Tanay Trail Run: Familiarization Run, Part 2

I’m still nursing a nagging dull pain on my right hamstrings that has again returned after last Sunday’s trail run at Tanay, the 2nd and probably the last familiarization run before the Love A Tree 50k Ultra on February 10.  The pain has stuck after finishing the 4th QC International Marathon last month and it has been on and off my leg since then.

Last Sunday’s trail run was actually a complete repeat of the Nature’s Trail Discover Run, Leg 1 with the climb on “The Peak” its highlight and the various river crossings around Baranggay Sto. Niño, Laiban and beyond. With me this time was team mate at Team 90%, ultra-runner Chito Carreon who got his feet wet, running this course for the first time.

So we drove to Tanay early Sunday morning and arrived at about 5:15am to the barking of dogs near the entrance to Sta. Inez Road. We were the first to arrive so we took this time to catch off some more Zs. No more than 25 minutes had passed when i noticed other runners began to trickle in, among them Manny Santos of Pimco Sports wearing his usual Viking Trail Shoe and Cesar Valmadrid of Norphyl.

With its challenging trails, the PIMCO organized trail races and the hundreds of trail running enthusiasts, Tanay has become the self-style hub of the trail running community. Much to my surprise, there were more runners who attended this 2nd familiarization run, ready to hit the trails.

We re-traced the route used during Leg 1 of the Discovery Run and this would entail running up that killer mountain trail and back to those river crossings past the hanging Sto. Nino bridge. Those running the route for the first time did additional distance by hitting those river crossings while some of us familiar with the route opted to return back after reaching the hanging bridge.

The run (or crawl) to the San Andres peak is so ridiculous. And i’m sure i have never walked this slow that i had to stop and catch my breath every 10 meters of climbing! The uphill was sending a dull, thudding pain deep into my right hamstring which i’m dragging behind me like a heavy rock! Still i managed to reach the peak in one piece.

We all had a blast! Great conversations from everybody, a nice route and when we returned to base camp we had a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausages, eat-all-you-can pandesal and hot coffee, courtesy of Mrs. Santos, Manny’s wife. By the end, i did about 15k while the others did 18k.

For those who plan to run this race on February 10, you can still register on-line at Pimco’s official website at: www.pimcosportsevents.com or check their Facebook page at Pimco Sporting Events. Distances include the 50k ultra, 24k, 12k and the 6k trail distances.

Here are some pictures i took of the trails last Sunday. You will have to excuse the quality of the pictures as these were just taken using my Blackberry phone.

Hope you enjoy them!

One of the many interesting river canals trail runners will see along the course

One of many wooden bridges that connects many of the baranggays in San Andres

Typical trail along the lowlands. It would be more challenging when you climb up the peak

This pony suddenly appears and blocks our path. We all had to stop, walk slowly and sensing that we were moving near her, decided to give way for us.

Towards a small community where a cave exists

A small river crossing that got our shoes wet (a little)

When this group crossed, one of the wooden planks broke so they had to thread this very carefully

This trail leads to the small river cave

The mouth of the cave is visible from here

Race Director Alvin Balderama plans to have runners cross under which is chest-deep. I hope not!

Posing for a group picture

On my left (sitting) is RD Alvin Balderama

The single trail tracks at Baraggay Sta. Inez

This trail leads up to the “Peak”

We had to re-group most of the time and wait for the slower ones

Weather was fine during the early part of the morning but became hot and sunny past 10am

It’s all uphill from here

Same route will be taken in by all runners

A view of the Sierra Madre Mountains

More of the mountains

This is one steep ascent

This was just half-way into the climb

Perfect training for those running on uphill races

A few hundred meters more before the peak

Taking a break before the final assault

Cesar Valmadrid wished he had puffed fewer cigarettes before the climb

A rice paddy seen below

Taking pictures with his Android phone

Maribel, the only rose among the torns

At the peak

Chito enjoying the scenery

The trail on our way down

It’s more fun in the Philippines!

One scenic rough road inside Brgy. Sto. Nino

Scenic trail going to the river

Sun was up and about making the run so hot

Trail to the hanging bridge of Sto. Nino

We turned-around after approaching the bridge

Now at the foothills of the Sierra Madres

They have one of the cleanest rivers in the country

Corrals and stones along the river’s edges

Runners will trek through these rivers

Tanay Love A Tree 50k Ultra Marathon Now Set

This is it! The Tanay trails is gearing up to stage its first Ultra-marathon, a 50k run in one of the most beautiful trail settings in the country, venturing through mountain passes, river crossings, challenging trails, majestic water falls and many more, all in the beautiful Sierra Madre mountains of Tanay, Rizal.

