Salomon XTrail Run 2013 – Results Discussion

Couldn’t the organizer make the route more difficult? Hahaha!!!

bakit wala pa nag ccomment? basag pa siguro from the event. hehe
this is by far the most technical race I’ve had. Walang sinabi mga marathons dito, buwis buhay eh.

salomon delivered what they promised to give the most technical trail run. umpisa pa lang matindi na up until the last mountain.

overall the event was ok, except for the fact na “wala man lang enough na upuan para sa mga pagod na pagod na runners”. i think we deserve the comfort of at least a chair after going through that kind of challenge. ung mga nakaupo pa nga eh ung mga hindi sumali, kaya sa grass na lang umupo mga runners habang kumakain.

well, next time, more chairs sana. di naman ganun ka mahal mag rent ng chairs dba?

I’m glad umabot ako sa cut off, coming in sick and under medication, hindi ko nabigay ung 100% ko, pero nagbunga din ung matinding training ko weeks before.

congrats sa lahat ng sumali, finishers or not, at least you tried.

Congratulations to everyone who finished the Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas!

Congrats to all runners that finished the Salomon Xtrail Run! Great job!

42km run pales in comparison to this race. killer mountain hikes

Akala ko times two lang katumbas na road run ng trail run… Yung sa 3K three times pala! Anyway, we enjoyed the event! Congrats to the organizer and runners!

I would say that the positive thing in this run is the route. It was tough and challenging, no matter what distance you selected.

However, the organizers have a lot of misses. First, the registration on site took some time that the 24K did not start on time. Next, marshalls and signs are lacking that a friend of mine was disqualified because he made the wrong turn (the marshalls did not even bother to correct him even if he was wearing a 24km bib). Third, we are aware that this is a green run but the water stations are not enough, not even in one of the mountains that we need to climb.

So yun, I will just reiterate that the route is your saving grace. Buti na lang maganda yung route pero I felt that the organizers weren’t prepared enough.

It was a GREAT trail run! Couldn’t imagine going through 3 mountains in one go! Hahahaha

approx. 50% steep, mountain climbs; 30% concrete road runs; and only 20% pure trails. Apt description for the 24 km category.

Ang daming nag quit pero kung sino pa ang mga “QUITTERS” sila pa ang may medal??!?!?!? kaming mga hindi sumuko ang umuwing walang bitbit kundi magazine lang!!!!GOOD JOB FOR US!!!! It was a great experience yet so frustrating

Na-late start Ako 24km due to Pico de Loro waiver registration line. Ganda ng scenery sa trail kaya nagstop-over Muna ko for some pictures.

I’ve enjoyed this event..except for the reg’n tags of pico de loro..it should be stated in the schedule of the event..time consuming..

grabe trail ngaun! muntik na di umabot sa cut-off. thanks salomon and to other runners. congats to all have a rest. =)

ang dami nag short cut sa 24k, mas bilib ako dun sa mga walang medal na tinapos ang buong route.. katumbas n ng pagod ng 42k

Onga sir maraming hindi tinapos ung last 4k ng 24k. Tapos sila pa ung nabigyan ng medal. Pasintabi po sa mga natamaan. Pinilit kong tapusin ung race just to be a certified 24km finisher kahit alam kng lagpas na sa cut off. Kahit marami pang natirang medal, hindi pa rin nabigyan yung mga tumapos. Tsk tsk

nextime please complete the rope need the safety of every runners life is only one,but im enjoy …

yes sir..kulang sa monitoring..they (organizer) should identify those who actually finished the course..by the way guys..those who did shortcuts have a guilt receiving medal..hehe..atleast we (those who complete the course) knows, we are certified 24k finishers.

Well, honga eh. Sayang wala kaming nakuhang medal, we finished the race kahit pure survival mode na lang.. It was fun pa rin.. congrats sa mga nakatapos! :-)

It was my first trail run and definitely an awesome experience! Even if I just did the 6km category it was truly a very challenging run! The steep climbs and the sceneries were totally unforgettable!
Congratulations to the finishers, thank you to the organizers. See you again next year!

we were able to finish the race.. the whole 24k in almost 5.5 hours but no medal was given..kakahinayang lang kasi grabe na din naman naging hirap namin.

I finished the race at exactly 1 second to go before the extended cutoff for the 24K. As a comparison, I finished last years 24k at 3:50. This year’s course is way way difficult. The view and scenery was great. Naisip ko lang sana inuna yung last mountain para nauna yung mahirap then padali na. Wala nang energy most ng tao pag dating sa final 4K. Sana din may hydration sa tuktok nung bundok sa last mountain but that might not be possible….

