(Photo by M Degollacion)

I was really surprised finding a big crowd of runners attending the festivities. I was late coming in for the 6:00pm affair and didn’t notice any person crowding outside the building except for the 3 people at the registration table stationed at the ground floor. Upon entering the grand hall on the 2nd floor, the place was bursting with people, mostly awardees of the top PIMCO 100 trail runners on both the 21k and the 10k categories.

I took the last available seat at the back but was immediately led to the dining area first by gracious hosts while listening to the welcome speech of PIMCO President Manny Santos.

For a race organizer new to running or more so trail running, 2012 was a banner year for the Philippine Trail Running Association’s (PTRA) series of Trail races in Tanay which is under the auspices of Pimco Sporting Events. It’s advocacy for environmental protection and preservation of forests and mountains that includes tree planting, immediately spread like wild fire (no pun intended) to trail and mountain running enthusiasts.

The Love A Tree Discovery Run was their first salvo into Tanay’s trails, and i still recall running on the main highway combined with rough roads and trails plus long river crossings. Then the Nature’s Trail Discovery runs followed which was a Trilogy that culminated with a 21k lung-busting uphill climb on mountain trails near Daranak Falls.

I myself was a witness to this sort of mini-boom of trail running in Tanay. I encountered countless of torturous mountain climbs,  dangerous river crossings, on occasion lack of hydration and banana stations (hahah..) but then nothing beats the immeasurable amounts of fun and the gorgeous scenery that you won’t find in road running.

So back to the awarding ceremonies. The PTRA Running award categories include:

Best Team Award – (Sigue Correr)

Best Runner Photographer  -  (Ella MaraMelanie Dator Perez and from Team USB are co-awardee)

Best Trail Running Partners – ( Federated Distributors, Norphl and Tanay Mountaineers )

Trailblazers Award and Top 100 Trail Runners Award

Trail Runner of the Year Awards

Most Promising Female Trail Runners – (Alexandria Ahongon and Ellen Tolentino)

Best Media Partner -  (Manila Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)

Best Trail Running Blogger

The trail runners of the year were a revelation to some but came as no surprise to those who were regular participants of the Tanay trail race series. Goldy Dela Cruz and Maynard Degollacion were the Trail Runners of the Year for the 21k category while Robert Fiesta Ramones and his counterpart Iris Charine Torculas romped off as top runners for the 10k category.

21k  Female Trail Runner of the Year Award, Goldy Dela Cruz who won a Viking Trail Shoe from Norphl big boss, Cesar Valmadrid (middle)

10k Trail Runner of the Year Award, the statuesque Iris Torculas

With the male Trail Runners of the Year,  Maynard Degollacion (21k) extreme left and Robert Fiesta Ramones (10k) extreme right. Race Director Alvin Balderama (middle)

Also, awards went to the top 50 21k and 10k trail runners and to the 71 Trailblazers (Trilogy Finishers) which had them wearing nicely crafted medals.

To add to the above distinguished list of awards given, those included were, the Best Runner Photographer (individual and group) and the Best Trail Running Blogger of the Year Awards. The Individual Best Photographer was awarded to Ella Dator Perez while the group photographer went to Team USB.

To close out the awards given last night, yours truly was presented as the Best Trail Running Blogger for ” in recognition for outstanding contribution in the development and promotion of trail running through his blog”. Thank you so much, PTRA/PIMCO!

With Norphl President Cesar Valmadrid and Pimco Race Director, Alvin Balderama

Unprepared for this..

Thank you! (sniffs)…

Here are more pictures during the awarding ceremonies last night:

PIMCO President, Manny Santos

21k Awardees

10k Awardees

Wacky shot!

With Team Rock and Road

Goldy showing off her Trail Runner of the Year and Trailblazer medals!

One of the unusual picture poses!

Finally settling for a pause

During a break

Youngest trail runner (?)

Showing off their medals

So what’s in store for Pimco’s trail races for 2013? In case you didn’t know yet, a 50k ultra-marathon is scheduled this coming February 10, 2013 along with shorter distances of 24k, 12k and 6k runs. Few slots left so why don’t you register now? 
http://www.pimcosportsevents.com/

See you February 10!

Aside from the 50k Ultra run, other categories include a 24k, 12k and a 6k trail race. Experience the excitement of what the Tanay Trails has to offer. Enjoy the great views, while testing your stamina and fortitude. Mark your calendars for February 10, 2013!

