Rock and Road 3
King Of The Mountain
Four Lakes 100k and Old Spanish Trail 60k Trail Ultramarathon
May 26, 4:00 AM– May 27, 2012, 10:00 AM
Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya – Tinongdan, Itogan, Benguet – Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya , PHILIPPINES
Brought to you by frontRUNNER Magazine in cooperation with the Municipalities of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya and Itogon, Benguet
Registration Fees:
100k: PHP 2500.00 (inclusive of trail fees, post-race meal, shirt and medal) / USD 80.00 for foreign entrants
60k: PHP 1500.00 (same as above) / USD 60.00 for foreign entrants
LIMITED SLOTS ONLY.
Registration starts on JANUARY 31 and closes DEFINITELY on MAY 12, 2012.
Race briefing will be held at 3:00 PM on May 25, 2012 at the Kayapa Municipal Hall.
Race bibs will be distributed during the briefing or before the race starts.
Drop bags must be properly marked with name, bib number and event and will be collected during the briefing or before the race starts. They must be properly secured. Breakages will not be the responsibility of the organizer.
Registration Venues:
- A Runner’s Circle-Aloha Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila
- Antel Platinum Tower, 154 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati (24/7 available)
- Bank Deposit: Constante C Mendoza Jr, BPI S/A 2379 0362 39. Scan and email deposit slip to frontrunnermag@gmail.com for confirmation
Complete official results and race pictures to be exclusively published in frontRUNNER Magazine
THERE WILL BE NO ONSITE REGISTRATION.
NO CASH PRIZES, NO FRILLS, NO LOOT BAGS, NO FREEBIES and ABSOLUTELY NO WHINING. Just lifetime memories, bliss and blisters, and a peaceful, easy feeling. Personal satisfaction guaranteed.
Start/Finish(All events): Kayapa Municipal Hall (1121 Meters Above Sea Level-masl)
100k / 60k Horn Start: 4:00 AM, May 26, 2012
100k Cutoff time: 10:00 AM, May 27, 2012 (30 hours)/56k (16 hours)
60k Cutoff time: 7:00 PM, May 26, 2012
THE RACE
If you want freedom and love the outdoors, this race is for you. If you want solitude, serenity, peace and quiet, this is it.
Here, you don’t have to worry about toxic car fumes, bully drivers and incessant car horns blowing in your face. There are no man-made obstacles to obstruct your path. Instead, indulge in an all-natural setting which offers fresh, unpolluted air, majestic views of pine tree-filled mountains, vegetable gardens set in terraces, switchbacks, open, single track trails, and rocks, fallen pine trees and slippery trails that will serve as natural obstacles. Cliché as it may sound, you only have the sounds of the wind, your footsteps and breathing, and insects to provide the melody as you go along.
Here, you breathe the natural scent of pine trees and free yourself from the confines of a cramped, artificially pine-scented, air freshener-filled car whose smell seemingly clings eternally to your clothes, and choking smog, you get to relive your lost youth and once again, embrace the wide and open world, and yesteryears you once truly enjoyed.
WHILE WE WILL EXERT EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE CLEANLINESS AND PRE-RACE CONDITION OF THE ROUTE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EACH PARTICIPANT DO HIS OWN SHARE BY BEING A RESPONSIBLE TRAIL RUNNER. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE ADAGE, TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES AND LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS.
Not only will the organizers and locals truly appreciate your efforts but also Mother Nature herself. Be kind to everyone and everything along the path.
And for a better appreciation of trail running etiquette, you may want to look at this link; http://baldrunner.com/2012/01/18/trail-running-101-part-2-rules-on-the-run/.
And where else can this trailblazing endurance event be appropriately held but in a town aptly named, KAYAPA!
Experience sweet, uncomplicated satisfaction right here. It’s time to feed your senses.
THE ROUTE
The race starts and ends at the Kayapa Municipal Hall (1121 masl).