Overall, this has been my toughest race to date. Love na love ko yung medal. I just feel sad for those who did not get a medal kahit tinapos nila. That last 4k was hell and I believe having the guts to push and finish honestly deserves an exemption from the cutoff.

I feel for the guys who didn’t recieve the medal but finished strong and safe.. Hindi birong trail run toh. i finished 5hrs 42mins. 12mins late sa cut off time.. In fact this my first trail tapos 24k agad. Kasi ang description naman is “MOUNTAIN RUN” so inexpect ko na may takbuhang magaganap.. Yung pala mountain climbing ang nanyari. Wala pang hydration sa taas ng bundok.. Kaya hindi lahat ng may medal finisher talaga.. I salute those who finished the whole race without medal

Sana may makarelate. 1st time experience
May point sa 24km trail run na 1.5km mountain climb to tower nalang left with more than enough energy left for me to finish it. However, it’s already near cut-off time. A decision comes in my mind. It’s either.
-complete the course and get cut-off with no finisher kit in the end.
-cut short the distance just in time to make it towards the finishline before cut-off.
Which ba dapat?

@sixdegrees
if it’s true that some runners opted to take a short cut, they’re just fooling themselves even if they have a medal. deep inside they knew they aren’t
capable of finishing it. unlike you who despite knowing that no medal will be given,
still manage to finish it. mas matindi ka.

well said peterson

Respect … yun lang masasabi ko doon sa totoong finishers. With or without medals.

“It’s just an empty cup” – Fabulous Hudson Hornet

;)

Very well said peterson.
niloloko lang nila sarili nila. I am sure di rin sila proud sa sarili nila because they don’t deserve it. unlike doon sa di umabot sa cut-off pero tinapos. Proud Kami sa inyo.

nakakainis lang na maririnig mo rin na mga marshall pa ang nagcoconvince sa mga runners na mag u-turn na at pag inakyat pa raw e di na aabot sa cut-off.

nakakapagtaka lang at kung di sila umakyat sa last mountain bakit sila nakakuha ng medal? anong use ng black bracelet/marker nila? di ba tinitingnan yun ng marshalls bago bigyan ng medalya? ano basehan? ano to lokohan? kung di sila umakyat sa last mountain edi isa lang marker nila? bakit nabigyan ng medalya?

saka suggestion lang kung magbibigay sila ng markers dapat magkaibang kulay. kasi pwedeng dalawa ang kunin sa first marker. edi kahit di na ako dumaan sa last bundok. ok na. kasi dalawa na e. tsk

I got this mix feeling of slightly happiness I was able to complete it but sad I got cutoff. I’m thinking much better Yata yung mga nag cut short to make it before the cutoff.

sana binigyan pa rin ng medal ung mga tumapos kahit hindi umabot sa cut off time. ang laki ng hirap nila para akyatin ung last mountain na walang hydration station dun. sayang naman ung mga medal na natira di naman na nila magagamit un.

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.”
– M. Gandhi

>huhuhu …. salamat sa mga sundalong umalalay sa akin hanggang sa makababa ng last mountain …. wala man akong nakuhang medal … sapat nang natapos ko ang 24k ….. huhuhu ….

Congratulations everyone!…it was my first salomon trail run…i salute those who did the 24k…whether nakaabot sa cut-off or not, ang galing nyo guys!!!…and really disappointing to know nga na walang nakuhang medals ang mga natapos beyond the cut-off…dapat talaga lahat ng nakatapos hindi lang kung sino yung umabot…lahat naman kasi naghirap to finish the race…i did the 12k only and nong nasa parking area kami nakakakita pa kami ng mga parating papunta palang sa finish line…my friend was cheering for them…hindi biro kasi ang takbo…masaya sya pero super hirap…kung kami napagod na sa 12k…how much more sila…so i just hope na ang medals are not just for those who passed the cut-off time…not only to this specific run pati sana sa ibang races… God bless all! :)

are the guards on the last mountain go up and down there everyday to guard whatever they’re guarding?? what r they guarding by the way????

Didn’t know that there were those who cheated, but like what the rest of the pack said, they’re only cheating on themselves. One thing I TRULY, TRULY liked about the whole ordeal is that most runners really helped each other- be it to boost the morale of a fellow runner or gave water or food to those in need. Maraming salamat, Jayco Madrona and to the man who gave me the Chia (?)! And oh, to the one who helped me stand up pagkadapa ko ng bonggang bongga sa lupa! Haha

This 24 mountain trail run-walk-crawl is super hard compared to a 42 marathon run. The total elevation gain is more than 500 meters! For a first timer on a trail run, this is really a baptism of fire. It was really tempting to give up on the 4th moutain ascent after almost 5 hours in the trail, but fellow runners offered encouragements to finish the climb.