Here are the deatils:

2ND “LOVE A TREE”
INTERNATIONAL TRAIL RUNNING MARATHON

Date: February 10, 2013
Venue San Andres, Tanay, Rizal

Registration : On-line (http://www.pimcosportsevents.com/)

Program:

Feb 09, 2013:  1st Day Tree Planting, Camping, Mountaineering & Trail Running Clinic. Program starts at 4 pm

Feb 10, 2013:  2nd Day Race Day
Assembly starts at 4 am

Race Events:

Open To Filipinos Only (Foreign runners allowed as Guest Runners)

Distance—Entry Fee —Gun Start —Cut-Off Time

6k ——-P 650.00—– 5:30m —-10:30 am

12k ——-P 950.00 —–5:15am —11:00 am

International Open Event to Foreigners

24k ——–P1,250.00 —5:00 am —11:00 am

50k ——–P2,250.00 —4:30 am —–2:30 pm

Prizes & Awards:

Champion —–2nd Place ——3rd Place

6k                     P1,750.00           P1,250.00           P 750.00
………………..Medal                     Medal                     Medal

12k                   P3,500.00           P2,500.00          P1,500.00
………………..Medal                     Medal                      Medal

24k                  P5,000.00           P3,000.00          P2,000.00
……………….Trophy                   Medal                     Medal

50k                  P7,000.00          P5,000.00          P3,000.00
………………..Trophy                  Medal                     Medal

Rule on Awarding:

For the Major Prize and Award, Male and Female winners will get the same prize whatever is the nationality.
Overall Top Three (3) Filipino Runners

Top 1                  Top 2               Top3

24k            P3,500.00    P2,500.00     P1,500.00
……………Medal              Medal               Medal

50k            P3,500.00    P2,500.00    P1,500.00
……………Medal               Medal             Medal

50k Runners are subject to qualification requirements according to the rules.

Rule on Prizes & Award:

Top 3 Filipino Runners overall will be picked from the Filipino runners no division classification of Top 3 which can be a combination (example male, female, male as the Top 3). This is because at long distance, both Filipino male and female runners are no longer relying on speed but on stamina and endurance thus both are equally capable and female runner can beat male runner and vice versa.

The Filipino Championship winners landing in any position whether Champion, 2nd Place, or 3rd placer are already counted in the Overall Top 3 Filipino runners too. Filipino runners are assured of winning and podium finish even if foreign runners win.

Other Prizes:       Singlet, Finishers Medals, and Loot Bags

Accommodation:

Camping Love A Tree Village I :   P50 per head Donation to Barangay
Those without tent may bring sleeping bags.
Fee for camping goes to the Barangay as donation.

Provisions:

Water Stations There will be water stations for refilling only. Since this is a mountain trail race and we are not allowed to serve plastic cups by law runners are advised to fully gear up with hydration using back pack or belt with hydration bottle.

Runners Gears 50k and 24k runners are advised to also use headlamps in the early morning stage of the race. Back pack, hydration belt and bottles, or handheld are important to keep you hydrated.

Banana Station Banana Station will be available to all categories at the 5th kilometer of the race, at 12th kilometer, at the 25th and at the Finish Line.

Breakfast pack Breakfast pack will be served in the early morning to 12k, 24k, and 50k runners only. 6k runners may buy at the Love A Tree Village.

Shuttle Services for Metro-Manila Runners:

Additional fee of P300.00 per runner will be charged for the shuttle bus to the race venue and going back to the same pick up points as follows:

Pick up Details:
Date: February 10, 2013

Pick up points:
Shell Station, Makati Edsa
Mandaluyong, City Hall Circle
Quezon City Circle
Masinag, Marikina in front of Mercury Drug

Time of Pick Up:
2:00 am Shell Station Makati Edsa
2:15 am Mandaluyong City Hall Circle
2:40 am Quezon City Circle
3:10 am (Subject to change)

The Bus will passed-by and will not be standing by please be at the pick-up point at the time to avoid inconvenience and present your Service Stub. The Time of Pick-up are estimated arrivals at the pick up locations given.

If you miss one pick up place, you can still catch up by proceeding immediately at any of the pick up points ahead. The Shuttle Bus will not wait.

Time of Return Trip: All Runners must be at the shuttle bus for the return trip to Metro-Manila from the race venue after the race event not later than 3:00 pm(?).

For more info, please visit their website at: http://www.pimcosportsevents.com/

Like their previous trail runs consisting of the Love A Tree Half-Marathon and the three legs of the Natures Trail Discovery Run, the routes for their Feb. 10 race will take runners to some very scenic but familiar routes of the Discovery Run series and new, uncharted trails the 24k and the 50k ultra runners will surely enjoy.

Yesterday, i was one of the privileged runners who took part in the familiarization run for the Feb. 10 route of the 24k and 50k distances. It was unusually cold and chilly when running buddy June and i arrived at Barangay San Andres at about 5:40am. Within an hour or so, a total of 12 runners were now ready to start the run after we were given a short briefing by Mr. Manny Santos of Pimco Sports and Race Director Alvin Balderama.

Some of the routes were familiar ones, having run them myself during past Pimco trail races but what caught my attention this time was the number of  rivers we had to cross and the variety of terrain we had to  endure like rough roads, dirt trails, muddy trails, rocky paths and soft ground.

