Last week’s Grandmaster Quest event Zamboanguita Mountain Ultra Trail was held with the first Golden Grandmaster Masafumi Yamamoto part of the participant’s field for the 70km long ultra, minimum race distance for a Grandmaster point. Masafumi completed the course and so also began his Trail to Immortality.

Up front, the race was won by Loyd Echalar from Iloilo in a time of 12h04. Only 23 years old, Echalar was 24 minutes ahead of Johnrey Espadon, himself also just 25 years old. Third place on the podium was for the 43-year-old Chuck Paul Mata. Great to see also a youngster in fourth place, JM Esquilarga, 25. Those four were clearly the fastest of the pack.

The women’s race was won by Resie Gaudiano in 16h07. In second, we found Keziah Marieah Loreto and in third place Mary Rose Canete.

The event was organised by Happy Feet, which in the past also held the Mt Talinis Mountain Marathon in Negros Oriental.

70km runners before the start

Loyd Echalar: new name and a race winner at 23.

We are happy to announce that Zamboanguita Mountain Ultra Trail has been added to the Grandmaster Quest calendar on the weekend of 9/10 May 206. Organised by Happy Feet Events and Rhodel Sarande, ZMUT - as the event is called in brief - takes place on Negros Oriental, one of the southern islands in the Philippines. Previously in ATM, the company also organised the Mount Talinis Mountain Marathon.

The main race distance in which trail runners can score a Grandmaster point is the 70km category. It is a tough 70km with an estimated elevation gain of over 4000 hm. To note also is the maximum number of participants for the race, i.e. 300. The start is scheduled for 3 o'clock in the afternoon and runners have 24 hours of time to complete the course. Host of the event is the town of Zamboanguita and along the course runners will enjoy great scenery: waterfalls, lakes, dams and grassland ridges. Mount Talinis will also appear in view.

To reach Zamboanguita, you need to fly to Negros Oriental’s main airport city Dumaguete City, which is connected to Manila, Cebu, Davao etc.

Registration for the event will open very soon. You can stay tuned via its facebook page.