
New Race, New Team and New Innovations, that’s what Speedgoat Challenger is all about for me. We always see a race by the actual event but it’s a much longer story from getting from point A to point B. We’re just glad to have the support of Hoka One One and Timberland Heights for the race.
Hoka Trail 201

The story starts with Timberland Heights, which has been my playground for the past few months. Timberland has a really rich trail ecosystem, which in views and run-able trails. We’ve mounted a free event, which is Hoka Trail 201, last September 22, 2018. We had more than 200 runners enjoying a free trail run and clinic with a race village setup. Trail Running is on an upswing and we wanted to introduce the trails to newbie runners but also show the right set of values and mental strength on the trails.
Speedgoat Challenger

Hoka Trail 201 was a prelude to a bigger event, Speedgoat Challenger. Hoka being the title sponsor wanted a premium event with Flyfit top, Shorts, Cap, Sling Bag as inclusions with early registrants also getting bottles. Timberland Heights was such a generous venue partner and allowed us the use of their trails. Timberland Sports and Nature Club provided post-race meal especially provided by their Chef. We were also able to get race insurance for participants. Then we had the full support of the rest of our sponsors and partners, Garmin as clock partner, Goorahna as registration partner, My Runtime as timing partner, Lightwater, Vitamin Boost, Emco Musli, Peanut Better, Omega Fitness, BBG Events, Active Pinas and Pinoy Trails as Media Partner.

With a shorter lead time and bigger expectations, the past few months has been busy for all of us. But glad to have our Race Directors Noy and Otep in the team whose broad experience was key in planning the race. Key parts of the team is Jeff, who was key in assisting in the procurement part, Jose on the admin part, Fred on the assistance in Timberland and Leo of Hoka for the overall support. By race day, we had about 70 crew, marshals, photographers, videographers, etc.

Race day was not a walk in the park either as the list of what could go wrong went into play from problems with the genset, to race village setup and others. It was just a sudden twist of fate that everything was ready by the time we had our first wave of 21K runners. There was a hiccup at the 12K route with “bonus kilometers.” 8k distance went on smoothly. The kids was such a delight to watch with their fun disposition. Trail running should really help remind us of the kids with us to get the most of the adventure.

It was an exhausting day as I had to juggle from one responsibility after another but I’m happy at how things turned out even despite minor hiccups. There were a lot of newbie runner on the trails. The happiness in the kids faces were priceless especially that we gave them loots (bag, slippers, shirt, Amihan go lite pouch and candies). Friends were there to support the event and a lot of people enjoying the trails and getting fit. There are rooms to improve and we’ll definitely work on that but for now, let me say thank you on behalf of the team.