For the 100k event, there will be four summits and four lakes to conquer. There will be an outer loop of about 86 kilometers and a smaller loop of about 14 kilometers. The 60k event passes through the picturesque Old Spanish Trail and is contained in one loop.
Runners start by running along a zigzag concrete two-way road up to the Benguet-Vizcaya provincial boundary marker and into the trail head in PANGAWAN(1484 masl) some 5 kilometers away.
Natural spring water is our ONLY water supply source (it’s the town’s, too!) so if it is not your thing, make sure to bring your own water or tablet purifier.
PLEASE MIND YOUR TRASH AT ALL TIMES. And to further reduce trash, NO cups of any kind will be available in any of the water stations. All runners are advised to bring their own cups. Garbage bags will also be available in each water station. It won’t take too much of an effort to drop your trashes into it properly, thank you.
Runners then run up farther and pass through a mix of dirt/muddy(if rainy) roads and intermittent stretches of concrete tire paths until they enter the start of the 3-kilometer “MOSSY FOREST”(1595 masl). After a few steps, you will find out why.
Runners will run along single track slippery trails covered with leaves, pine tree needles and cones, and under canopies of trees. Beware of the grounds which barely see sunshine due to the heavy overhead foliage. The ground and rocks are full of moss(hence, the name) which makes them slippery. Also, beware of hanging overgrowth of vines, ferns, bamboos and other forest plants, protruding roots, loose rocks and ravines cleverly covered by thick forest growth. AND MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR LEGS FOR BLOOD-SUCKING CREATURES (limatik, small but very terrible). Simply remove them and clean with antiseptic or rub with salt. It sometimes gets messy but no need to worry.
Slower runners are advised to step aside for overtaking runners. And since this is an open, public trail, you will meet a few locals and day hikers along the route as well. Take time to greet them. PRACTICE TRAIL COURTESY. There will be dogs, wild pigs, goats, cows and horses, too. Be careful.
You shall be passing through gates so please close them after going through each time, thank you.
The forest stretch ends where the INDUPIT JUNCTION/ANSIPSIP foot trail is and starts (1866 masl, 11 kilometers). Proceed to the next landmark.
Next landmark is BUNDAO (1835 masl, 12.5 kilometers) which is marked by 2 structures, a shed and house.
BUNDAO is where the FIRST water station will be located. Trail food will be available. The open, flat, single track trails stretch farther ahead and the views get only better. It’s pine trees and super nice views galore onwards.
BUNDAO station is your LAST aid station until you reach SADDLE/DOMOLPOS station (~7 kilometers of trails away) so it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you fill up your bladders/bottles and eat.
Next landmark will be the ANSIPSIP WAITING SHED/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL marker (1935 masl, 15 kilometers). More mountain side, open, flat, single track trails greet the runner. There will be lots of downhill running and switchbacks here as well, and the summit turnaround will be seen from here for as long as no fog will obstruct the view. As usual, ultra nice trails to die for.
DOMOLPOS Village (1700 masl) where locals reside, is the next landmark. From here, runners run up a single track trail until the SADDLE.
SADDLE/DOMOLPOS WAITING SHED JUNCTION (1763 masl, ~19 kilometers) is where the SECOND aid station is located. At this junction, spring water/trail food will be served. It is advised that runners refill and eat. A very appropriate message is written on the shed’s wall. Be sure to take time to read it. Can’t miss, the shed is painted in pink.
From the aid station above, runners will proceed for about 3 kilometers towards the LUSOD AREA/BACUYAN JUNCTION (marked/manned, 1770 masl, ~22 kilometers) via a single track trail. At BACUYAN, make a U-TURN towards the MT. UGO SUMMIT MARKER via a 2-kilometer climb.
MT. UGO SUMMIT MARKER(2170 masl,~ 24 kilometers) is where a marshal shall record the names or bib numbers and times of each runner. You may want to take your picture at the marker. This is the FIRST SUMMIT.