Aside from the 50k Ultra run, other categories include a 24k, 12k and a 6k trail race. Experience the excitement of what the Tanay Trails has to offer. Enjoy the great views, while testing your stamina and fortitude. Mark your calendars for February 10, 2013!

Here are the deatils:

2ND “LOVE A TREE”
INTERNATIONAL TRAIL RUNNING MARATHON

Date: February 10, 2013
Venue San Andres, Tanay, Rizal

Registration : On-line (http://www.pimcosportsevents.com/)

Program:

Feb 09, 2013:  1st Day Tree Planting, Camping, Mountaineering & Trail Running Clinic. Program starts at 4 pm

Feb 10, 2013:  2nd Day Race Day
Assembly starts at 4 am

Race Events:

Open To Filipinos Only (Foreign runners allowed as Guest Runners)

Distance—Entry Fee —Gun Start —Cut-Off Time

6k ——-P 650.00—– 5:30m —-10:30 am

12k ——-P 950.00 —–5:15am —11:00 am

International Open Event to Foreigners

24k ——–P1,250.00 —5:00 am —11:00 am

50k ——–P2,250.00 —4:30 am —–2:30 pm

Prizes & Awards:

Champion —–2nd Place ——3rd Place

6k                     P1,750.00           P1,250.00           P 750.00
………………..Medal                     Medal                     Medal

12k                   P3,500.00           P2,500.00          P1,500.00
………………..Medal                     Medal                      Medal

24k                  P5,000.00           P3,000.00          P2,000.00
……………….Trophy                   Medal                     Medal

50k                  P7,000.00          P5,000.00          P3,000.00
………………..Trophy                  Medal                     Medal

Rule on Awarding:

For the Major Prize and Award, Male and Female winners will get the same prize whatever is the nationality.
Overall Top Three (3) Filipino Runners

Top 1                  Top 2               Top3

24k            P3,500.00    P2,500.00     P1,500.00
……………Medal              Medal               Medal

50k            P3,500.00    P2,500.00    P1,500.00
……………Medal               Medal             Medal

50k Runners are subject to qualification requirements according to the rules.

Rule on Prizes & Award:

Top 3 Filipino Runners overall will be picked from the Filipino runners no division classification of Top 3 which can be a combination (example male, female, male as the Top 3). This is because at long distance, both Filipino male and female runners are no longer relying on speed but on stamina and endurance thus both are equally capable and female runner can beat male runner and vice versa.

The Filipino Championship winners landing in any position whether Champion, 2nd Place, or 3rd placer are already counted in the Overall Top 3 Filipino runners too. Filipino runners are assured of winning and podium finish even if foreign runners win.

Other Prizes:       Singlet, Finishers Medals, and Loot Bags

Accommodation:

Camping Love A Tree Village I :   P50 per head Donation to Barangay
Those without tent may bring sleeping bags.
Fee for camping goes to the Barangay as donation.

Provisions:

Water Stations There will be water stations for refilling only. Since this is a mountain trail race and we are not allowed to serve plastic cups by law runners are advised to fully gear up with hydration using back pack or belt with hydration bottle.

Runners Gears 50k and 24k runners are advised to also use headlamps in the early morning stage of the race. Back pack, hydration belt and bottles, or handheld are important to keep you hydrated.

Banana Station Banana Station will be available to all categories at the 5th kilometer of the race, at 12th kilometer, at the 25th and at the Finish Line.

Breakfast pack Breakfast pack will be served in the early morning to 12k, 24k, and 50k runners only. 6k runners may buy at the Love A Tree Village.

Shuttle Services for Metro-Manila Runners:

Additional fee of P300.00 per runner will be charged for the shuttle bus to the race venue and going back to the same pick up points as follows:

Pick up Details:
Date: February 10, 2013

Pick up points:
Shell Station, Makati Edsa
Mandaluyong, City Hall Circle
Quezon City Circle
Masinag, Marikina in front of Mercury Drug

Time of Pick Up:
2:00 am Shell Station Makati Edsa
2:15 am Mandaluyong City Hall Circle
2:40 am Quezon City Circle
3:10 am (Subject to change)

The Bus will passed-by and will not be standing by please be at the pick-up point at the time to avoid inconvenience and present your Service Stub. The Time of Pick-up are estimated arrivals at the pick up locations given.

