My 10th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Iloilo City Marathon 2025

Filipino Marathon Slow Runner Solo Joiner 23-Aug-2025 Saturday in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Iloilo City (Marathon, Chill Walk)

This Fun Run served as my official Tenth FULL-MARATHON 42.2KM and Ninth Road Marathon as a Solo Joiner, following the Manila Marathon last Aug. 2025. 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.

My 10th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Iloilo City Marathon 2025

Race Name:	ILOILO CITY MARATHON 2025			Distance:	FULL MARATHON (42.2KM)
Registration:	₱2,199	Inclusion:	Race Bib, Singlet, Finisher Shirt/Medal, Loot Bag, Pack Meal
Location:	ILOILO CITY MAIN ROAD ROUTE (one loop)			Cut-off Time:	23-Aug-2025 Sat (8 hours)
Requirements:	NONE, registration fee only			Shoes I used:	NB FuelCell SuperComp Elite 4
Finished:	YES	Time:	05:42:00	Altitude Gain:	66m
New PR:	NO	Pace:	08:00	Rank:	56.25% (81st of 144)
My Rating:	5 of 10	well-organized, minimal water stops, manual time recorded (no timing chip)

Route difficulty: Almost flat on the entire one-loop route along Iloilo City's main road (less than 100m total altitude gain ideal for PR), excellent for marathon beginners and slow runners like me.

Remarks (My rating: 5 of 10 stars): (1) Full Marathon route is awesome due to its almost flat terrain; passing through Iloilo City's main road (2) Well-organized, started on time. (3) Minimal water stops. (4) 42km Singlet/Finisher shirt design is good, finisher medal is ok. (4) manual time recorded (no timing chip)

If given the chance, would I like to join this race again? No (due to no electronic timing chip)

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Iloilo (Marathon, Chill Walk)

Chill Rainy Adventure in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines August 22 to 28, 2025

My First Visit to Iloilo Budget DIY Group Trip (2011)

My 2nd Visit to Iloilo for Lakbay Rizal Quest Final Leg (2011)

This trip served as my 2nd visit to the Northeast province of Mindanao Archipelago. Also, the main reason why I came back is because of my 10th Full Marathon Solo Joiner Adventure.

Revisited after 14 years #iloilo

Preparation:

Iloilo City Marathon = ₱2,199     Cebu Pacific (return fare) = ₱2,987

OYO 799 Ddd Habitat Hotel (6 nights) = ₱3,783

TOTAL: ₱8,969

Day 1: August 22 Friday FLIGHT OUT

0000H ETD Home; commute to NAIA T3 103

0300H ETA NAIA T3; check-in / breakfast 

0455H ETD Manila MNL; Cebu Pacific flight 5J447

0620H ETA Iloilo ILO; van to City proper 100

OYO 799 Ddd Habitat Hotel (6 nights); Festival Walk Mall Race Kit Claiming; Lunch 200, dinner 165

TOTAL: ₱568

Day 2: August 23 Saturday MARATHON

Lunch 125; dinner 275; Marathon Preparation

2130H Race Village Arrival 

2300H Marathon Start (8 hrs cut-off)

TOTAL: ₱400

Day 3: August 24 Sunday MARATHON

0500H Marathon Finish; photography and eat; Walk back to hotel; sleep, unch 140

Sleep, Walk to SM Iloilo; dinner 352

OYO 799 Ddd Habitat Hotel

TOTAL: ₱492

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Iloilo (Garin Farm DIY Tour)

My 9th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Manila Marathon 2025

Filipino Marathon Slow Runner Solo Joiner 10-Aug-2025 Sunday in Manila, Philippines

My 8th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Nueva Ecija Marathon 2025

My 1st Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner;  Manila Marathon 2024

This Fun Run served as my 2nd participation in the Manila Marathon, which started only in 2024. my official Ninth FULL-MARATHON 42.2KM and Eighth Road Marathon as a Solo Joiner, following the Nueva Ecija Marathon last July 2025. 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.

