The female conquerors of Mount Apo: tales from the race

The Mount Apo Sky Race in Santa Cruz, Davao sul Sur, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this coming 25 April. Fate has decided that it will also be the first ATM Championship points race in ten weeks as the corona virus situation has gone out of hand in several countries, causing postponements and cancellations of all kinds of events. The Mount Apo Sky Race is an iconic event in the Philippines because Mount Apo is the highest peak of the country at 2954m above sea level. Situated near the coast and Davao, the biggest city on the large southern island of Mindanao, the higher slopes of the mountain als offer amazing vistas of the surrounding region. Mount Apo captures the imagination, not only for local and Filipino trail runners, but also from those across the Asian continent. Climbing the mountain is very tough in its own right, and having to do it as part of a trail race that has developed into a 100K ultra is a challenge for everyone at each single attempt. Moreover, the area is sensitive and not always open for hikers and tourists. Being part of a field of maximum 100 runners on the 100K category is already reason to be happy for many. Time to take a look back at the Mount Apo Sky Race and those runners who have managed to crown themselves as race champions since its inauguration in 2015. In this first episode, we focus on the four leading ladies of the Mount Apo Sky Race: Elle Alvarez (2015), Nyl Mamugay (2017), Aggy Sabanal (2018) and Melanie Hingpit (2019).

By Kris Van de Velde

ATM: What attracted you to take part in the Mount Apo Sky Race at the time?

Alvarez: Doi Calbes was a good friend of mine and when he told me he was going to put up a trail running race on Mount Apo he persuaded me to take part. I had already climbed Apo a few times, and I was curious to see how I would feel running it as part of a race.
Sabanal: For me it was the thought of climbing and experiencing the highest peak of my country.
Mamugay: Exactly. The challenge and opportunity of going up Apo and down again to sea level in less than 24 hours! Before I was into trail running, I was a keen mountain climber and trekker having climbed Mt. Apo three times. Each time, it took us 2 to 3 days before reaching the summit. Imagine my amazement upon learning that there was a race to the summit of Mt. Apo where participants would finish the competition in less than a day! I can say that joining the race was my ultimate goal and a real driving force to train hard and compete in other trail running events to gain mileage back then.
Hingpit: Running Mt Apo sky race was one of my bucket list races in the ATM series. Aside from wanting to see the beauty of the highest peak in the Philippines, I also wanted to try running Mindanao mountains since I had not done so before. I'm originally from Mindanao but I had never been in the mountains of my own island. I'm now a Manila-based athlete, so I always plan my races, especially the out-of-the-town races, because of the expenses. But two weeks before the race last year, my company boss assigned me to Davao for fieldwork. The location of this assignment was only 30-min ride to Santa Cruz. That's the time when I considered joining the race even though I had not been training for at least a month. One morning, I tried running 10 km but stopped after 7km because I felt dizzy. That moment, I began to hesitate if it were a good idea to join the Mt Apo Sky Race. The next morning I tried running again and that time I felt better. I then ran 5 km everyday for 6 consecutive days. Then, I decided to join the race, only a week before the start.

ATM: What did you expect before the start. Did you consider yourself a potential race winner?

Sabanal: I expected a beautiful but difficult race and I was not wrong. Before the start, I considered myself to be at least on the podium as I had been doing well in my previous races.
Hingpit: "You reap what you sow" , people say. A month without trail training, having a week of only 10k and 5k mileage, and a stomach issue since I was diagnosed with gastritis, I never expected to perform! I used to believe that any result is the reflection of your efforts and training. I told myself, "You don't have the right to aim high after such a lack of training." But with this Apo race, I learned that "being undertrained is better than being 1% overtrained “.
Alvarez: I was excited and glad to be part of the first Mt. Apo race. However, as other participants started talking about their mileage and their training for the race, it made me feel nervous because I knew deep inside that I hadn’t done sufficient preparation. I thought that I had underestimated the course. This is Mt. Apo we’re talking about, and we only had 14 hours to run up and down the highest peak of the Philippines. Winning never crossed my mind. I am anyway not the competitive type. I love the mountains and the camaraderie within the trail running community, that’s the reason why I am still doing this.
Mamugay: I also never dreamt of being a winner. To be honest, I didn’t consider myself an elite athlete even though I had already won a few races and taken podium placings. I was truly intimidated when the Race Director {Doi Calbes] announced the list of the Dark Horses of that year’s race. I was included together with female trail runners I admired and followed on Instagram or Facebook! Seeing them in person at the starting line made me even more anxious because they all looked so strong, beautiful and tall! I am only 5 ft (152cm)! I also felt sorry there for myself because I did not have proper trail gear, apparel or even shoes for trail running. So, all I prayed was to finish the race injury-free and conquer the highest mountain in my country in less than a day.

ATM: Could you briefly summarise your race and the experience you had that day.

