RunningAtom

Salomon X-Trail Pilipinas 2016: Running the Path of Most Resistance

Limits were tested, boundaries were pushed as more than a thousand runners converged for one of the biggest trail running event of the season – the Salomon X-Trail Pilipinas 2016 – last April 9.

Over five years since its inception, the Salomon X-Trail Run continues to be the most anticipated trail running event throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. With competitions held in unique and exotic locations in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hongkong and the Philippines, it is reputed for mounting the most challenging and scenic trail running races that feature a mixture of different terrain surfaces, including vertical ascents, long uphill climbs, with multi-surfaces of dirt, rocks, sand, and concrete paths.

In the Philippines, the Salomon X-Trail Run has been held for 5 consecutive years, in exclusive venues– ensuring that the race venues not only demonstrate the majestic beauty of nature but also, offer participants a stimulating and unique trail running experience. This year, Salomon decided to hold its 5th installment at the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales, where new trail routes were created exclusively for this year’s race.

Known for its thick forest areas with steep and technical descents, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone definitely served this year’s trail racers a grueling challenge as they dashed through its lush paths, long roads, hills, rivers, and valleys. However, the breathtaking view around Subic surely made the fiercely demanding track exhilarating, as it is delightful.

At the crack of dawn, trail runners of the 32km Mountain Run began to embark on their adrenaline-filled journey through a route that possesses a mixture of different terrains – from asphalt and sand, to rocks, river crossing, and technical ascents. The category simulated ascents of Skyrunning races – an arena wherein Salomon dominates. To add more to the pressure, a 7-hour cut-off time was imposed for the participants.

At 5:00am, gun start signaled the arduous adventure of the 24km Mountain Run trail racers. Meant for runners who wish to test their mettle, the category presented technical ascents and varying terrain that likewise simulated ascents of Skyrunning races. Getting through this track was definitely not an easy feat especially with a five-hour cut-off time.

Following suit at 7:00am and 7:30am were the 12km and 6km race categories, respectively. The 12km Road to Trail targeted runners with basic trail running experience with an equally basic yet technical terrain. On the other hand, outdoor enthusiasts were given a taste of trail running with the 6km Road to Trail category, which was mainly conceptualized for trail running rookies. Like the rest of the categories, cut-off times of two and a half hours for the 12km category and one and a half hours for the 6km category were similarly enforced.

Committed in ensuring that each race leaves as little to no harmful environmental consequences, the Salomon X-Trail Pilipinas 2016 remained strictly, a GREEN RUN. As such, no disposables were provided at the hydration stations, which required participants to bring their own provisions.

By noontime, the awarding ceremony commenced and this year’s roster of winners took home not only a range of exciting prizes but above all, a strong sense of fulfillment for pushing themselves to be the best that they can be – a philosophy echoed by Salomon. At the end of the day, no one went home empty handed as the Salomon X-Trail Pilipinas 2016 proved to be a memorable and extremely satisfying feat for all the participants, regardless of winning. Plus, Salomon also gave away items during a raffle portion alongside awesome products from sponsors – SBMA Tourism Office, R.O.X, Solar Sports, Gatorade, Otterbox, Honey Stinger, KleenAthlete, Sea to Summit, Dr.Cool, Cobra Erergy Drink, Summit Water, Stance, Nathan, C3fit, Fox Head Philippines, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Best Western Hotel Subic, Subic Park Hotel, Subic Crossfit, Sunsilk, Rexona, Beer Below Zero (BBZ), & the Primer Group of Companies. Thanks also to our media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Bulletin, MB Sports Digest, Endurance Magazine, Speed Magazine, Wave 89.1 as our official radio partner and Solar Sports as our official TV partner.

At the core of each Salomon X-Trail Run event is to champion trail running and passion for the outdoors. This year, it has once again succeeded in inspiring each and every trail runner and outdoor enthusiast to realize their potential and inner strength with its zero-compromise race principle – ideally embodying Salomon’s slogan of being “#1 in trail running”. In the years to come, Salomon will continue to uplift the trail running discipline by constantly mounting no less than a premium event such as the Salomon X-Trail Pilipinas 2016!

