In keeping with its commitment to empower people to lead a life of passion and play, this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run introduces an all-new race pattern that will certainly test the limits of the most dedicated trail runners in the country. Enter the ULTRA50, the newest category at this year’s race which will require its participants to conquer five different mountains in Sierra Madre.
For the past seven years, Salomon Xtrail Run has offered two grueling race categories which continue to attract hardcore athletes and enthusiast alike who are not afraid to go beyond their limits. This year, in a tenacious bid to elevate the game and uphold its slogan of being “#1 in Trail Running,” Salomon ups the ante of trail running once again as it offers three different races with varying degrees of intensity in one explosive weekend. The ULTRA50 now joins the roster of grueling race categories at this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run which also includes the Xtrail Run and the Xtrail Kids Race.
For this year’s installment, the races will be held at The Glades in Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal. Pegged as the perfect gateway to an epic outdoor adventure, this year’s race venue boasts of blazing trails to the Sierra Madre mountain range along with new trails that were specifically built for the race in the collaboration with the locals.
The Ultimate Test
A testament of Salomon’s dedication to elevate the trail running experience, the ULTRA50 category is an incredible opportunity for seasoned trail runners to test their limits. An original course with 3,300-meter elevation gain and loss that has been designed by credible trail runners whose accolades include UTMB, UTMF, and Fat Dog 120 Miles, participants of this category are urged not to underestimate this new route.
Far from your ordinary trail loop around Wawa Dam, the new full loop of the ULTRA50 category starts from The Glades at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal and will cover six areas which include Purro, Campananan, Malemod, Ayaas, Parawagan, and Maarat. Consisting of 80 percent single track, 20 percent gravel and dirt road, fire trails, and some river crossings, the route will cover paths, ridges, and trails that have never been used in any other race as well as old local trails that have been forgotten because of newer and wider trails.
Successfully completing this race within the cut-off will earn trail runners the prestigious honor of being one of the pioneers of what could be considered as one of the most challenging 50-kilometer races in the country. However, given the difficulty level of the ULTRA50, interested participants of this category will be required to participate in a qualifying race or show proof of having completed a 21k Trail Run.
Only races held between Jan. 1, 2018 and April 21, 2019 or prior to the closing date of the registration will be considered. The qualifying races considered include, but are not limited to, the Salomon Xtrail Races, Rizal Mountain Run, Clark to Miyamit Race Series, Cordillera Mountain Ultra, Be Trail Ready Races, KOTM Race Series, Mapawa Race Series, Tawid Mountain Marathon, and Akyathlon.
Paths for Play
Apart from the new ULTRA50 category, this year’s Xtrail Event returns with its signature categories but of course, bringing with it a whole new level of challenge. For the Xtrail Run categories, which include the 32km, 24km, and 17km divisions, participants can expect a trail that features a good mix of wide fire roads, single tracks, foot paths, and ruts. The trails, though runnable, will go up or down with little to no flat terrain.
Lots of flora and fauna are to be seen along the trails. With no shortage of views, runners of this category are in for a challenging yet breathtaking experience. An original course with 1900-meter elevation gain and loss, participants are likewise reminded not to underestimate the route as it consists of 80 percent single track, 20 percent gravel/dirt road, fire trails, and some river crossings. The areas that will be covered by this trail are Purro, Casile, Amianan, and Maarat.
As safety is of paramount importance for the Salomon Xtrail’s Race Committee, security measures and regulations will be imposed to ensure the safety of the runners before, during, and after the event. These include requiring a mandatory gear for the runners. For the 50k and 32k races, participants must have a fully-charged and operational mobile phone, water carrier with a volume of at least 1,500mL, reusable water cups, whistle, headlamp or flashlights with at least 8 hours of charge, a poncho or rain jacket, and P1,000 to cover the transportation expenses of the runner back to the finish line.
In the event of an emergency, Salomon teamed up with Team Rescue 8, a local first responder group which will be stationed at all aid stations as well as with the Landcruiser of the Philippines Off-road Club to ferry supplies, volunteers, crew, and runners who can no longer carry on with the race. During the race, numerous marshals will likewise be stationed along the course while each runner must be checked in and checked out of all the checkpoints. All cut-off times will also be strictly enforced while runners who return to the checkpoint after the cut-off-time will be pulled from the run.
The Salomon Xtrail Event also takes pride in being a green run. As such, disposable water cups will be prohibited during the race. Aid stations will not provide disposable water cups to protect the trail and the environment. The aid station crew will also be advised not to serve any drinks unless runners present reusable water bottles or containers.
Interested participants are invited to register until April 17, 2019 at www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com.ph. All participating runners will receive a Salomon Technical Jersey, a Salomon Trucker Cap, as well as gift items from the event sponsors. Meanwhile, those who finish within the cut-off time will receive a Mountain Run Finishers medal as well as a finisher’s shirt for the ULTRA50 runners.