Run Destination: Bacolod City

Are you planning on a trip to Bacolod? Here’s a list of places to visit and things to do in Bacolod. Of course, running around the city will be always be the top on the list but do check out the cities nearby.  They offer great sights as well.

When in Bacolod

Provincial Capitol Lagoon is where the 0KM mark is located. Walkers, joggers and runners frequent this area for their morning exercises.  You can simply run around the perimeter of the Lagoon and join the other joggers there.

Near the Lagoon area are the famous Bacolod stops for inasal (Chicken House or Chicken Deli), cakes and pastries (Calea) and souvenirs (Negros Showroom).  But they don’t open eary in the morning.

Other stops you would like to consider are the Bacolod Cathedral and The Government Center.

Talisay: Ancestral Houses and The Ruins

Heading north from the Capitol Lagoon is Talisay City.  This is a short 6-7 KM run from Bacolod.  It’s a straight forward course by following the highway going north.

The Ancestral homes owned by the Lizares and Lacson families are must see destinations. One of these houses is Balay ni Tana Dicang, the house of Enrica Alunan Lizares. It is a museum that is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You must visit The Ruins in Talisay which showcases what is left of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson Ancestral Home. The mansion was set on fire during World War II to prevent the Japanese Forces from utilizing it as their headquarters. For a fee of Php25.00, one could tour and take pictures around the mansion and its grounds.  It now has a cafe which serves light drinks and snacks for a fee.

Silay: Balay Negrense and El Ideal

Silay is a 14KM run from Bacolod and is the next city after Talisay. It’s often referred to as the “Paris of Negros” due to its large collection of perfectly preserved heritage houses declared as historical landmarks. Silay is the second Philippine city to have been declared a museum city, next to Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Balay Negrense is located here. It is a museum showcasing the 19th century home of a sugar baron. There’s a minimal fee that you have to pay for the entrance and you instantly get a guided tour around the house.

El Ideal is a popular bakery since the 1920’s. It is the home of the famous guapple pie. The bakery and restaurant is located at 118 Rizal St. in Silay City. From the Bacolod-Silay airport this is easily accessible as this is situate in the highway.

You can check our Bacolod – Talisay – Silay Run for an idea about this route.

Bacolod to Mambukal

This will need a little planning if you are new to Bacolod but I recommend this route for a really long run.  It’s a 25-30KM route depending on which road you will take.  Last year, I ran the 30KM route.  While the view is not very scenic, the finish line is my favorite.

You will finish at the Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia.  It’s 300m above sea level.  It becomes hilly once you reach 20KM.  The resort offers a nature break with the fresh air, plenty of trees and you can hike the 7 falls in Mambukal for a more refreshing finish.  They should make this route into a road race during their annual fiesta.

Going South

I haven’t explored any route from Bacolod going south.  But running to Bago City is 21KM and to my hometown in Pontevedra is 42KMs.  These runs are still in my bucket list.

There you go. We hope the list can help you in your running adventure in Bacolod. Happy running (and eating) in the City of Smiles!