Mount Ugo Marathon

THE ROUTE

Mount Ugo is one of the taller peaks in the Cordillera mountain range.  It used to be the main source of lumber for a mining company operating in Benguet many years ago and was purportedly “discovered” as a destination for mountain climbers after a tragic plane crash in 1987 for which it is also infamously known.

The Mount Ugo Marathon takes runners to Mount Ugo’s summit, approximately 2,220 masl.  The course consists of only three kilometres or less of intermittent concrete roads/paths.  The rest of the route consists of mountain-side dirt roads and single-track trails.  Both the marathon and half marathon (25 kilometre) race distances start and finish at the KAYAPA CENTRAL SCHOOL (1,107 masl).

From the start area, runners ascend a concrete road for about two hundred meters before entering the trailhead to the left heading towards INDUPIT.  Runners will pass dirt roads and intermittent stretches of concrete tire paths until they reach a RIVER CROSSING (1,213 masl, 1.5 kilometre point).  From there, runners will proceed to the right via a single-track trail heading towards INDUPIT (1831 masl, 4.7 kilometre point) which is marked by a small settlement and another waiting shed.  From there, runners take a dirt road until reaching the next landmark of BUNDAO AID STATION (1,805 masl, 6.36 kilometre point), where runners will find two structures – a shed and a house.  Assorted food/snacks and drinks will be available here.  Runners are strongly advised to fill their bladders/water bottles and eat here.

Continuing along the dirt road and approximately 650m past BUNDAO AID STATION, marathon and half marathon runners will take a right turn onto a single track trail and proceed until they reach BARANGAY ANSIPSIP (1,639 masl, 12.2 kilometre point) which offers a view of the Mount Ugo summit turnaround, and even the city of Baguio on a clear day.  An aid station will be located in here.  From here both marathon and half marathon runners take the dirt road heading towards BUNDAO AID STATION (half marathon) or DOMOLPOS (marathon).  When runners encounter a waiting shed at a  T-INTERSECTION (1,842 masl, 15.6 kilometre), marathon runners will turn right heading towards DOMOLPOS and half marathon runners will veer left, heading back to the BUNDAO AID STATION.  Half marathon runners shall make their way back to the finish line in KAYAPA CENTRAL SCHOOL via the dirt road passing through the BUNDAO AID STATION (1,805 masl, 17.8 kilometre point) then through INDUPIT and onto a single-track trail again.  The route from the BUNDAO AID STATION to the finish line at KAYAPA CENTRAL SCHOOL is the reverse of the first 6.4km of the race route.

Marathon runners will tackle a short section of dirt road until reaching SADDLE/DOMOLPOS WAITING SHED JUNCTION (1,814 masl, 18.9 kilometre point) where another aid station is located.  Spring water and assorted trail foods will be available here.  Runners are strongly advised to refill and eat here.  From there runners will tackle the wide open trails by first proceeding to MT. UGO where their times will be recorded at the MT. UGO SUMMIT MARKER (2,220 masl, 22.4 kilometre point).  From there runners will continue along single-track trails until again reaching BARANGAY ANSIPSIP (1,639 masl, 26.8 kilometre point).  From here runners will continue along single-track trails until again reaching BUNDAO AID STATION (1,805 masl, 35.5 kilometre point).  From there, runners shall make their way back to the finish line in KAYAPA CENTRAL SCHOOL via the dirt road and single-track trail passing through INDUPIT.  As with the half marathon, the route from the BUNDAO AID STATION to the finish line at KAYAPA CENTRAL SCHOOL is the reverse of the first 6.4km of the race route.

Any changes in the race course, if any, will be posted here or be explained in detail during the race briefing.

Mount Ugo Marathon (42 km) Race Map

Mount Ugo Half Marathon (25 km) Race Map