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Pilipinas Akyathlon, which serves as the Philippine Skyrunning Championships, will be held on April 29-30, 2023 at Binga Gym, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. Male and female champs of the 49k will be sent to Hong Kong in December for the Asian Skyrunning Championships.
On-site registration will be available for all categories (on-site registrants for 49k and 25k must present medical certificates).
Select a category to see the details.
Vertical Kilometer
The Vertical Kilometer is a skyrunning discipline with 1,000m of vertical climb over variable terrain with a substantial incline, not exceeding 5 km in length. This is a challenging category on a lung-busting course that will have participants huffing and puffing from start to finish.
Date: April 29, 2023 (Saturday)
Registration fee: P2,000
Course details
Flag-off: 7am
Distance: 5km
Elevation gain: 1,007m
Elevation loss: 6m
Minimum elevation: 499masl
Maximum elevation: 1,500masl
Cut-off time: 2 hours
Mandatory gear
None. But hydration, whistle, trail food, and phone are recommended.
49km
The 49KM Skymarathon serves as the Philippine Skyrunning National Championships. As such, victors from both the men’s and women’s category will represent the Philippines in the Asian Skyrunning Championships at the end of the year.
This is a challenging course reserved for serious skyrunners. There will be intermediate cutoffs along the course and runners who miss the cutoff time will not be allowed to continue the race.
Date: April 30, 2023 (Sunday)
Registration fee: P4,500
Course Details
Flag-off: 4:30am
Distance: 49km
Elevation gain: 3,750m
Elevation loss: 3,750m
Minimum elevation: 434masl
Maximum elevation: 2,150masl
Cut-offs
Cut-off time: 14 hours (with intermediate cut-offs)
Intermediate cut-off times:
KM 19 Lusod: 5 hours
KM 26 Bacuyan: 9 hours
KM 39 Anuwang: 11.5 hours
KM 49 Finish Line: 14 hours
Mandatory Gear
Flashlight/headlamp
Trail food
Hydration equipment with at least 1L volume
Whistle
Fully-charged cellphone
Entry Requirement
- Participants have to present a medical certificate deeming them fit to join the race.
- Participants have to have finished at least one 21km trail race with a minimum elevation gain of 1,000m in the past year.
25km
The 25KM Mountain Run gives the participants a taste of skyrunning. It involves ridge running and ascending and descending on steep technical terrain.
Date: April 30, 2023 (Sunday)
Registration fee: P3,500
Course Details
Flag-off: 4:30am
Distance: 25km
Elevation gain: 1,607m
Elevation loss: 1,607m
Minimum elevation: 434masl
Maximum elevation: 1,446masl
Cut-off time: 9 hours
Mandatory Gear
Flashlight/headlamp
Trail food
Hydration equipment with at least 1L volume
Whistle
Fully-charged cellphone
Entry Requirement
Participants have to present a medical certificate deeming them fit to join the race.
Participants have to have finished at least one 10km trail run (not necessarily a race) in the past year.
10km
The 10km Trail Run is set on a beautiful course that presents just enough challenge for those who are new to running on trails.
Date: April 30, 2023 (Sunday)
Registration fee: P2,500
Course Details
Flag-off: 6:00am
Distance: 10km
Elevation gain: 664m
Elevation loss: 664m
Minimum elevation: 461masl
Maximum elevation: 786masl
Cut-off time: 4 hours
Mandatory Gear
Trail food
Hydration equipment with at least 500ml volume
Whistle
Fully-charged cellphone
Entry Requirement
None
Kiddie Akyathlon
The Kiddie Akyathlon is open to kids aged 6 to 12. It’s a 2km trail run staged in a safe and controlled environment in Binga–but this doesn’t mean that it’s a walk in the park. True to the Akyathlon brand, this race comes with a whopping 70m elevation gain. For this race, participants are allowed an adult pacer.