We only covered a total of 15 kms. which did not include the forested trails and mountain passes which i believe will be done during the second familiarization run on January 6, 2013.

Only registrants in the Love A Tree 24k/50 Ultra Run can participate in the January 6 Familiarization Run so register now. (Early Birds is available for Online Registration only at www.pimcosportsevents.com).

Here are some of the pictures of the route i took yesterday. Enjoy!

Meet-up was at the corner of Marcos Highway and Sta. Inez Road, the entrance going to Sitio Batangas, San Andres, Tanay

Started going to San Andres proper at about 6:40am with nice, cool weather

First river view which has been part of the trail of the 1st Love a Tree Trail race

One of the many rough roads runners will pass going to Barangay Sto. Nino.

A perpetual view of the Sierra Madre mountains that backdrops most of the route

At a junction where runners waited for the others enroute to the rivers

Testing the Camelbak Rogue hydration backpack. Excellent ride!

Trail leading to the river bridge

This trail should be familiar now to those who ran the Discover Tanay Leg-1 Trail Run. This leads to the bridge.

The wooden bridge that connects 2 baranggays

The view from the middle of the bridge

Local residents were very friendly and greeted us wherever we went

One slight rocky uphill part

A view of the river and the mountain ranges

Surprised to see this muddy stretch where our shoes got soaked in mud debris

Walking on this uphill part

This was at about 7:30am when the air was still cool. Lots of fresh air!

On our way down with a peek of the river below

The rivers of Tanay are generally clear and you can see the rocks below it

The water was nice, cool and calm. No “buwis buhay” here!

Giving the thumbs up is Alvin Balderama, Race Director of all Tanay Trail races. He charts all trail paths here and plots all difficult routes imaginable. He shows us the easy routes  of the race but keeps the hardest ones a secret until he unleashes it on race day! I sometimes refer to him as the “Butcher” of Tanay! Hahah…:)

The river circles around several small mountains and you have to cross the river many times over.

From here, it’s all small rocks all the way!

More river crossings…

Terrain ranges from sandy, rocky, river and more rocks!

Nice feeling of wading through the river surrounded by mountains

There must be billions of rocks here, many of the garden variety.

The lone plant in the middle of the river

Reminds me of the river trails near Mt. Pinatubo, only here the water is so clear!

Balance is of utmost importance here as rocks tend to roll under

Yes, this is part of the 24k and 50k route

It’s so difficult to run on this terrain

This part was on our 2nd hour of run-walking

Back to the trail, at last!

A run to the finish

It was all uphill to base camp

Don’t forget to register now and be a part of the 2nd familiarization run on January 6, 2013. See you there!

besides snagging this medal, 21KM runners may also win 3 Norphl trail shoes…

and off we go!

cave entrance…

Around 16 bloggers reached San Andres, Tanay by 7 am to trace at least parts of the 21KM route.  The hills around were still enveloped in fog as we ran across rivers and rice fields culminating in an underground cave at the mouth of the river.  After a kilometer of relatively flat terrain, the trail started to ascend without letting up.  I just had to concentrate on where my footing lands as I was getting aware of the shrinking lowlands.  I’m imagining the lead pack jockeying for positions in what seemed like a strip of cleared cogon tail come race day.

captivating views on the way up…

finally, on top…

going down with running atom…

Whew, we soon reached the summit of Mt. Bangkaan and waited for the rest of the contingent to park for our customary picture taking.  Going down was way faster especially if one is tailing the race director Alvin who was lithe and nimble.  Now, that’s what I aim to be if I’m going to take this trail running seriously.  We refilled our supplies before checking out another interesting part of the race.  We crossed a river, jumping from rock to rock in the hope of avoiding any moisture entering our trail shoes until we realized that we would be stepping on muddy/watery paths soon enough.  Oh well.

one yummy break..

roosting by the rooster…

A slight ascent into Mt. Anito soon revealed a gushing waterfalls as we reveled in its wondrous beauty.  Minutes later, everyone was enjoying its showers and posing for memorable shots courtesy of Jojo Paulino.  It was indeed one refreshing respite from the punishing sun.  We would have stayed longer but duty calls that we have more trails to conquer.  Though, this time it was less challenging, the route passed through grass-lined hills before finally descending back to the river into our waiting brunch.

Tanay high!

the boys of summer….

After resting, we headed into the Tanay Adventure Camp (a kilometer from Sierra Madre Hotel, the finish line of my first ultrarun, the PAU 50KM Tanay race) where we swam in their newly-constructed pool and continued with our eating binge into the afternoon.  It was indeed one memorable day with the PIMCO people.  Thanks to Jared (Mr. Supladong Irish runner) for leading the group and arranging the logistics.

down time…

The great photos are courtesy of Jojo Paulino and Ed Escueta.