I got bruised to due to several slips and falls, am really humbled by the mountain trails. I am still hurting from the experince, bugbog talaga!

one of the organizer should take consideration yung single trail ng all runners dun sa last 3 technical climb. it caused too much crowded/traffic and danger for the safety ng runners. hopefully they made another route downhill. nacompromise talaga yung rule sa overtaking since conscious ang lahat ng runners sa cut off time.

Exactly my thoughts @Charm. Thank you for pointing that out. I’m sure the organizers won’t ever read the comments here and actually take them into consideration. Although I hope I’ll be proven wrong.

Grats sa lahat.. Di po kasi biro trail run lalo na to 24k MOUNTAIN run, sana next time chechk nyo yung map na pinost lalo na yung nasa fb/site nika makikita mo kasi yun elevation.

Dami nako naka usap na 1st time nila sumabak sa trail run tapos 24k pa, sana nag training pa ng maayos pra di magulat lalo na pag sa mga technical na route.

@justin, one of the organizers is actually replying in this thread. I hope that they take our feedback well.
Here’s another observation…there were parts of the trail that are steep and dangerous. For the safety of the runners, dapat may medics and marshalls. While running, Naisip ko what if somebody collapses in the middle of the climb. I dont think they’ll be able to respond that fast! Buti na lang wala naman ganong nangyari, to think na inabit na ng tirik ng araw ang mga 24km runners. And there shouldve been bananas for them and sponge.

Justin, one of the organizers is actually replying in this thread. I hope that they take our feedback well.
Here’s another observation-there were parts of the trail that are steep and dangerous. For the safety of the runners, dapat may medics and marshalls. While running, Naisip ko what if somebody collapses in the middle of the climb. I dont think they’ll be able to respond that fast! Buti na lang wala naman ganong nangyari, to think na inabit na ng tirik ng araw ang mga 24km runners. And there shouldve been bananas for them and sponge.

Justin, one of the organizers is actually replying in this thread. I hope that they take our feedback well.
Here’s another observation-there were parts of the trail that are steep and dangerous. For the safety of the runners, dapat may medics and marshalls. While running, Naisip ko what if somebody collapses in the middle of the climb. I dont think they’ll be able to respond that fast! Buti na lang wala naman ganong nangyari, to think na inabot na ng tirik ng araw ang mga 24km runners. And there shouldve been bananas for them and sponge.

will comment against the tide this time. The 24k was more of a mountain hike than a trail run. Even the hardcore trail runners would not fully appreciate the course. It stole away the enjoyment from trail running since it became more of a survival than an actual trail run. Ugly. Hoped that it wont discourage newbies or even veteran trail runners in further pursuing trail running as a way of life. Trail running is and should be beautiful and enjoyable.

@Justin I’m pretty sure these comments will be taken into consideration. Some concerns were already discussed at Hamilo. We will post official announcements/replies on the website.

i’m sure Salomon will release list of finishers EXCLUDING those cheaters who were only after the finisher’s medal!!! And how could they share their experience on running the 3rd mountain if they didn’t do it anyway?!? Hehehe shame on them, it’s more honorable to DNF!!

KUDOS to those who took the pain of SURVIVING the 3rd mountain just to finish the race though unfortunately didn’t make the cut-off time.

MEDAL! MEDAL! MEDAL! :P

kasalanan ng organizer yan.di nila monitor kung sino talaga yung naka-katapos.pina-bayaan lang nila kayo na tumakbo.kulang sa mga marshal.

Medal dun sa mga kasama kong walo na tinapos yung 24k kahit na lumampas lang ng ilang minuto sa cut – off na 5:30.

Honestly, DNF ako pagdating ng ikatlong bundok (20 to 21k ata yun approximately), I decided na umupo na lang sa kalagitnaan ng pangatlong bundok at magpahinga na since yung sabe nung nakasalubong ko na ung u turn daw eh dun pa sa may cell site tower, eh nung tinanaw ko yung tower sobrang layo talaga (5hours na ata nun after the gunstart, so dna rin aabot sa cut-off). After kong magpahinga naglakad na ko pa baba at humiga sa damuhan, hahaha, gusto ko ng matulog ng mga oras na yun sa sobrang kapaguran. Anyways i’ve gained new expirience (mas mahirap pa sa 42k ng Condura), friends along the route na habang nagpapahinga ako eh nakakwentuhan at nakakausap. May tinigilan din akong isang girl na nagccramps at kahit papano natulungan ko sya to relieve it. :)

