My 1st Trail Run (32KM) in the Philippines; San Rafael Mountain Run 2024

Filipino Trail Run Solo Joiner 01-Dec-2024 Sunday in Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines

My 1st Trail Run (12KM) Solo Joiner; North Face Kathmandu Ultra 2016

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

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

Event Schedule:

01-Dec Sun - 03:30 AM: Race Kit Claiming

01-Dec Sun - 03:45 AM: Program Start / Race Briefing

01-Dec Sun - 04:00 AM: Start Time

01-Dec Sun - 11:00 AM: Awarding Ceremony

01-Dec Sun - 04:00 PM: 32KM Cut-Off Time 12 hours (Finish Line)

THINGS TO BRING:

A. During the trail run (mandatory gears)…

1. Hydration vest with Hydration Volume of 1li capacity minimum

2. Trail foods

3. First aid Kit (pouch with alcohol, cotton, paracetamol, band aid, etc)

4. Headlamp/flashlight

5. Race bib

B. Mandatory for myself to bring / apply…

1. Fully-charged Smart phone / Powerbank

2. Fully-charged Smart watch

3. Petroleum Jelly / Ointment

4. Leg sleeve support / Arm sleeve support

5. Buff / Bandana / Philippine Flag

6. Cash / ID / Wallet

7. Candies / Sweets / Energy Gels

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

     

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

     

My 1st Trail Run in the Philippines; 32KM San Rafael Mountain Run

32km 1st Trail Run in Philippines 😁

Raining throughout the race with lots of slippery, muddy, steep, damaged ascent/descent trails (2,097m total altitude gain, with mobile signal dead spot around the area). I won the age category (40-49 yrs old) and ranked 8th out of 14 Participants.

I took this challenge as I'm getting bored of road running. 56 hours recovery time.

#solorunner #run #takbo #pinoy #metromanila #pilipinas #philippines #manila #trailrun #filipino #itra #rizal

My 1st Ultra Marathon (50KM) Solo Joiner; VJ100UTC Baguio 2024