The Candidate Race in Santa Cruz, easily enough titled ‘SC 70’ , saw quite a number of new faces from Mindanao’s ever growing trail running community. The 70km main race, which had 4000 metres of elevation, featured several regional peaks but avoided Mount Apo. Youngsters Eldy Bulod and Shally Yuson emerged victorious.

Organised by the experienced Team Jegol Runners, SC 70 flagged off in the afternoon for what then mainly turned into a nighttime race. Eldy Bulod and Isaiah Paraiso set the pace with Anthony Paladin initially as the closest chaser. Bulod and Paraiso stayed together across the hills until the final section, which was 10km flattish back to the race venue. Bulod had the fastest legs and won ahead of Paraiso, who also scored second in Matanao Mountain Marathon last month behind Yoyong Sacayle. Good old Angelito Vertudazo - ATM Finalist last year - eventually claimed the third step on the podium.

Shally Yuson led the women’s race from an early stage, but was pushed forward most of the way by Manilyn Mamugay, who is reaching her best competitive level again after a few years off. Yuson was second in Matanao a month ago behind Cecille Wael. Beberly Lim and Cherry Fuentes were third and fourth.

Mindanano has become a hotspot for trail running in the Philippines over the past few years, illustrated in both quality and quantity of runners (reigning ATM champion Arnie Macaneras is from Davao) and also by the many event organisations on the large southern island. Team Jegol Runners is the latest addition to the list of organisers and their upcoming event Santa Cruz 70 is accredited as an ATM Candidate Race. The event takes place on the weekend of 25/26 November.

Asia Trail Master followers know that Santra Cruz stands for Mount Apo - highest mountain in the Philippines, host venue of the ATM Championship Final last year and of the forthcoming Mt Apo Sky Race on 9/10 December. But Santa Cruz is more than the gateway to Mount Apo, and Team Jegol wishes to make that statement very clear. The event has three race categories of which the 70k is the longest. Less ambitious runners can go for the 25k and 15k options. Neither one of them goes to Apo.

The 70k ultramarathon trail has an elevation gain of about 4000hm, and will feature scenic and iconic places in Santa Cruz, namely, Mt. Loay, Mt. Dinor, Tacub Laya Falls, Pilan River, Sinoron, Lipantod, Camotes Ridge, and Mt. 796. This will surely give runners an adventure that they will never forget in the infamous mountain ranges of Santa Cruz. The course profile is actually quite distinct and interesting from a competitive point of view. Mount Dinor is the cornerstone and highest peak in the first half, Mount Loay in the second half. Runners should also be aware that after the final descent of Loay, there’s still a 10km flattish section to the finish back in Santa Cruz. That could hurt for some, while be a tactical all-in section for others.

Registration for the SC 70 event goes via this online form . More details can be obtained via the official website and Facebook Page.

The event hotel is the MGL Hotel, with Ms Mercy as contact person (Local tel: 0907-530-7415 / 0929-447-2789)

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