During our test run of the Merrell Adventure Race route at the Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal last Friday, i was amazed and surprised to venture into trails that were new to me, routes that were not used in trail races that i had joined in the past. I was bewildered about the vastness of this area that probably only a few runners and bikers have ventured to and the experience of running in uncharted territory was awesome!
I would later learn from the developers of the Timberland Resorts nearby that the trail system itself consisted of about 42 kilometers of trails stretched inside Timberland Heights, long enough to stage a marathon on forest woods. Among these trails are bike trails dubbed as the Eco-trail which had been long popular to mountain bike enthusiasts.
Thumbie Remigio, Race Director of the Merrell Adventure Run which will be held on June 2, 2012 took us along the 10k route and he said that 60% of the trails have not been used in past races. The terrain at Timberland offers everything from flat, grassy meadows to long climbs and technical single-track and switch-backs.
In all, there will be 10 kilometers of running to explore, with several sections of single-track, double-track, dirt roads, river traverse and waterfalls. Runners of all abilities will enjoy the variety of terrain. And did i already say that there will be mud crawls on parts of the route?
The scenery alone would make this a very spectacular run. Our test-run was fun and challenging with others even taking a dive at a deep river pond. You can run the route slow and cautiously, or hard and fast if you are an expert trail runner. Whichever way you run, you are bound to have a blast!
Here are the pictures of the 10k and 21k trail route. Enjoy and see you on June 2!
Runners will have the option to cross the river through this bamboo bridge or…(see pictures below)
…dive into the river itself!
…and here! (that’s Thumbie’s wife who is also a runner)
Merrell Adventure Race Organizer, Thumbie Remigio
One long uphill climb
Where we came from
This part of the trail was covered with bamboo trees
A white lady appears with a bolo!
We stop at a crossroad. Even Thumbie forgot our way out!;-)
The Jazzrunner, 1.5 kms before the end of the run
The trail runners with the Merrell group and the race organizing team
With Jojo, Ed, Allan and Baves
JAZZRUNNER 