Mayon Trail Run 2011

by Albay Tourism on Tuesday,
October 18, 2011 at 1:21pm

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA/ALbay Tourism Office) -- If Japan, Wyoming, France, and other European countries have a ski run that would give you an “icy” experience while San Diego’s Camp Pendleton has the world famous mud run that would make you as mud-covered as humanly possible… the Province of Albay boasts a run that will take you to one of the most scenic places in the Philippines.

If you want a rough terrain to conquer, a trail that will lead you to one of the most beautiful and active volcanoes in the world, there is only one adventure for you to take – the Mayon Trail Run.

The Mayon Trail Run, which started year 2009, is an exhilarating and challenging sports escapade that will take you to several tourism spots in Albay while giving you a glimpse of the stunning Mayon Volcano. This event, exclusive only to four hundred (400) 22K participants, has three (3) categories: Kids (3K; for 10 to 15 years old only); Regular (11k); and Extreme (22K).

This run is organized by the government of Legazpi together with the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Legazpi Chapter, provincial government of Albay, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The North Face, and 100 Plus Drink. This will take place on October 22, 2011. There will be a 5 AM assembly at Lignon Hill, Legazpi City. The Extreme (22K) MTR will start at 6:00 AM with a cut off time of 11:30 AM; Regular (11K) MTR will start at 6:10 AM; and the Kids (3K) MTR will start at 6:20 AM. Awards will be distributed at 10:30 AM.

Interested participants can register at selected The North Face (TNF) stores nationwide and Albay Bicycle Center in Legazpi City. Those who are in Manila can also visit the following registration areas: A Runner’s Circle (Roxas Boulevard); Steak Escape (Gateway Mall); Steak Escape (Landmark); and Starting Line (Alabang). They can also contact Yves Eli Yu at yves188@gmail.com or reach him at 0917-558-8929. The registration fees for the said categories are as follows: P300 for Kids; P500 for Regular; and P750 for the Extreme Category.

For those who have already reserved via email and received a confirmation, you only need to pay and claim your race kits when you arrive at Legazpi. Race kits can only be claimed at Legazpi City on October 21, 2011. Participants for the MTR Kids and 11K can get their kits at the MTR Booth, Pacific Mall Lobby from 10 AM till 8 PM. As for the Extreme 22K runners, kits can be claimed during a 4 PM Pre-Race Briefing at Pacific Mall’s Activity Center (located outside the mall beside PS Bank). Food will be provided to the runners of the Extreme (22K) category. For those who have special requests for early race kit pick up, they can send their emails at yves188@gmail.com.

It is also suggested that runners prepare hydration belts, socks and trail shoes capable of withstanding rocks, water, and sand because this year’s run has a more improved trail route. The Extreme (22K) category will

1. Start at the top of Lignon Hill where they have to traverse 800 meters of steep downhill running paved road elevated 155 meters
2. Turn around at foot of Lignon Hill on to steep uphill of mixed paved and Kapit Tuko trails
3. Wisdom trail at the back of Lignon Hill very steep and slippery single track trail to YAWA River
4. KM 1.5 Crossing Yawa River about 30 meters wide knee deep waters
5. Mayon Lava rocks and Sandy soil Bonga Gulley trails
6. KM 6.5 climbing of 5 storey high Lava rocks Wall from 2006 Mt. Mayon Eruption about 6 km from Mt Mayon Volcano Crater Elev 275 meters
7. Turn Around at the top of Lava Wall
8. Back to Lava rocks and Sandy soil of Bonga Gulley trails
9. KM 11.5 River Crossing at Yawa River
10. Turn Around at back of Lignon Hill
11. River crossing at Yawa River
12. Back to Lava Rocks and Sandy Soil of Bonga Gulley trails
13. Km 16.5 Turn around at foot of Lava Wall Elev 255
14. Bonga Gulley trails
15. KM 21.5 River crossing at Yawa River
16. Steep Uphill single track through the back of Lignon with knee high steps
17. Surprise bonus trail at the top of Lignon, the Cherry on top of a great run
18. KM 22 Finish Line Elev 155

Aside from getting an unforgettable trail run experience, this event also offers a total of P300,000 cash to winners. Runners who will accomplish the Extreme MTR category will receive a medal and a certificate while those who will finish the Kids MTR category will only be given certificates. (MAL/ATO)