Team Malaya is serving its opening salvo of trail runs this year and extended the registration to February 22 to enter their participation in the event. The organization initially set the registration deadline last Monday, February 20 to enter their registration to the event.
The Sagada Marathon, slated to happen on February 26, 2017 at 5:00 at Sagada, Mountain Province, is the first stop of the Cordillera Series (MountainTrail Run Edition) consisting of 21K and 42K distances.
The event is considered a semi self-support event considering the terrain involved. The course will be marked with ribbons and “This way” tarpaulins and will have Local Guides and Marshalls. Participants required to accomplish a waiver at the venue, bring headlight (for 42 km participants) fully charged mobile phone, water carriers, whistles and rain jackets, and around 1,000-2,000 calories of food.
A group promo had been set since December 4, 2016 where if there are 10 runners who will register for the event, two (2) additional free slots will be awarded them and if 5 runners will register, a free slot will be given them.
The ili (native village) of Sagada is a town nestled in the rugged Cordillera ranges of Northern Luzon some 1500 meters above sea level, is haven to the adventurous and the wanderer. The municipality boasts of caves, limestone cliffs, rice terraces, waterfalls, and beautiful sunrises, among others, that are breathtaking and captivating to both the seasoned traveler and the young adventurer.
It will definitely be a friend and foe to the runner who braves its slopes and mountain capes on a cold February, most especially that the lowest temperature in the region had been registered last week.
A registration fee of P1,500 will be charged for 21K runners while P2,500 for 42K runners. Upon payment of the required fees, participants will be entitled a personalized BIB, certificates, orientation snacks, post-run meal, Finisher’s Medal and shirt for 21K Finishers, Finisher’s Shirt and Finisher’s for 42K Finishers, and a Finisher’s Cap and Finisher’s Hoodie for for Top Finishers.
Sagada can be reached from the west side via Baguio City/Benguet or the east side via Bontoc or Banaue. Mobile phone signal is dependable in most places. Internet hubs are found in town and charge a reasonable price while many accommodations and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.
Assembly time is expected to be at 4:30 AM, the gunstart at 5:00 AM to be culminated by the awarding ceremonies at around 12:00 NN.
Interested runners can register by paying the fee at BPI account # 8126 1062 94 in the name of Stephen Lopez Felices, the race director. More information on this event is posted at Team Malaya’s facebook page, www.facebook.com/teammalaya.org/, or at their website page, www.teammalaya.org.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS