NATURE'S TRAIL DISCOVERY RUN (NTDR) Trilogy Championship Series Is Back!

Wow! Indeed the 1st Leg of NTDR IV 2016 Trilogy Championship had been played and finished last January 17, 2016 signalling to the Trail Running Community that Nature's Trail Discovery Run trail running trilogy championship series is back after a year of rest. The last NTDR was played last year in the same month of January 2015 and then had rested. But due to the numerous requests it has returned although without much promotion and fanfare. Not even this writer knew about it but lately since I was also away from vacation.

Now I'm looking forward to writing again articles on trail running starting with the upcoming 2nd Leg of NTDR IV which will feature the standard trail routes that made NTDR races very successful in the past. We notice though that in the just concluded 1st Leg there are many European foreign nationals who participated and this is good sign to make the NTDR more international where locals and foreign nationals compete not for the prize money but for pure love of the sports of trail running.

Pimco Sporting Events indeed should be commended by the LGU of Tanay for its the one that introduced trail running in the town and even calling Tanay as the Trail Running Capital of the Philippines. Because of their races, after they have made a break from active organizing, many other organizers have followed their lead and we now see varieties of races which are also good for the development of tourism in the mountainous part of the town. Tanay has the great advantage of being the nearest in Metro-Manila with access to the Sierra Madre mountain ranges just some 45 minutes drive from Marikina City through Marcos highway also know as Marikina-Infanta Road.

We'd like to congratulate the winners of the 1st Leg in different categories and of course all the finishers.

See you in the 2nd Leg, more information on this to follow.

TRAIL RUNNING IS WOW!

If you can run the road you can run the trail and TRAIL RUNNING IS WOW. Many road runners are now trying out trail running as new avenue for their love running, a lifestyle sports for many Metro-Manilans and urban residents in other parts of the country who enjoy running for healthy living and fun.

Any health conscious sports enthusiast would be horrified to know that the air we inhale in the city contains pollutants that can cause all types of cancer. Therefore exposing oneself regularly puts you to risk of getting sick. There is in fact a surge of cancer related diseases that can be traced to such exposure according to medical bulletins. Thus in many urban cities in the world they have turned to trail running where in the USA alone it is said that more than 5 million individuals are into regular trail running as part of their health regimen. Not only that the air in the mountains are fresh oxygen given freely by trees and plants but that running in high altitude has health benefits as it increases the production of red blood cells to the muscles making them more healthy, firm, and strong.

In the Philippines a local group, Pimco Sporting Events has ever since dedicated itself in the development and promotion of trail running not for profit but for the following advocacies:

1.       Sustained awareness on the effect of global warming and the answer to such which has already been outlined in the Kyoto Protocol that of continuous tree planting in the mountains and conservation of ecosystem. The earth is heating up its time to be serious in our conservation effort. The weather worldwide is really acting weird with super typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda that wipe out entire towns, cities and province down to rubbles. There is the recently Tornado and storms that hit Washington and Illinois in the USA they were powerful that flattened houses to the ground.

2.       Sports Tourism as the answer to providing economic stimulus in the upland community where poverty is prevalent. Running in the mountain bring to fore the need for infrastructure and the economic opportunity of developing tourism in the locality where regular trail running is held. Runners competing in weekend races also learn of the beautiful outdoors that are great for weekend picnics and bonding with family and friends. After the races runners come back to the venue of the race event for short vacations, tours, and entertainment.

Thus in the process of doing what you love to do, running, you also contribute to the relevant advocacies for our generation today so trail running becomes not just an ordinary lifestyle sports for you alone not only that you have fun, entertainment, enjoyment, and get the health benefits but at the same time you are contributing to worthy advocacies of the organizers for the sake of the environment and the upland poor. 

NATURE'S TRAIL DISCOVERY RUN II - 2ND LEG

Wow isn’t that perfectly cool that you get to do things simultaneously with trail running than any other sports. Thus for this year Pimco's campaign to bring more road runners to like running the trail is that TRAIL RUNNING IS WOW! As you go through the mountain and see the scenery you say WOW, as you continue to run and pass through uphill and downhill parts of the trail you say WOW you are really doing it, as you feel the early morning freshness of air and cool wind you say WOW this is great having to experience such. Then running through all the difficulties, varieties of trails, and going for the finish, you say WOW I did it really did it. One couple who thought they could not go far as they only do 3 km in the city road run did an 8 km in the trails and within time, WOW you go longer yet you feel stronger, truly its WOW TO TRAIL RUN. So ano pa antay nyo, mag trail running na tayo hane!

Happy trail running, see you!

2ND LEG OF NTDR II - AN EPIC RACE YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!

The first time I was brought by Pimco Sporting Events to survery the trail routes to the official venue for the upcoming 2nd Leg of NTDR II originally scheduled on September 1, 2013 but due to the effects of extreme weather conditions is now moved to October 13, 2013, I have a feeling this it! This may just turns out to be the perfect race that Pimco has been craving for to bring to the runners full satisfaction. The EPIC PARC Rainforest Camp is just perfect.The trail route that will bring about a perfect trail running race. Its gonna be a great great race and hopefully the best organized one that Pimco has ever held.

NTDR II Trilogy Championship is in search of real champions made of the right stuff to run competitively in the international race next year. Pimco is building a team of Trail Runners to compete carrying the Philippines banner in trail running race events abroad for 2014 most probably in March 2013. The Pimco-Philippines Trail Running Team will be made up of the Trilogy Champions in the 50k and 21k category which will be known in the Final Leg of the NTDR II. Pimco will co-sponsor the fare and the entrance fee of the runners competing.

For the 2nd Leg the leading contenders for the 50k Ultraman Masters are Gerald Sabal and James Telias while in the 21k Seasoned has leading contenders for the crown in the likes of Manolito Divina for the Male division and Alexandra Ahongon for the Female Division. The 2nd Leg is critical for the runners in the making not discounting the possibility that other runners may eventually catch up the leaders. Unfortunately for those that failed to participate in the 1st Leg, its a must to be in contention for the crown whether they by Filipino or Foreign nationals. Many local runners have not yet fully comprehended how important the Nature's Trail Discovery Run II trilogy trail running series which are being run in the Sierra Madre mountains of Tanay, Rizal as a premier racing event for a trail runner. It is the basis for choosing the Trail Runner of the Year and the only trail running race event of its kind. This is the reason why its attracting foreign runners from many parts of the world.

NTDR II will give us the first Trilogy Champions to wear the trilogy crown. Those who wish to be in competition should give it all in the 2nd Leg which is the 2nd of the two stage preliminary races and catch with the leaders. If there will be less competition those leading in contention for the Trilogy Crown will surely be the favorites but with competition pursuing the leaders, its still anybody's race.

The 50k and the 21k Trilogy Champions will automatically become member of the Pimco-Philippines Trail Running team to compete in foreign competition abroad.

EPIC PARC RAINFOREST CAMP - Cabins in the middle of thick forest.

NTDR II TRILOGY CHAMPIONSHIP

NTDR II TRILOGY CHAMPIONSHIP

For the benefit of trail runners who are registrants and joining the premier Trail Running racing circuit in the Philippines today, Pimco Sporting Events is coming up with this information article on the many questions that are in the minds of the trail runners.

What is NTDR II TRILOGY CHAMPIONSHIP?

NTDR is short for Nature’s Trail Discovery Run, a 3-leg series of trail running race event that was first held in 2012 and was the most successful train running race event of that year for Pimco Sporting Events with a total of more 1,000 runners who participated in the entire trilogy from May to November of that same year. By trail running standard pulling total participation of such number is considered a blockbuster of a race.  NTDR II Trilogy Championship series will be the 2^nd Annual NTDR that shall be held this year 2013.

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For this year, NTDR II shall be made more competitive and the bar is raised to bring out the best of the trail runners.  New rules are introduced into the race that will refocus the race not so much on the cash prize which only the elite always have the chance but more on the development of the trail runner as an athlete in a new kind of mountain sports that is beginning to be appreciated by more runners.  NTDR II therefore is more for the development of the sports and the trail runners yet continue to be a sports that is fun filled, thrilling as always, and enjoyable.

1       How is NTDR II going to be played?

t   The 5k is a light category for beginners or runners who are recovering from previous races.This is not a competitive race but just for fun and to experience trail running. Its open and not a restricted category. 5k Runners pays for the experience of running in a competition and get the feel of it. Runners are given certificate of participation in the race + loot bags of goodies.

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2      Unlike in the first NTDR where there was a limitation to foreign runner’s participation in the 21k only, now the 10k, 21k, and 50k will be opened for foreign runners. 10k category is no longer confined to Filipino nationals but like the other two categories mentioned, it will be opened for foreign nationals too.

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3      The 50k will be an open division with both male and female competing with each other. There is no separate division for either male or female to determine winner for each division. There will be just one set of winners.

         The first two Legs, 1st and 2nd, will serve as preliminary races for the final leg (3rd leg) as the Championship Leg for the Trilogy Championship. However winners for each of the Legs 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be recognized as Leg Winners (1^st Place, 2^nd Place, and 3^rd Place) of the Leg where they won. Winners in each of the Legs will be awarded with Non-Cash Prizes (In goods, services, or kinds from sponsors) + Winners Medal + Winners Shirt.

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5      Trilogy Champions and runners up for the 10k, 21k, and 50k will be known based on the following formula for determining the champion and the Trilogy Rankings:

a       1. Runners must cover the required cumulative distances of the trilogy; 20k for the 10k category, 42k for the 21k category, and 100k for the 50k category. Which means to be eligible for the Trilogy Championship, the runner must participate in all the Legs 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd. 

      ^{(Due to the postonement of the leg 2 race this rule is now waived in favor of best two (2) Legs of 3 Legs as the basis so a runner now can qualify even if he/she run only 2 Legs of the trilogy with the championship leg a must run)}

       2. The basis of the ranking shall be the cumulative time the runner completed the entire trilogy: For example, 21k Runner finishes 1:58 in the 1^st leg, 2:10 in the 2^nd, and 2:20 in the 3^rd, his total cumulative time will be 1:58 + 2:10 + 2:20 = 6:28 or 6 hrs. and 28 minutes. 

    (As a result of the postponement this example should be the best 2 of 3 with the championship leg a must run so the total best cumulative time will be 1:58 1st Leg + 2:20 championship leg = 4:08)

c      There will only be one Champion in the Trilogy so in case of a tie two or more runners having the same exact time, it will be resolved by drawing of lots of the runners who is going to be the champion and the runner up.

6       Trilogy Champion, 2nd Runner Up and 3rd Runner Up of the Trilogy Championship will win cash prize + Winners Medal + Winners Shirt.

Can any runner participate in just one or two legs?

Any runner can participate in any of the Legs either just for one or two legs of choice. They can participate in any of the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd and even win in any of the legs as Leg Winners.

What if a runner would join trilogy running in different categories, is it allowed?

Yes a runner may join the 3 legs straight on different categories 10k, 21k, and 50k depending on his or her choices of the categories in each of the Leg. It is allowed and said runner may even win in any of the legs as Leg Winner but not Trilogy Champions. Leg winners are only those who participated in the trilogy in one single category throughout the 3 legs.

What is Trailblazers Award and how can trail runner qualifies for it?

Trailblazers Award is given to any runner who is consistent finisher within the cut-off time of the Trilogy by PTRA. It’s an annual Award that will now be given to participants in the NTDR who will complete at least 2 of the 3 legs with the championship or the 3rd Leg a must run. The award is in recognition of the runners marking each and every mountain trail routes through participation in trilogy like NTDR II and the runner’s consistent efforts to improve in the said sports. A trail runner given Trailblazers Award is recognized by peers as true trail runners.

How important is NTDR II Trilogy Championship to the trail runners?

The NTDR II Trilogy Championship is important in winning the Trail Runner of the Year Award the annual award given to Trail Runners in recognition of achievement as Trail Runner. There will be the Trail Runner of the Year Award for individual and the Top 100 Trail Runners of the Year Award for trail runners who excelled in the sports. The Award is given in a separate ceremony in January of every year. This is the most important award for the trail runner and landing in the Top 100 is an honor since it is given by peers or fellow trail runners through the PTRA. For the year 2013 the Top Trail Runner of the Year will be awarded to 3 categories – 10k (includes 12k), 21k (includes 25k), and 50k.

Philippines Trail Runners Association

The Philippines Trail Runners Association short for PTRA, is formed under the auspices of Pimco Sporting Events. PTRA is a Sports Organization of trail runners, for the trail runners, and by the trail runners. Its major purpose for its creation is for the sport of trail running to have an independent sports organization that will monthly and annually ranked the members according to the fastest time recorded in 4 main categories 10km, 21km, 42km, and 50-150km Ultra. PTRA will also include a separate ranking of Trail Runners in the 2km Uphill, 2km Downhill, and the 5km Short Distance Run. 

