TAIPING: The world is coming to Taiping next month as more than 2,700 runners from 63 countries have already signed up for the Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB, with entries continuing to come in ahead of its third edition from September 10-13.
More than 1,000 of those registered are international runners, setting the stage for another strong turnout when the only UTMB World Series event in Malaysia returns to the historic Perak town.
Based at Dataran Warisan Taiping, the event is part of the 2026 UTMB World Series, which comprises 64 events across 23 countries in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
“When we started, our ambition was not simply to organise another trail race. We wanted to bring an international event to Malaysia that could connect our runners with the rest of the trail-running world while showcasing what Taiping and Malaysia have to offer,” said Tan.
“To see runners from 63 countries already coming here is very encouraging. More importantly, registration is still ongoing, so we are looking forward to welcoming an even bigger and more diverse field in September.
“They are not just coming to race. They will experience our rainforest, our trails, our heritage and Taiping itself. That is what makes Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB special,” he said.
There will be five categories catering to runners of different ages and abilities - MY100, MY50, MY25, MY13 and MYKIDS - with the longer races taking competitors into some of Taiping’s most challenging and scenic terrain.
At the sharp end is the MY100, a 97.7km test featuring 4,802m of elevation gain and a mixture of technical and non-technical trails through tropical rainforest, including the Virgin Jungle Reserves surrounding Maxwell Hill.
The MY50 covers 54.5km with 1,977m of elevation gain, taking runners through Taiping Lake Gardens and forested jungle paths surrounding Maxwell Hill, while the 25.9km MY25 features 1,012m of climbing, two river crossings and trails through the forest reserves surrounding Burmese Pool and Maxwell Hill.
For those taking their first steps into trail running, the MY13 is positioned as the “Freshman Run”, while MYKIDS provides the youngest participants with their own introduction to the sport.
Another change this year sees the popular Vertical Kilometre (VK) challenge incorporated into the MY100 instead of being contested as a standalone category. The fastest male and female runners through the designated VK segment who go on to complete the MY100 will be recognised on stage.
For Malaysian runners harbouring ambitions of competing on trail running’s biggest stage, Taiping also provides a pathway towards the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France, without first having to race abroad.
The top three men and women in the MY100 will earn direct entry to the 2027 CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix), the 100K category at the UTMB World Series Finals, while the top three men and women in the MY50 will secure direct entry to the OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix), the 50K category.
There is still something valuable at stake beyond the podium. Every MY100 finisher will collect three Running Stones, MY50 finishers will receive two and MY25 finishers one, giving them additional chances in the lottery for entry to the UTMB World Series Finals.
“For Malaysian runners, the journey to Chamonix can begin right here in Taiping,” said Tan.
“You don’t necessarily have to travel overseas to start chasing that dream. Perform well here, and there is a direct route to the Finals, while finishing the race itself can earn you Running Stones that bring you another step closer.
“At the same time, we are welcoming runners from all over the world, so Taiping is not only giving Malaysians access to the UTMB World Series but also becoming a place where international runners can pursue their own Chamonix ambitions,” he said.
In the inaugural edition in 2024, Milton Amat finished third overall in the MY100 in 12:02:18, while Wilsen Singgin won the MY50 in 6:28:24.
Last year, Sua Yih Huan was Malaysia’s leading male finisher in the MY100, clocking 14:02:57, while Rejlen James was the country’s leading woman in 18:40:40.
Oswald Maikol and Natahshya Soon were the leading Malaysian male and female finishers respectively in the MY50.
This year’s field is again expected to feature strong international competition. Among those lined up for the MY100 are Nepal’s Arjun Rai, China’s Zhaoying Lu, Japan’s Yutaro Yokouchi and Mika Taniguchi, and Hong Kong’s So Kit Ying.
The MY50 field includes China’s Erqing Wu and Yue Cui, Malaysia’s Lim Jia Jen, France’s Evan Bordeau, Britain’s Catherine Hicks, Hong Kong’s Ho Ting Yu and Taiwan’s Chen Yi Ling.
Beyond elite competition, organisers are also seeking to make the event more accessible and inclusive.
Among the adaptive athletes set to compete is the Philippines’ Renson Embradura, a one-legged runner who will take on the MY25, while Yuni Warzuqni, a deaf runner from Indonesia, is also expected to participate.
Measures to encourage greater participation among women include women’s hygiene kits at every aid station, dedicated women’s toilets and female representation within the organising team.
“We want this to be an event where people can see that trail running belongs to everyone,” said Tan.
“Whether you are an elite runner chasing Chamonix, someone attempting an ultra for the first time, an adaptive athlete or a child discovering trail running through MYKIDS, there should be a place for you here.
“That is really what UTMB's tagline ‘Meet Your Extraordinary’ means to us. Extraordinary is different for every runner,” said Tan.
The event’s impact also extends beyond the trails.
Organisers have placed environmental conservation at the heart of the event through initiatives aligned with UTMB for the Planet, including restrictions on single-use plastics, waste segregation and tree replanting.
More than 5,500 trees have been replanted in and around Bukit Larut and Taiping Lake Gardens since 2022, while the RIMBA UTMB initiative provides runners with the opportunity to contribute towards further reforestation efforts.
Beyond the trails, the event also brings a significant boost to Taiping and the surrounding community, generating more than RM20 million in socio-economic contribution each year through sports tourism.
“For us, success is not measured only by how many runners cross the start line,” said Tan.
“We want the event to leave something behind for Taiping - for its businesses, its community and its environment.
“If we can bring people from around the world here, give Malaysian runners a pathway to the biggest stage in trail running and at the same time create a positive impact for the town that hosts us, then we know we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
