Entry Regulations and Final Confirmation Entry Rules

Participants may qualify via the Philippine National Championship Qualifiers Ranking Points guidelines.  Qualified athletes are given a deadline to confirm on January 15, 2025.  Other possible qualification: 1) National team members who are in top 3 in SEATRC and/or top 10 in APTRC and 2) Athletes who did not qualify but has one qualifier race point may still submit their intent but will be subject to deliberation and endorsement by the local race organizer where they earn their points.  2) Athletes who are unable to join the qualifier race due to valid reason (overseas or injury with medical certificate) may submit their intent and indicate their ITRA points. and 3) U23 athletes who are unable to join due to absence of qualifying race in their province may be endorsed by a race organizer; and 4) athletes endorsed by race organizers.  The Committee will deliberate and accept application based on available remaining slots. 

Athletes must complete the Athlete Accreditation before February 8, 2025.

The Competition Venue will be at the Danao City Plaza.  The venue shall offer team catering for championship athletes, warm up areas, call rooms, showers, as well as a media center, mixed zone, VIP area, expo booths, public catering and a stage for ceremonies and side events.

The main function of the TIC is to give each participant the opportunity to directly reach the LOC competition management regarding any technical issues, especially off-competition. Further, the TIC will function as additional channel to reach each Team Delegation with official race related communications.

The main TIC will be at or via whatssap (TBA)

• all relevant technical documents (withdrawal, protests & written appeals, )
• the e-mail address to directly reach the LOC competition management for technical questions, written questions, final announcements, for the technical meetings and more question out of competition.
• in competition, please see the section “protests and appeal” in this

In Addition, the official information points at each venue will function as physical TIC, providing with information and documents. If possible, please use the digital TIC.

Please Note: The main information channels for important notices of general interest (e.g. changes on timetable, etc.).

There will be two technical meetings: one for the mountain races and one for the trail races. The technical meetings will cover:

• Starting procedures (incl. call room and warm-up area)
• Latest information/Updates of the course
• Information about race regulations and jury of appeal
• Update on weather conditions and mandatory gear
• Information on the aid stations
• Information about medical infrastructures
• Answers of written questions
• Distribution of bib numbers for the following

The Bib distribution will be as follows:

• TBA

The Opening ceremony will be at the Danao City Plaza.  Details to be announced.

The courses will be available for inspection starting on ______________.

Route will be marked with red ribbon, driectional signages will not be available at this point.  The latest GPX track will be necessary as the marking of these routes cannot be guaranteed until race day.

The course checks are planned for __________________________.

NOTE:  This will not be the regular/final marking. Full race markings will be added to each course the day before the relevant race to keep the environmental impact as low as possible.

For every event, each competitor will receive two bibs both of which must be visible at all times:

• One on the front of the competition singlet (the bib with transponder) attached with pins or bib-holder elastic
• One on the back of the competition singlet of backpack if
• One bib number tag will be provided for the athlete´s personal

The bibs for the competitions will have the following numbers:

• Trail Short: 2xxx
• Trail Long: 3xxx
• Mountain Classic: 4xxx

Chip Transponder

The timing transponder is attached to the back of the main bib number (front) provided to the athletes. These transponder bibs will be distributed at the place and time noted in section “Technical Meetings”. Athletes remain responsible for the proper placement of the transponder bibs (front of the competition clothing). Athletes reporting to the call room without the transponder bib will not be allowed to compete.

Competition Clothing

There will be no restriction on competition clothing.   Running with bare torso is not allowed.

Competition Shoes

At present World Athletics does not have a list of formally approved mountain and trail shoes. The WMTRC applies the WA shoe construction principles (Athletics Shoe Regulations, point 10, Technical Requirements of Athletics Shoes) concerning the internal construction of the shoe and there are no limitations on shoe sole thickness for mountain and trail running events.

The organisers reserve the right to impound and inspect the internal construction of any shoe suspected of not meeting these requirements (after the race). The shoes impounded may not be returned. If a shoed is impounded, this is the form that should be utilised:

https://www.worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=e5b98347-3b59-4df5-84ff- d0573519efe0.pdf&urlslug=Athlete%E2%80%99s%20Shoe%20Receipt%20Form%20%E2%80%9 3%20Sample

The timing bracelet should be worn by the athletes the day upon check-in. These will be distributed with the bib at the “Technical Meetings”. Athletes remain responsible for the proper placement of the timing bracelet.

