Malaysian Ibrahim Karim won the 50km at the Malaysia Taman Negara Ultra 2026 overall in 9:23:24, saying what he learned at the 2025 edition helped him through a race that began in the dark.

The event was held at Taman Negara Kuala Tahan in Jerantut, Pahang, and the 50km started at 10:44pm on 24 October. Ibrahim, wearing bib 2060, ranked first of 166 overall, first of 132 men and first of 84 in the Men Open (18-39) category, according to the official results.

“Honestly, I felt deeply touched and happy. This victory is very meaningful to me, especially after all the preparation, sacrifices, and experiences I went through before the race,” Ibrahim told ToughASIA.

He said he prepared through training and drew on his run at the 2025 edition, which helped him understand the character and surface of the Taman Negara trail.

“While in the jungle, I tried to maintain focus and follow the movements of the runners ahead, especially when passing through dark and technical areas,” he said.

Ibrahim described the stretch from CP1 to CP2, especially after Bukit Warisan, as challenging. Having learned from the previous edition’s mistakes with hydration and muscle cramps, he said he came better prepared with enough water this time.

“The biggest challenge for me was the route from CP2 to CP3. I had to cross rivers multiple times, navigate steep hillsides, and deal with fairly slippery surfaces that caused me to slip a few times,” he said.

His plan was to start neither too fast nor too slow, putting staying power and consistent fuelling first.

“To me, in an ultra race, it is not about who is the fastest at the beginning, but who can conserve energy, control their pace, and still have the strength to reach the finish line,” he said.

The steepest climbs were among the moments that tested him most mentally, and at times the trail forced him to slow down and control his breathing.

“My principle is simple: as long as you can still move, keep fighting,” Ibrahim said.

He said he spent about eight to 10 months preparing, working on earlier weaknesses in energy management, hydration and race strategy.

Four to three weeks out, he focused on hill repeats, long runs and strength training, before easing into easy runs and easy uphill repeats and then a taper. Race week brought light activity such as slow hiking, along with carbohydrate loading, and he prioritised full rest and recovery in the last five days.

He did no special simulation training for the race, relying instead on what he had learned in previous races.

“I believe that on-the-ground experience is also the best teacher in the world of ultra trail,” he said.

Ibrahim said that, God willing and if granted health and the opportunity, he plans to take part in Trail des Lenggeng 2026. He added that, God willing, he wants to keep challenging himself over longer distances.

“Run with purpose, run with heart. Easy to quit, but don’t quit!” he said.