Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB to bring the trail running world to the jungles of Malaysia
Malaysia Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB®, formerly known as the Malaysian Mountain Trail Festival has joined the UTMB World Series and is set to welcome runners from around the world to Taiping and the incredible jungles of northwest Malaysia. The 2024 event will take place from 15-17 November, with entries opening for UTMB Index holders on 4 June while general registration opens to all runners on 6 June.
The event was founded back in 2018 by Ewegene Tan, who remains the Race Director for Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB. From 15-17 November, it offers trail runners heading to Malaysia a choice of five races, with a 100K, 50K, 20K (25km) as well as a 13km and a Vertical Kilometre.
Ewegene Tan looks forward to welcoming runners from around the world to Malaysia for what promises to be an event to remember.
“Prior to our first event in 2018 we spent three years scouting the region for the best possible trails and we can't wait to welcome the world to Malaysia as a part of the UTMB World Series this November,” explains Tan. “Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB® will take runners into jungle reserves and in the Forest Reserve for which access is limited.
“_Runners will traverse a wide variety of unique trails, from old railroad beds to plantation trails, four-by-four tracks and rugged jungles, all based out of the historical town of Taiping which is steeped in history,” he continues. “At our heart we are a community event, trail running is all about bringing people together and we look forward to expanding our community as we join the UTMB World Series._”
The event begins with the Vertical Kilometre, or MYVK, on Friday 15 November, with runners climbing 1,000m over the 5.6km course, starting at the foot of Maxwell Hill and finishing at Angkasa, 1,036m above sea level.
The 100km event, MY100, starts in darkness at 3am the following day and includes 4,940m of climbing across 98.4km, starting and finishing at Esplanade Taiping, Perak. Covering a mix of terrain, from single track to dirt roads, runners will have 32 hours to complete the course and cross the finish line.
At 10am on Saturday 16 November the 50km event, MY50, will begin, featuring 2,970m of elevation over 48.2km, with a 17-hour cutoff.
That afternoon will also feature the 25km, MY25, with a 25.8km course including 1,380m of climbing.
The final event of Malaysian Ultra-Trail by UTMB® is the MY13, a 14.1km event with 320m of elevation, beginning on the morning of Sunday 17 November.
The Malaysian trail running community now ranks 23rd worldwide and fifth in Asia, following China, Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, and is fully burgeoning and recognised globally as a dedicated trail running community.
Since its inception in 2018, the Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival swiftly ascended to become a cornerstone event, firmly establishing itself among the country's top three largest gatherings. With a growing influx of Malaysian participants, including those from neighbouring regions of south-east Asia, the allure of prestigious international races like UTMB® has intensified.
This year, an impressive 87 Malaysians have entered the UTMB lottery, despite the absence of a similar event in their home country, underscoring both the aspirations of local runners and the strategic appeal of UTMB World Series. The circuit gives all Malaysian trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB adventure closer to their home and a chance to collect Running Stones without having to travel long distances.
Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB® has been made possible thanks to the support of Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Perak, Ministry Youth and Sports Malaysia, Perak Forestry Department, Taiping City Council, Member of Parliament Taiping, Mr Wong Kar Woh and the District Office of Taiping.
