DAVAO CITY - The finale or the championship race of the world class Asia Trail Master series will be held in Sta Cruz this December 16-18 with the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race.

“We have three categories the 100 km, 50 km and the 75 kilometer for the championship finale,” Doi Calbes race director of the Mt. Apo sky and Vertical Race.

The race will start at the Playa de Obuza  beach resort in Sta Cruz then going up to Sibulan to the Boulder Face of the Mt Apo then to the summit and back.

“The Mt. Apo Sky Race on the 17th of December is the final race and the championship finale that means the winner is the Asian Trail Master champion of 2022, male and female and there is also the team champion” Kris Van de Velde, founder of the Asian Trail Master series said.

The Asian Trail Master is a championship series where runners score points throughout the year in the races accredited by the  Asian Trail Master.

“Those running in the championship finale are the five best men and the five best women in the  Asian Trail Master races this year of each country, we have the team Philippines, team Singapore, team Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Team Asia Expats because we have many expats here in Asia and they are group as Team Asia Expats.

The 75k is for the qualified runners being the championship finale while the 100k and the 50k race is open to the public.

So far there are 14 countries that has listed for the championship finale. The Asian Trail Master is expecting 20 Asian countries to join the event.

“Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines and the Mt. Apo Sky Race is a race that I have personally appreciated and like very,” de Velde said.

The race will bring the best trail runners in the Philippines and Asia. De Velde cited Larry Apolinario from Antique and Arnie Macaneras from Davao.

“They will be spearheading the Philippine team and had a good chance of having a podium finish,” de Velde said.

Also joining is the defending champion John Ellis from Hongkong, and another runner Hau Ha from Vietnam who in the Asian Trail Master race held in her country beat several male participants and is one of the favored to win the championship in Sta Cruz this December. (PIA/RG Alama)