Manila Marathon: Now AIMS, World Athletics and PATAFA Certified!

Manila Marathon features an AIMS-certified race route, sanctioned and accredited by PATAFA and World Athletics. This certification ensures the accuracy and reliability of our 42K race route, empowering runners to: (1) Qualify for the World Marathon Majors and (2) To be considered for national team selection in international marathon competitions, including SEA Games.

My 9th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner;  Manila Marathon 2025

Race Name:	MANILA MARATHON 2025			Distance:	FULL MARATHON (42.2KM)
Registration:	₱2,888	Inclusion:	Race Bib, Singlet, Finisher Shirt/Medal, Towel, Loot Bag, Admin/Shipping fee
Location:	PASAY TO MANILA ROUTE (one loop)			Cut-off Time:	10-Aug-2025 Sun (8 hours)
Requirements:	NONE, registration fee only			Shoes I used:	NB FuelCell SuperComp Elite 4
Finished:	YES	Time:	05:47:40	Altitude Gain:	110m
New PR:	NO	Pace:	08:14	Rank:	48.53% (1,371st of 2,825)
My Rating:	10 of 10	well-organized, lots of refreshments, huge race village with recovery area

Route difficulty: Same route as last year but this time zero rain throughout the race. I felt discomfort/pains, especially in my stomach, legs and feet. Awesome scenic route, good for beginners. Mostly flat, uphill/downhill are the 4 bridges of Roxas Boulevard, Jones Bridge and Intra-Binondo Bridge. 

Remarks (My rating: 10 of 10 stars): (1) Well-organized, started on time. Lots of refreshments in the water stops. (2) Free professional photos with watermark. (3) Registration fee is somehow reasonable (4) New section in race village like Recovery area for 42km runners only (Free Ice bath, SanMig can drinks and PT acupuncture session) (5) Huge and vibrant race village divided to 2 sections since there were 19,000 runners (6) Respective distances has their own finisher arc

If given the chance, would I like to join this race again? Somehow Yes (maybe because I'm tired)

My 8th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Nueva Ecija Marathon 2025

Filipino Marathon Slow Runner Solo Joiner 06-Jul-2025 Sunday in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

My 7th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner;  Point Trail Ultra Bukidnon 2025

This Fun Run served as my official Eighth FULL-MARATHON 42.2KM and Seventh Road Marathon as a Solo Joiner, following the Bukidnon Mountain Marathon last June 2025. 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.

My 8th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Nueva Ecija Marathon 2025

Race Name:	NUEVA ECIJA MARATHON 2025			Distance:	FULL MARATHON (42.2KM)
Registration:	₱1,999	Inclusion:	Race Bib, Singlet, Finisher Shirt/Medal, Soft Flask, Tote Bag, Donation
Location:	GUIMBA MAIN ROAD ROUTE (return loop)			Cut-off Time:	06-Jul-2025 Sun (7 hours)
Requirements:	6-months valid medical certificate			Shoes I used:	NB FuelCell SuperComp Elite 4
Finished:	YES	Time:	05:32:43	Altitude Gain:	43m
New PR:	NO	Pace:	07:53	Rank:	64.77% (57th of 88)
My Rating:	3 of 10 stars	not so organized, very minimal aid station, flat route with minimal elevation gain

Route difficulty: Almost flat route along Guimba main road for only 43m total elevation gain, ideal for PR, excellent for marathon beginners and slow runners like me. Using headlamp/flashlight is important as some areas of the route is pitch black. 