Hingpit: To be honest, I had not really felt competitive since I started running some two years before. I had always thought: when you compete, you tend to not enjoy the journey. But that day of Mt Apo Sky Race, I had a change of mindset and set a strict target time for myself: a 100km race in sub 24 hrs. During the race, it went well initially and the only challenge I encountered was passing through the small villages. Running in the middle of the night, or in the forest, I don't have any problem with that. I'm not scared of any paranormal situations, or horror stories, but I have a problem with dogs. Yes, I'm a trail runner but I am afraid of dogs. Every race, every training, they are always a struggle for me and I still haven't overcome my fear of them til today. Anyway, at km 70 one of the volunteers of the race told me I was second woman. I did not really care at that time because my goal was to do a sub 24 hours. Haha, but at the finish line later they announced me as the female winner. I thought the announcer was just joking, but she told me it was really true To sum it up, being the female champion was really unexpected.
Sabanal: The first few kilometers I ran with my friends until each of us had to settle for our own pace as there was a tight cut-off at km 30 or something, before going up Apo. it was challenging because I had a bleeding wound near my shin and it was swelling. The hot weather made it really hard and I had difficulty maintaining my pace. I took the lead reaching the 1st aid station and when I reached the finish line I was very happy and celebrated with all my friends there.
Alvarez: I did not push at the start. I was feeling relaxed, enjoying the outdoors and as I normally do I talked a lot! I love chatting with my fellow runners, just making friends. But after our first 10k of constant uphill, I felt good and picked up the pace until I caught up with the lead pack. They were very strong and I was just happy that I managed to keep up. I noticed my friend Iron Iris in the front of the pack and I was sure then that she would win because I had raced with her a couple of times before and I knew she was very strong especially in the uphill while I suck at it, haha! We arrived inside the thick jungle and the single track started to get too tight. In addition to the technical trail, the mud devoured our shoes so it was very hard to increase the pace. The last vertical assault to the peak was the hardest, not just for me but for everyone. When we got to the peak of Apo, I was still behind the lead girl but I didn’t mind. I was just happy we all got there safely. It was not until we started descending that I felt a bit more worried about the time. I had already spent 10 hours! I told myself that I really needed to finish that race and I began to push. I was so happy when I came out from the jungle but then heavy rainfall began and the lightning scared me to death. Yet I think I was more scared looking at my watch and knowing I had less than 2 hours to get back to Santa Cruz. The rain really beat me up and by the time I got to the finish line I was dead tired but first female. In the end, It was one of the best races I have entered so far. Beating the cut-off time brought me so much joy but the thought of my friends not making it stopped me from celebrating.
Mamugay: I remember the excitement and anxiety I felt before the competition started. I was telling myself to be cool and just enjoy the race and be thankful to be part of this prestigious event. True enough, I ran my own pace in the first kilometers since the trail was runnable. I ran with no pressure and on my own. No pacers or team mates running with me. I focused on steadying my pace and ever mindful of the trail signs on the route while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature and the company of other runners. When I reached the km 25 mark, one of the marshals of the aid station cheerfully congratulated and told me that I was the first female runner who arrived in his station. I was really shocked and could not believe it because I was quite sure I was behind a few other female runners. Later I found out that all of them had missed a marking sign and eventually lost the right trail. Although I felt bad for them, I also realized that I then had a chance of a podium finish. This gave me a boost and my competitive spirit kicked in. I decided not to stay long at the aid stations, and I continued to run at a more hurried pace. I was really exhausted and sleepy when I reached the boulders area, but every time I looked around, the view was so breathtaking and mesmerizing that it renewed my energy and strength. And when I came to the turning point near the peak of Mt. Apo, the marshals confirmed that indeed, I was the lead female runner. I was so exhilarated that I cried. I was not really expecting to lead the most difficult trail running event in Philippines, albeit I was only still halfway! Being on top of the highest peak in the country triggered an adrenaline rush and I was determined to finish the race and win. Upon descending, I came across other female runners since the race route was out and back. I estimated that I led by only 500 meters ahead of runners from Thailand and Hong Kong and Irene Tan, our very own elite runner from Davao City. I was steadfast in winning but at the same time more careful in every step. I thank God for finishing the race injury free and above all, for being the Champion. All the Glory and Praise were offered to Him and to my family.

ATM: How did the moment feel like when you reached the summit of Mount Apo and witnessed that incredible view from up there?