From the summit, runners will proceed towards the SADDLE/DOMOLPOS WAITING SHED exit via a steep downhill dotted with switchbacks for another 2 kilometers, refill or eat again at the said aid station.
After passing by the SADDLE/DOMOLPOS WAITING SHED again, all runners will take to the picturesque OLD SPANISH TRAIL, a 10-kilometer long trail (mostly downhill) that will lead them to the next aid/hot food/drop bag station 1 located at the KAYAPA PROPER Market Building(vehicle accessible).
There are a number of hanging bridges along the way. Take the necessary precautions when crossing one.
From this point, runners will cross rice paddies and a hanging bridge and pass by CABALATAN on their way to Barangay AMELONG LABENG where its Barangay Hall will serve as the next water/food station. Sweet potatoes (The sweetest!) will be served. You will be passing through a cellular phone site tower which is the SECOND SUMMIT.
Runners will then exit at the Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet Road and proceed uphill on a concrete road to the entrance of CASTILLO VILLAGE which is marked by a huge welcome sign,waiting shed and a World War 2 Memorial. Drop bag station 2 will be here and a water/hot food station is available((vehicle accessible).
From here, 60k runners will proceed to the finish line via NV-Benguet Road, a downhill, zigzag 4-kilometer concrete road.
This is also the Cutoff Point for the 100k runners. A cutoff time of SIXTEEN HOURS (16:00:00) will be implemented here where runners not able to meet the said time will be considered DNF (did not finished). A vehicle will be provided to ferry runners to the finish line.
From the village trail head, qualified runners will trek up for about two kilometers to BUACA LAKE (Lake 1) and a few hundred meters away will be the second lake (if not dry). This is your THIRD SUMMIT.
On the way to DAYAP, there will be another water source at the house of spouses ENWAY and PASIONA TOMAS, a kilometer away from BUACA LAKE.
From the house, runners will proceed to DAYAP PRIMARY SCHOOL(vehicle accessible). It is mostly uphill after you reach a garden/farm along the way at a “saddle” area.
100k runners will turn RIGHT towards the twin NAYAO LAKES (Lakes 3 and 4) and the trail that leads farther up AMBASA/BANAO (FOURTH SUMMIT. The turnaround will be in a marked area in the summit(water/trail food station) where names and bib numbers shall be recorded.
Upon reaching DAYAP PRIMARY SCHOOL again, 100k runners will proceed for about 3 kilometers towards PANGAWAN trail head (aid/drop bag station 3-vehicle accessible) , enter the trail that leads to INDUPIT Village Junction and from this point, take the TALECABCAB TRAIL towards the finish line.
In total, only 9 kilometers or less of concrete, winding roads comprise the 60k event route while the 100k event has less than 6 kilometers. The rest of the route is all dirt roads/trails. There is significant altitude gain and loss as well.
There will be 10 aid stations (100k)/5 aid stations(60k) and 3 drop bag areas (for 100k runners)/2 drop bags stations for 60k runners. Drop bags will be ready for retrieval at the finish line after the race.
All waiting sheds/junctions/forks will be marked by ribbons or manned by marshals. Whenever you reach a junction/fork, make sure to look for ribbons tied on grass, trees or fences, and proceed from there. If you happen to enter a junction/fork and you do not see a confidence marker after running about 300 meters, return to the area where you last saw a ribbon and locate the area where subsequent ribbons are. NO time credits will be given for any runner lost. It is the personal responsibility of each runner to familiarize himself with the route. BE ATTENTIVE to markers.
Again, to help preserve the area, please DO NOT LITTER nor TAKE/CUT ANYTHING except pictures. The only “authorized” trashes are horse and cow dung which are abundant along the route so beware. If you need to go, there are lots of grassy areas and tree trunks are wide enough to cover your behind. Beware of staying too close to ravines, though. Dispose off your wet wipes properly. All energy gel/food packs/bottles must be thrown in the garbage bags provided for at each food station and if you happen to be taking such where no adequate disposal is available, please keep the wrappers with you until such a time that a garbage bag is available.