Remarks (My rating: 3 of 10 stars): (1) Full Marathon route is awesome due to its almost flat terrain; passing through Guimba main road, etc. (2) Not so organized, started late with race area not ready yet. (3) 42km Singlet/Finisher shirt design is somehow good. (4) Very minimal aid station (only water) with locations very far to each other (provided map was not followed). (5) Only milk tea, no post-race meal. (6) Full Marathon route was approximately 100m short. (7) No portalet, only one toilet available for all the participants (8) Poor planning in general

If given the chance, would I like to join this race again? No (enough for the experience)

My 7th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Point Trail Ultra Bukidnon 2025

Filipino Marathon Trail Slow Runner Solo Joiner 15-June-2025 Sunday in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines

My 6th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner; Siargao Marathon 2025

This Fun Run served as my First Mountain Trail Full Marathon, 5th Mountain Trail Run and 7th Full Marathon as a Solo Joiner following the Altra Bicol 50 Ultramarathon (50km) last Apr. 2025 and Siargao Marathon last May 2025 respectively. 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.

This main adventure is part of my 7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Bukidnon (Trail Run, Chill Walk).

I am from NCR and a solo runner; all of my previous trail runs were in Luzon (Baguio, Rizal, Naga). Hats off and Kudos to Malaybalay City and Mindanaoans! It is very rare to have this kind of well-prepared trail run event so somehow I was really surprised. I already joined 5 trail run races and I must say a Huge Congratulations to Bukidnon Point Trail Series Organizers / Race Director, a 5-star rating for me. The reasons are: (1) All 6 aid stations are fully stocked with food and refreshments, considering the large number of participants. (2) Trails are properly marked and well-placed, which is not usual for a trail run. (3) Enough friendly Marshalls are strategically located (4) Awesome design of event/finisher shirt and medal (5) Reasonable Registration fee that includes Event Shirt, Finisher's Medal/Shirt, tote bag, dry bag, sfork, collapsible cup, whistle, post race meal, tourism fee (6) well-prepared race village and start/finish arc (7) accurate route map with somehow doable trail (8) Somehow not strict cut-off time. (9) Lots of professional photographers along the trail and (10) Slow Runner friendly race with generous cut-off times. 

I finished the 42km mountain trail run with 2,213m total elevation gain WITHOUT THE USE OF TREKKING POLES. I have trekking poles, but I didn't bring them because they are required to be in checked luggage at the airport, and I wanted to challenge my limits despite having knee issues. A huge factor also despite being a slow trail runner was the well-organized event and the fair weather, especially during the very steep knee-wrecking "Ahon" assault before the intermediate cut-off.

My 7th Full Marathon (42.2KM) Solo Joiner;  Point Trail Ultra Bukidnon 2025

Race Name:	POINT TRAIL ULTRA BUKIDNON			Distance:	FULL MARATHON (42.2KM)
Registration:	₱2,884	Inclusion:	Race Bib, Event Shirt, Finisher Shirt/Medal, Dry Bag, Tote Bag, Sfork, Cup
Location:	MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON (back trail)			Cut-off Time:	15-Jun-2025 Sun (14 hours)
Requirements:	NONE, registration fee only			Shoes I used:	Salomon Supercross 4
Finished:	YES	Time:	13:26:59	Altitude Gain:	2,213m
New PR:	YES	Pace:	18:46	Rank:	88.56% (325th of 367)
ITRA:	2 Points	UTMB:	No	My Rating:	10 of 10 stars

Route difficulty: The route is measured around 44km. There are 5 sets of "Ahon" assault where the the 2nd and the last one are challenging especially the last one, good thing the weather is awesome. If it's raining, it will be obvious for me to declare DNF due to my weak right knee and brutal ascents. The final "Ahon" has around 400m elevation gain with very steep and slippery trail, crawling is required with a lot of knee wrecking moments.

Remarks (My rating: 10 of 10 stars): (1) Weather is awesome, raining only on the last 5km (2) Well-organized race; sufficient and friendly marshals, trails were properly marked, well-prepared race village (3) Event / Finisher shirt/medal design is awesome. (4) Aid Station has full of food and refreshments (5) Registration fee is reasonable, which includes Event Shirt, Finisher's Medal/Shirt, Post Race Meal, Tourism fee, dry bag, tote bag, sfork, collapsible cup, whistle, environmental fees (6) Lots of relaxing, scenic and picturesque mountain views (7) Lots of FREE professional photographers along the trail (8) Slow Runner friendly race with generous cut-off times. 

