MT. APO SKY & VERTICAL RACE 2025
Mt. APO Sky & Vertical Race on November 29-30, 2025 (Saturday & Sunday) at Playa de Oboza
Beach Resort, Barangay Darong, Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur, Philippines. This event is in
partnership with the Local Government Unit of Sta Cruz, Provincial Tourism of Davao Del Sur,
and Department Of Tourism Davao Region.
Mt. APO is the highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation not more than 3,000
meters above sea level. This is the 8th edition from yr. 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023,
2024 and this year 2025 with only four (4) distances prepared -100Miles (160km), 50Miles
(80km), 42KM and 21KM category. This is always part of Asia Trail Master series since the
beginning. This year, the 100 miles and 50miles are Grandmaster Quest Point, and
Championship Points are the 42km distance and 100 miles also.
Please be reminded that only the 100 miles (160km) and 50 miles (80km) will summit Mt. APO,
the highest peak in the Philippines. Thank you. ;)
Rules And Regulations
1) RULES ON PAYMENT
*No refund of registration fee.
*No transfer of slot or selling of slot without knowledge of organizer.
*No upgrade or downgrade of category on the race day.
*No alibi shall be entertained -lost of deposit slip, etc.
*Sending fake deposit slip and lacking the amount paid is subject for absolute disqualification
(DQ) and banning in the entire running community.
*Upon payment, do not give task to the organizer or race official to book your flight, etc. This
act is subject for absolute disqualification (DQ).
*Upon payment, make sure to submit all necessary requirements. Failure to comply one is not
consider as registered runner.
*Upon payment, do not text or call constantly the organizer and race official for your
registration. You need to scan email the deposit slip, other requirements, etc. and wait for the
confirmation response.
*Upon payment, there is no refund for no qualifying race for the specific distance.
2) RULES ON RACEDAY
*The race will proceed rain or shine.
*On check-in, no entry form (with signature), no current medical certificate, no racebib, and
other necessary docs, no run. Mandatory Gear check-in will be on your Race Kit Distribution &
Briefing on November 28, 2025 (Friday) from 1:00 - 5:00PM only at Playa de Oboza Beach
Resort, Barangay Darong Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur, Philippines.
*No hydration pack for 160km, 80km and 42km, no run.
*No mandatory equipment, no run.
*No ziplock for trailfood, no run. Let us avoid a single drop of wrapper or garbage in the wild
and on the race route.
*PACER WILL BE ALLOWED, for the 100 miler only, and only 1 pacer allowed from the halfway
mark at Jose Rizal Barangay proper, up to the finish line. Please registered complete details of
your pacer.
*No trail cutting or shortcuts, runners should run on designated markers only. This will prevent
maximum impact. Caught violating is absolutely disqualified and out of the course.
*No race bib, no run. Your bib must be worn and visible all the time.
*No drop-off bag for 42km and 21km runners. Only baggage counter near starting line.
*2 drop-bags for 80km runners (out & back), and 3 drop-bags for the 160km runners.
NOTE
*You can use trekking pole but I advise 2. This will avoid side/joint pain and trail imbalance.
*If you decide not to continue, you should inform the visible crew and walk to the nearest AID
Station or DNF Point (see DNF point at Race Details) for your own safety and transport.
*If you have complain or protest against cheating, violation of rules and misconduct (ex.
contacts, shouting on trails, tampering of markers, disrespect to the locals and personnel, etc.)
you should put it into writings within 1 hour you cross the finish line and pay the LOYALTY Fee
of PHP700.00.
3) RULES ON CHECKPOINTS/CUT-OFF AREAS
*160km, 80km, 42km and 21km runners should check-in their respective bib number 1-2 hours
before gun start.
*Mandatory Checkpoint at Sitio Colon for 80km & 160km runners before summiting Mt. APO
Peak.
*Please read the Intermediate Cut-Off details above.