Its sternness however reminds us that for every route that we take, there will be gale winds to blow our faces, higher mountains to trek until we are out of breath,  more rivers to slip into its cold waters until we reach the other end and only then would we be rewarded and discover who we truly are.

Yesterday, i was one of those fortunate to be invited to test-run the newly discovered trails inside the inner sanctum of Tanay, Rizal.

It’s in a remote village called San Andres where two Sundays from now on May 27, hundreds or may be a thousand trail runners will be running the Discover Tanay Trail Run to test their mettle in this scenic but harsh route laid out by the organizers of last February’s Love A Tree Trail Run, also in Tanay.

We arrived at the site at about 6:00am with surprisingly cool weather and some morning fog enveloping the area. I was with about 16 other runners and we were greeted by the race organizers themselves led by Sir Manny of PIMCO Sports and the race’s shoe sponsor, Norphyl-Connect, sole Asian distributor of the Viking Trail Shoe represented by its CEO, Mr.  Ceasar Valmadrid.

We did a short 10k run but felt that we finished a 21k because of the arduous mountain climb on its earlier stages.

Highlights of this run will be the 2.3 km long single-track mountain climb (from KM 2.7 to Km 5.0) where i experienced some kind of oxygen debt just trying to put one feet over the other in bagging its peak. Another highlight others would either love or hate are the various river crossings that for sure will get your shoes submerged as you wade in its cold waters. Well, that’s part of trail running.

A surprise was waiting for us in the middle of the run when a small waterfall suddenly appeared  near the trails which provided a cool respite from the sun.

This will be the 1st Leg of several trail runs being hatched by the organizers to culminate in a 50k Ultramarathon Trail run by 2013. The Natures Trail Discovery Run will have a 10k, and 21k distances and promises to be a very exciting trail run as it has everything nature has to offer…cool winds, farm lands, mountain ranges, rivers, wooded forests, waterfalls, a friendly neighborhood and a lot more.

Here are some pictures of the route and trails. Enjoy!

A group picture

Preparing to start for the trail and mountain run

Mountain mists greeted the runners at the start

The front runners that will lead the group on the trails and mountains

It was muddy on most parts of the trails yet tolerable for all to run through

Parts in the open area

One of the views during the run

An outdoor panorama

Entering a small cave resort. The owner was one of the local runners

The small underground cave

One of the many rivers that we had to cross

and another one…

They didn’t want to wet their shoes this early

From single trail tracks…

…to rice paddies

We are the first runners to run these trails

Runner in red is the Running Mhalot

Into a more wooded area

It was still foggy and misty during the late morning

A thin slab of stone was the only way to get thru the ravine. One slip and down you go.

It was all uphill from here

It was a zigzag maze to the top

The view emerges from the top

We were like above the clouds

A few more steps…

Now over the top

The high and mighty!

Our descent…

It took us about 40 minutes to scale up the mountain and just a fraction of that to reach level ground

Back on the rough roads

Another river to cross

Nice place to rest and take a picture

Ed Escueta continues…

Reaching one of several waterfalls

Doing a duathlon?

Breakfast at the end of the run

Great way to end the run!

Thanks to Ed Escueta and Jojo Paulino for some of the pictures used.

The Nature Trail Discover Run will have a 10k, 16k and 21k distances which will include single track technical trails, dirt roads, river crossings, uphill climbs, forest trails and lots of cool breeze! According to the organizers, the first 7 kms for all categories will be a torturous climb up a peak at the western side of a mountain which will pass through forest trails then go long downhills only to prep you up for another long uphill up to the peak of the east side mountain.

There will be no highways, no concrete roads, so it is going to be a purely trail/dirt road race.

For the 21k runners, there will be four (4) river crossings so prepare to get those trail or road shoes wet!

An early bird registration is now ongoing at the Pimco Offices so register early before you run out of slots!

Here are some more details of this race:

Nature’s Trail Discovery Run
May 27, 2012 (1st Leg)
San Andres, Tanay, Rizal

Registration Fee:

Early Bird Rate:
March 15 – April 1, 2012
10K – PHP 650
16K – PHP 750
21K – PHP 850

Regular Rate:
April 2– May 15, 2012
10K (Open to all Filipino) – PHP 750
16K (Open to all Filipino) – PHP 850
21K (Open to all Nationalities) – PHP 950

Official Closing of Registration: May 15, 2012

-Additional PHP 200 for Transportation
-Free Camping (bring your own camping gear and tent, a day before / during the event)

Inclusion: Race Bib, Finisher Shirts and Medal all category

Registration Partners:
Early Bird Registration: Direct with Pimco Office
For Inquiries, Please contact: Pimco Sporting Events
Tel Nos: 532-1645 / 571-0524 or check-out their website at:

www.pimcosportsevents.com

Organized by : Pimco Sporting Events