Over all comment ko sa event eh sana nga may hydration sa tuktok ng mga bundok kahit water lang kasi kawawa talaga yung iba na maliliit na bote lang ang dala na kahit mapuno nila yun sa hydration sa baba eh mauubos at maubos din yun dpa nakakarating ung runner sa tuktok. Route is very challenging sobra sobra talaga. :) Yun nga sana may parang pampering station or any benches na pwedeng pagpahingaan after ng 24k hell route. Nakakadisappoint din magtanong sa mga marshalls dun kasi nung nagtanong ako kung malapit na ang u turn eh malapit na daw pero inabot ako ng isang oras para maabot yung malapit na yun, hahaha. Pass muna ko sa Salomon next year, nadala ako eh. :D

Congrats sa lahat ng runners, dapat pinaghandaan talaga at pinagaralan yung route na pinost dito. Yung iba kasi mga 1st timer at road runners ( looking on their shoes) sumubok agad ng 24kmountain run ni walang experience ata sa trail at high elevation na runs – hindi biro 24kMountain run. Wag sana mag expect kada 3km( like fun runs on the road) meron hydration station. Looking forward next time, again congrats to all finishers or not..kudos!

Thanks Salomon! great trail great adventure great experienced!

yung marshal sa tower trail ang makakapag-patunay kung sino ang umabot sa tuktok. sila ang totoong mga finisher! hindi siguro rin natin masisisi yung mga nag-quit sa last 4km kung inabutan sila ng medal, hindi lang sinigurado ng mga organizer kung may marking or pony tail yung mga nagcross ng finishline para masabing umakyat sila sa last mountain. nakakainis lang makakita ng mga post ng pics na may medal sila kahit alam natin at alam nila sa sarili nila na hindi nila tinapos. hindi nakakahiyang umurong sa laban, lahat tayo sumusuko paminsan minsan. Ang nakakahiya, yung ipagmalaki mo ang hndi naman nararapat para sayo… CONGRATS pa rin sating lahat na nakatapos! hindi biro umakyat ng bundok na halos wala ng lakas, tirik ang araw at wala na halos tubig!

We salute all the Salomon XTrail Runners who reached 1 to 3 summit around Pico de Loro

Trail pictures are available and this is to remind how XTREME and STRONG Salomon Runners.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.175288865954558.1073741836.167760480040730&type=1&l=d6c7098f1f

Too much pictorial stop-over (hehe) and helping some injured runner cause me to get cut-off. Bawi nalang sa Merrel and next year. The experience is great.

raffy said on March 24th, 2013 at 4:35 pm

Respect … yun lang masasabi ko doon sa totoong finishers. With or without medals.

“It’s just an empty cup” – Fabulous Hudson Hornet

;)

—————————————————————————
Sir – nasabe mo respect! nirespeto nyo ba bilang organizer ng event na to ung mga nktpos ng lagpas sa cut off time? di ko nkita ung respeto nyo kc

1. Bkit nag patay n agad kau ng timex sa FL eh gyung may mga tumatakbo pa?
2. Bkit nagtanggal din kau ng mga tarpaulin gayung kasalukuyang may tumatapos pa ng race?
3. Bkit hinayaan nyo na makakuha ng medal ung mga runners na di nman umakyat ng 3rd mountain?
4. Bkitsinabihan ng marshalls nyo n bumalik n at wag na umakyat ung ibang runners sa 3rd mountain kc di cla aabot sa cut off?
5. Pnu cla nakakuha ng medal gyung 1 lng ang band nila? di ba kau nag verify?

Huwag po natin sisihin ung mga di na umakyat sa 3rd mountain kc mismong marshall n daw ang nagsbe sa knila n bumalik…

ngaun asan po Sir un RESPECT nyo sa amin? tanong lang po Sir.. kc after the race iba n ang mood ng staff nyo. di na ko uulit d2.

I finished 6:25 along with other four runners. This is by far, the most difficult race I’ve ever made, tougher than running Mt. Cabuyao of Baguio. I didn’t get the medal, I already knew I won’t be getting it during our assault of the second mountain, much more after realizing there would be another mountain to scale. But I proceeded nevertheless, because I know that the battle is not about the medal, but of overcoming pain, and finding that last ounce of energy for a final push. Crossing the finish line was a sweet success. I will do it again next time :)

In another note, maybe a map about the route could help us better prepare for the race. I expected that the hike, the teaser ad said about an elevation of 100 meters or so, may be true. What it lacks is that you need to do it 3x, the last being the most difficult. Whoever said that it’s gonna be a mountain run was intellectually dishonest. It’s more like a mountain crawl.

bakit ako lng ba ang ng count n 4 mountains ung inakyat?? di b counted ung first mountain after the first part of shoreline run??

anyway, the route was the most chaleenging route ive experience so far.. as in grabe.. I was interviewed by reader digest after the run, ang nasabi ko “its like hell on earth”!!! kasi ang hirap nman talaga..

