Malaysia’s premier ultra trail running event, the Cameron Ultra (CULTRA), is set to make a welcome return for its ninth year from 18 to 20 July 2025, in the scenic highlands of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.
First introduced in 2016 by Bolt Events Management (BOLT) in collaboration with SUKADEI Running Club, CULTRA has since evolved into a world-class trail running festival that attracts local and international participation.
This year, CULTRA enters a new chapter of excellence with Asics stepping in as the title sponsor, officially branding the race as CULTRA 2025 Presented by Asics. And it has already achieved a significant milestone – recording 2,500 participants from 39 countries within just 5 days of its registration opening. The near-equal ratio of local and international runners underscores the event’s growing global appeal and reputation among trail running enthusiasts worldwide.
According to Azlihana Abdul Rahim, Director of Marketing and Communications at BOLT, CULTRA is more than just a physical endurance event — it is also a key driver for local economies and a catalyst for community development in Malaysia. Since its inception, CULTRA has contributed to social and environmental sustainability while also creating income-generating opportunities for local communities and tourism industry players.
“CULTRA 2025 Presented by Asics is not merely an ultra trail race. It is an internationally recognized sports tourism platform that can contribute significantly to Malaysia’s sports and tourism ecosystem. We are projecting an economic impact of over RM12 million, compared to RM10 million generated in the previous edition. This impact is driven by the influx of both domestic and international runners and tourists,” she added.
CULTRA 2025 Presented by Asics is proudly supported by numerous key stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Tourism Pahang, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), and Boh Plantations Sdn Bhd.
CULTRA 2025 participants will compete for a total prize pool worth approximately RM50,000, including cash prizes estimated at RM34,000. Additionally, USD1,000 cash prizes will be awarded to the overall international winners (Men and Women) of the 100KM category. Finishing the race also provides participants with recognition and qualification points for international trail events.
The race will feature the four race categories below:
1. 100KM (Total Elevation Gain: 4,870M) – 260 participants
2. 60KM (EG: 2,690M) – 570 participants
3. 30KM (EG: 1,470M) – 720 participants
4. 14KM (EG: 720M) – 670 participants
5. 4KM (E EG: 140M) – 280 participants
Regional Strategic Partnership
As part of its efforts to contribute to strengthening the Southeast Asian trail running community, BOLT has announced a strategic partnership with two international races: Mountain Marathon Festival (Indonesia) and TAK Trail Series (Thailand).
This collaboration will launch a unified platform known as the SEA Trail Series, bringing together the region’s top ultra trail events. The series will be open to officially recognized race organizers across Southeast Asia, with the aim of building a sustainable and inclusive regional ecosystem.
Republic of Trail: A Celebration of All
The theme for this year’s event is “Republic of Trail,” a celebration of inclusivity, recognizing every individual involved in the event regardless of status or background.