In addition, a GPS tracker will be provided for all trail races and given out with the Race Bib. It is the responsibility of the athlete to turn it on before the race. The GPS tracker is part of the mandatory equipment and will be considered during the Call Room Check-In. The tracker will be collected directly after the race at the equipment check in the finish area.

Athletes are advised to download the GPS on their watch or phone app.

Competition Clothing

There is no restriction on competition clothing for this edition.  Running with bare torso is not allowed and is subject to disqualification.

Competition Shoes

At present World Athletics does not have a list of formally approved mountain and trail shoes. The WMTRC applies the WA shoe construction principles (Athletics Shoe Regulations, point 10, Technical Requirements of Athletics Shoes) concerning the internal construction of the shoe and there are no limitations on shoe sole thickness for mountain and trail running events.

The organisers reserve the right to impound and inspect the internal construction of any shoe suspected of not meeting these requirements (after the race). The shoes impounded may not be returned. If a shoed is impounded, this is the form that should be utilised:

https://www.worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=e5b98347-3b59-4df5-84ff- d0573519efe0.pdf&urlslug=Athlete%E2%80%99s%20Shoe%20Receipt%20Form%20%E2%80%9 3%20Sample

Mandatory and Authorised Equipment

As per the competition regulations, the athletes competing in the trail races must carry with them during the whole duration of the competition the following mandatory equipment:

The final decision on the mandatory and authorized equipment for all races (including mountain races as well) lies with the Technical Delegate of the Event, who will consider distance, prevailing weather, and other risks. A mandatory equipment check will be implemented during the Call Room reporting, while during the race additional checks may also occur. In this case, athletes are obliged to follow the referee’s instructions. Checks will be applied equally to all athletes. There will also be a mandatory equipment check at the end of the relevant races.

Mandatory equipment violations may result in disqualification.

The Call Room will be located near the start area at both venues. Access to the Call Room will be allowed to athletes only (via bib) and the passing of the mandatory equipment and team vest check at the entrance and will be open to the following times:

Specific Event Procedures Start Positions

For all races, the starting line will be arranged by ITRA points per island.  Top one female and male athletes for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be called in front.  After any top athletes are called out and presented to the crowd the other runners then find their own place behind them ensuring that there is only two person per island on the front line – this will be enforced.

For the trail races, the elite women will be given equal space on the front line. The Technical Delegate has the power to alter the above starting positions in special circumstances.

Starter Commands

All instructions will be given in English. With five minutes to go athletes will be asked to line up behind the start line. Three-minute and one-minute warnings before the start of the race will be given. A 10s countdown to the start will be given.

The start will be “On your Marks” and the gun.

False Start

In the event of a false start, the starter will fire a second shot and officials will raise a tape across the course, 100 m from the start line.

Trail Short:

Team supported aid stations:

• At km17 aid station
• At km 27 aid station

Unsupported aid station:

• At km 7 aid station
• At km 12 aid station
• At km 35 aid station

Trail Long:

Team supported aid stations:

• At km18 aid station
• At km 24 aid station
• At km 40 aid station
• At km 69 aid station

Unsupported aid station:

• At km 8 aid station
• At km 15 aid station
• At km 32 aid station
• At km 48 aid station
• At km 56 aid station
• At km 74 aid station

Mountain Classic

• Team and unsupported drinking station at 4.8km

An athlete who receives or collects refreshments or water from a place other than the official stations, except where provided for medical reasons or under the direction of race officials, or takes the refreshment of another athlete or litters outside of the refreshment zone renders him/herself liable to disqualification by the Referee.

All stations will be fully integrated in the race course and must be passed in any case. Signs indicating the upcoming aid stations will be displayed 50m-100m before the station.

Unsupported and team supported aid stations will offer the following:

• Mineral water in jug refilling or sealed natural water (without gas)
• Cola at all stations
• Sports drink at supported aid stations
• Fruits and more snacks (e.g., Pretzels, Bars, Gels)
• Rice porridge will be served at supported aid stations
• Rice meals will be available at AS4 - KM38 Aid Station
• Team zone for specific nutrition

Unsupported water stations for the trail races:

• Sealed natural water and water refilling jugs
• Cola
• Fruits and more snacks (e.g., Pretzels, Bars, Gels, Rice Snacks)

Both at the unsupported aid stations and the respective section at the team supported aid stations, the runners must pick up the various items on their own at the aid stations.  Team support crew are not allowed at the common aid station.

