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| King of the Mountain trail Philippines |
Front Runner - King of the Mountain Trail Philippines | 65km/100km event
Kayapa Municipal Hall – Mt. Ugo Summit
– Old Spanish Trail – Amelong Labeng Mountain – Dayap Primary School – Kayapa Elementary
School
Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet
Moving time and Day(s): 16 hours 42
minutes 40 second | 1 Day
65km (69k) trail run
25 May 2013
“Sometimes you just do things….”
I’ve been on the trails and mountains
for about 7 years, tackling arduous hike with a heavy backpack. I like to run
on trails and now I entered the world of trail running.
Day 0-1 –May 23-24, 2013
I left Manila at 2230H.
I took a bus that will passes by Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya and arrived in
Bambang Shell gas station at 0500H. I bought some supplies and had my breakfast
there. Terminals of vans and buses bound to Baguio (via Kayapa - Ambuclao Dam) are found in Bambang and
Aritao which is 1 hour away from Kayapa town proper. I took the express van
(sibat) which cost 100pesos from Bambang to Kayapa. The trip took 1 hour and
half along a zigzag road to the serene town of Kayapa.
The town of Kayapa
stands 1100+ meters above sea level and you can feel the cool atmosphere. I
headed straight to St. Joseph convent which is few meters away from the
municipal hall. I met Sir Satur Bugnay then he endorsed me to the parish
secretary for assistance. I already made a reservation a week prior to the
event. The bed space accommodation cost only 100 pesos per day. I took a rest
and slept after I ate lunch. It’s ideal to have enough rest before the run.
I met Ma’am Step, my
roommate Sir Alvin Remo and Alan who also joining the 65km trail run. The
orientation started at 1500H and was held at Kayapa Elementary School. All
trail runners of 65k and 100k event were gathered there. Also present were the
so called “elite runners” and also runners from different country. Excitement runs
on my mind but I know that there are only two results in trail running –
“either you finish it or not”. This is my first trail running event and I was
excited (too much). We returned to our lodging after we were given some sort of
tips, freebies, and food from Frontrunner team.
Kayapa town proper ~ Domolpos Village
Race started at exactly
0400H in front of Kayapa municipal hall. The first part of the trail was paved
followed by dirt road. I run on flat and descending path while I trek hastily
on steep part. The dirt road was steep and zigzag but relatively easy and wide.
A stunning view of beautiful mountains and sea of clouds was seen on our way
up. 10+km away from the starting point, I reached the first aid station (AS1)
at 0540H. Iced tea and water was served at the AS1. I took a 5-minutes break
before pushing on. As I continue, the trail became on foot trail but fairly
easy and flat. This trail is used by locals on their daily routine. The trail was gradually descending to
Domolpos Village then started again to become steep up to the Domolpos waiting
shed or saddle where AS2 located.
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| Starting line | Front of Kayapa Municipal| 0 km |
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| AS1 | 10 km |
Domolpos waiting shed ~ Mt. Ugo Summit (round trip)
I reached AS2 at
exactly 0635H. Nilagang saging (boiled banana), juice, bread with butter and
water were offered. I ate nilagang saging and took some deep breath. I resumed
but I felt a pain in my muscle. The muscle in my legs didn’t recover 3 days
after my last training. Reaching the junction going to the summit, we took the
right trail and made a round trip to the summit. I run and trek again hastily
to conserve my energy. At the last junction, the path on the left goes to the
summit while on the right goes Bokod (Benguet) trail. The trail was steep
indeed and my legs were tired. My pace was slow, I move few step as fast as I
could but the pain was there. One runner passed by and said while we were
resting – “Ano hinihintay mo? eroplano?”. My breathing and heart beat were
normal despite the high altitude and continuous running. At 0810H, I arrived at
Mt. Ugo summit. I never forgot to take some pictures. I massage my legs and
took some rest at the campsite near the summit. I run while observing and
sensing my left leg.
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| Mt. Ugo Summit |
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| Mt. Ugo summit going down to Domolpos waiting shed |
Old Spanish trail ~ Kayapa East Proper Market (approx.
