Mt. Ugo hosts King of Mountain Trail Run series anew

ULTRA runners get another chance of a glimpse at the famous Mt. Ugo with the staging of the 2nd Mt. Ugo Trail and half marathon on March 31.

Firing off in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, the 42 and 21 kilometer race will be an out and back trail run which is part of the King of the Mountain-Trail Run Philippines Series (KOTM).

Registration formally opened January 9 and will end March 16 with P1,250 and P850 for the full and half marathons, respectively, inclusive of trail fees, shirt, medal and post-race meals.

The race was conceived and designed not only for local but also foreign runners in continuous search of challenging trail races.

Participants may register at A Runner’s Circle-Aloha Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila 567-4786, Antel Platinum Tower, 154 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati and may deposit their payment at BPI under the account name Constante C. Mendoza Jr. with account number 2379 0362 39 and may email scanned deposit slip frontrunnermag@gmail.com for confirmation.

The series aims to promote the country’s scenic trails and mountains not offered in package tours and the local culture and rich tradition of the areas where the events take place.

It also aims to encourage runners to adopt the Leave No Trace (LNT) principle to respect nature and help preserve the environment.

Part of the funds generated from the series will augment the stocks of the barangay boticas (local pharmacies) as well as providing school supplies for the children in the villages along the route.

The series is divided into three events, namely: Hardcore Hundred Miles Trail Ultramarathon (H1) to be held from February 22-24, 2013, Mount Ugo Trail Marathon (April 7, 2013) and Four Lakes 100k and Old Spanish Trail 60k Ultramarathon (May 25-26, 2013).

Hardcore Hundred Miles Trail Ultramarathon has been accredited as a qualifying race worth four points and Four Lakes 100k, three points by Ultra Mont Blanc (UTMB), Europe’s biggest ultramarathon, for its 2014 edition. Additionally, Four Lakes 100k is also a qualifying race for the 2014 Western States 100 Endurance Run, North America’s most prestigious ultra. (Roderick Osis)