Filipino Trail Run Solo Joiner 01-Dec-2024 Sunday in Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines
Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body will. Feel the fear and do it anyway!
This Fun Run served as my First TRAIL RUN IN THE PHILIPPINES as a Solo Joiner, and 2nd in Trail Run following the North Face Kathmandu Ultra (12km) last Jan. 2016, My main objective is just to finish the race (beating my previous PR is optional), I want to enjoy the run at my own pace.
Join us and be captivated by the beautiful sunrise over the breathtaking Mount Ayaas of Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges. This trail running event is an eco-tourism project by Trail Crew PH in partnership of the Municipality of Montalban, Barangay San Rafael and Tourism Department on December 1, 2024 for the Leg 3 of San Rafael Mountain Run Series.
I've been a Fun Run Solo Joiner since 2007 but not as a runner (walker actually as most of the time I was walking), just for the sake of Race Singlet and being a joiner. My longest distance was even 10km (about 2x only), and usual for 5km. I stopped joining because I was lazy and lost interest. More than 10 years later until April 13, 2024, my first official run training for Fun-Run, I was so bored I had nothing to do and no regular hobby (so somehow it was a spontaneous decision). My main triggering factor was the FINISHER SHIRT (bragging entitlement shirt) and TikTok / FB Reels of running tips randomly (not that motivated, just for a push on my interest). From 10km to a Half-Marathon, I suddenly decided again to elevate the distance to a full marathon (42.2km) as my running interest is getting addicted out of boredom and depression.
Race Name: SAN RAFAEL MOUNTAIN RUN Distance Joined: 20MI. (32KM)
Registration / Inclusion: PHP 3,499 (late) / Event Shirt, Finisher's Medal/Shirt, Post Race Meal, Tourism fee
Location: MONTALBAN, RIZAL (back trail) Cut-off Time: 01-Dec-2024 Sun 0400H-1600H (12 hours)
Finished: YES Time: 09:39:24 (SUB10) Pace: 16:57 ITRA: 1 point UTMB: XXX
New PR: YES Elevation Gain: 2,097m Rank: 61.54% (8th of 13)
Route difficulty: Malasya back trail is difficult (brutal), especially with continuous rain throughout the race. Lots of steep slippery muddy ascents/descent damaged trail (almost no flat terrain), ideal for experienced competitive trail runners. Mobile signal is deadspot in the entire trail/area. Trails needed to be more marked, I lost a couple of times. There are only 4 Aid Stations available.
Remarks (My rating: 2 of 5 stars): (1) Weather is horrible, raining throughout the race (2) Not so well-organized, insufficient marshalls, trails were not sufficiently marked. Only 4 Aid stations available. (3) Event / Finisher shirt design is somehow good. (4) Finisher medal is not customized, same for all categories (5) Registration fee is expensive because I'm late and there's an outreach fee. (6) Tote bag full of freebies (black mamba, vitaminboost, lightwater, etc) (7) I won the age category (40-49 yrs old), finished without hiking poles support
If given the chance, would I like to join this race again? Definitely No (don't wanna experience that trail again)
My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run |