The mission and purpose of the PTRA aside from the ranking of athletes are to promote and develop trail running in the Philippines in cooperation with organizers and producers of trail running race events which at present is being done by our sponsor, Pimco Sports Events; accrediting trail running races using standards set forth on the PTRAs definition of what trail running should be and how the races should be run; develop timing standards which it will apply to the accredited races as official timer. It shall establish itself as an authority in the sport of Trail Running in the Philippines with membership nationwide. PTRA is a non-profit, non-stock sports organization. The revenues and funds that will be earned in the future by the organization will be used for maintaining effective and efficient operations to ensure that the purposes and objectives are achieved.

 

As a young organization, we are taking baby steps to ensure that our mission will be rooted on sound foundation. We don't aspire to be a dominant organization in the sports of running and we will not compete with any race organizers we will in fact slowly but surely work with them and their trail running races and events. For this year, considering the infancy of the organization our basis of ranking will be the first accredited race of PTRA, the Nature's Trail Discovery Run trilogy trail running racing event by our sponsor Pimco Sporting Events of the Pimco Group. We have at this time our own timing system that is computerized we have plans of acquiring modern system that is semi-automatic. 

PTRA will give award and honor to the Top 100 Trail Runners of the Philippines each year and choose the Trail Runner of the Year every 2nd week of December. The trail runners should be members of PTRA and should have participated in races accredited by PTRA. The objective is to put a face on sports of trail running and make it an acceptable sports locally. The dream is to develop trail runners that can be sponsored to compete in international competitions abroad.

IS IT HARD TO BEAT KENYAN RUNNERS?

Aileen Tolentino #1 Ranked Trail Runner by PTRA shown here keeping pace with Susan Jemutai

In the Philippines running community and anywhere else in the world, the most feared foreign runners are the Kenyans. They are fast, their pacing are constant, and they race to win. They compete against each other and against the best of Filipino runners and almost always they win, male and female, they win. It’s like when you have Kenyans in the race, our Filipino runners are already content in finishing the race and improving on time. But race is a competition, you must give it your best shot and who knows where your best shot will result into. This is precisely what happened in the 1^st Leg Nature’s Trail Discovery Run. When everyone expected the Kenyan to win, female trail runner knew she had a chance of winning and tried her best to keep pace with the lone Kenyan female and low and behold as the officers and organizers wait at the finish, a Filipina female trail runner appeared in the distance by herself with male runners along with her. Filipina won over Kenyan.

What Kenyans can be beaten by Filipinos? Are you dreaming, not a chance? The answer is a big YES. They are beatable especially in the sports of trail running, they are certainly beatable. On road running where you run on smooth either cemented or asphalted paved road, the chance of beating the Kenyan is like finding needle in the haystack which is still a possibility but even now many Filipino runners are getting frustrated. This time around, the table is turned, the Filipino wins and I wonder why it escaped the sports bloggers that a Filipina won over a Kenyan fair and square.

Why are Kenyans having a hard time in Trail Running? The answer to lies on the fact that the mountain trails are unpredictable as the weather is. They have a hard time steadying their pace at constant unlike in road. In trail running your body movement is affected by the ever changing terrain of uphill, downhill, winding trail roads, river crossings, forest, tall grass and at times sticky mud. The trails therefore are great equalizer, the playing field is even. A runner that regularly practices in trail would do well in trail running competition. 

 

According to Filipina Top Ranked #1 Trail Runner as of the month June by PTRA, Aileen Tolentino, who is in the AFP, she kept pace with the Kenyan but the Kenyan tried to break away at the uphill, clearly a mistake while she just kept steady with her pace. When they reach the 2^nd mountain, the Kenyan loose steam and Aileen caught on her at about the 8 km mark of the 21km race. Aileen, the no#1 trail runner today for female, broke away from the Kenyan when they reached the off road trail heads winding through several barangays deeper into the Sierra Madre and never looked back. She beat her with a time of 2:19:27 against 2:24:28 of Susan Jemutai, the Kenyan. It’s a full 5 minutes difference. What everyone missed during the race was that there was a raging battle between a Filipina proving we can beat a Kenyan and a Kenyan confident of a win. It would have been exciting to watch the two in the first 8 km today though we can just imagine what Aileen did to win fair and square.

Is it hard to beat the Kenyans? "Tell it to the marines" as the old saying goes because marines are known to beat the odds stacked up against them. It's hard but it can be done. Yes the Filipino can!