Last month I ran into a group exercise instructor colleague of mine. We’ve both resigned from the gym chain we used to work at, but she’s gone on to pursue Pilates as a career — and trail ultramarathons as a hobby. (She’s a special kind of nut and I love her for it.) I think she’d be first to pounce on registering for the Salomon X-Trail Run happening on July 23, 2017 in Subic Bay.
The Salomon X-Trail Run is now on its 7th year in the country, and every year the event has a different theme. This year is all about creating a playful, happy, experiential trail run, with the hashtag #timetoplay. Thanks to the trails that were opened for use in Subic in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority ecology center, the routes are almost entirely on established Aeta trails, with a tiny percentage on asphalt road.
Advanced trail runners can choose between two Mountain Run distances: 24km and 32km. These will simulate the challenging ascents of Skyrunning races and will feature terrain ranging from asphalt, sand, rocks to river crossings. This category is so demanding that participants are required to secure a medical clearance before competing, and bring a whistle as part of mandatory gear — but the reward is a gorgeous finisher’s medal for those who finish within 5 hours for the 24km and 7 hours for the 32km. (Anyone with even a passing knowledge of trail running knows those cut-offs will be quite challenging to meet.)
Not an experienced or competitive trail runner? Don’t worry; the Salomon X-Trail Run also has the Fun Trail distances of 6km and 12km. The 6km is designed as a fun introduction to trail running, while the 12km is for those with basic trail experience and wish to conquer more technical terrain. This category’s gunstart is at 1:30pm on race day, so there’s plenty of time to get enough sleep and food in before conquering the trails.
All participants will receive a Salomon X-Trail technical jersey, race bib, timing chip, and stub for post-race meal with freebies from sponsors.
Because this is a “Green Run” that will not use disposable cups at hydration stations, participants will all be required to bring their own hydration belts/bottles, with the Mountain Run participants required to have at least 500ml of fluid in theirs at race start.
Registration is ongoing until July 15. Register in-store at Salomon branches (SM Aura, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, SM North Edsa Annex), or online at www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com.ph. Race kit claiming will be on July 14-15 for those who registered before July 10, while those who registered on July 10 onwards may claim their kits on July 18 in Salomon stores located at SM Aura, Glorietta 3, SM North Annex, SM Megamall, or delivered to their provided shipping address.
(Bus provisions will also be available for the first 200 participants for an additional fee of P600. To avail of the service, participants must tick off the appropriate box in the registration form and include the payment together with the race registration fee. Each participant is entitled to a maximum of two seats only. The meeting point for the bus service will be at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street.)
I’ve got a free race kit for either 6k or 12k. Anyone want to give it a go?