In my point of view lang… all finishers should be given the finisher medal.. to think n they never give up during the whole course.. The route was both physically and mentally challenging and draining as well. kung sa school nga may medal ung mga achievers, might as well din sa mga “goal conquerors!!)

kudos sa mga nakatapos sa trail run na ito ng patas. salamat sa mga kapwa runners na nag-abiso na walang tubig sa tutktok ng ikatlong bundok.

grabeh!!! sarap tmkbo d2,sulit ang bayad,ganda pa ng view.sna nxyr d2 uli.pamatay ung 3 bundok d2.lalo ung last assault na bundok.be safe everyone :)

Ok naman yun Route ng X Trail Run ninyo…Lalo na yun Pang 3rd na bundok… Don talaga masusubukan yun Lakas at Tatag ng runners… Ang naging prob lang kinulang talaga sa hydration, Then Yun Cut off masyado yata maaga para sa 5:30 sana ginawa man lang 6 hrs.. kawawa naman yun ibang runners na tinapos yun route at nag BUWIS BUHAY pero walang Napurat na Finisher Medal.. Sana binigyan nyo na rin ng medal yun mga tinapos ang race… Aanhin nyo pa yan mga itinago nyu na medal.. sana Naisip nyo Pa KONSWELO Man LANG sa mga Runners na Nag Bayad, Gumastos, Nag BUWIS BUHAY para lang makatapos… Kami OK sa Amin na Umabot kmi ng Cut OFF… Pero Nakita namin Kung paano nag Hirap at PINILIT Tapusin ng ibang runners yun race….. Yun Loot Bag sagana lang Sa Laki ng Bag pero wala din magandang laman….

Those who completed the course but was cut-off, I think we are just going thru this stage na after all the effort. At first sad, blaming, rationalizing, acceptance, persevere to do better next time. Bali nalang next time

I haven’t experienced a marathon yet, is it the equivalent of the 24K?

Wag na kayong magpa takbo, Di nyo alam ginagawa nyo!!!!

Upload-upload din mga sir. =)

I guess kung nagshortcut kayo and you did it in bad faith, you cheated no one but yourself… Kung hindi naman, sucks to know you have the whole year to feel incomplete esp. if you are the competitive type. Andun yung gigil. Di hamak naman na mas gugustuhin kong di umabot sa cut-off kaysa naman umabot ka nga, nagshortcut ka naman. Tama yung sinabi nung iba rito, sablay yung delays prior to the gunstart. Magmula pa lang sa gate, ang haba ng pila para lang iverify kung participant ka or guest. What’s worse, ilang minutes na lang bago maggunstart saka ninyo iaannounce na required pala magregister sa info booth to get the white bands. Dun nyo pa talaga nilagay yung booth sa medyo may kalayuan. At pinafillup-an nyo pa kami ng waiver. Pwede naman gawin toh prior to the race. Tsk tsk tsk…Nung humaba na yung pila, ang dinig ko iminove ninyo ang gunstart to 5:30am pero 5:15am pa lang naggunstart na kayo. Di nyo man lang isinalang-alang yung mga nakapila pa sa info booth. Yung actual race naman para sa kin panalo ang trail. I was looking for the challenge to prepare myself for TNF and I got what I wanted. Gusto kong pasalamatan ang lahat ng tumulong sa kin para matapos ang race na ito. Maraming maraming salamat po. Nung inatake ako ng neck at oblique cramps, may huminto para tulungan ako. Brad, maraming salamat sa yo! Natuwa ako na nakaabot pa ako sa cut-off pero may isang boot dun na pinakamalapit sa finish line….makikihingi sana ako ng tubig kasi nga tuyong tuyo na ako at malapit na akong bumigay. Hindi ako binigyan at sabi nung guy duon pa sa kabila ang hydration stations ng mga finishers. Wtf?! tubig lang! nandidilim na ang pakiramdam ko nun sa pagod at sa init…may bote naman ako…tubig lang di mo pa ako binigyan ng REFILL. tsk tsk tsk. Overall, ok yung race…only the technical aspect of it. As to the medal, i think tama lang yun kung hindi ka umabot, e di hindi ka umabot. I guess it makes it more meaningful. If you cheated your way to the finishline e konsensya mo na bahala sa yo….PAra sa kin, madaming deserving na makakuha ng medal na hindi nabigyan. But those are the rules. Specifically, yung tumulong kay Tatang nung near exhaustion na sya…Those guys i mean, they practically defined what it means to be a runner. You run because you want to make a difference. You ask me what my center is? as a runner? thats my center. Saludo ako sa inyo guys. Respect talaga. Tama sinabi nung isang poster…You deserve a trophy for that token of kindness. The podium finishers may be applauded but its people like you that end up being the first in line even though you came in last. If you didn’t make the cut-off, there is no shame in it. This run was technically difficult that the mere fact you were able to finish it already doubles your chances of finishing an ultra marathon. If you did the 24k and you finished it, I guarantee you can do the 50k. So hold you head up high.

