The North Face 100 2015 Race Review and Results

Posted On June 16, 2015

What does it take to break one’s boundaries?

Nearly a thousand of runners seek the answer in one of the most challenging trail-running event of the year- The North Face 100 2015 held last June 12-13 at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The event also coincided with the country’s 117th Independence Day celebration.

TNF 100 2015: Breaking Boundaries

(Blind runner Aga Casidsid)

The running event featured some of the harshest technical course for the 50K and 100K distances around Sta. Rosa, Laguna and parts of Tagaytay, Batangas with a variety of hikes, river crossing, dirt road and grasslands in their way .

How challenging was this year’s TNF Challenge? A consensus among the top finishers and other participants who frequented the annual trail run series (now on its 7^th year, after starting on 2009), reflected that it was tougher than last year’s edition in Baguio.

The rugged course was made tougher by the climate on that day. Temperature recorded was at 35 degrees celsius , according to Accuweather . Many of those who filed Did Not Finish (DNF) status pointed out that the course pretty much drained out their energy- a third of its course because of the rugged terrain and high elevations (which also included rappels). Aid stations are located 8 kilometers apart, which made the trail more competitive.

But if there was any consolation for those who went through the challenge of doing an ultra marathon trail, it was seeing the majestic scene of the Taal Volcano which you can see on a multitude of angles and perspective as you go along the trail.

Grueling ultra-marathon 100K distance

Out of the 230 entries in the 100K category, only 49 were able to conquer the ultra-marathon trail distance. Many were forced to declare Did Not Finish (DNF) status before the 4th aid station or more than 30-kilometers into the race.

(Eugene Eugene Postrado is the TNF trail king)

Eugene Postrado dominated the male division with a time of 14 hours, 46 minutes and 32 seconds, while Maria Josephine Lao ruled the female division clocking in at 20 hours, 44 minutes and 19 seconds. Below are the top five finishers:

100K Male

1. Eugene Postrado- 14:46:32

2. Manolito Divina- 15:17:27

3. Joel Bengtay- 16:04:12

4. Wong Hu Chung (Hongkong)- 17:33:55

5. Dino Mantilez- 18:23:05

100K Female

1. Maria Josephine Liao- 20:44:19

2. Ellen Takling- 22:14:55

3. Yan Xiu Shi (China)- 22:30:12

4. Irene Montemayor- 23:07:52

5. Charm Bartolay- 24:34:32

For the full list of top placers and finishers, you can check it here: www.thrillofthetrail.ph/finishers

Punishing 50K distance

Not to be outdone is the 50-kilometer category that also offered great challenge among its participants. Its trail, although just half of the ultra marathon 100K distance, is still very technical. At just the first 10-kilometer distance of the race ascents and descents on different mountain surfaces, with a mix of climbs, already drains out your energy. Out of the 161 entries in this category, only 121 made it- the rest declared DNF status.

Here are the top five finishers for the 50K distance:

50K Male

1. Pepito Deapera- 06:56:29

2. Leo Colonia- 06:57:06

3. Angelo Gonzalo- 07:12:15

4. Jan Nilsen (Norway)- 07:28:20

5. Allison Tellias- 08:00:48

50K Female

1. Janette Agura – 10:32:22

2. Liza Delfin- 10:49:06

3. Nina Patricia Dacanay- 11:25:50

4. Carla Jereza- 11:31:35

5. Cristina Vasilache (Singapore)- 12:19:12

(Best photo Tweet of the Trail- from Ceazar Ryan Aquino)

Many of those who did not finish the race were still upbeat, despite their ordeal. It was after all, one of the toughest trail challenge of this year, and just answering the call to compete is already an accomplishment by itself. The TNF 2015, also serves as an event to showcase the tenacity and mental toughness of Filipinos who defended the race top spots. Definitely a treat in line with the Independence Day celebration.

22K race review

The TNF 100 2015 is just my second trail running race that I went to. The first was the Salomon Xtrail 2015 last April at Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan. What got me into trail running was the different terrains and scenic views that goes along with it. Something you rarely see on city road runs. Just like the 100K and 50K distance, we started at Nuvali’s football field. Gun start was at 5:00 A.M., Saturday.

Less than a kilometer ahead the runners, around 500 by my estimate, ran straight on its suburban like roads. After that we hit the dirt road. The ground was moist because of the morning dew and some parts of the trail were like flattened grasslands allowing only a single row of runners. Because I positioned myself at the end of the pack, overtaking (even if you want to) becomes difficult.

This continued for about the 3K mark when we have to cross a stream with about a feet of water. The marshalls warned us before hand that there was water ahead. Fortunately, (or unfortunately for the thrill seekers) the water was already streamlined with sand bags for us to step on. After which, a few steep ascents and more muddy trail with thick vegetation followed.

Before we reached the first aid station (about 6 to 7 kilometers in the race) we have to climb a hill-like terrain with constant ascents. The lead pack was already descending the trail which made the narrow trail a bit congested. Damn, these guys are fast! Finally we reach the first hydration point which is in front of what they call as “Marcos House.” I am not sure whether it was owned by the former president or not. But on with the trail.

We have to go around the loop (markers were provided) and now have to travel downhill and traverse to another muddy trail which lead us towards the road. From here on the runners paced around the sides of one or maybe two of the subdivisions in the area. A hydration station was also up ahead (around half of the race) before we hit the busier part of the highways. Luckily, there were plenty of marshals ready to point the way and assist us when crossing the road.

From there was a combination of ascents and descents. One of the things I learned in Salomon is that you don’t run (depending on your level) on uphill and when going downhill you just have to let your weight carry you instead of hitting the road hard. A kilometer or so and we entered a forest-like part of the trail. This part has more mud in it. And the sweat clinging to your clothes may seem to drag you down. After emerging out of the forest we went around the previous hydration station and into another route, this time heading towards Nuvali which the sign says is less than 4 kilometers away.

The last part of the race was a combination of roads and some nearly dug earth as several housing projects were being done in the area. We even met some of the construction workers who gave us a welcoming “good morning.” Surprisingly, I did not find myself running out of breath. Perhaps, it was because of my preparations (I trained for more mileage) and because of my steadier pace. Just like every other race, I sprint to the finish although I was having trouble with one of my knees. The timer at the finish line says that I finished the race at 2 hours, 40 minutes.

(Photo Credits: Day Spotted Photography)

I was surprised that one of the organizers hung a medal on my neck. According, to some of my fellow bloggers it was the first time (at least in recent years) that TNF gave a medal for the 22K finishers. While some reacted that it was made of plastic, for me it was gold.

# ##At time of publishing this article, The North Face 2015 page has yet to update its 22K top placers and finishers. Takbo.ph will continue to update this post, including the release of the official photos from its organizers. Stay tuned.

PHOTO CREDITS: The North Face PH