NOTE: For the trail races, athletes are obliged to carry and use their own plastic cup (soft flask allowed). There are no separate cups at the aid stations (see mandatory equipment).

Timing and Measurement

The official timing will be provided by the LOC.  

Cut-Off Times

 The maximum time allowed to finish each of the trail races is calculated the following:

Mountain Classic – 2 Hours

Short Trail – 8Hours

Long Trail –

• AS 4 (38K) – 8 Hours
• Finish Line - 15 Hours

Any runner found to have breached the following is liable for disqualification:

• No pacing or being accompanied on the course by someone outside the
• No receiving of any assistance outside the authorised areas, including physical assistance from other runners
• Littering outside of the official garbage zones
• Deliberately impeding or blocking another runner
• Deliberately or accidently shortening the route via going off course

The following infractions will lead to a one (1) hour penalty or disqualification:

• Not assisting another runner in distress if there are no officials/medical personnel
• Not wearing the race bibs visible and in the correct manner (front and back)
• Mandatory gear(s) missing at post event gear check or at any random gear
• Wearing/holding/using a forbidden item (e.g., headphones) during the race
• Non-compliance with volunteers, organisation staff, referees, and other runners

The top three runners in all races will receive official PHILIPPINE NATIONAL TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE medal. There will be cash prizes from LOC and from PHILTRA.

Following each race there will be a Mixed Zone that all competing athletes will have to pass through; here, accredited media (TV. Radio, written Press, online Press) can get flash quotes and conduct interviews, however, athletes are not obliged to speak to media representatives. There will be no press conferences with the medal winning athletes after the races.

In races where carrying certain equipment is made mandatory, a gear check and return of the GPS tracker will be also conducted in the post event area before entering the Mixed Zone.

The first three athletes in each event will be requested to attend a Flower Ceremony

The Flower Ceremonies and the possible press interviews will take priority over all other interview requirements. They will be held before doping control.

A post race athlete’s area, incl. the opportunity to take a shower and change will be provided at every venue.

Protests concerning the status of an athlete to participate in an event must be made, prior to the commencement of the event, to the Technical Delegate(s). Once the Technical Delegate(s) make(s) a decision, there shall be a right of appeal to the Jury of Appeal. If the matter cannot be settled satisfactorily prior to the competition, the athlete shall be allowed to compete “under protest” and the matter be referred to the Organising Partnership/relevant Member Federation.

Protests concerning the result or conduct of an event shall be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement of the result of that event. The LOC in conjunction with the Technical Delegate of the competition shall be responsible for ensuring that the time of the announcement of all results is recorded.

Any protest shall be made orally to the Referee by an athlete, by someone acting on their behalf or by an official representative of a team. Such person or team may protest only if they are competing in the same event to which the protest (or subsequent appeal) relates (or are competing in a competition in which a team points score is being conducted). To arrive at a fair decision, the Referee should consider any available evidence which they think necessary, including a film or picture produced by an official video recorder, or any other available video evidence. The Referee may decide on the protest or may refer the matter to the Jury of Appeal.

When a protest is made by or on behalf of an athlete who did not finish a race, the Referee much first ascertain whether the athlete was or should have been disqualified for a breach of the Rules unrelated to the matter raised in the protest. Should that be the case the protest shall be dismissed.

If the Referee makes a decision, there shall be a right of appeal to the Jury. The protest should be made to the Jury through the Technical Information Centre.

An appeal to the Jury of Appeal must be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement of the amended result of an event arising from the decision made by the Referee or of the advice being given to those making the protest, where there is no amendment of any result.

It shall be in writing, signed by the athlete, by someone acting on their behalf or by an official representative of a team and shall be accompanied by a deposit of USD75, or its equivalent, which will be forfeited if the appeal is not allowed. Such athlete or team may appeal only if they are competing in the same event to which the appeal relates (or are competing in a competition on which a team points score is being conducted). For the vertical uphill the lodging the appeal may also be made via the Team Leaders WhatsApp group in the first instance.

The Jury of Appeal shall consult all relevant persons, including the relevant Referee. If the Jury of Appeal is in doubt, other available evidence may be considered.

The Referee and the Jury of Appeal may reconsider a decision if new conclusive evidence is presented, provided the new decision is still applicable. Normally such re-consideration may be undertaken prior to the medal ceremony for the applicable event, unless the organising Partnership determines the circumstances justify otherwise.

The decision of the Jury of Appeal (or of the Referee if no appeal to the Jury is made) shall be final and there shall be no further right of appeal.