OT: I don’t get why most are saying 3 mountains….e di ba 4 yun….1st before going to the lake…2nd dun sa may eco-trail….3rd after the beach run yung tumawid ka sa tubig at 4th yung may 2 towers.

JUST SHARING MY THOUGHTS.

I am proud and very happy to be one of the lucky persons who manage to reach the top of the last turn around point, the 2nd tower and make it to the cut off time (just 4mins behind the original cut off time) with a time of 4 hours and 56 mins…

I was very prepared for this one, I used the Discovery Trail Run Series and the Love a Tree International Trail Run and the RU1 series as my testing grounds, my last test for my best time in RU1 21km (with a time of 1 hour 56 mins and 32secs) really did help me a lot in conditioning my body five (5) days prior to the race day. Physical Conditioning was really a factor and never under estimate trail runs as much as technicality is concerned.

Indeed I’m now reaping the fruit of my hardship in training, although I never had a chance to a podium finish at all, I’m still very proud of myself with my head up and saying that “I CONQUERED THE SALOMON X-TRAIL RUN 2013”.

Once again Congratulations to all those who makes it to the last turn around point (2nd Tower) and make it to the cut off time down to the finish line.

And those who did not make it to the cut off time but still manage to finish the race (without medals) , I congratulates you for your enthusiasm and for having the will to finish the race without hesitation and not to surrender.

Finishing this race is something that you can be proud of, the degree of difficulty is a no match with any other race to date in our country, even the ultra-marathoners who conquered the 50km, the 80km and even the the prestigious 100km to 160km conquerors will surely have no match with this race.

Take this as your challenge as your inspiration to strive more and train harder and be back once again to prove yourselves that you are now ready to conquer the Salomon X-trail run in Hamilo Cost the 2nd time around go on and proved yourself once again.

And to those my UNSUNG heroes in conquering these mountains, the hydration site personnel without them for sure we will never had a chance in making it, the race marshals for giving us the right directions, the medical staff at a downhill portion at the 18th kilometer of the race who sprayed my aching legs with liniment to stop the pain I’m experiencing down the stretch of the 11th km to the 17th km.

And the most touching part was at the last hill to be conquered, the two towers, I would like to thank that person who shared his gatorade drink with me at the start of the ascend to the twin towers, thanks bro your the man, seeing an old person (me at 39yr old) never having a 2nd thought of helping others by giving and sharing his drink to me once again thanks bro.

And what inspired me a lot to go on was those who are already going down whom I know who are really strong in running (flat ground or trail) gave me strength to continue my journey to the top and I ask myself, “Kung kaya nila ay kaya ko rin yan.” and along the way some runners also offered food for they can see my face that I was already exhausted and ready to give up, but my fighting spirit lives on. What only I can answer back to those who offered foods was this ” THANKS BRO/SIS HINDI KO TATANGGIHAN YAN HA!” followed by with my sweetest smile, (my charisma indeed hehehehehe).

Atlast!!! I’ve reached the last turn around point the 2nd tower, I can’t explain the feeling of reaching the top, what I feel is that as if I’m walking in the sea of clouds and feel numbness of joy on my face as I collect my 2nd hairtag. and then continue my descending journey towards the finish line.

As I go down as if it is the longest downhill stretch of the race because of exhaustion, I never thought that a few minutes back I’m the one asking those who are going down how far still thus it takes me to the 2nd tower and now they are the asking me and I’m the one giving encouragement to them, greet them with my sweet smile as I continue my descend and have a chance to see my running buddies who are already exhausted as I am, but still manage to smile at them along the way.

