GREAT CORDILLERA 100: Don Santillan (left), founder of RICON, the organizer of the trail running event, discusses the race mechanics with members of the local media during a press briefing at the Forest Wing of John Hay Hotels in Baguio City. Also present are Javella Dimapilis (center) of The North Face and Butch Garcia (right), general manager of John Hay Hotels. Photo by Primo Agatep
BAGUIO CITY — The clock starts at 11 p.m. Ahead lie approximately 104 kilometers of mountain trails, river crossings and relentless climbs. To reach the finish, runners must conquer not only the rugged Cordillera terrain but also fatigue and a demanding 32-hour deadline.
That challenge awaits competitors in the centerpiece race of The North Face Great Cordillera 100, which makes its debut on November 13–15, 2026, drawing accomplished Filipino trail runners and international entries to Baguio City and Benguet.
With ₱188,000 in total cash prizes, the inaugural event combines high-level competition with a broader mission: bringing more people into mountain running while creating opportunities for the communities along its trails.
All four race categories—10K, 21K, 60K and 100K—will start and finish at Scout Hill in Camp John Hay.
At a press briefing at the Forest Wing of John Hay Hotels, Don Santillan, founder of organizer RICON and the event’s race director, said the distances offer different levels of challenge, from shorter mountain adventures to a grueling ultramarathon.
The flagship 100K category begins at 11 p.m. on November 13. Its actual course stretches approximately 104 kilometers, with around 6,200 meters of cumulative elevation gain and a 32-hour cutoff.
The 60K race is scheduled for November 14, followed by the 21K and 10K races on November 15.
Along the way, competitors will encounter pine-canopied ridgelines, steep ascents and river crossings on trails through Itogon and the mountain terrain connecting Benguet with Baguio City.
“We want runners to connect Mount Marikit and Mount Ulap in one go,” Santillan said.
For the longest-distance runners, those landscapes will demand more than an appreciation of the scenery. Managing effort, maintaining focus and finding the resolve to continue will be essential as the race stretches through the night.
Among the Filipino athletes expected to compete is Renson Embradura of Sariaya, Quezon, an adaptive runner born with one leg.
He joins a strong local field that includes Benguet’s Raffy Ciano and Ifugao’s Irene Buyuccan, who has three championship titles to her name.
Also in the lineup is Majo Liao of Quezon City, the first Filipino woman to finish the Hardrock 100, alongside Kik Suello of Zamboanga City and Eco Villamor of Nueva Vizcaya, whose 2026 campaign includes four titles.
Aldrin Napiloy of Burgos, La Union, brings three championship victories this year, while Randolf Gonzales of Rodriguez, Rizal, and Godwin Mirar of Bukidnon are also set to compete.
Taiwanese runners Wenchi Kuo and Peng Chung Chen are among the foreign entries, with additional registrants from the United States, Taiwan and Australia.
With The North Face as title sponsor and Landco Lifestyle Ventures as presenter, the race will award cash prizes to the top three male and female finishers in the 100K, 60K and 21K categories.
Santillan said the event’s purpose extends beyond the finish line. Organizers aim to promote physical wellness and mental health, encourage environmental conservation, and support sports tourism and alternative livelihoods in host communities.
The race also advances RICON’s goal of improving endurance racing experiences in the Philippines and showcasing the Cordilleras’ potential as a world-class trail running destination.
According to organizers, the Great Cordillera 100 is recognized by the Philippine Trail Running Association, with International Trail Running Association accreditation and UTMB® Index certification.
Supporting the event are John Hay Hotels, ZenOne, Odec Builders, Garmin, Pocari Sweat, NITECORE, Buzz Fuel, RED Entertainment, Hydro Flask and Suellas.
When runners return to Scout Hill, the finish line will mark more than a distance completed. It will be the reward for every climb endured, every river crossed and every decision to keep going.