Bontoc, Mountain Province – A 65-year old woman is the oldest runner who started and finished the 22 kilometer distance during the Am-among Trail Run to culminate the 110th Bontoc Foundation Day and 14th Am-among Festival on September 30, 2018.
Paula Acofo is the oldest runner among the 115 registered mountain trail runners and enthusiasts who completed the Am-among Trail Run, where runners ran along the mountain trails and toured the different tourist attractions in the villages of Bontoc.
Of the total, 49 registered in the 42 kilometer with three registrants who did not start; 54 in the 12 Kilometer with five individuals who did not participate; and 52 in the six kilometer with six who did not show up.
The participants are Bontoc locals and mountain trail running enthusiasts in the nearby municipalities of Mountain Province and neighboring provinces.
In the six kilometer in the Male Category, Zendrac Dave Fagsao emerged as the champion as he only took 42 minutes to complete the set distance. Anthony Fawagan came in 1st Place, Rogerson Sacyaten- 2nd Place, Vican Farnican- 3rd Place, and Sydney Ing-inga -4th Place.
Aura Parongong bested the other runners making her the champion in the six kilometer – Female Category. Marilou Pacyaan came in 1st Place, Juralee Gallardo landed in 2nd Place, Izzy Cheska Paydowan ranked 3rd Place, and Tanny Fe Sokoken made it to 4th Place.
For the Age Category Champions in the six Kilometer, these were awarded to runners who did not make it to the Top 5 but came first under their age brackets when the Top 5 were filled –in. Jemaine Baaten was the champion in the six to 15 years old category; Warlin Dogui-is is the champion in the 16 to 30 years old bracket, and Janet Fachafad is the winner in the 31 to 45 years old category.
For the 12 Kilometer –Male Category, Vinson Ramos is the champion, Remuel Agpawon came in 1st Place, Waynerick Lazaro landed in 2nd Place, Aldrin Balinggao got the 3rd Place, and Godfrey Farnican ranked 4th Place.
In the 12 Kilometer under the Female Category, Roxanne Roxas was the first to arrive at the Finish Line making her the champion. Other runners who made it to the Top 5 are Charmaine Pablo- 1st Place, Gawani Gaungen- 2nd Place, Vanessa Ngallawen- 3rd Place, and Zarah Marie Maddul- 4th Place.
The champions in the Age Category in the 12 kilometer are Michael Langaoan, Jr., Carlos Afidchao and Gener Gansuen under the six to 15 years old, 16 to 30 years old and 31 to 45 years old, respectively.
For the 22 Kilometer – Male Category, Charlie Guzman ran the fastest that made him the champion. Other winners are George Gonzales – 1st Place, Jephunneh Anengyao- 2nd Place, Chester Nicod-am- 3rd Place, and Jarret Jesco Ospig- 4th Place.
In the 22 Kilometer- Female Category, Flore Marie Khensay was the first to arrive at the Finish Line that made her the champion. Marcelina Ongan came in 1st Place, Fe Singlot ranked in 2nd Place, Sharon May Paydowan landed in 3rd Place, and Johanna Gail Bustarde made it to 4th Place. Romel Fecha is the champion in the 22 Kilometer under the 31-45 years old age category.
Special Awards were also given to five-year-old John Tracy Patayec as the youngest runner and 65-year old Paula Acofo as the oldest runner. Patayek joined the six Kilometer while Acofo signed up for the 22 Kilometer, and both of them made it to the Finish Line.
The champion in every Kilometer distance for the male and female categories received a cash prize of P3, 000.00, sash and a “ling-ling-o” necklace; the 1st Place received P2, 000.00 cash prize and a gong with an accent of inabel pendant; 2nd Place received P1, 000.00 cash prize and a gong with an accent of inabel pendant; 3rd Place and 4th Place received P500.00 each and a gong with an accent of inabel pendant.
According to Elizabeth Farnican of the Municipal Tourism Office, participants in the six Kilometer were toured to Chata overlooking the capital town Bontoc and tunnel (“usok”), and a view of the Kadchog Rice Terraces.
In the 12 Kilometer, mountain trail runners passed by Chata, Kissing Rock and Mt. Fato while participants in the 22 Kilometer enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the Central Bontoc at Chata; climbed Mt. Fato and Mt. Kupapey, and passed by the Maligcong Rice Terraces.
However, the Am-among Trail Run 2018 does not only focus on letting the participants run along the mountains; but also to promote various tourism destinations within the locality.
Thus, part of the registration fee of the participants will be used for the production and installation of tourist spots signage.
The Municipal Tourism Office, as the organizer of the Am-among Trail Run 2018 expressed their gratitude to all the participants and everyone who supported and offered their time, efforts and resources that led to the success of the run.
The officials under the leadership of Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey who gave their all-out support and appropriated budget for the cash prizes of the winners and other logistics needed; Municipal Health Office (MHO)/ Rural Health Unit (RHU) headed by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez; Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) led by MDRRM Officer Johanna Padaen; Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) headed by PSI Faith Ayan Igualdo; Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office; other employees of the Bontoc LGU; Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO); Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) through Dr. Carol Yawan; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Municipal; Bontoc Municipal Fire Station; Bontoc Municipal Traffic Enforcers and Volunteers Organization (BMTEVO); SPORTSCOM; Maligcong local guides; Sangguniang Kabataan members; Barangay officials of Bontoc Ili and Poblacion; and the sponsors to include the Bontoc Business Circle Incorporated (BBCI), JM Enterprise and Roxan Roxas.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc –LGU
