GO ASIA TRAIL 
This is the GO ASIA TRAIL editorial team.
Last month, while the first half of the month had days with high temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius, the second half of the month was completely below 20 degrees Celsius, making the weather more autumn-like. However, the extreme difference in temperature made me a bit ill.
Now, October 2025 will be recorded as a "tectonic shift" month in the Asian trail running world. On the race scene, while the UTMB World Series successfully entered the huge market of Indonesia, the ATM (Asian Trail Master) faced an unprecedented crisis with the cancellation of the series final due to a typhoon, temporarily splitting the light and dark sides of both series. The UTMB, however, has announced that Ultra-Trail Ninghai, a major race in China, will withdraw from the series after the 2025 edition, and the future of the series' dominance in Asia is becoming more complicated than ever. Ultra Trail Ninghai's withdrawal from the UTMB will have an impact on future by-UTMB races in Japan.
On the gear front, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, announced in September, and Garmin's flagship Forerunner 970 and fenix 8 AMOLED 7 have been reviewed by the global media. With high-definition AMOLED displays now standard on high-end models, the main focus of competition has completely shifted from hardware superiority to an "ecosystem" battle that includes AI coaching and safety features. In addition, Chinese companies such as Huawei (華爲) and Coros (高馳) are releasing the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro and Coros Apex 4, respectively, in October 2025.
October was the middle of the racing season, including road racing, with numerous races and events taking place. It is also the season of changing clothes, which means that autumn and winter models of clothing and shoes are beginning to sell in earnest. This is a long report, but we hope you enjoy it.
Asia Pacific: Major Race Results and Analysis
In October, ultra distance races in Japan were the core of the season. In particular, the overwhelming strength of Ryota Nakatani at the LAKE BIWA 100 and the return of "Ikarao Kogen" after a 6-year absence dominated the community conversation.
Japan Domestic
LAKE BIWA 100 (October 10-12)
The most difficult 100-mile race in Japan, traversing the mountainous area from southern to western Shiga Prefecture (from the Suzuka Mountains to the Hira Mountains), the race distance is 169 km, the cumulative elevation gain is $D+10,500^text{m}$, and the time limit is 52 hours.8 The race director is Kaoru Niwa, a professional trail runner. Kaoru Niwa, a professional trail runner, will be the race director.
- Men: Ryota Nakatani won in an impressive time of 25 hours, 12 minutes and 38 seconds. Nakatani proved to be the absolute champion of this grueling course, showing his unparalleled strength at this year's race, following results in 2022 and 2024 (2023 results at IBUKI), followed by ZAIRAN LI in second place (26:02:19) and Ryoma Yamamoto in third (26:55:16). Yamamoto (26:55:16) followed in third place.
- Women: Mitsuho Tsuboi won the women's race in 32:12:57, more than an hour ahead of runner-up Kari Takeichi (33:15:41).
Nakatani's multi-year winning streak once again shows that she is a force to be reckoned with in the 100-mile distance in Japan. In addition, the consistent performance of the top male and female athletes in the 169km / D+10,500m race, which is a grueling spec race even by world standards, suggests that the overall level of ultra distance in Japan is steadily improving.
HACETSUNE CUP (Japan Alpine Endurance Race) (October 12-13)
The official name of this race is "Japan Mountain Endurance Race. It is the oldest and most prestigious trail running race (71.5km) in Japan, starting and finishing in Akiruno City, Tokyo.
- Men: Yamato Yoshino won the race in 7 hours, 49 minutes and 01 second. Yoshino also placed 10th in the "Tsaigu Trail 50K" held at the end of October of this year's event, showing his strength in a series of high-level races.
- Women: Yuri Yoshizumi won the race in 9 hours, 13 minutes, and 02 seconds. Yoshizumi, who also placed 2nd in the "Tsaigu Trail 50K, "12 was a dominant force in October's major races.
1,738 runners participated, with 1,269 finishers and a 73.0% finish rate.
spotted highlands trail running race (october 19, 2012)
This traditional race, produced by Hiroki Ishikawa, was held for the first time in six years. It is a 50km race set in the Mt.
The "return" of the race after a six-year absence was received very favorably by the trail running community. The race was not just a competition, but also included environmental conservation activities in its program, such as the "Creating a Forest of Life" on October 18, the day before the race, making it a symbolic event that overcame the Corona disaster and operational challenges and showed how a sustainable event can be.
