Sky Race tests runners' mettle at 2,150 meters

Itogon, Benguet , Philippines – Hundreds of local and foreign athletes are set to scale a 2,150 meter high mountain in the first Philippine International Sky Race on Feb. 18.

Organized by the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA), the race dubbed “Pilipinas Akyathlon” is a 33-kilometer out and back race in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet all the way up to Mt. Ugo, which is part of the 2012 Skyrunner World Series Trials.

“This is the first of its kind in the country and we are grateful that the province of Benguet and Itogon town accepted the hosting for this event,” said PSA president Nina Dacanay.

“We are expecting close to 150 runners and right now, we have already some 50 registrants which include foreigners who will test Mt. Ugo’s scale of 2,150 meters above sea level at its peak,” said PSA vice president Ramon Marchan.

Marchan, also the director of the race, said the event is patterned after the popular Mt. Kinabalu race, which has been going on for the last 25 years.

Benguet, particularly Itogon, was chosen because of its accessibility, logistics, accommodations and the support they are getting from the local government.

The backbreaking uphill 33-kilometer run is set to give trophies and valuable outdoor prizes for the top three overall winners in both the male and female categories for the event.

Medals and valuable prizes will also be given to the top three runners, male and female in the 18-19, 30-39, 40-49,50-59, and the 60 and above age groups in the event in partnership with Rope Access Services and Consulting Inc. and High Angle Rescue Team of the Philippines.

Registration is now ongoing through e-mail at [email protected] with fee pegged at P2,000.

Online registration will end Feb. 17 with fee amounting to P2,500 for local runners and may pay through BPI current account 3191-0473-02 of the PSA Inc., while foreign runners need to shell out $50.

Part of the proceeds of the event will go to the Cordillera Conservation Trust which seeks to provide relevant practical and sustainable solutions to environmental problems arising in the Cordillera.