Strong winds buffet the area from time to time and the weather is unpredictable, so it is wise to bring warm and dry clothing/accessories.
NO vehicles of ANY kind are allowed from the PANGAWAN trail entry point (east and west) onwards as well as the AMELONG LABENG trail exit.
For best traction, trail shoes are highly advised.
Cellphone signals exist(Smart, Sun and Globe) but are intermittent. You may contact these numbers for any concerns; 0917 803 0664, 0922 822 9342 and 0999 998 7654.
Music players are allowed but NOT recommended. Cameras are! The designated cutoff times are such that runners may be afforded the luxury and time to take pictures and savor the moment and surroundings.
NO registration fee refunds will be given for WHATEVER reason.
NO unregistered pacers, guides and bandits allowed.
NO cheating, please. I sincerely wish that this will be the last race ever that I will be reminding participants of this matter. After all, we are all decent, mature and responsible individuals, aren’t we? Besides, the route was designed in such a way that any “shortcuts” will only make the route longer.
Any complaint on cheating must be made WITHIN 24 hours after the close of the race and must be made in writing, signed and submitted to the RO/RD for proper action. This must also be accompanied by a visual proof/s of the alleged cheating. Any complaints after the 24-hour period will NOT be entertained.
The Race Organizer and Director reserve the right to modify race rules and cancel the remainder of the race while it is in progress at any time for the benefit, safety and welfare of the participants.
RECOMMENDED gear for all events
- Cellular phone (fully charged and with load)
- Light jacket or arm warmers and head covers
- Functioning flashlight or headlamps
- At least 1.5 liter capacity hydration bag or belt bottles
- Whistle
- First aid kit(antiseptic, band aid, cotton, salt, loperamide tablets)
- Extra food or energy gels
- Wet wipes
- Light poncho or garbage bag
Trekking poles allowed but NOT mandatory.
ROUTE LANDMARKS: Kayapa-Mt Ugo-Kayapa via Kayapa Proper/Amelong Labeng/Castillo Village/Dayap/Ambasa/Pangawan/Indupit/Talecabcab
(Owing to the terrain, distances as just approximations based on GPS measurements)
- Kayapa Municipal Hall (1121 masl) to Pangawan trailhead (1484 masl) ~ 5 kilometers Lone Pine Tree (1595 masl) ~ 6 kilometers
- Indupit junction/Ansipsip foot trail (1866 masl) ~ 11 kilometers
- Bundao (1835 masl) ~ 12.5 kilometers
- Ansipsip waiting shed (1935 masl) ~ 15 kilometers
- Domolpos Village (1700 masl)
- Saddle/Domolpos waiting shed (1763 masl) ~ 19 kilometers
- Bacuyan junction (1844 masl) ~ 22 kilometers
- Mt. Ugo Summit marker (2170 masl) ~ 24 kilometers
- Saddle/Domolpos waiting shed (1763 masl ~ 26 kilometers
- Old Spanish Trail-Kayapa Proper Market ~ 36.5 kilometers
- Kayapa Proper Market(912 masl)-Amelong Labeng Barangay Hall(1431 masl, ~ 45 kilometers total) via Cabalatan
- Amelong Labeng Barangay Hall to Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet Road junction ~1275 masl,~ 55.5 kilometers total
- Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet Road junction to Castillo Village Waiting shed/marker ~ 56 kilometers total
- Castillo Village Waiting shed/marker(1283 masl) to Kayapa Municipal Hall(for 60k runners only) ~ 60 kilometers Finish Line
- Castillo Village Waiting shed/marker Food/Drop Bag Station – Buaca Lake(1570 masl, ~ 58 kilometers total(for 100k runners only)
- Dayap Primary School Water/Food Station ~ 64 kilometers total
- Ambasa turnaround ~74 kilometers
- Ambasa/Bannao turnaround- Dayap Primary School~ 83 kilometers total
- Dayap Primary School – Pangawan Trailhead ~ 86 kilometers total
- Pangawan Trailhead to Indupit/Ansipsip foot trail ~ 92 kilometers total
- Indupit/Ansipsip foot trail to Kayapa Municipal Hall via Talecabcab Trail
- Kayapa Municipal Hall (1121 masl, ~ 100 kilometers Finish Line)
THE SWEET SUB-16 HOUR CHALLENGE
A special award awaits any runner who will finish the 100-kilometer event in 15:59:59 hours or better.
