PlLIPINAS AKYATHLON®: The Philippine Int’l SKYRACE™

By Thesilentpal @thesilentpal

PlLIPINAS AKYATHLON®: The Philippine International SKYRACE™
9 February 2013, Saturday
Gun Start: 6:30am,
Mt. Ugo, Brgy. Tinongan, Itogon, Benguet, Philippine

EVENT INFORMATION

On its second year, this is the country’s second international SKYRACE™ (high-altitude mountain trail running race).

Pre-register to this race by emailing (1) name, (2) gender, (3) birthdate, (4) mobile number, (5) country represented to psa@philskyrunning.com.

Race Course Description:
This is a 34-km out-and-back race, starting from the Barangay Hall of Tinongdan (779 masl) in the Municipality of Itogon, Province of Benguet. The first 1.7km is a downhill run on paved road to the start of the trail (499 masl). From this point, the route to the summit is mostly uphill with a total elevation gain of 1858 meters, and loss of 195 meters. The route will showcase magnificent views of surrounding mountains, including portions of Binga and Ambuklao dams as far away as Pangasinan. The turnaround point will be at the summit of Mt Ugo (2162 masl). The 16.4-km route from the summit to the finish is a mirror image of the route to the summit, and concludes with a 1.7-km (280m vertically) ascent to the finish line at the hall of Barangay Tinongdan.

Getting to the Race Site:
Foreign participants can get to the Philippines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manilla (300 km to Baguio City) or at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark (200 km to Baguio City).

Pasay or Cubao, Metro Manila to Baguio City. Victory Liner buses (www.victoryliner.com) leave for Baguio City from Pasay or Cubao every hour, 24 hours a day. Travel time is 5 to 7 hours for regular aircon buses and 4.5 to 6 hours for deluxe buses. Fare is Php455 for regular aircon buses and Php715 for deluxe buses. The Pasay terminal is closer to the Manila Airport than the Cubao terminal. Upon arriving at the Baguio City terminal, take a taxi to your designated hotel in Baguio City.
Foreign participants can get transport information and assistance from Department of Tourism – CAR (dotregioncar@gmail.com) when traveling using the recommended schedule. Please email your flight details.
Baguio City to Tinongdan, Itogon. Jeepneys will be arranged, free of charge, for all participants on race day, Feb 9, from 4:30 to 5:00am. Distance is only 20km and takes 30-45 minutes of travel.

Accommodations:
There are many accredited hotels sent by DOT-CAR, the recommended ones which have affordable rates and also which are walking distance from DOT office are Eurotel and El Cielito Inn
In Tinongdan, Itogon, dormitory, homestay and camping grounds are available on first-come, first serve basis. Contact 0910-2508492 for details. Bring your own sleeping gear.
Awards and Prizes:
Trophies and valuable outdoors prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall winners in both the male and female categories.
Medals and valuable prizes will be awarded to the top 3 runners, male & female in the 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and above age groups.
All finishers will receive a medal, finisher’s t-shirt and will be qualified for raffle prizes.

Recommended Schedule:
Jan 9, Fri 10:00am : Akyathlon Press Conference (DOT-CAR, Baguio)

Feb 6, Wed : Travel Day/Arrival at Diosdado Macapagal Int’l
Airport or Manila Airports

Feb 7, Thurs : Course Familiarization (you may contact Brgy Tinongdan for guides/fees)

Feb 8, Fri
3:00–5:30pm Kit Claim
(Azalea Residences: Leonard Wood Loop, Baguio City; www.azalea.com.ph)
5:30-6:30pm Race Briefing
6:30-7:30pm Dinner

Feb 9, Sat
4:00am Assembly DOT-CAR, Baguio
4:30am Jeepneys leave for Tinongdan
5:30am Race briefing Bgy Tinongdan
6:30am Start of the Akyathlon® Bgy Tinongdan
11:30am Cut-off at the summit Mt Ugo, 2150 masl
12:00nn Start of post-race lunch Bgy Tinongdan
3:00pm Awarding Ceremonies Bgy Tinongdan
3:30pm Cut-off at the finish line Bgy Tinongdan
4:00pm Jeepneys leave for Baguio Bgy Tinongdan

Feb 10, Sun Departure/Travel Day

Race Guidelines:
• Each runner must be self-contained and self-reliant, complete with hydration pack or fuel belt, trail food and first aid kit
• The supplied race number bibs must be worn/pinned at the front AND back of each runner.
• Water loading stations will be available at multiple aid stations at the start/finish, along the route and at the turnaround point at Mt Ugo Summit.
• The trail will be clearly marked and race marshals will be stationed along the course.
• The use of trekking poles is permitted.
• Bringing of mobile phone is encouraged (fully charged and with adequate load).
• Suggested things to bring: hydration belt/pack w/ ample personal hydration, headlamp, raincoat, gels/bars.
• In case of serious injuries of a fellow runner or other emergencies, runners are obligated to pause with his/her racing, extend the appropriate help, and call/text the race organizer.
• This is a GREEN community event that advocates eco-sports tourism.

Registration Fee:
₱1,900 for Philippine residents until January 15
₱2,400 until February 8
$60 for foreign entries payable in Baguio on February 8 during kit claim/race briefing.
Registration closes at 7:30pm February 8.
No on-site registration on February 9, 2013.

Payment by local residents can be made by depositing the fee to BPI current account number 3191-0473-02 of Philippine Skyrunning Association, Inc. Email scanned deposit slip (with your name) to psa@philskyrunning.com.

A portion of your participation fee shall be donated to the projects of Cordillera Conservation Trust.

Event Organizer: Philippine Skyrunning Association (PhilSky)
Event Hosts: Province of Benguet, Municipality of Itogon, Barangay of Tinongdan
Event Supporters: Department of Tourism – CAR
Event Sponsors: Salomon, ROX, Summit Drinking Water
Environment & Community Partner: Cordillera Conservation Trust

This is a GREEN EVENT. We endeavor to reduce the use of plastic, paper and other non-essential resources. Your participation in this event translates to your support and alignment to this overall theme.

More information will be posted at www.philskyrunning.com and Facebook account “Philippine Skyrunning Association”