I Conquered Corregidor! Part 1

Oh Corregidor, how I wish I discovered you sooner! I wanted to yell this out from the top of the cliff towards the vast sea before me as I, together with Edward Kho, Conquer Corregidor Race organizer, my husband, and photographer Levy, ran down the meandering trails to end our run through the island.

As online media partner for the Conquer Corregidor race, I was fortunate enough to have been invited by Edward to run in Corregidor last Saturday, while he plotted the race course for the December 6 race. I decided to pass on Pasig Marathon and chop my 28km mandated long run into two just to run in Corregidor, and am I glad I did.

The race course is 10 miles or 16km. For this day, since we started running at 11a.m., I only covered a total of 11km alone (ran the balance 17k Sunday) while the others rode the motorcycle and van (Edward was busy plotting, the hubby had a headache due to heat and exhaustion from a busy work week, and the photographer thought I was insane for running in that heat!) It was an awesome run! The kind that made me smile from ear to ear while my heart wanted to burst out of my chest due to extreme happiness. I’ll let the photos below do the talking, but I do hope you experience it for yourself.

– 1.5 hr ferry ride to Corregidor. with Li’l Bull Runners and Edward, race organizer for Conquer Corregidor –

– Kiddos try to get shut eye during the ride. They were ecstatic over the trip, especially my boy who is taking up Philippines’ scenic spots in Civics –

– My first time in Corregidor. Awesome view. I was itching to run –

– Dec. 6 race starts in Malinta Tunnel. How cool is that? –

– San Jose Church –

– I shall return! –

– One of my favorite portions of the route with the strong breeze from the sea blowing against my face. As you round the corner, you’ll be in for a surprise…should I tell you already? Hmmm –

– Okay, this is the surprise! A long, steep, lung-busting climb uphill. The photo makes it look short. Believe me, it was much longer. Runners will run this twice over in the race. Woohooo! –

– I couldn’t resist running along the shore. This isn’t part of the race course though –

– Niiiiice! I wanna go back already! –

– It was around 12 noon already here. I was exhausted and out of breath, but I was having the time of my life! –

– Running past the barracks. Spooky but a great historical sight –

– The view in the middle of the run –

– Race will take you through a 500 meter trail course! Another one of my favorite portions! –

– And the trails begin –

– The lighthouse is the first thing you see when you step out of the trails. There’s a small sari sari store and toilets too –

– Another trail portion near the finish. This is at the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea. It’s beautiful up here –

– So beautiful I had to stop and act like a tourist –

– Aaaah, Corregidor! I shall return!

NEXT POST: Running in Corregidor – Trip Details