KAYAPA
Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya is a small and quaint, peaceful and serene, and vegetable-producing mountain town nestled about 1121 meters above sea level, 80 kilometers away and a comfortable 2-hour drive from Baguio City through the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road (also known as Ambuklao Road). The town is located at the boundary between Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya and is the gateway to Region 2 if coming from the west. The zigzag road is completely paved and offers spectacular views of Ambuklao and Binga Dams, rivers, lakes, pine tree-clad mountain sides, vegetable garden terraces and very cool and unpolluted weather. In fact, the abundance of pine trees will give you the chance to breathe real pine tree-scented air.
Regular and air-conditioned buses with terminals in Pasay, Cubao, Caloocan and Sampaloc in Metro Manila and bound for Baguio, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan are available on a 24-hour basis.
From Baguio, you may take the buses and vans that regularly ply the route. Old school buses (Bambang/Belance/Dupax-bound) and vans are either located at the Dangwa Terminal or Slaughter House compound. Bus trips start at 8AM up. Fares vary from 115php to 150php.
Kayapa can also be reached by car via Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya passing through the Maharlika Highway. Aritao is some about 220 kilometers and 6 hours away from Manila through NLEX, SCTEX and Nueva Ecija or Bulacan if exiting at Sta. Rita in NLEX.
From Aritao, Kayapa is an hour or so away and a 29-kilometer zigzag drive up via Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road which connects the 2 provinces. Ample road directions guide the travelers.
Another option is to stop in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya which is 15 kilometers after Aritao and take the buses or vans bound for Baguio at the bus parking area near a gasoline station along Maharlika Highway. From Bambang, Kayapa is an hour or so away.
There are only a few bed and breakfast type lodgings, home stays to be exact, (Tessie’s-09471728752/092198888803, Barangay Pangpang Hall- 09298448481 and Boulevard-09104443123) in Kayapa which offer only basic necessities. Rates start at 200php per bed and cooked meals of your choice may be arranged with the landlord. You may want to reserve early as there are only limited bed spaces. Room-sharing is the norm. Both are walking distances to the starting line.
Or you may want to camp out for free at the Parish Church area where you can also park your vehicles some 400 meters away from the start.
Food is not a problem as there are a number of small eateries at the town center. There are also a number of stores from where you can buy bottled water, snacks and other food, and other personal necessities. Practically everything you will need is within walking distance.
And before you head for home, be sure to buy fresh produce at giveaway farm prices and local products at the market.
There are NO water refilling stations, cable television and internet connections in Kayapa. An FM radio signal from Baguio exists.
Lastly, a strict NO SMOKING policy exists in ALL of Nueva Vizcaya, You have been forewarned.
Again, please respect the environment, locals, rules and guidelines at all times, thank you.
I am hoping that some runners will find Kayapa to their liking, enough to make it their kind of refuge and Eden. Perhaps, not a few will be coming back for a private visit.
Kayapa is perfectly isolated somewhat but in a nice way.
Kayapa is my kind of town. Make it yours, too.
P.S.
And with all due respect, the Race Organizer’s and Director’s word is final. PERIOD.
FRONTRUNNER Philippines 
