Running enthusiasts will go through three mountain ranges in the maiden edition of the Itogon Mountain Ultra set on June 18 in Itogon, Benguet.
Organized by the Itogon Mountain Runners in partnership with the municipality of Itogon, Intrepid Spirit, and Team Malaya, the event features the 50-kilometer marathon, 25-km.,12-km., and the six-km. race where runners will get to explore the scenic routes of the race.
Organizers said the Itogon mountain ranges to look forward to during the race are Mt. Ulap, which is one of the most visited mountains in the country with a peak reaching 1,846 meters above sea level (MASL); the pine-fo-rested historical trail of Mt. Bidawan with an elevation of 1,240 MASL; and Mt. Kotkot at 1,430 MASL.
Starting venue of the race will be at the Sacred Heart School grounds in Barangay Poblacion.
Participants for the 50-km. marathon must expect a “brutally beautiful course” with intermediate cut-offs along the course, organizers said.
Runners who will miss out on this will not be allowed to continue the race, organizers added.
Registrants must be 18 years old and above and should have finished at least a 30-km. trail run.
Registrants for the 25-km. must be 18 years old and above and should have finished at least a 15-km. trail run.
In the 12-km., re-gistrants must be 13 years old and above and must have fi-nished at least a 10-km. road or trail run.
Participants in the six-km. must show a medical certificate showing they are fit to join the race.
Participants who are 12 years old and below must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The event is also backed by VJ Shoes Philippines, Mountain Man University, and the Extreme Xploration.
The top three male and female winners for the 50-km. and 25-km. will be awarded with plaque and gift products from sponsors while the top three male and female in the 12 and six-km will get medals and items from sponsors.
Registration fee for 50-km. is P4,000; P3,000 for the 25-km.; P1,500 for the 12-km.; and P1,350 for the six-km with inclusion of timing chip (one time), race bib, environmental fee, refreshments, raffle ticket, and race photos.
Since the organi-zers are advocating a green community eco-sports tourism event, plastic cups and spoons will not be served at aid stations.
For registration and for more information, visit the Itogon Mountain Ultra event page at Facebook. – Ofelia C. Empian