Major Asian Races
In October, the racing scene in Asia was marked by two major series, the UTMB World Series and the Asia Trail Master (ATM), which developed intensely under contrasting circumstances: the UTMB successfully entered a new market, Indonesia,1 while the ATM suffered its greatest crisis when the season finals were cancelled due to a typhoon.3 3 While UTMB successfully entered a new market in Indonesia,1 ATM suffered its greatest crisis when the season finals were cancelled due to a typhoon. However, UTMB also announced the withdrawal of a leading Chinese race from the series, revealing that Asia's race dominance is no longer solely dominated by UTMB, but is now a complicated three-way race that also includes leading local races.
Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by UTMB (Indonesia, October 17-19):.
A memorable UTMB event held for the first time in Indonesia. Set on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, the event included the 100K (Caldera Crown), 50K (Ultimate Expedition), and 20K (King's Ascent) categories.
- Ultimate Expedition 60K (50K category): Priya RAI of Nepal won the women's race in 08:41:37. It should be noted that this time was an amazing record, placing her in third place overall, including the men's race. This was a clear indication of her overwhelming power in women's trail running in Asia.
- King's Ascent 28K (20K category): Local Indonesian teams were active. Davit Maluddin SIAHAAN (IDN) and Masayu AZZAHRA (IDN) won the men's and women's races, respectively, in 03:11:13 and 04:21:22.
Ultra-Trail Ninghai by UTMB (China, October 17-19):.
China's major race held in Ninghai County, Zhejiang Province, with three categories of UTMB Stone eligible races: UTNH105 (100K), CNH60 (50K), and YNH25 (20K).
- Results Analysis (UTNH105)
- Men: IONEL CRISTIAN MANOLE (ESP) won in 10:37:31
- Women: Lingjie CHI (CHN) won in 11:34:22, followed by the top Chinese runner Fuzhao XIANG (CHN) in second place in 11:48:42.
The biggest news about this race is not so much the results, but rather its future: after the 2025 edition, Ultra-Trail Ninghai has announced that it will end its partnership with the UTMB World Series. This could have a significant impact on UTMB's strategy in the Chinese market, as it shows that the global standardization of UTMB (high entry fees, strict regulations, etc.) does not necessarily translate into long-term consistency with leading local races.
TransJeju by UTMB (Korea, October 17-19):.
This is the main event of the UTMB World Series held in Jeju Island, Korea. Dates were October 17-19, with categories 100M (148km), 100K, 70K (Jeju70K), and 20K.
Results Analysis:.
- Jeju 100M (148km): Local athlete MINCHUL KO (KOR) won the men's race in 16 hours, 55 minutes, and 51 seconds, and Arika ITO of Japan won the women's race in 21 hours, 28 minutes, and 03 seconds.
- Jeju 70K (60km): Peng TIAN (CHN) won the men's race in 5 hours, 2 minutes, 46 seconds, with Japan's Yutaro YOKOUCHI in second place in 5 hours, 11 minutes, 39 seconds. Aurore DACIER (FRA) won the women's race in 5 hours, 44 minutes and 07 seconds.
Asia Trail Master (ATM)
Season 10 Final Cancelled Due to Typhoon
The Season 10 Championship Final "Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail" scheduled for October 4 in Vietnam was cancelled at the last minute due to severe damage caused by Typhoon Bualoi. ATM quickly responded by announcing that the race would be held in January 2026 and the rights of runners who had qualified for the finals would be preserved.
Opening of Season 11
| Race Name | Venue / Dates | Category | Men's Winner | Women's Champion |
| Luang Prabang Trail | October 18, Laos | 75km | Taichi YUI (Tokyo, Japan) 11:28:00 | Luong Dong ANH (Vietnam)20:04:00 |
| Ultra Fish N Sheep | Hong Kong Oct 25 | 75km | Lodewijk VRIENS (Belgium) | Nicole LAU (leading contender) |
Despite the immediate aftermath of the final cancellation, ATM held its season 11 opener in Laos as scheduled. Taichi YUI won his ATM debut in 11 hours 28 minutes, and Lodewijk VRIENS won the second race in Hong Kong, beating out pre-season favorites Jeff CAMPBELL and Wai Hei NG.
Tsaigu Trail 50K (China, Oct. 31)
Held in Linhai, Zhejiang Province, this non-series race boasted some of the best competition in Asia.
Results: Japanese athletes
| Category | Winner | Country | Time | Japanese Athletes |
| Men | Fan Banglin | CHN | 4:14:33 | Ryunosuke Omi 7th (4:35:58), Yamato Yoshino 10th (4:42:35) |
| Women | Varvara SHIKANOVA | RUS | 5:03:23 | Yuri YOSHIZUMI 2nd (5:12:17) |
It is noteworthy that top Japanese athletes such as Omi, Yoshino, and Yoshizumi have dared to compete in high-level races in China in the consecutive races after the WMTRC (World Championships) at the end of September. This indicates that the strategy of Japanese elite athletes to compete not only in Western races but also in major races in Asia, where competition is intensifying and the level is improving, is becoming more common.