If you miss one pick up place, you can still catch up by proceeding immediately at any of the pick up points ahead. The Shuttle Bus will not wait.

Time of Return Trip: All Runners must be at the shuttle bus for the return trip to Metro-Manila from the race venue after the race event not later than 3:00 pm(?).

For more info, please visit their website at: http://www.pimcosportsevents.com/

A Quick View: The Tanay Love A Tree 24K/50K Ultra Trail Route (Part 1)

There’s a new kid on the ultra running block and after several successful trail runs in their sanctuary in Tanay, Rizal, Pimco Sports will now be staging its 1st 50K Love A Tree Trail Ultra-Marathon this coming February 10, 2013. Also, included in their Feb. 10 race is a 24k, 12k and a 6k run.

Like their previous trail runs consisting of the Love A Tree Half-Marathon and the three legs of the Natures Trail Discovery Run, the routes for their Feb. 10 race will take runners to some very scenic but familiar routes of the Discovery Run series and new, uncharted trails the 24k and the 50k ultra runners will surely enjoy.

Yesterday, i was one of the privileged runners who took part in the familiarization run for the Feb. 10 route of the 24k and 50k distances. It was unusually cold and chilly when running buddy June and i arrived at Barangay San Andres at about 5:40am. Within an hour or so, a total of 12 runners were now ready to start the run after we were given a short briefing by Mr. Manny Santos of Pimco Sports and Race Director Alvin Balderama.

Some of the routes were familiar ones, having run them myself during past Pimco trail races but what caught my attention this time was the number of  rivers we had to cross and the variety of terrain we had to  endure like rough roads, dirt trails, muddy trails, rocky paths and soft ground.

We only covered a total of 15 kms. which did not include the forested trails and mountain passes which i believe will be done during the second familiarization run on January 6, 2013.

Only registrants in the Love A Tree 24k/50 Ultra Run can participate in the January 6 Familiarization Run so register now. (Early Birds is available for Online Registration only at www.pimcosportsevents.com).

Here are some of the pictures of the route i took yesterday. Enjoy!

Meet-up was at the corner of Marcos Highway and Sta. Inez Road, the entrance going to Sitio Batangas, San Andres, Tanay

Started going to San Andres proper at about 6:40am with nice, cool weather

First river view which has been part of the trail of the 1st Love a Tree Trail race

One of the many rough roads runners will pass going to Barangay Sto. Nino.

A perpetual view of the Sierra Madre mountains that backdrops most of the route

At a junction where runners waited for the others enroute to the rivers

Testing the Camelbak Rogue hydration backpack. Excellent ride!

Trail leading to the river bridge

This trail should be familiar now to those who ran the Discover Tanay Leg-1 Trail Run. This leads to the bridge.

The wooden bridge that connects 2 baranggays

The view from the middle of the bridge

Local residents were very friendly and greeted us wherever we went

One slight rocky uphill part

A view of the river and the mountain ranges

Surprised to see this muddy stretch where our shoes got soaked in mud debris

Walking on this uphill part

This was at about 7:30am when the air was still cool. Lots of fresh air!

On our way down with a peek of the river below

The rivers of Tanay are generally clear and you can see the rocks below it

The water was nice, cool and calm. No “buwis buhay” here!

Giving the thumbs up is Alvin Balderama, Race Director of all Tanay Trail races. He charts all trail paths here and plots all difficult routes imaginable. He shows us the easy routes  of the race but keeps the hardest ones a secret until he unleashes it on race day! I sometimes refer to him as the “Butcher” of Tanay! Hahah…:)

The river circles around several small mountains and you have to cross the river many times over.

From here, it’s all small rocks all the way!

More river crossings…

Terrain ranges from sandy, rocky, river and more rocks!

Nice feeling of wading through the river surrounded by mountains

There must be billions of rocks here, many of the garden variety. 🙂

The lone plant in the middle of the river

Reminds me of the river trails near Mt. Pinatubo, only here the water is so clear!

Balance is of utmost importance here as rocks tend to roll under

Yes, this is part of the 24k and 50k route

It’s so difficult to run on this terrain

This part was on our 2nd hour of run-walking

Back to the trail, at last!

A run to the finish

It was all uphill to base camp

Don’t forget to register now and be a part of the 2nd familiarization run on January 6, 2013. See you there!