Trail Running and the Origin of Marathon

Trail running is making waves in the Philippines running circles and communities. Many runners who used to run strictly on road only have discovered the true origin of Marathon. The first ever marathoner came from Greece who raced against time and his own perceived limitations by running on the mountain trails and today we call this type of running - trail running. It is only fitting to say that one can’t be called a complete runner unless he/she runs the trail.

Unlike road running where the pace is almost constant because of familiarity to the same road you normally pass through, trail running would have you change your pacing many times during the entire route. Because trails are not maintained and are affected by changes in weather conditions the same trail you may run today would be a different trail tomorrow thus your body movement would affect your pacing as you adjust to challenges and obstacles thrown along the way by nature. You may have to move side to side, front then back or running with your body moving forward especially in steep climbs then moving back again on steep downhill. Then when you think you already found your rhythm you may suddenly stop and be frozen as you can’t help but stop in awe of the breathtaking scenery that you will discover. Each step is a challenge and in the mountain where oxygen gets thinner as you ascend, you may have to run and walk. This unpredictability would give you the adrenalin rush that makes trail running exciting and fun all the way from start to finish.

What are the challenges then? Rocky roads, forested trails, protruding roots, sticky mud when the weather becomes rainy and would then turn hard as rocks when it’s all sunny for weeks and months, river crossing that will get you wet and your shoes soaked in cold water, tall grass that hampered your vision with low lying clouds that make your visibility as cloudy as it can be. Ooops! Before we even forget you also have to contend with the cold temperature when the run is made in the early morning. You are exposed to the elements so what do you do? Suit up for the event if you can or look from your closet the some old running apparel that can protect your body, arms, and legs but you can easily dispose of when it gets too heavy to run (if you do this you may need a running buddy to assist you) or if you have money to spend go to the sports shop they have suits and gears for trail running just right for you.

But there are the so called minimalist runners, those daring runners who want to be free as possible. Just the shorts, shirt and running shoes plus a handheld hydration bottle and they are ready to run and ramble in any trail challenges. It looks great in photo-ops, if your body can take the elements of nature just described above.

So how do you start and what race would you join in to get a real taste of trail running that combines all the elements of the sports? For the more than 2,000 runners who have joined trail running race event since it first introduced in the racing circuit some 2 years ago, its Nature’s Trail Discovery Run (NTDR) trail running trilogy series which allows the runners to get a taste of the sports and experience the fun and satisfaction that goes with it. It was conceived to introduce road runners to the sports and allow them to discover the fun, the excitement, and the joy of trail running with the breathtaking sceneries showcasing the beauty of the great outdoors of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. This article allows you to take a peek at some of the runners who participated in the annual NTDR race events for the past two years. In fact some of them have become very competitive in running be it by road or trail. They have developed into tough runners smashing their own personal best each year.

Continuing with what it started two years ago, NTDR II Trilogy Championship has once more attracted some 700 runners in the first 2 stages of the trilogy and this will breach the 1,000 as the 3rd Leg or the Championship is played on January 12, 2014 at the trail runners favorite, Daranak Falls. The more than 7 months, 3-leg series is about to close and the trilogy Champions will be known. Together with the closing it will include the recognition of Top Trail Runners of the Year and Trailblazers award from these batch will come the most prestigious award given to a trail runner in the Philippines the Trail Runner of the Year Award.

Barring any injury or failure to run the 3rd Leg, the leading runner to take home the trilogy crown and Trail Runners of the Year are Gerald Sabal for the 50k Ultra and Juniery Villalon for the 10k male division both are back to back winners in the 1st and 2nd Leg. In the 21k Male Division, Manolito Divina is leading the race as winner of the 1st Leg. An interesting matched up has developed in the female division between the winner of the 1st Leg who is still leading in terms of faster time recorded, Alexandria Ahongon who is now challenged by the winner of the 2nd Leg Donita Raye Padilla. For the 10k, Ems Nilisguin seems to be the heavy favorite being the back to back leg winner in the 1st and 2nd Legs.

The organizer would like to thank the one that make possible the success of NTDR II Trilogy Championship, the support given by the LGU partner and its officers headed by the Mayor of Tanay, Rizal, Honorable Lito Tanjuatco. Tanay has focused on its Tourism program for its economic development and sports activities such as NTDR II and the trail running race events organized by Pimco Sporting Events is a partner activity for tourism as it has attracted both local and foreign runners who discovered Tanay as the most favorable destination for weekend mountain sports and recreation for the family through their participation in the races. Tanay is the only place with regular trail running race events yearly cementing it’s stature as the undisputed Trail Running Capital of the Philippines. With support from sponsors and partners who make possible the holding of race events such as NTDR II, trail running will continue to grow and help bring about economic developments in the mountains of Sierra Madre in Tanay.

So runners, get into the groove of the origin of marathon, get into the sports of trail running. Takbo na Hane!

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