New Product and Gear Trend Analysis
Digital Innovation: GPS Watch Warfare Era - Clash of Apple, Garmin, Coros, and Huawei
October was the month when the Apple Watch Ultra 3, announced in September, and its Garmin rivals Forerunner 970 and fenix 8 AMOLED, were all reviewed by specialized media around the world. In contrast, the Chinese market also saw COROS announce the Apex 4 on October 15, and Huawei released the Watch GT 6 Pro in early October. The high-end watch market has gone from a two-horse race between Apple and Garmin to a warring age that includes Chinese companies.
The biggest trend in 2025 is the "divergence of display strategies": Garmin's adoption of high-definition AMOLED in its flagship models (FR970, fenix 8) 6 has eliminated the "clear screen" advantage that Apple (Ultra) used to have. On the other hand, COROS has clarified its strategy of placing the highest priority on battery life, for example, by daring to use a high-visibility MIP (memory-in-pixel) display in the Apex 4.
As a result, the focus of competition has shifted from hardware superiority to "ecosystem (platform) superiority," with Apple strengthening its ecosystem with its AI coach "Workout Buddy" and "smart safety features" via satellite communications. Garmin has deepened its platform for core runners with "specialized training metrics" such as "Step Speed Loss" and "Impact Load". Huawei is entering the platform war with its unique mountaineering and trail running features and a "21-day battery for everyday use.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (announced in September, full review in October) ◦ Overview: The top-of-the-line Apple Watch model with enhanced adventure and durability. ◦ Analysis: ▪ New features: built-in two-way satellite communication capability dramatically improves safety (emergency SOS, messages to friends) in off-grid locations with no cell signal coverage. The quality of the training experience has also been transformed with the inclusion of Workout Buddy, an AI coach. Sensor accuracy: An independent review (The Quantified Scientist) rated the heart rate ($R=0.99$ for running/cycling) and GPS tracking accuracy as the best available, rivaling professional equipment.35 ▪ Trail runner perspective: The "precision start" feature, the "glove-wearing" function, the "glove-less" function, the "glove-less" function, the "glove-wearing" function, the "glove-less" function, and the "glove-less" function are all new. Precision Start" feature and a large crown that is easy to operate even when wearing gloves are highly rated. However, the AI Coach function requires the iPhone 15 Pro or later to be carried, leaving the stand-alone completeness a challenge. Battery life is still not as good as Garmin's ultra-oriented models, at 11-14 hours with high-precision GPS tracking.
Garmin Forerunner 970 (October Review) ◦ Overview: the flagship of Garmin's running watches. Long-awaited AMOLED display. ◦ Analysis: ▪ New features: new "Elevate Gen 5" heart rate sensor rated "surprisingly accurate" 6. In conjunction with the HRM-600 (chest strap sold separately), a new indicator, Step Speed Loss, can now be measured. This is a revolutionary indicator that visualizes the degree of form breakdown and fatigue during running. Hardware: Built-in speaker and microphone, allowing users to make and receive calls on the watch. ▪ Concerns: Some reviewers have noted that the altimeter is less accurate than the older model (965) and that the battery life is not as good as expected, suggesting that there may be issues with the firmware in early batches.
Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED (October review) ◦ Summary: The pinnacle of adventure watches, and the first in the fenix series to add an AMOLED display option. ◦ Analysis: ▪ Features: all the functionality of the Forerunner 970, plus a more rugged chassis, built-in LED flashlight (including red mode), voice memo function38 and more. From a trail runner's point of view: The built-in flashlight and detailed offline maps for navigation without a smartphone are a huge advantage for ultra-trailers. Concerns: As with the FR970, early reviews point to bugs and poor build quality, such as "random reboots" and "mushy buttons," so we are waiting for the software to mature.
