Philippine Mountain Trail Festival

Races are usually designed by the race director so signing up means agreement to their terms, it is like Barkley Marathons to make a decision, so for Hut 60Km, although a well designed race, cut-off and elevation gains should be studied very well, to be a statistic, 14/44 runners is a low passing rate same as with 100 miles that is 40/84, which means that cut offs are very stringent, just study and compare it to utmb-occ so it balances well with the overall experience of the runner, but I agree that every year is a different edition, I like challenges so results are accepted, Kind regards.

What a great way to discover a part of Philippines. I have traveled the world and joining this race was really unknown. I actually find a fantastic community that welcomed me, but also one of the best organisation I have seen. The trail is marked so well, it is challenging and that’s what we look for when we do on trails for such a long distance. The aid station were packed of food and liquids, the tracking system was great to keep us (runners) safe, but also to provide information for our friends and family. I will definitely come back to this one.

Though I ended up with a DNF midway, the experience itself was already deeply encouraging and meaningful for me. I truly love the PMTF — the scenery, the community, the atmosphere, and the spirit of everyone involved.

From the marshals to the fellow runners, you could genuinely feel the support and passion throughout the trail. It clearly reflects how well-organized the event was. Even the Race Director was there, hands-on and actively present, which speaks volumes about the dedication behind PMTF.

Finishing or not, the experience was worth it, and I am grateful to have been part of it. Looking forward to coming back stronger next time.

It was my second DNF at this race. But route, the people, the communities being traversed will surely keep me coming back.

A superb event!

The 50-miler in Kayapa was one of the hardest races I have ever experienced. Even though it was “only” 77 kilometers, the nearly 5,000 meters of elevation gain, combined with the intense heat and technical terrain, made every kilometer feel much longer. The climbs were relentless and the descents were brutal on the legs.

Despite how difficult the race was, it was also one of the most beautiful. The mountain views were incredible and made the suffering worth it.

The organizing committee also deserves a lot of praise. From the race kit claiming, the venue preparation, and even the apps they required participants to install, everything was organized professionally and smoothly. I also appreciated how strict they were with mandatory gear checking. It showed that the organizers truly prioritized the safety of every runner, which is very important in a race this challenging.

The aid stations were another highlight. They were well stocked with food, and the volunteers were very supportive and welcoming. In such a difficult race, those aid stations gave runners both physical and mental strength to keep going.

This race humbled me, challenged me, and reminded me why I love trail running. Definitely one of the toughest and most memorable races I have done.

The experience was great, and the route was brutal especially the last two segments but I really enjoyed the whole experience. The marshals were incredibly helpful throughout the race. I’ll definitely come back for the next edition.