Kris Van De Velde - Developing the Asian Trail Running scene

The Endurance Asia Podcast

Kris Van De Velde is a former competitive cyclist from Belgium who set up and now oversees Asia Trail Master (ATM), a competitive running series that showcases some of the best (and often most remote) scenery across 15 countries. Some of the major races include Ultra Trail Chiang Rai in Thailand, Borneo TMBT Ultra in Malaysia, IZU TRAIL Journey in Japan, Cordillera Mountain Ultra in Philippines, The 9 Dragons Ultra in Hong Kong, and many more. Follow them on Facebook here.

It’s been a challenging 12 months for Race Directors across the world, but Kris and his team have done an amazing job of pivoting to virtual, with their latest challenge, the 7 Missions, just concluded.

We initially spoke to Kris via Zoom in August 2020, but caught up with him in person in Singapore in early January for an update on ATM plans for 2021.

In our initial conversation, we cover

• His work with Nordic Ways (04:00), including the Genghis Khan MTB Adventure and Grassland Marathon and VatternRunden China

• Haute Route China (20:00)

• Ultrabericus Trail in Italy (24:00)

• The idea behind Asia Trail Master (25:00)

• TMBT and the Sabah Adventure Challenge (35:00)

• The ATM format and points system (39:00)

• Alula EcoTrail (46:00)

• The showdown between Jon Ellis and Hisashi Kitamura at Ultra Trail Chiang Rai (50:00)

• Lily Suriani and other ATM Grandmasters (55:00)

Part Two of our conversation with Kris starts at 01:05:00 and we talk about:

• Granfondo Yunnan (cycling) and Vassalopet China (skiing) (01:09:00)

• Upcoming events including Tahura Trail in Indonesia, Vietnam Trail Marathon, Echigo Country Trail in Japan, Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival

• Force of Nature Trail Marathon in Singapore (01:30:00)

And much more!

If you enjoy this interview with Kris, check out our previous episodes including:

• Veronika Vadovicova (2019 ATM Female Champion)

• Alessandro Sherpa (2018 ATM Male Champion)

• JP Alipio (RD of the Cordillera Mountain Ultra, an ATM race in the Philippines)

• William Cheang (trail photographer for ATM)

• David Lloyd, Race Director for the Vietnam Trail Series

Hosted by Ultra Endurance enthusiasts Scott Pugh and Ric Stockfis.