5 Peaks in 1 Summer Climb Festival 2013

Runners who are looking for extra challenging events this summer can opt to participate in the Five Peaks in One Summer Climb Festival, a month-long climbfest in Albay province in the Bicol region organized as part of the summer-time Daragang  Magayon Festival.

Organizers said the sporting event offers climbs to Mayon Volcano, Albay’s main tourist icon, as well as Mounts Malinao, Masaraga, Manaet, and Manito.

Although the Mt. Manaet climb set last March 27-28 is finished and the Mt. Malinao event will be held almost a day after this posting on April 1-3, runners can still opt to particiapte in the Mt. Masaraga  on April 5-6; and Mt. Manito, April 12-14.

Adventure concludes on April 19-21 with the ascent to the legendary 2,463-meter Mayon Volcano, one of the most challenging climbs in the Philippines.

NGC to host 4th Earth Day Run

On its fourth consecutive year, the annual Earth Day Run hosted by National Geographic Channel will turn hordes of running enthusiasts into instant earth savers on April 28, 2013 at Bonifacio Global City. The event will be held in celebration of Earth Day, April 22, a day when the entire global community commemorates and takes practical measures to champion the cause of saving the environment.


The NatGeo Run is consistently one of the biggest running events in the Philippines, beginning in 2010 with 6,000 runners and gaining the participation of 10,000 runners in each of the last two years. This year, 10,000 more runners, young and old, are expected to participate in the Earth Day Run to show their support for the rehabilitation of the environment and a greener future.

28th Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon

The 28th staging of the oldest and longest-running relay ultra-marathon which pay tribute to World War II Veterans, will retrace anew the  infamous 1942 Death March  Trail on April 8 and 9, 2013.

This year's  Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon, a non-competitive 114-kilometer relay-run, will  start at the  event’s  Kilometer Post 0 Marker in Mariveles, Bataan.

A simple program with Mayor Jesse Concepcion and the living War Heroes, headed by Post Commander Peregrino Divinagracia, will be held before the start of the two day run.

Before sending the runners out to the two-day run, the traditional "Walk with the Heroes" will be held with Divinagracia transferring the symbolic torch to San Fernando Runners Unlimited, Inc. (SAFER RUN) president Eduardo Paez,  the event founding organizer.

Buenavista defends DZMM Takbo Para sa Karunungan title

Defending champions for the 21km men’s and 10km foreign categories ruled this year’s “3rd Takbo para sa Karunungan,” organized by ABS-CBN’s AM station DZMM, reclaiming their titles Saturday  (Mar 23) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, organizers said in a press release.

Two-time Olympian and now two-time “DZMM Takbo Para sa Karungungan” champion Eduardo Buenavista reached the finish line in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 21 seconds (01:13:21) to rule the 21K men's event.

Kenyan Willy Rotich, who topped the 5km race way back in 2011, once again clinched the top spot in the 10km foreign male category with the time of 32 minutes and 57 seconds.

Luisa Raterta, meanwhile, annexed the 21km female category crown, finishing with a clocking of 1:33:09. Raterta won third last year in the 10km women’s race category.

Dagaan, Villaflor win TDR 80K ultramarathon

From L to R: Guada Gamboa(Resort Manager, Eden Nature Park); Grant Gutierrez(Race director, TDR); Champion: Ronald Dagaan (8:30:32); 1st Runner-up: Jonathan Pido (9:07:11); 2nd Runner-up: Bruce Ranola (9:23:09); Champion: Katie Villaflor (13:09:38); 1st Runner-up: Jenny Seville Alag (13:25:38); 2nd Runner-up: Janice Sarmiento (13:43:54); Maria Estrella Sanchez (Mar. Comm. Officer, Primer Group, exclusive distributor of TNF)  (photo from Davao SCOOP Facebook page)

Lung-busters Ronald Dagaan and Katie Villaflor crowned themselves the King and Queen of the first TDR 80-kilometer Ultramarathon held recently in Davao, according to a Davao SCOOP story penned by its president president Lito Delos Reyes.


Accroding to Delos Reyes, Dagaan clocked 8 hours, 30 minutes and 32 seconds to win the men’s open category. He was followed by Jonathan Pido (9:07:11) and Bruce Ranola (9:23:09) as second and third, respectively.

Villaflor ruled the distaff side at 13:09:38 followed by Jenny Seville Alag (13:25:38) and Janice Sarmiento (13:43:54) in that order.

The challenging foot-race, organized by Team Davao Runners (TDR) and supported by The North Face, started at Roxas Avenue last March 16 at 10 p.m. and ended up at Eden Nature Park the following day.

Kenyans dominate 24th Yakult 10 Miler

Willy Rotich found little challenge from local foes as he and two other Kenyans once again came up with a 1-2-3 finish in the 24th Yakult 10-Miler (16-kilometer) at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City, organizers said.

With last year’s winner Benjamin Kipkazi not around to chase him, Rotich reached the Star City finish line along Vicente Sotto Ave. in 51 minutes and 30 seconds.

Rotich, who is still sore from a trailing running competition he joined with Kipkazi last Friday, was one minute and 14 seconds ahead of Eliud Kering, who was the only one chasing him halfway into the race.

Another Kenyan, Elijah Kipruto, took third coming in with a clocking of 54:20. 

Sotto, Avengozado top Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix marathon

DAVAO CITY – Jeffrey Sotto of Iligan City and Emily Avergonzado of Davao beat the early top-favorites to rule the 42-kilometer footrace in this year’s Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon held recently in an out and back course in SM Lanang Premier, SCOOP president Lito Delos Reyes reported in the group's Facebook page.

Sotto took an early lead from local bet Anthony Nerza and protected it all the way despite a late rally in the final three kilometers by Davao’s no. 1 runner to finish the race in two hours, 37 minutes and 48 seconds.

Havoc zombie run in Davao

DAVAO CITY – According to Lito delos Reyes, the head of Davao SCOOP, the Havoc Zombie Run is set on April 7 at the Abreeza Mall featuring the “zombies” of the city.

“This is not your ordinary fun run since there will be zombies who will try to steal or get your three flags from the track area,” said organizer Kelvin John Du of the organizing Dare Davao at the SCOOP of the Royal Mandaya Hotel recently.