BAGUIO CITY – – A total of 160 high altitude runners have signed up for the first series of King of the Mountain Trail Run Philippines (KOTM) or the Mount Ugo Marathon on February 21.
Constante Mendoza, organizer, race director and editor-in-chief of frontRUNNER magazine, said some runners come from Europe, America, and Asia.
Most of the runners are young professionals, businessmen and soldiers ages 18 to 62 years old who loves challenges and running in fresh air and clean environment, he said.
The KOTM said initiated to establish a defining trail race in the Philippines that runners would admire the beautiful mountains, centuries-old trails and panoramic views in the Cordillera.
The second series dubbed as Old Spanish Trail and Four Lakes will be on April 2 and the killer and final series Mount Pulag is set on May 20.
The races do not offer cash prizes but participants will be gratified to know that the KOTM events benefits schools and communities along the race routes. Part of the registration fees and funds are used for rehabilitation of old and dilapidated foot bridges, minor repairs of classroom and toilets, medical and dental mission.
KOTM races are accredited by the France-based International Trail Running Association passing its standards for quality of organization, characteristics and difficulty of the course and care for the environment, among other criteria./JDP/JBZ/A. Sampilo and R. Nunag – PIA/SLU interns