For more information about the race, please visit www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com

If you're looking for a thrill-based outdoor activity while developing your balance, mental focus, and self-confidence skills, and at the same time to connect with yourself, with the nature, with friends or with your family, then Camp N in Nuvali is your go-to place.

Last weekend, me and together with some blogger friends were able to experience this latest outdoor attraction of Camp N located at the eco-destination just 2-hours away from Metro Manila.

Arriving past 8 in the morning at the 6-hectare development, we were welcomed with a setup of the familiar obstacle courses and the not-so-familiar ropes and cables inter-connected to towering posts that can be seen from the road.

At first glance, Camp N does not look so big, but during the orientation before starting our activity, I came to know how grand the area and its facilities actually are. Our curiosity were further stimulated as Mr. Mon Jocson and Mr. John Estacio, Nuvali's General Manager welcomed us, sparked our excitement, and tickled our adventure fantasies not just for Camp N but for the whole Nuvali as well.

The orientation was concluded with safety introductions and briefing by Mr. Kerry Asuncion, a certified extreme adventure Facilitator, who gave us confidence about the latest standard and trend in safety technology of Camp N's facilities.

Camp N has an Archery facility for those with or without pulse for a bulls-eye; an Obstacle course for team-building that can cater from the basic, intermediate, to the advanced skill level; the Aerial walk - a series of varying difficulty of 3-level rope-based challenges set high up from the ground that involves balancing platforms, tightropes, and straight ziplines; and the Adventure tower which is set farther at the back which has 2-kinds of wall climbing, a free fall, rappelling facilities, and the most exciting and biggest roller-coaster zipline in Asia.

The archery was what I liked the most at first notice. But experiencing an adrenaline-rush at the aerial walk, it became my top-favorite at the end of the day. Although shivering, I felt so in control at every step and segment of the ropes and platforms of the aerial walk the whole time.

Using an Edelrid smart-belay -- a much and way better alternative than the usual carabiner system, all 3-difficulty levels of the Aerial walk may be completed by a participant without much supervision. In fact, we belayed ourselves through each course of the Aerial walk with the only worry of trusting our own ability, clipping ourselves from post-to-post and ziplining through the final stage with ease. The beauty of this system is, as long as you know how to properly use and utilize its features, you get to focus in building your self-confidence and capacity or skill instead of worrying about your equipment.

Where the Edelrid smart-belay will be your friendly equipment (photo by Dennis Ravanzo)

Camp N also boasts of its scenic trails that includes a 35-km. mountain biking area for kids and adults, but aside from the physical adventures, the lush sceneries such as the Greens and Patches that serves as a tree nursery, a demo organic farm, art and meditation center, and camping grounds offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Metro.

A week from now, on the 16th April 2016, Camp N will have its grand launch to the public and will also host the 1st leg of the “AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016”, a multi-stage adventure race similar to The Amazing Race. Adventurers will go through intense obstacle challenges in Camp N and the first 20 finishers will head to Boracay for the final round. Only 200 teams from Manila may join the AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016.

So before the summer season ends, let's take this opportunity to take further adventure with the kids, friends, and family. Take those finger games away, let the muscles of your whole body have a wonderful stress and build your skills while enjoying and camaraderie with the people nearest to you.

Enjoy viewing some of the photos of our adventure at Camp N:

Descending from the 3rd-level challenge of the Aerial walk by ziplining (photo by Dennis Ravanzo)

2nd-level high platform at the Aerial walk (photo by Dennis Ravanzo)

1st-level tight rope low-pole balance at the Aerial walk (photo by Dennis Ravanzo)

Wall climb at the Adventure tower (photo by Franc Ramon)

Testing my pulse inspired by too much watching of the Arrow TV series

Part of the obstacle course that were still close during our visit

Climbing the Cargo net

Latitude and Longitudinal location of Camp N via google map: 14.190104,121.057854.
Click the Directions on the map to get an updated travel instruction.