COROS APEX 4 (announced on October 15) ◦ Overview: COROS announced its flagship model, skipping "3," in two sizes, 42mm and 46mm (available in Japan from late October). ◦ Analysis: ▪ Strategy (anti-AMOLED): The most distinctive feature is that it dares not to use AMOLED, but rather a 3rd generation MIP (memory-in-pixel) display. This allows for both outstanding visibility under sunlight and an ultra-long battery life. ▪ Battery: In all satellite system GPS mode, the 46mm model lasts up to 65 hours and the 42mm model up to 41 hours. (*The original Garmin FR970 report was approximately 32 hours36 and the Apple Ultra 3 was 11-14 hours29 ) ▪ Trail functionality: Dual-frequency GPS, detailed global maps with trail and road names, 3D terrain display, course departure alerts, and other features that ultra trail runners need. functions needed by ultra trail runners. Kilian Jornet also emphasizes the reliability of the watch, saying, "You don't have to worry about the watch. ▪ Hardware: Speaker and microphone for voice alerts and hands-free calling during activities.
Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro (released in October) ◦ Overview: Huawei's latest flagship model released in October. ◦ Analysis: ▪ Battery: Up to 40 hours with GPS function ON when running or cycling. ▪ Trail functionality: Focuses on all outdoor sports with its unique "mountaineering and trail running functionality". Ecosystem: Cycling and golf functions are also available, indicating that the company is aiming to build an ecosystem for sports in general, similar to Apple and Garmin.
Trail Shoes: Fusion of Culture and Function
In October, the trail shoe market saw a noticeable trend for brands to add not only "functionality" but also "cultural identity" to their products, such as HOKA's "respect for ekiden culture" and Salomon's "urban minimalism". HOKA's "respect for Ekiden culture" and Salomon's "urban minimalism" showed that trail running is expanding from a niche sport to the broader lifestyle and fashion market.
Salomon x Mental Athletic "DRIFTFORM" (on sale October 29)
- Description: Capsule collection in collaboration with MENTAL ATHLETIC.
- Base model: ULTRA GLIDE 3 for comfort and long-distance performance.
- Design: Sophisticated monochrome white and light gray color scheme based on the highly functional UG3. The "Mental Athletic" typography is boldly placed on the upper side, and an asymmetrical design is used.40 This elevates the high-performance trail shoe to a fashion item.
- Price: ¥27,280 (tax included).
HOKA "KOSHI TAN-TAN" Collection (November 4, 2011)
- Description: Capsule collection inspired by the Japanese "Ekiden" (relay race) culture, which was unveiled at the end of October.
- Design: Black base with gold accents to symbolize inner energy. The design is based on a black base with gold accents to symbolize the runner's "vigilant vigilance".
- Trail shoes lineup: This collection is strategic in that it intentionally combines road (relay races) and trail (HOKA's roots).
- Mafate 5 ($27,500): top-of-the-line model for technical trails, featuring Vibram® Megagrip
- Challenger 8 (JPY 19,800): All-terrain shoe for both road and trail.
2.3. Clothing: Ultra-high-functional vs. lifestyle/collaborative In the apparel market, there is a clear split between "ultra-high functionality and high price points for competitors" and "design, worldview, and low price points (while ensuring functionality) for fun runners/lifestylespeople. Brands are clarifying their strategies, whether to appeal with specialized "materials" or with a "world view" through collaboration.
- Goldwin Fall/Winter 2025 Collection ◦ Description: Under the theme of "speed, lightness, and adaptation to climate change," the collection pursues minimal design and highly functional materials. ◦ Featured Product: The brand puts material technology at the forefront. Light Warmer Kochi Jacket ($400): PERTEX QUANTUM AIR Diamond-Fuse (abrasion resistance and breathability) is used for the main fabric, and 3DeFX+ (heat retention and breathability) for the padding. The sweat-exposed areas are covered with Octa material, making this a truly high-performance jacket. 44 ▪ Floating Wind Shell Jacket ($270): Ultrasonic-welded seams for a windproof shell that feels great against the skin. 44 ▪ Keith Haring x TIGO
- Keith Haring x TIGORA (available in October) ◦ Description: Alpine's private brand "TIGORA" and Keith Haring's art are combined in this collection 45 ◦ Features: All products are equipped with water absorption, quick dry, and UV cut functions 45, ensuring basic functionality ◦ Product Examples: Running Product examples: running wind jacket (¥4,999), long-sleeved T-shirt (¥2,999) 45. In contrast to Goldwin, the iconic design and affordable price appeal to the fun of running.
- CHUMS RUNNING (on sale October 31) ◦ Description: New for 2025 F/W. The brand is collaborating with popular running influencers Takaya Mitsuya Mitsuya and Myako 47 ◦ Features: While using functional materials such as water-absorbing, quick-drying, windproof, and water-repellent materials, the brand pursues a "playful design" that is unique to CHUMS 48 This is a strategy that emphasizes not only product functionality, but also the connection with the community through influencers. This is a strategy that emphasizes not only the functionality of the product, but also the connection with the community through influencers.
