TADIAN, Mountain Province. The rustic municipality of Tadian, Mountain Province joins the trail run fever prevailing in the highlands of the Cordillera with its hosting of the Mount Mogao Trail Run – Run to the Climax on March 10, 2019.
The race course allows the runner to trace the old trail network that circumnavigates the communities of Tadian and Bauko and connects to the historical salt trade route which had been in existence long before the Spanish conquest with the towering Mount Mogao at the center of Tadian’s Sunnyside as the come-on feature.
The course is pristine to trail running passing through a wide array of panoramic landscapes, mystical lakes, rice terraces, cultural communities, burial sites, and other sacred grounds including the habitat of Tadian’s famous gem – the enchanted eels of Cagubatan.
The run offers the 10K and 25K categories with a common starting point at the Tadian Municipal Capitol and gun start at 6:00AM.
Runners from both categories will be treated with a challenging yet exciting downhill track to Barangay Tue and then to Mayag Lake passing through the Bawengweng viewpoint and Sabiyan rice terraces before scaling the trail to the Cagubatan road junction.
From there, the 10K runners will traverse the concrete road to the finish line at the foot of Mount Mogao in Pandayan while those in the 25K will take the combined road and trail to Barangay Lenga and then descend to Gawaan Lake in Bana-ao before the final sprint to the same finish line.
Aid stations will be put up along the route to be managed by staff of the Provincial Person With Disability Affairs Office (PPDAO) and Red Cross volunteers and assisted by the Barangay Peace and Action Teams and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The Tadian Municipal Police Station is also expected to deploy its personnel in strategic sites to manage traffic and provide guidance to the runners.
Race Director Billy Regaspi said that the original plan was to take the runners to the peak but decided not to push through with it due to the trail’s very steep terrain. “Runners who wish to climb the hill after reaching the finish line may do so at their own choice,” Regaspi added.
Regaspi explained that the course is not only intended for professional and experienced runners but also designed for beginners who are looking forward to have their first taste of a trail run.
Registration fees for the run are P1,000 for the 25K and P750.00 for the 10K inclusive of race bib, finisher medal, event shirt, hydration and snacks at aid stations, and post-race meals.
The top 5 male and female finishers in each category will be awarded trophies.
This event, jointly organized by the PPDAO, Philippine Red Cross-Mountain Province Chapter and Mountain Province Athletic Team, aims to raise fund to support the medication of indigent PWDs in Tadian and Bauko who are diagnosed with brain tumor and bone cancer in the persons of Conception Pundo, Mary Masnan, Domingo Maitang and Nash Kent Alilia.
Part of the proceeds will also be entrusted to the Blood Samaritan Program of the Philippine Red Cross to be availed by indigent PWD patients who are in need of safe blood and blood products.
The event receives financial backing from several entities and institutions like Angel Libang who donated P10,500, Jupiter Dominguez with P5,500, Allen Ocden (P3,000) and Treasure Link Cooperative Society (P5,000). In-kind support was also committed by the Local Government Units of Tadian and Bauko, and the provincial government.
Interested participants may register either at the Philippine Red Cross – Mt. Province Chapter Office, Provincial Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office or at Aijay’s Marketing Extension, Poblacion Bontoc.
Inquiries may be directed to Mr. Billy Regaspi or Head of Secretariat Aimee Fakat through cellphone numbers 09203670968 & 09074162697. Robert Pangod & Riemon Balan-eg