Date: April 29, 2023 (Saturday)
Registration fee: P1,000
Course Details
Flag-off: 3pm
Distance: 2km
Elevation gain: 70m
Elevation loss: 70m
Minimum elevation: 436masl
Maximum elevation: 506masl
Cut-off time: 2 hours
Mandatory Gear
None. Hydration gear highly recommended.
Start List
Go here to view the 2023 start list.
Race rules
1. Participants must provide true and accurate information to the race organizers.
2. SkyMarathon (49k) and SkyRace (25k) runners are required to submit a medical certificate prior to race kit distribution.
3. Participants in all categories are required to sign a liability waiver prior to race kit distribution.
4. Mandatory Equipment must be carried at all times throughout the race.
5. Course Markings
– The course will be marked with ribbons, buntings, and directional arrows. Caution tape will be placed on sections that should not be accessed by runners or to warn of hazards on the trail.
6. Race numbers must be worn on the front of the body in a manner that is easily visible at all times.
7. Littering on the trail is strictly prohibited. Trash bags will be provided at all aid stations.
8. Runners who are unable to finish the race must report to the nearest aid station and inform the marshals of their decision to withdraw from the race. Runners who DNF are responsible for hiring a vehicle to go back to the starting line.
9. Unofficial/unregistered runners are not allowed to pace other runners during the race.
10. Muling (carrying food, water, gear or other supplies for another racer) is not allowed during the race.
11. Except in the case of a medical emergency, runners are not allowed to accept assistance from anyone during the race.
12. Organizers reserve the right to make changes to the event rules, requirements, and race course as deemed necessary.
FAQs
- What accommodations are available? The following are available: homestay, school, and campground. See our ‘Accommodations’ section below.
- How do I get there? Please see the ‘How to Get to the Venue’ section below.
- Can I transfer my slot to someone else? Yes. To do so, send us the new runner’s name, contact details (email and phone) and emergency contact (name and phone). An admin fee of P150 applies. Note: The event shirt would still be in the size of the original runner.
- Can I transfer to a lower category? Yes, but the difference in the registration fee between the old and the new category would not be refunded anymore. Inclusions for the new category would also be sent after the race. An admin fee of P150 applies.
- Is registration still open? Online registration is already closed, but we’ll open on-site registration on April 29 and 30.
- I’m running on April 30. Can I claim my race kit on that day? Yes. Please be at the venue at least an hour before your category’s gun start.
Race Program
How to Get to the Venue
Pilipinas Akyathlon is held at Binga Heritage Site, Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet in the Cordillera region in the Philippines.
Google Map: Binga Heritage Site – https://goo.gl/maps/xSkAtq87bkpfMdv48
Via car:
- From Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit at SCTEX. Follow the signs to TPLEX and take the exit for Rosario, La Union. From there, follow the signs to Baguio City.
- Please note that the roads in the Cordillera region can be steep and winding, so it is important to have a reliable vehicle and a skilled driver.
Via public transportation:
- From Manila, take a bus to Baguio City. There are several bus companies that offer daily trips to Baguio, including Victory Liner, Genesis Transport, and JoyBus.
- From Baguio, you can take the race shuttle from Victory Liner going to Binga Dam.
Participants who wish to avail of the shuttle may sign up here until April 28, 5pm to reserve seats: https://forms.gle/PPNVxCkorZz3nu7h9. - Attendees may also hire a taxi from Victory Liner going to the venue. The fare usually costs around P1,500 one way. In case the driver is not familiar, use Waze: https://tinyurl.com/baguiotobinga
Please note that the Cordillera region is a mountainous area, so travel times can be longer and the roads can be challenging. It is important to plan your trip accordingly and to check the weather and road conditions before embarking on your journey.
Accommodations
Homestay (PhP500) and school accommodations (PhP200) are available. There’s also a campground near the starting line (pitching fee, P150); please bring your own tents.
School accommodations already come with one thin foldable mattress. Add PhP100 for a blanket and pillow.