NOTE
*160km & 80km runners who arrived at Sitio Colan checkpoint and lacking of mandatory gear,
is no longer allowed to continue the race.
*No bib or lost of bib number are not allowed to run the entire race course.
*Only the time of cut-offs are made to be final -for Race Result and for your personal or course
record, nothing more nothing less.
4) DROP-OFF BAG
*Only the 160km & 80km runners are entitled to have drop-off baggage.
*It must be collected @ Race Briefing on November 28, 2025 (Friday) around 1:00 - 5:00PM at
Oboza Beach Resort, Barangay Darong Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur, Philippines.
*It must be marked with your bib name, number, and category.
*It must be put in a white plastic bag or drawstring bag.
*It must be light weight, not valuable and disposable if possible.
*Maximum weight of Drop Bag is only 2.5kgs , excess weight will no longer entertain.
*Food in your drop bag must be new and not decomposable in a day.
*Lost or damage of drop bag is not accountable to any Race Official. Make sure to repack it
sturdy as oak tree.
*Remaining item of your drop bag must be collectible until 3PM only on November 30, 2025
(Sunday) at the venue baggage counter.
NOTE:
*Runners who are late to submit their dropbags (beyond 5pm on November 28, 2025) are
entitled a PHP1,000.00 fee for transport.
*You can put your trekking pole, food, etc at your drop bag but make sure you have the
complete Mandatory Equipment before climbing the summit.
*Pick-up point of your drop bag is at Lower Tibolo and Sinoron Covered court (3 rd drop bag for
the 160km runners).
*Checking of your Mandatory Equipment is strictly implemented; lacking one is considered as
Disqualified especially at Sitio Colan before climbing the summit.
5) POWER OF RACE DIRECTOR, RACE OFFICIAL & PERSONNEL
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director can stop the race at any moment for the safety of
runners and participants.
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director can change, postpone or cancel the race schedule
due to typhoon, fire, force majeure, etc. for the safety of runners and other participants.
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director, Race Officials and Personnel can change the
designated post, checkpoints, turning points, etc. due to bad weather for the safety of runners
and other participants.
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director can change the venue (start & finish), race course,
aid station location, assigned crew and marshals for the benefit and safety of runners and other
participants.
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director can impose disqualification to those runners who
started late without prior consent.
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director, Race Officials and Personnel can impose
disqualification to any runners who caught cheating, riding a “habal-habal”, bike, off-road jeep,
personal vehicle or any means of transportation. (ex. horse, cow, carabao, etc.).
*The Race Director/Technical Race Director, Race Officials and Personnel can impose
disqualification who are caught tampering the trail markings (changing and taking off),
disrespect to race officials and fellow runners, shouting on trails, and other misconduct.
PROGRAM AND AWARDING
*November 28, 2025 (Friday) - Arrival of participants - whole day
- Race briefing & kit distribution at the venue - 1pm to 5pm
*November 29, 2025 (Saturday) - Gunstart of 160km & 80km - 12:01am
*November 30, 2025 (Sunday) - Gunstart of 42km - 4:00am
- Gunstart of 21km - 5:30am
- Awarding Ceremony all categories - 9am onwards
- Fellowship or Socials on the evening!
Prepared by:
ROMUALDO CALBES
Race Director & Mountain Guide
CEO – V2S Sports Philippines & V2S Product
Asia Trail Master (ATM) 2 Stars Grandmaster
(http://www.asiatrailmaster.com/romualdocalbes)
Email Address: verticaltosky@gmail.com
Mobile/WhatsApp/Viber: +63-9255566692
*Asia Trail Master: http://m.racetimingsolutions.com/profile?id=102091
*DUV Statistics: http://statistik.d-u-v.org/getresultperson.php?runner=591068
*ITRA Profile: https://www.itra.run/RunnerSpace/CALBES.Romualdo/1839291
*UTMB Profile: https://utmb.world/en/runner/1839291.romualdo.calbes
*Official Website: https://www.verticaltosky.com/
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