LEGAZPI City—It’s all systems go for this year’s Mayon Trail Run (MTR) to be held October 22 here against the backdrop of Mayon Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
Now in its fourth year, the race is meant to rediscover the tourism potentials of areas in the city.
“We want people to know that areas in the city earlier considered as danger zones such as the flanks of Mayon Volcano and its lava front could be turned into tourist attractions from being wastelands,” said Yves Eli Yu, cochair of the MTR.
The run will have new innovations, especially with the route of the trail, said City Councilor Cerilo Chan, chairman of the MTR 2011.
“With the comments and suggestions we have received, we have decided to start at the top of Ligñon Hill to eliminate almost eight kilometers of the road part of the trail,” Chan said.
Participants would trek Ligñon Hill, cross the Yawa River, traverse the Bonga Gulley (one of the major gulleys of Mayon Volcano), and climb the five-story lava wall.
Chan said they would have to face these obstacles while getting a view of the volcano, which rises 2,462 meters above the Bicol Region and is located t the center of Albay province, 460 kilometers south of Manila.
The run will have three categories: Extreme MTR (22K); Regular MTR (11K); and Kids MTR (3K).
Registration fee for the Extreme MTR is P750; P500 for the Regular MTR; and P300 for the 3K Kids MTR.
Winners will get P300,000 cash; Extreme MTR finishers—a medal and certificate; and the Regular MTR and Kids MTR finishers—certificates.
The event, which is part of Legazpi City’s celebration of the feast of St. Raphael, is organized by the Legazpi city government, Junior Chamber International-Legazpi Chapter, with the provincial government of Albay, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The North Face and 100 Plus drink.
Interested participants can register at selected outlets of The North Face nationwide and Albay Bicycle Center in Legazpi City starting October 1. They can e-mail Yves Eli Yu at yves188@gmail.com or call him at 09175588929.