26-35+km)
When I reached the
Domolpos waiting shed, I ate again and drink water. The batch I run with on the
first 26km was ahead of me because I couldn’t run however I hastily trek on the
old Spanish trail. The trail was relatively easy and flat while the view was
scenic and relaxing. I enjoyed and embraced the moment on the old Spanish
trail. The distance covered is 9+km from the AS down to the next AS. As I
reached the hanging bridge, dirt road commenced then a downhill paved road
until I arrived in the AS at 1040H. The AS or 35km point was the cutoff point
with grace period of 10 hours (0400H-1400H). Meal for lunch was served and it
was delicious. Foods and drinks at the aid station was enough and right for the
long run.
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| Old Spanish trail |
Amelong Labeng Mountain (35-49+km)
A full rest of 30
minutes rest is advisable before taking the amelong labeng trail. I decided to
wait for my roommate Sir Alvin Remo and took a long rest. We resumed by 1135H,
I can’t run anymore but I can trek fast. We crossed several hanging but the
longest was the bridge connecting to amelong labeng trail head.
A very steep
trail welcomed us. I trek at constant speed without resting but when tiredness
and pain came, I stopped for a while and massage my muscle. Moments passed by,
the rain poured as expected and temperature got colder. As I reached the dirt
road, pain still penetrated but I don’t want the pain ruin my first ever trail
run. I ate my energy gel which is a fast muscle recovery food then a massage on
my legs. The dirt road is wide and relatively easy but most of the path is
steep. Network tower is the highest point at Amelong Labeng Mountain which
stands at 1600+ MASL. The elevation gained was 800+ meters from AS (890 MASL)
up to the highest point reached (1600+ MASL). Sir Alvin was my companion from
Km 35 until I finished the event. We talked a lot and I got many tips from him,
a mountaineer and seasoned trail and road runner. From the highest point, the
dirt road was downhill but some part was rolling and easy. Sir Alvin tried to
run and he left me behind but I don’t want to be left behind so I tried to run
up to 5 steps more. I feel the pain but I want to finish the event so I must
keep moving on as fast as I could and chased Sir Alvin. I also think about quitting
but when Sir Alvin Remo estimated the time and motivated me, I pushed myself. We
passed by another network tower and the rain continuously pouring. Based on my
Suunto watch, the temperature dropped below 18 degree Celsius. We commenced to a
downward trek on paved road again until we reached the highway. By 0417H, we
reached the AS (49 km). Trail food, bread and drinks were offered.
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| View from Mt. Amelong Labeng |
49+km. – Dayap primary school (56+km)
The last mountain to be conquered in the
65k event is rolling but indeed steep. We encountered a short paved and dirt
road then a steep and slippery foot trail. A surprising hidden small lake
called Buaca found at the top of the mountain. The trail was rolling, uneven
and absolutely slippery but Salomon XR SHIFT shoes keep me on track. We passed
by an old native house then another slippery descent encountered. In the next
uphill was a pine forest area where cows inhabit the area. Funny thing
happened; we’ve been chase by cows but we quickly went to a higher ground
covered by trees. As we continue, rain was still pouring. I enjoyed the trail,
people and nature despite the exhaustion and cold weather. Before the sun light
finally disappeared, we reached the Dayap Primary School and we have 3 more
hours left before the cut off period. Sir Jonel Mendoza (race director) and
front runner team was there giving food and drinks.
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| At 56km with Sir Jonel Mendoza of Front Runner Magazine |
Dayap Primary Shool (56+km) to
Kayapa Elementary School (65+km)
The last 9+km was a downhill, wide and relaxing trek on paved
road. I started strong on the first 26km but slow me down due to pain at the
back of my left knee but pain can’t stopped me pushing my limits. I made it and
finished with 16 hours 42 minutes and 40 seconds. There are 47 starters and
only 32 finished the 65km event. I placed 23rd on my trail run debut at age of
23.
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| Finisher of 65km King of the Mountain trail run |
Trail signs were very visible and placed all over the route. Aid
station provides enough and right food for the runners. I’m happy and proud to accomplish
my first ever trail run contest. Until then folks!
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| King of the Mountain Trail Run medal |
Record time
0400 Start – Front of
Kayapa Municipal hall
0540 ETA Aid Station (AS)
0635 ETA Domolpos waiting
shed (AS)
08__ ETA Domolpos waiting shed | Head to old
Spanish trail (26km)
1050 ETA Kayapa East
market (35km)
1135 Resume via Amelong
Labeng Mountain
18__ ETA Dayap Primary
School (AS/ 56km)
2042 ETA Kayapa Elementary
School/ finished line!
