A Decade Of CULTRA: From Humble Beginnings To Global Trail-Running Stage
CAMERON HIGHLANDS (Pahang, Malaysia), July 26 (Bernama) -- A handcrafted bamboo arch tied together with ropes was all that marked the start and finish line when Cameron Ultra Trail (CULTRA) made its debut in Cameron Highlands in 2016.
A decade later, the race has transformed into one of Malaysia’s premier ultra-trail events, attracting 3,600 runners from 33 countries this year while helping shape the nation's trail-running culture.
Over the past decade, CULTRA has grown beyond a trail race into a platform that brings together runners, volunteers and the local community, while strengthening Cameron Highlands’ reputation as one of the region's leading sports tourism destinations.
The milestone edition, which took place from July 16 to 19, drew an overwhelming response, with all race slots snapped up in less than six hours after registration opened. Malaysians accounted for about 70 percent of participants, while international runners made up the remaining 30 percent, underscoring the event's growing global appeal.
Organised by BOLT 360 Management Sdn Bhd (BOLT), this year’s edition, officially branded CULTRA Presented by ASICS 2026, featured five race categories: MOSSY100 (100km), BEREMBUN60 (60km), HABU30 (30km), PAUH14 (14km) and TANAHRATA4 (4km).
To mark its 10th anniversary, the organisers also introduced HABU30-Night, a new night race under the HABU30 category, offering participants a unique night trail-running experience while meeting growing demand.
For BOLT Media and Communications director Azlihana Abdul Rahim, CULTRA's greatest achievement lies not in its growing numbers but in the community it has built over the past decade, even as participation has increased from 850 runners in its inaugural edition to 3,600 this year.
"From the beginning, our vision was never just to organise a trail race. We wanted to build a community – what we call the 'Republic of Trail' – where runners, volunteers, crew members and the local community feel they belong. That’s what CULTRA has become over the past 10 years," she told Bernama.
That sense of community has also translated into tangible benefits for Cameron Highlands, with CULTRA becoming a major driver of sports tourism and generating millions of ringgit for the local economy each year.
According to Azlihana, local accommodation providers are among the first beneficiaries once the race dates are announced, as runners quickly secure bookings months in advance.
"As soon as the race dates are announced, hotels and homestays are among the first to be fully booked. The event contributes more than RM12 million annually to the Cameron Highlands economy. With record participation this year, we expect the four-day event to generate more than RM15 million while attracting over 10,000 visitors," she said.
Behind CULTRA’s success is nearly a year of meticulous planning. Azlihana said preparations for the next edition begin almost immediately after the current race concludes, with every aspect carefully reviewed to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
"Once CULTRA ends, we take a short break before starting preparations for the next edition. It takes almost a full year to plan because every detail matters, especially the safety of our runners," she said.
Looking ahead, Azlihana hopes a new generation of BOLT organisers will carry forward CULTRA's legacy, ensuring the race continues to thrive for years to come.
That legacy is already evident in the race’s growing international following, with overseas runners returning to Cameron Highlands year after year, drawn by its challenging trails and close-knit trail-running community.
"I've raced in many countries, but CULTRA is one of the events I look forward to the most. It was my first overseas trail race in 2024, and it made me feel connected not only to the event but also to runners from around the world," said Thailand's Nirodha Ruencharoen.
Although he was forced to withdraw from this year's MOSSY100 race at the 77km mark, Nirodha remains determined to return.
"I'll be back next year to finish what I started," he said.
-- BERNAMA