If given the chance, would I like to join this race again? No (enough for the mountain marathon)

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Bukidnon (Trail Run, Chill Walk)

Chill Rainy Adventure in Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon, Philippines June 13 to 19, 2025

My First Visit to Cagayan de Oro - Bukidnon Budget Solo Trip (2011)

This trip served as my 2nd visit to the Northeast province of Mindanao Archipelago. Additionally, the main reason I came back was to participate in my 7th Full Marathon Solo Joiner Adventure.

Fun Fact: My first hitchhiking experience was in Bukidnon in 2011 with a truck driver. After that, all my hitchhikes were abroad and in a sedan (Georgia 2013, Bulgaria 2015, Kazakhstan 2018, Mexico 2020). I never paid a single cent, all the drivers don't speak English and obviously I don't speak their language. All solo trips. Maraming Salamat sa kanilang lahat.

7 DAYS BUDGET DIY SOLO TRIP IN REVISITING BUKIDNON ITINERARY 

Preparation:

Point Trail Ultra Marathon = ₱2,884

Cebu Pacific (return fare) = ₱3,304     Hotel Booking = ₱3,417

TOTAL: ₱9,605

Day 1: June 13 Friday FLIGHT OUT

0000H ETD Home; commute to NAIA T3 88

0300H ETA NAIA T3; check-in / breakfast

0535H ETD Manila MNL; Cebu Pacific flight 5J381

0720H ETA Cagayan de Oro CGY; van to Agora 200; Bus to Malaybalay 230

1130H Malaybalay bus terminal; lunch 150; walk to hotel; dinner 222

DOrf Transient Inn 4 nights

TOTAL: ₱890

Day 2: June 14 Saturday PREPARATION

DOrf Transient Inn 4 nights balance ₱1,497*

Race Kit Claiming; brunch 165; snacks 44; dinner 201

Walk to City Hall, Transfiguration Church 10km

TOTAL: ₱1,907

Day 3: June 15 Sunday TRAIL MARATHON

0200H Walk to Race Village 

0300H RACE START; 42km Mountain Trail Marathon (2,213m total elevation gain)

1630H RACE FINISH; claim entitlement; dinner 197

TOTAL: ₱197

Day 4: June 16 Monday RELAX

Walk to Capitol Grounds, Kaamulan Park 5km

Brunch 100; snacks 72; dinner 204

TOTAL: ₱376

Day 5: June 17 Tuesday RELAX

Walk to Capitol Grounds, Kaamulan Park 6km

1100H Hotel Check-out; walk to terminal; brunch 90

1130H Bus to Cagayan de Oro (Agora) 225

1500H Agora Terminal; 2km walk to hotel

G-Galyx Inn Hotel 2 nights ₱1,406*

Afternoon random walk; snacks 129; dinner 80

TOTAL: ₱524

Day 6: June 18 Wednesday RELAX

Morning random walk; brunch 130

Pasalubong Vjandep Pastel 1,071

Afternoon coastal walk; snacks 115; dinner 335

TOTAL: ₱1,650

Day 7: June 19 Thursday FLIGHT IN

Random morning walk; brunch 110; snacks 149

1300H ETD Hotel; walk to Centrio Mall; airport van 199

1500H ETA Cagayan de Oro airport

1715H ETD Cagayan de Oro CGY; Cebu Pacific flight 5J392

1900H ETA Manila MNL; commute to home 96

TOTAL: ₱554

 

DAILY TOTAL: ₱890+1,907+197+376+524+1,650+554 = ₱6,098

GRAND TOTAL: ₱9,605 + ₱6,098 = ₱15,705

6 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Revisiting Bukidnon (Trail Run, Chill Walk)