Run wild in November: The Great Cordillera 100 beckons runners to conquer Benguet’s breathtaking mountain trails

FEATURE

ITOGON, Benguet — The mountains do not promise an easy journey. Their steep ascents test the legs, narrow ridgelines demand focus, and unpredictable weather reminds runners that nature sets the rules.

But for those willing to take on the challenge, the reward goes beyond crossing a finish line. It lies in the raw beauty of the Cordillera mountains—and in discovering how much farther they can go.

This is the experience organizers hope to share through the inaugural The Great Cordillera 100, a trail-running event scheduled for November 13 to 15, 2026, that will take runners across scenic mountain routes in Baguio City and Benguet, including the towering landscapes of Mount Marikit and Mount Ulap.

Organized by RiCON and sponsored by The North Face Philippines, the event is expected to draw around 500 local and international participants, including runners from the United States, Taiwan and Australia, alongside some of the country’s leading trail runners.

Starting and finishing at Camp John Hay, participants will navigate a course featuring river crossings, technical climbs and rugged mountain ridgelines between Baguio City and Itogon.

They can choose among the 10-kilometer, 21-kilometer, 60-kilometer and 100-kilometer categories, offering different levels of challenge for beginners and experienced endurance runners.

Yet the race is intended to be more than a competition measured in kilometers and finishing times. It is also an invitation to experience the Cordillera beyond its familiar tourist

destinations and discover the mountains through movement, effort and immersion in nature.

Where the mountains become the teacher

For Race Director Don Castañada, the appeal of trail running lies in the experience of leaving behind the routines and distractions of city life and confronting nature in its unfiltered form.

During the event’s media launch on October 14, Castañada said the challenges of the mountains allow runners to understand themselves better.

“Kami as trail runners, we live in a superficial world here in the city, but when we go to nature, nakikita namin ang rawness of the experience sa bundok na yun. Kumbaga, mas nakikilala mo ang sarili mo when you go through these challenges sa bundok,” he said.

On mountain trails, progress is not always about speed. It can mean continuing through a difficult climb, adapting to changing terrain or finding the determination to take another step when exhaustion sets in.

The landscape becomes part of the experience: a steep ascent demands patience, a narrow ridge calls for concentration, and a mountain view offers a moment to pause and appreciate the journey.

Through The Great Cordillera 100, organizers hope more runners will experience this connection between physical challenge and personal discovery.

Putting the Cordillera on the trail-running map

Beyond the individual challenge, the event carries a broader ambition: to establish the Cordillera as a world-class trail-running destination while encouraging responsible ecotourism.

Baguio and Benguet are known for their cool climate, pine-covered landscapes and mountain scenery. Trail running offers another way to experience these natural attractions, potentially drawing visitors whose interest extends beyond sightseeing to outdoor adventure.

The expected participation of local and international runners could also introduce more people to the region’s trails and communities.

But showcasing the mountains also comes with a responsibility to protect them. The long-term appeal of the Cordillera depends on respecting the environment, following local guidance and ensuring that outdoor recreation does not come at the expense of the landscapes that make the region special.

For an event that seeks to celebrate the mountains, safety and environmental responsibility must remain part of the journey.

Respecting the mountains

Organizers said weather conditions will be monitored 72 hours before the race. Routes may be modified, or the event postponed or canceled, depending on weather conditions and directives from local authorities.

These precautions underscore a basic reality of mountain running: preparation and endurance matter, but neither can override the need to respect nature.

As runners prepare to traverse the trails from November 13 to 15, The Great Cordillera 100 offers a different way to see Benguet—not simply as a destination to visit, but as a landscape to experience, respect and remember.

For some, the goal will be to conquer the 100-kilometer distance. For others, it may be to complete their first trail race or take in a mountain view they have never seen before.

Whatever the distance, the journey promises a challenge that extends beyond the finish line: an opportunity to discover the Cordillera’s beauty, test personal limits and find a deeper connection with the mountains.