Mamugay: I screamed out loud “THANK YOU LORD!” when I reached the summit of Mt. Apo! It was partly because I was thanking Him for giving me strength and will power to endure the arduous climb to the highest mountain of the country but mostly because I was overwhelmed to see the breathtaking view surrounding the summit. What a grandiose example of God’s creation!! I was also heady for the fact that at that very moment, I was the only human being on top of the highest peak in the Philippines. It was also a surreal experience knowing that I was in a competition and the possibility that I will finish it first. So I decided not to stay long at the summit as much as I wanted to. Moreover, being at the summit seemed to recharge my energy, drive and determination to have a strong finish. It was like the majestic mt.Apo shared its power with me.
Alvarez: I was a bit unlucky. I was looking forward to getting to the peak because I know how beautiful it can be, but it was a cloudy day. So I was just thinking “it’s all downhill to the finish from here”.
Sabanal: When I got there, the view mesmerized me. Every place has its own beauty and Mt. Apo is just incomparable.
Hingpit: Mt. Apo. Wow! A bucket list moment. Upon reaching the summit, I stopped for about 5 minutes to feel that I'm on the top of the Philippines. The virgin forest, the boulders, even the fumes from the mountain and the sea of clouds; these are the things that make me want to go back. Just being able to experience and be at the top of Mt. Apo was already a win in itself for me.

ATM: Looking back on that day of glory, what does the victory in the Mt Apo Sky Race mean for you?

Alvarez: I don’t really remember how I felt then, it was five years ago. But I’m sure I was happy, especially because I was not expecting to win. It was also good to know that I can do better when I’m being put under the pressure.
Sabanal: I am still happy to this day for that victory. It was an accomplishment for me personally.
Mamugay: Yes, It was the highlight of my running career. Winning the Mt Apo Sky Race opened doors to various opportunities, for example to The Magnificent Merapoh Trail in Malaysia, which was the first and only ATM event held outside of my country that i have joined so far. Actually, it was even my first trip abroad thus it was really unforgettable. I was really blessed because the journey to Malaysia was fully sponsored by the local Government of Santa Cruz and Davao del Sur, and partially by the provincial Government of Davao Oriental where i was living. Plus, I was given honor and recognition by the city Government of Mati during the 2017 cityhood founding anniversary. Furthermore, there were many complimentary race slots given to me to join other local events for free. I will be forever grateful to mr. Doi Calbes, the race director of the Mt. Apo Sky Race for putting up the event and the prestigious rewards.
Hingpit: Also for me it was highly memorable, even though every race regardless of the distance is memorable, as for me being a runner today is also very unexpected. It is all like a dream for me. Right now, I'm still amazed what this small body here can do. I'm still amazed how I can run a 100k or higher distance in the mountains. Previously, I had never thought I would be this adventurous. With this petite body and being bullied as a kid because of it. Nobody wanted me to join when they played games because I was weak. Just four years ago, I could not even run 500 m straight. Thanks to the Mt Apo Sky Race, I realised more than ever that when you have a target, you don't need to start fast, but you have to plan for consistency of your effort and pace. Being able to achieve my sub 24-hour goal, I was more than just happy. To top the race ranking as the female champion was actually just a bonus.

ATM: Would you consider coming back to the race? Nobody has ever won it twice.

Sabanal: Yes, when I feel ready to run long distances again and have had enough training.
Mamugay: I joined the race again the following season when Aggy won it, but unfortunately i did not finish. I will certainly try to join the race again but not this year or the next because i am currently focusing on my regular working career as ER staff in Davao Oriental provincial medical center.
Hingpit: I have not been running for almost 5 months now because of my work schedule but I'm still considering it if given the chance. Mt Apo was breathtaking and it is worth the second chance and a lot more than a second chance in fact!
Alvarez: As mentioned, I am not the competitive type. But going back to run the race again is a good way to support the local community, see my friends again and of course to say hello to the beautiful Mt. Apo. A lot has changed since 2015. I became a mother to a beautiful and smart little girl. With zero training, I went to run the Mt. Apo 100km last year and though I was the last runner to cross the finish Line I felt like a true Champion!

Elle Alvarez, the first female champion of the Mt Apo Sky Race, indeed got pregnant soon after and motherhood has taken up most of her time. Thanks to her partner Nick, himself a decent trail runner, Elle has slowly returned to the trails and is enjoying every bit of them. Manilyn Mamugay is combing work with a little gardening and sports week in week out. She has joined many road and trail running events, as well as cycling and even IronMan triathlon races. However, Nyl says trail running remains her true passion. Aggy Sabanal was the youngest female winner so far, and just like Elle Alvarez became pregnant not long after. Aggy is planning to return to the trails in due course when her son has turned one years young. Melanie Hingpit is a one-star Asia Trail Grandmaster, and is focused on getting the 2 stars soon - if her regular work schedule permits.

Elle Alvarez was the first female winner of the iconic race on Mount Apo in 2015

Manilyn Mamugay has scored several wins and podiums in races, but considers her Mt Apo victory in 2017 as the highlight of her running journey

The women’s top 3 in 2017 with Nyl Mamugay as winner

Aggy Sabanal won Mt Apo Sky Race in her great year 2018, which she concluded in second place of the ATM Championship after Izu Trail Journey in Japan

Melanie Hingpit was amazed of what 'her ‘small body’ can do, such as winning the Mt Apo Sky Race last year

The turning point at the summit of Mount Apo

The Boulder Face, the most challenging section near the summit