One month of preparation, 100 kilometers to conquer: Ifugao runner claims top spot in UTCP, Saleng Category

FEATURE

IFUGAO, Philippines — With only a month to prepare after completing a grueling 100-mile race in Vietnam, 23-year-old Ligorinson Abbugao of Aguinaldo, Ifugao proved that endurance, discipline and faith can carry a runner through even the toughest mountain trails.

Abbugao secured the top spot podium finish in the Saleng 100-kilometer category of the Ultra Trail Cordillera Philippines (UTCP) 2026.10, held on October 24–25, 2026, with trails starting at Camp John Hay in Baguio City and looping through Itogon, Benguet.

For the young Ifugao runner, the achievement was more than another race result. It was a test of how well he could recover, prepare and draw on his previous experience to take on another demanding ultramarathon.

A maritime graduate of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, Batch Maraliyag Class of 2026, Abbugao entered the Saleng 100K with the physical conditioning and lessons he had gained from his recent race in Vietnam.

In an interview with Guru Press on October 27, he said he had only one month to prepare for the Cordillera race after completing the 100-mile event the previous month.

Rather than rebuilding his fitness from scratch, he focused on recovery, maintaining endurance and adapting his preparation to the demands of the Saleng course.

“My preparation for the Saleng 100KM race was focused, disciplined, and efficient,” Abbugao said. “Instead of starting from zero, I used the endurance, experience, and fitness I had gained from that race as the foundation for my preparation.”

His experience in Vietnam also helped him approach the race with greater confidence, both physically and mentally.

But covering 100 kilometers through mountain trails demands more than fitness. The distance tests a runner’s ability to manage exhaustion, overcome doubt and keep moving when the body begins asking for rest.

Abbugao said there were moments during the race when he felt exhausted and considered giving up.

“There were moments na gusto ko nang mag-give up,” he recalled, describing the physical and mental struggle of continuing when fatigue set in.

He said remembering the sacrifices he had made during training helped him push forward. His faith also became a source of strength as he worked toward the finish line.

“I knew that reaching the starting line was already a privilege, and I wanted to give my best until the very end,” he said.

For Abbugao, ultratrail running is not simply about covering long distances or finishing ahead of other competitors. It is also about discipline, patience and knowing how to prepare the body for the demands of the mountains.

His performance in the Saleng 100K reflects the value of experience and preparation, even when the available training period is short. It also highlights the importance of recovery after an exhausting race, particularly when taking on another ultra-distance challenge.

The UTCP’s inaugural edition brought together more than 600 local and international runners representing 13 countries and territories, including Australia, Great Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Ireland, Singapore, Brazil and Taiwan.

The event featured four race categories: 10K, 25K, 50K and 100K, showcasing the Cordillera’s challenging mountain terrain to runners from the Philippines and abroad.

For aspiring trail runners in the Cordillera, Abbugao offered a simple message: begin where you are, train consistently and allow progress to come one step at a time.

He encouraged beginners to start with shorter distances, gradually build endurance, listen to their bodies and learn from every race rather than rush into ultramarathons without adequate preparation.

“Success is not only about winning. It is also about having the courage to start, the discipline to prepare, and the determination to keep improving,” he said.

He also reminded fellow runners to remain humble and trust the process, saying that mountains that once seemed intimidating could eventually become places where they discover their true capabilities.

At 23, the Ifugao runner’s Saleng 100K podium finish adds another milestone to his growing trail-running journey. His story is a reminder that while mountain races demand strength and stamina, the determination to continue when exhaustion sets in can be just as important as the training that brings a runner to the starting line.