DM 300 Ver. 4

Deadman's 300 or DM300 is a trail running event held in the sierra madre mountain ranges covering parts of Rizal province.  Organized by Meljohn "Boypi" Tezon a seasoned ultra trail and road runner, this event draw a sizable number of participants mainly because of the very affordable registration fee.  Runners can choose between 30K and 50K categories and shell out 300 pesos for the the former and 500 pesos for the latter.   With these amounts, runners get a trucker cap, event shirt, a well supplied aid stations, a medal and a post race meal. 

 What is more amazing about this event is that the proceeds from the registration fees are donated to a beneficiary school in the community where the event is held.  This year is the 4th year of staging of the event and I'm happy to be a part of it for the first time. I signed up in the 50K category.  As expected, a community of runners are present.  Trail friends and familiar faces in trail running all together.  

After the short briefing by the RD, 50K runners are released at exactly 2:30 am.  Starting and end point is at "The Rock" resort in Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.    We need to be backed at the starting line on or before 4:30 pm.  As always, I had a slow start.  But as soon as I get my rhythm I picked up my pacing.  I arrived at the first aid station at Sitio Macaengalan (Km. 10) after 2 hours.  

Days prior to the event, rain has been pouring.  This made the trail extra challenging.  Continuing the run after AS 1, a muddy and slippery trail greeted us.  Navigating the muddy trail requires extra effort which left me on the verge of getting leg cramp.  I was prompted to look for a salt upon arrival at AS 2.  

The ascent to the rocky summit of Lubog at around 600 masl is one of the highlights of DM300.  However, extra precaution is needed ascending the peak.  The trail to the peak aside from slippery has sharp rocks and boulders.  One slide and I will surely end up getting bruised or worse, injured.  I reached the peak at the break of dawn, unharmed.  Going down is a lot harder.  Halfway I slide and fall, butt first.  Thankfully aside from a scratch on my left arm, nothing more serious happens.

The rocky summit of Lubog

I was exhausted after Mt. Lubog but I needed to continue.  Approximately 7 kilometers further would be Matulid falls, the turnaround point.  While walking, I consumed two bananas I pocketed from AS  1.  Somehow, these helped me navigate the ever muddy and slippery trail leading to the falls.  Honestly,  at some points I'm cursing.  I looked for a wooden stick to support my balance.  At some parts sit down and slide, the safest way I could think of.  It is a test of patience.

As soon as I get to the river, I cleared all the mud in my shoes.  At that point, based on my recon the falls is still far.  AS 3 is on the other side of the river.  There is nothing much in it but water, biscuits and very encouraging marshals. I'm prepared for more river crossings when I learned that the turnaround point will be a kilometer earlier.   Due to swelling water level, going to the falls is not safe.  

Going back, we need to navigate the lumberjack trail.  A trail that crosses the river a number of times.  If one did not conduct a recon will surely get confused.  I caught up with other runners and together we enjoyed the lumber jack trail  with all its river crossings and streams with gushing knee water level.  We stopped occasionally at some interesting spots for some group pictures.  There is a 12 noon intermediate cut-off back in Lubog.  No problem, as we are two hours safe.  

Matulid Falls - supposedly the turnaround point of the 50K runners

The sun did come out while we are at the rolling hills of deadmans but would hide in the clouds most of the times.  Despite not being sunny, it is still hot and the absence of wind is noticeable.   Our group of ten started to break into two.  I was at the lead pack.  We caught up with some 30K runners on the 2nd peak and more runners in the other peaks.

Familiar faces manned AS 4. It is a relief seeing them. I rehydrate and rest for a while. From AS 4, it is 8 km to finish line.  However this is the part of the trail that I'm not familiar with.  I am wrong in thinking that it's gonna be swift and easy. The trail that ensued is a series of another rolling hills with steep ascent and end up with a steep drop to another river.  The river though, is a welcome treat. We stay for a while to cool off.  We had 6 km to go and well within the cut-off time.  Other runners arrived at the river and joined us.

No more uphill to navigate for the last 6 kilometers.  When we get to the road, I jogged and caught up with Edward, a trail friend.  The finish line is already in sight but no rushing for the two of us.  We arrived to at the finish line with a festive atmosphere.  RD Meljohn is at the finish line to congratulate us.  Unofficially I clocked 11:55, happy and satisfied.