)

The race route of DTR will take participants across the unique natural and cultural beauty of the Dieng plateau. The 50k category will go through 5 (five) drinking post points and check points, the third is at the top of Mount Bismo. The difference between the ultra route and the others is that participants will go through 4 peaks, Mt Prau, Seroja Peak, Mt Pakuwaja peak, and Mt Bismo peak. Especially for 50k, qualification will apply to participants who register. The condition is that you have finished a trail run of at least 20k. This is intended so that the 50k participants are more prepared physically and mentally.

DTR is not just a trail running competition, but a joint campaign to build awareness of the threat of climate change, especially around Dieng. The event is part of the annual agenda of the Wonosobo Tourism and Culture Office, Central Java. In this 2nd edition in 2023, the big theme of DTR is sustainability:

ONE HEALTH, RUN FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THE PLANET

Where the health of runners is closely related to the health of planet Earth. The threat of damage to the Earth is also a real threat to human health.

The race in a nutshell:

• Race Day: Sunday, 23 July

• Distance: 50km

• Elevation gain : 3.850 m

• Flag off : 00.00 (midnight)

• Start/Finish : Taman Syailendra

• COT : 18 hours (i.e. 6 pm)

• AS & CP :

• 1. Puncak Gn. Prau

• 2. Puncak Gn. Pakuwaja

• 3. Puncak Gn. Bismo

Last year, the 50km race was won by Taofik Hidayat and Siti Nuraini.

One of the more eye-catching ATM Candidate Races last year was undoubtedly North Sumatra’s Bukit Lawang Orang Utan Trail. A new event in the spirit of Tahura Trail, which name wasn’t chosen for clickbait: runners were literally entering the forest inhabited by the sumatran orang utans, who presented themselves as interested spectators of the trail race. On the weekend of 27/28 May, runners are again encouraged to join the Bukit Lawang Orang Utan Trail event, now part of the Asia Trail Master Championship calendar. BLOT offers a 50km points race and two shorter categories for less ambitious participants.

Bukit Lawang is the name of the host venue, in a picturesque setting by a lake. The event has a similar feel to Vietnam Jungle Marathon in Pu Luong and Cordillera Mountain Ultra in Tinongdan. Local homestays and guesthouses are kindly being offered as the go-to accommodation option for the weekend. Bukit Lawang is situated roughly 3 hours by bus from Sumatra’s biggest city Medan, which is internationally connected by air. The forest is part of the vast Mount Leuser National Park.

The 50 km race will largely but not entirely follow the course of 2022, when it was a 42k distance. The main characteristic of the race course, namely a flattish and very runable first half followed by a technical second half in the deep jungle on single trails remains. Competitive athletes therefore need to manage their efforts well to prevent a knock of the hammer in the final hour. The Orang Utans will only watch you struggle, they are unlikely to assist you :-) .

Registration is open via the official website linked below.

Bali Ultra Trail on and around Mount Batur in the beautiful Kintamani region is confirmed for the weekend of 19/20 August this year. After a successful edition as a Candidate Race last year, we are pleased to announce that both the 100km and 50km race categories are new points races for the 2023 ATM Championship ranking. Registration opens soon.

Popular tourist attraction Batur is rapidly gaining a reputation as a prime trail running destination as well. The old volcano is not the highest and also not the most technical to climb, but it is a challenge nonetheless and the views from the mountain are astonishing. Bali Ultra Trail has Grandmaster Dendi Dwitiandi as race director and the second edition will build further on the experience of 2022. The 80km becomes 100km and will retain the mentally tough out-and-back section towards the beach in North Bali. The 50km wil stick to the Batur area itself. Precise course details for the upcoming edition will be revealed in due course.

Meanwhile, book your weekend for Bali in August and prepare for another exciting race weekend!