As I make my way down to the last 1km flat road to the finish line, what comes to my mind is that, did I make it to the cut off time but I said that doesn’t matter for now for as long as I crossed the finish line that’s my price because I’m already shivering inside with starvation and I want to finish the race immediately. As I crossed the finished line I immediately ask the time keeper of my time because I can’t see clearly the time and he said “SIR YOU MAKE IT WITH A TIME OF 4 HOURS AND 56 MINS” and then a beautiful lady approaches me and gave me the medal…wow!!! that’s it I CONQUERED SALOMON X-TRAIL 2013….

TO THE ORGANIZER:

Maybe the lapses in this years edition will be a lesson to you guys and it’s up to you to make those adjustments for you to satisfy the paying running patrons.

Must give credits to those who finished the race beyond the cut off time, why not prepare two sets of medals, ONE for those who makes the cut off time maybe with a message of “I CONQUERED 24KM SALOMON X-TRAIL RUN 2013 and the 2nd One will be for the finishers only who did not make it to the cut off time with a message “SALOMON X-TRAIL FINISHER” is this possible?

ALWAYS RUN SAFE….SEE YOU ON THE ROAD GUYS…GOD BLESS TO ALL …

the marshals stationed at the last mountain had a listing of runners who reached and made a u turn.

Why don’t they publish that listing so that we can cross-check how many are real finishers within the cut off time.

@Charm Oh, good to know :) Nothing like a good dose of negative reinforcement :) True. It is clear that the organizers need to improve on a good number of aspects of this race. Good thing I was able to bring at least one banana though.

I also hope that next time they’ll be careful in posting details for the run in order to avoid contradicting statements. It was stated that all finishers will receive a medal and that a cut-off time will be implemented. Some clarity should have been shed regarding this (especially for runners new to Xtrail)– why is there a cut-off time, do I still receive a medal after the said time?

Some runners also need to understand that this is a 24km mountain run. Adequate training, preparation and planning is our responsibility. One does not join these type of races on a whim and expect the route, weather or the environment to be generous. As they say, Salomon is the number one brand in trail running. They have a name and reputation to uphold and they cannot do that if they map out easy-kill trail routes. This is no walk in the park.

@Raffy, very well then :) Cheers to you sir.

HELL of a kind run @salomon xtrail run 2013. From last year was difficult @tagaytay highland, now its even much diffucult, much harder! The experince never fail me. medal is just a medal, more importantly u finish the race with HEART and PERSEVERANCE!

grabe naluluha ako sa tuwa nung matapos ko itong run an ito..it’s my first time to join trail Run, I made it to the top 50…it’s fulfilling thought i wasn’t able to meet my desired time, coz i swear it’s really different from road running…the pain is really worth it….i just can’t help but notice doon sa hydration..medyo kulang talaga…great determination is at stake hear, specially upon the assault…i almost give up…and also the distribution of medal it was a fail..coz some who didn’t really finished the whole 24K got a medal…unlike for those who did but didn’t make it to the cut-off time, i believe they deserve much the medals…

wala pb ung mga pictures?=)

thanks din dun sa ngbigay skn ng chia!!!you the man bradah!!kaya binigyan kta ng water e ung mdyo dehydrated kn and cramping na , pero even naman hnd mko binigyan gagawin ko pdin ung right ko para tumulong sa fellow trail runners nandaya man or hindi..aun ung essence non wla ka hiningi kapalit sakanila and ginawa mo ung best mo para matapos mo yung race.=)

Repost ko lng po ito.. kse parang ndi ko nman nkita ung respeto ng Organizers sa totoong nakatapos khit di umabot sa cut off..

Sir Raffy – pki check nga po kung ano at asan ung respeto nyo sa amin? respeto lng yta sa umpisa pero pag patapos na eh bale walain na lang kc byad n kmi eh.. kumita na kayo.

Sa lahat ng runners na nakatapos.. salamat sa inyo! salamat din dun sa mga nakasabay ko sa last mountain. mag give up n sana ako kso sinabihan nyo ako na tuloy lng. kaya natin to.. Lahat tayo eh Survivor d2 sa run n to kc unsafe tlga un route kamuntik n mahulog un malaking bato sa last mountain…salamat sa mga umalalay sa akin. salamat kay Ate n nagbigay ng tubig sakin sa last mountain.. salamat sa inyo runners…

At sa organizers.. sana matuwa kayo sa kinita nyo.. ung ntirang medal eh bulukin nyo n lng. ke mahal ng bayad nmin d2.. tas ganyan pa kayo. bkit di nyo masagot ung issues d2? kung sa bagay bkit pa kau sasagot eh nakabayad n kmi at tapos n un event. kumita n nga pla kau. tsk tsk tsk

————————————————————————

raffy said on March 24th, 2013 at 4:35 pm

Respect … yun lang masasabi ko doon sa totoong finishers. With or without medals.

