A TOTAL of 81 trail runners participated in the first-ever Mount Karilongan Trail Marathon—a plant-and-run charity race event organized by Vertical to Sky Sports Management and EGIP Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Obu-Manuvu Community of Barangay Carmen and BLGU-Barangay Carmen last May 12, 2024.
The first edition of Mount Karilongan Trail Marathon featured three distance categories: the 10Km, 21Km, and 42Km, which covered pavements, stair climbing, single track, dirt roads, river crossing, jungle trail, technical and runnable terrain across five minor mountains of climbing especially for 42km distance with 2,000+ meters of elevation gain.
Trail runners came mostly from Mandaluyong City, General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Cotabato City, Hagonoy, Digos City, Sta. Cruz, Tagum, Panabo, Nabunturan, and Davao City. The routes also passed and enjoyed the landmarks of the “Koontayan ‘To Obu-Manuvu Ecocultural Adventure”- the ecotourism initiative of the Obu-Manuvu of Barangay Carmen.
The race started as early as 4 a.m. after the tribal ritual headed by the Obu-Manuvu community of Barangay Carmen and ended at 6 p.m. The top 3 finishers of each category won exciting prizes while a finisher shirt and medal were given to those who finished the race.
Below are the list of the winners/podium finishers of each distance category:
Mt. Karilongan Trail Marathon 42km Top 3 Podium Finishers
MALE FEMALE
- Eldy Bulod (Sta.Cruz) – 6:06:46 1. Jannen Bonhoc (Davao City) – 10:57:17
- Sean John Aying (Tagum)- 6:41:48 2. Dolly Joy Alonzo (Digos City)- 12:05:07
- Angelito Vertudazo (Davao City)- 6:48:48
Mt. Karilongan Trail Marathon 21km Top 3 Podium Finishers
MALE FEMALE
- Dem Sangines – 4:17:15 1.Carmhelle Pilos – 5:25:10
- Jonash Balacuit – 4:56:24 2. Marie Jave Sanchez – 5:47:10
- Sol Augustus Lorejo – 5:09:48 3. Marjorie Aijee Lucero – 6:49:50
Mt. Karilongan Trail Marathon 10km Top 3 Podium Finishers
MALE FEMALE
- Jode Mendina – 1:08:23 1. Juvy Torbila – 2:40:50
- Christian Camdas – 1:24:10 2. May Anne Deseo – 2:52:00
- Kim Britz Omaque – 1:37:14 3. Cleo Gil Panturas – 3:07:18
“What is unique about this trail run is aside from challenging trails and 1083 step-stairs, we are able also to plant trees to contribute to our environment and to the advocacy of the tribe and of the organizers to protect and reforest some denuded parts of the ancestral land” said by Mr. Julius Paner, Sta. Cruz town tourism officer, who is also one of the participants in the 10 km category, said at least 120 native trees were planted in Mount Karilongan during the event.
“We planted more than the number of participants of the trail run because they want to plant more. Some of the participants wanted to plant five or more trees as they said it is their response to the high heat index that they experience in the downtown area,” as quoted by Michael Martin, reforestation officer of EGIP Foundation Inc.
“With the success and uniqueness of the 1st edition of Mount Karilongan Trail Marathon: Plant and Run Race, we will be back next year, possibly or tentatively in the last week of June with more challenging trails and twist and of course, with more trees to be planted” according to Celina van Dierendonck, EGIP Foundation spokesperson.
“We will expect more participants next year, possibly some foreign participants since it is a candidate race this year and will be part of the International Race Calendar of Asia Trail Master 2025 Grandmaster and Championship points,” Romualdo Calbes, race director, said.
The race was accredited by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) in Europe, Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in France, American Trail Running Association (ATRA) in Colorado USA, and Asia Trail Master (ATM) in Hong Kong.
The event was possible with the support from different offices and sponsors; Vertical to Sky Sports Management, Local Community of Brgy. Carmen (Obu-Manuvu Tribe), Bantay Bukid of Carmen, Ivolunteer Philippines, Davao City Sports and Development Office, Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), PNP Baguio District- PS11, Philippine Army (27th IB), BLGU Carmen, City Tourism and Operations Office, Dept. Of Tourism XI, DENR XI, CENRO-Davao City, BFP-Calinan, NCIP XI, DSWD XI, Malagos Garden Resort, Macatabo Farm, Aki Mission Foods, TADECO, Nature’s Spring, White Mansion Hotel, Bricco and Bricks, and EGIP Foundation Inc.
