02•MAY•2015   0330H – 1730H

1ST Mt. APO Sky & Vertical Race held last May 2, 2015 @ Barangay Tagbac, Municipality of Magpet, Province of Cotabato, Philippines.

 

This race was planned for more than 5 months, so I started surveying the route last December 2014. Mt. APO has 8 routes from different Municipalities and Cities but I chose the Magpet (out and back) Trail because I was amazed of its 100% natural intactness and lots of great highlights can be seen on this side of this mountain. This route has 6 waterfalls, 2 natural cold springs, 1 lake (Lake Venado), and of course the highest peak in the country –the Mt. APO Summit with an elevation of 2,961 MASL as recorded on my own eTrex Garmin GPS, with a total of 3,500 Meters Elevation Gain/Loss.

 

Categories:

I have only 2 categories for this race, the 21km distance for Beginners and 42km for the Professionals. 60 participants for 21km, 2 are foreigners from the USA and Netherlands, and 142 participants for 42km, 3 foreigners from United Kingdom, Denmark and Singapore. Total of 202 runners and 5 foreign contenders.

 

Podium Finish:

The 1st runner of 42km (Champion) crossed the finish line with time and course record of 8:52:50 hours (14 hours cut-off). He said it’s very foggy and slippery from the rainforest going up to the summit. And the 21km first runner (Champion) crossed the finish line with time and course record of 1:49:48 hours (7 hours cut-off). Every mountain runner of this race gave respect to our mother nature with leave no trace principle and of course they really enjoyed the course.

 

Safety & Security:

I had huge support & assistance from the Municipality of Magpet, they provide two (2) ambulance and equipped Medical Team. The PNP secured the venue up to Tawsuvan Waterfalls. Army safeguarded some areas in the trails going up to the summit. The local tribe of Manobo manned all Aid Stations. Royal Blood Rescue Team was assigned from Tawsuvan Waterfalls to summit technical areas. They also served as sweepers to make sure no one is left in the mountains. Crew at the trail to summit was armed with working and fully charged two way radios (with repeater) to constant report back to base. And every Aid Station (AS) has a Medical Team or Medics.

 

Food & Aid Station:

Food was served (buffet) plus Lechon at the finish line from 5pm-8pm. Prior to 5pm, eggs, bananas, energy drinks were also given to 21km runners. Fruits, arozcaldo, eggs, energy drinks and water also served at Tawsuvan Falls for 21km and 42km runners.

 

Sponsors:

The North Face, Pepsi, Nature Spring, Dole and J-Ay-Geo Farm, thank you so much!

 

Special Thanks!

Municipality of Magpet Hon. Mayor Florenito T. Gonzaga. Magpet PNP, ARMY, Medics & Rescue Team. Tourism of Magpet Miss Evelyn and Sir Karl. Regional Tourism and Hon. Governor Miss Emmylou "Lala" and Sir Joemar. Tagbac Elementary School Supervisor and Principal. Barangay Tagbac Chairman Manumba, Councilor Boyet and Sir Ching. Barangay Bongolanon sitio Tawsuvan Falls Councilor Hordista and all local community of Manobo and Muslim. Thank you so much!!