ALICIA, Bohol, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- The endlessly undulating hills of Cambaol Alicia proved to be a break for young trail runners at the corral of the Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office (PYSDO), with its prime steeds showing class in the otherwise harsh terrain for extreme trail running in Bohol, at least in the five-kilometer race.

The unending assault to the peak, ridge traverses, seemingly impossible down hills, and treacherous creek passes became a test of balance, agility, and constant pressing for Drimon Baja on jersey 5006 who completed the five-kilometer loop that brought trail runners to at least six hills assaults and technical down hills in 32:20 to claim as the best promising novice trail runner in The Alicia Panoramic Park (TAPP) history.

At his heels was Michael Ucab (5035) who crossed the finish line at 34:03, or two minutes later.

Both Baja and Ucab are in the PYSDO pool of athletes.

Meanwhile, James Pedrasita (5028) 34:18 came in third and Prince Neil Tinaja (5034) 37:28, as well as Joel Urbuda (5036) came in eight minutes after the trail champion at 40:00 in the men's division.

In the women’s trail challenge at five kilometers, PYSDO pool athlete April Alampayan (5039) crossed the finish line fifth overall with a time of 37:30, beating several tested male trail veterans here.

After her was Jovelyn Calvo (50:09) with a strong performance despite being new to the rough extreme mountain trails when she crossed the line at 53:09.

Veteran marathoner Ma. Caress Arnejo  (5003) wobbled to the finish line at  56:46, totally drained she has to be rushed for medical attention.

May Amor Sabas (5031) came in fourth at 59:37, Maria Medie Libaton (5021) at 1:16:16, and Susan Lim (5022) at 1:17:50.

In the men’s 10-kilometer race, which eventually turned out to be nearly 12 kilometers of trails, jersey number 1014 of Joey Coquilla 1:42:22 sauntered to the finish line as champion while James Palma (10:28) came in at 1:44:24.

TAPP trail veteran and marathoner Candelario Logronio (1026), who suffered from a bike crash in another race in Inabanga, limped to third with 1:47:30 in his time clock.

Jimmy Libaton (1084) settled for fourth at 1:54:00 and Joseph Bobby Felisarta at fifth (1038) with 1:55:35 followed by Clarin teacher athlete Floro Tunday (1035) at 2:01:34.

In the women’s 10-kilometer trail race, TAPP queen of the trails Ace Jess Ejoc (1017) continued her reign for two years now as she crossed the line at 2:45:20.

In her wake was Jo Bompat Hormiguera (1022) who came in an hour and a half later at 3:22:10.

Meanwhile, trail and miler veteran Norie Jinggay Calimbayan (1034) finished at 4:01:59.

Another Bohol runner veteran Fluhr Maridel Go (1018) finished fourth at 4:22:16.

Alicia Mayor Victoriano Torres was excited with the successful race and promised more exciting trail competitions, including an ultramarathon at the TAPP.

Race Director Richard Aniana said that if not for the pandemic, the ultramarathon was supposed to take place in 2020. 

Alicia Tourism Officer Godelia Lumogdang said the local team would be back on the drawing board for more exciting and more breathtaking views and assaulting trail if only to conquer the TAPP heights and be crowned veteran of the local mountain trail running scene. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)