Tourist spots in Mayon’s ‘no man’s land’

Two wasted and devastated areas dubbed “no man’s land” in Legazpi City have become tourist attractions since a trail run inspired by Mayon Volcano was organized there three years ago.

The event aims to rediscover the tourism potentials of areas ruined by climate change, typhoons and volcanic eruptions.

Bonga Gulley, one of the main pathways of Mayon’s volcanic debris, and the five-story high lava wall were part of the route of the first Mayon Trail Run (MTR) in 2008. Now, these areas are drawing many foreign and local tourists, Legazpi Councilor Cerilo Chan said.

“With the MTR, we let the runners run in that area and discover its beauty. Now, it has become a tourism area,” Chan said.

It started as a simple dream of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) to bring running enthusiasts to Mayon, in partnership with the city government, Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), The North Face and other groups.

Tourists go to the two places almost daily on board all-terrain vehicles and four-wheel-drive vehicles, while others trek or bike.

Fourth staging

Now on its fourth year, the MTR continues to promote tourism, environment and sports in the city.

Chan said that the event was more than just an endurance race. “Some participants join the run not to win but to take pictures of the trail and the view showcasing Mayon,” he said.

This year’s run was organized by the city government, JCI-Legazpi chapter with the provincial government, PDI, Bandera, The North Face, Albay Bicycle Center, The Starting Line, Steak Escape, 100 Plus, Sports Unlimited, ABS-CBN, A Runner’s Circle and Front Runner magazine, and Amagett. It was part of Legazpi’s celebration of the Feast of St. Raphael.

It had three categories—extreme (22 km); regular (11 km); and kids (3 km).

More than 100 participants worked doubly hard as they faced the route’s obstacles on Oct. 22, with Mayon as backdrop. Starting at Ligñon Hill, they trekked downhill, crossed the Yawa River, traversed the Bonga Gulley, and climbed the lava wall to finish the 22-kilometer race.

Innovation

All these they did two times as the newest innovation of the race, now called Extreme Mayon Trail Run.

Chan, who was also chair of the Extreme MTR 2011, said that with this redesign, negotiating 8 km of concrete road, which was part of the trail in the past three years, was eliminated. “Now, its mostly sand and stone,” he said.

But extreme as it is, Gerald Sabal was able to finish in 2 hours 27 minutes and 54 seconds (2:27:54). Two seconds later, Eugene Postrado came, clocking 2:27 and 56 seconds. Completing the top three was Cresenciano Sabal, with 2:28.

Among the females, Cindy Lorenzo finished first, with 3 hours 7 minutes.

Kenyan Willy Rotich, the champion of the Mayon 360 ultramarathon run in April, placed first among the foreigners, with 2:16. He was followed by last year’s MTR champion, Philip Ronoh, with 2:20.

Another Kenyan, Irine Jeptoo Kipchumba, led from start to finish in the female division to prevail with 2:36. She was first among the females in last year’s MTR.

First placers (male and female) received P20,000, second placers, P15,000 and third placers, P10,000.

All finishers in the extreme MTR received a medal and certificate, while those who joined the regular and Kids MTR got certificates.

In the regular MTR, Mario Maglinao was first in the male division with 1:15, while Angelica Sineneng finished with 1:51 (female).

Children and seniors, too

Eleven-year-old Treshia Reginaldo was first in the kids category with 43:36.

Vicente Caurez, 75, who hails from Los Baños town in Laguna, has been the oldest runner since the MTR started in 2008.