Last year Arief Wismoyono won the 50k race at Bali Ultra Trail

A smart run by Dedy Yusuf landed him a first ATM race victory in the inaugural Jember Hills Classic in East Java, Indonesia, yesterday afternoon. Starting from the Rembangan Hills outside the city, the 70k trail race was controlled by three runners who stayed together from the second aid station onwards: Yusuf, Akhmad Nizar and Thimo Kilberth. In the final couple of kilometres, Yusuf - who had been saving energy throughout the day - had too much speed left on the road towards the centre of university city Jember. An impressive win by the 36-year-old from nearby Lumajang, especially given the two guys next to him on the podium. Nizar was second and Kilberth third - for the third consecutive time in an ATM points race this season. He is practically assured of a place in Team Indonesia for the ATM Final in December. Kilberth has been living in Bali for over ten years.

Jember Hills Classic offered a varied and green course with nine bukits or hills as guideline. The vistas on some of these summits were impressive given the clear weather, which of course also resulted in elevated temperatures after 10 am. Adrian Tuankotta, I Dewa Geda Astawa, Hadi Mustofa and Fuminori Kondo were chasing the lead trio most of the day, but in particular Tuankotta and Kondo suffered as they went off course after 18km for some time. Tuankotta and Kondo recovered strongly and finished fourth and fifth. The same occurred to Shindy Patricia in the women’s race, which placed Indah Wardhani, Rhea Batac, Mila Marlina and Trisha Yuen ahead of her on the way to AS 3. Shindy recovered, however, and was able to distance the other women again on the way to her second ATM race victory of the season. After the finish, Shindy did admit it was time for a bit of rest after a very busy race schedule in the past couple of months. She is basically already guaranteed for her place in Team Indonesia for the ATM Championship Final on 17 December, and Mount Apo in Philippines is exactly the kind of mountain that Shindy likes…. Rhea Batac secured a great second place, equalling her best ever race result on the ATM circuit (2nd in V Trail in Laos in 2019). That’s a rather unexpected big points haul for her Team Pilipinas ambitions for the same ATM Final in December. Third place went to Bali’s Indah Wardhani and fourth to Trisha Yuen, also a very busy trail bee of late and her best race result on the ATM circuit.

Jember Hills offers some amazing vistas along the varied course around the university city

Nice getting to know you: ‘clever’ Dedy Yusuf wins the inaugural Jember Hills Classic

Shindy just keeps on going: busy bee scored her 2nd ATM points race victory of the season beside all the local candidate races

Talented Akhmad Nizar opened his 2022 account with a 2nd place after his misfortune at Mantra Summits

Thimo Kilberth was happy to have scored his third consecutive third place in an ATM points race

Rhea Batac scored a great 2nd place and does a wonderful job for her ATM Championship ranking in Philippines

This Sunday we have the third and potentially last Indonesian points race of the 2022 ATM season in East Java. The Jember Hills Classic is new on the trail calendar and is produced by the crew of Ijen Trail, an event that is unlikely to take place this year as the region is still recovering from the covid crisis. Jember Hills is part of a bigger running festival that also features a road marathon, half marathon and 10k fun run. The trail race is 70km in length , has 9 bukits or hills for a total elevation gain of just over 3000 hm.

With the high likelihood of Ijen Trail’s cancellation, and Tahura Trail not being scheduled for this year at all, there may indeed be only three ATM Championship points races in Indonesia this season. A good occasion therefore for the Indonesian runners to boost their ATM points total with a view to qualification for the ATM Championship Final in Davao on 17 December. One runner who has his eyes firmly set on just that is Bali-based Thimo Kilberth. A busy runner with lots of races under his belt, but one who plans and prepares his targets carefully. Kilberth will be one of the men to watch this Sunday, alongside Nizar. In the women’s, we may be looking at the first ATM dual in a long time between in-form Shindy Patricia and 2018 ATM Champion Ruth Theresia, who has returned to high level trail racing. Shindy can do a good job for her ATM Final qualification this weekend, and as a former champion Ruth just needs to secure two ATM race finishes this season.

After a difficult period during the covid crisis, Ruth Theresia has returned to competitive level this summer