“It’s just an empty cup” – Fabulous Hudson Hornet

;)

—————————————————————————
Sir – nasabe mo respect! nirespeto nyo ba bilang organizer ng event na to ung mga nktpos ng lagpas sa cut off time? di ko nkita ung respeto nyo kc

1. Bkit nag patay n agad kau ng timex sa FL eh gyung may mga tumatakbo pa?
2. Bkit nagtanggal din kau ng mga tarpaulin gayung kasalukuyang may tumatapos pa ng race?
3. Bkit hinayaan nyo na makakuha ng medal ung mga runners na di nman umakyat ng 3rd mountain?
4. Bkitsinabihan ng marshalls nyo n bumalik n at wag na umakyat ung ibang runners sa 3rd mountain kc di cla aabot sa cut off?
5. Pnu cla nakakuha ng medal gyung 1 lng ang band nila? di ba kau nag verify?

Huwag po natin sisihin ung mga di na umakyat sa 3rd mountain kc mismong marshall n daw ang nagsbe sa knila n bumalik…

ngaun asan po Sir un RESPECT nyo sa amin? tanong lang po Sir.. kc after the race iba n ang mood ng staff nyo. di na ko uulit d2.

I am a regular road runner. I’ve done trail runs in Nuvali, Montalban and Tagaytay and I enjoyed the greens, the animals along the way and the sceneries. Those made me realize, trail running is fun…maybe even funner than road running.

Reading the comments, I hope my friends who joined this run and are new to trail running were not discouraged.

I know Pico de Loro as a hiking, NOT RUNNING destination. I hope the organizers gave enough details on the level of difficulty so that runners are prepared.

I’ve joined one of the events of this same organizer and after that, I told myself, I will never run any of their events again.

comapared sa trail run na eto against The Nort Face last year in Baguio, ano po mas mahirap?

cguro eh mala halimaw or un tipong mutant n mga X-men ung organizer nitong event n to. kc ndi mo nman pde takbuhin un bundok.. lalo n kung ptaas.. ewan ko kung may runner n nkagawa nito.. kung meron man eh ang galing mo..

ewan ko nga ba kung ntry ba talaga nila n tumakbo dun at maubisan ng tubig sa last mountain pra makapagdecide cla ng cut off n 5.5… un tipong pagbaba mo ng last mountain eh maligamgam n tubig ang maiinom mo.. kung sa bagay tpos n nga pla to.. kumita n cla mula sa registration fees natin.. di na tlga ako uulet sa salomon at never ko n ipapatronize un products nila.. sorry.. pero maxado nyo kmi pinahirapan… BUWIS BUHAY ang gnwa nyo samin.

https://www.facebook.com/RjKnightRunner/photos_stream check this out runners. baka and2 kau. =) konting tiis lang sa pag hahanap.

May nakasabay akong isa na nag test run nung ruta. Pero ang sabe nya 6KM lang daw yung tinest nila, hindi na kasama yung mga huling bundok. Kaya pati sya nahirapan din sa mga last 2 mountains…

survival of the fittist! bring it on again salomon next year.
more marshals and hydrations stations along the way.
must be very strict sa garter/bracelets pagdating sa finish line para maiwasan
ang pandaraya.

hopefully next year more marshalls and more secured turnaround…
dami namin nakita na hindi man lang nagcheck-in sa turns eh…

as a runner the best support for us are water, hydration is our strength to finish the race…but on this event wala kaming nakita na concern sila. Absolutely this run is not well organized. save salomon trail run..replaced organizer!

Happy Easter! 1 week na po, wala pa ring result?

the result is lil bit longer to release. I hope accurate

Guys eto yung nakita kong race result from runningmate, parang mejo magulo nga eh, hehe…

https://www.results.runningmate.ph/index.php/event/result/107

tagal na, baka tapos na namin tnf bago pa maglabas results ang salomon…

waaaa, bakit ganun, bat chinarge ng pico de loro yung credit card ko ng 8,000 pesos, eh bayad naman na kami sa accommodation, sabi nila for blocking lang, bat na charge? pano po i kokontact ang pico de loro?

For me being prepared is more important. Honestly this is my first trail run and to be in condition, I research and wait for the advise from salomon PH especially the route, elevation and hydration so that you will aware where will the choke points and where to save energy for the next assault. For those people na sinasabi na nangdaya, let’s give them the guilt. Important is to finish and enjoy the race without any injuries. Just my opinion. Happy running!

sna downloadable namn ang race result para may copy din kming mga runners