Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite - the 21 KM Running Experience

21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite

Cliff and I were invited to the Friendship Power Kembot, a running event hosted by the Fabulous Running Divas to foster camaraderie within the running community. For those who do not speak Tagalog, ‘kembot’ implies to shake one’s hips (although not literally). The course was a mix of rough road, pavement and trails that went constantly uphill and downhill.  It is believed to be a 21-kilometer trail that begins in Silang, Cavite and returns through the iconic Cardiac Hill in Laguna.

cardiac hill trail 001 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Doing some warm-up exercises at 4:00 AM before the run.
cardiac hill trail 002 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Let me flex my race bib first! My OCD is tingling!  

History of the Cardiac Hill Trail

cardiac hill trail map 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Map of Cardiac Hill Trail

Cardiac Hill starts out flat but don’t be fooled — Cardiac Hill lives up to its name as it drops sharply through a series of uphill and downhill roads. The walk down is a breeze, but the haul back up, will get your heart pumping. Then you will be welcomed with another stretch of continuous ascend. If you think you’re already finished on the next turn, the road only keeps getting steeper. 

It is said that a biker has died due to ‘Cardiac Arrest’ attempting to reach the summit of the trail hence it’s called ‘Cardiac Hill Trail’.

Definitely, not for the faint-hearted.

The Trail

cardiac hill trail 003 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
No big deal, right?
cardiac hill trail 004 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
How about now? *cries* My poor knees!
cardiac hill trail 005 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Downhill.
cardiac hill trail 006 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Surprise! There’s more!

Trail Going To and From Cardiac Hill

cardiac hill trail 009 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Going back to Silang! Yehey! You have no idea how relieved I was. Flat, semi-even trail! 
cardiac hill trail 010 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Trail
cardiac hill trail 007 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Cemented part of the trail
cardiac hill trail 008 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
Grass. Grass everywhere.

Cliff & I at the Trail

cardiac hill trail 011 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
First 5 kilometers! Yes, we’re still alive!! We took advantage of the cemented parts. We passed by several rough roads (and trails) and I think I already tripped twice. 
cardiac hill trail 012 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
12 km at last! Half-way! Woohoo!
cardiac hill trail 013 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
We finally reached Valenza Crownasia!
cardiac hill trail 014 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running
At the begining of Cardiac Hill.
I am firm with most of my decisions but this one… Dang! I hated my life so much! *think happy thoughts: FOOD, BULALO, SISIG, UNLIMITED RICE. ICE CREAM! *

Finishers

cardiac hill trail run 020 21 Kilometer Trail Run via Cardiac Hill in Silang, Cavite Runner, Running, Trail, Trail Run, Trail Running

We were among the first to complete the run (my estimated personal record, or “PR,” is 5 hours and 16 minutes). Some, as you can see, managed to smile and look good in the photo despite my evident exhaustion. I’m sure the person I was chatting to was sick of hearing me complain about being exhausted (and my aching knees). How do you do it, guys?

Final Thoughts

The experience is incredible! To be honest, I had no idea we’d be climbing Cardiac Hill that day. I was simply informed it was in Cavite and that it would be a 21-kilometer run (my Garmin says 25 km though). I’d have done some preparation, right?  But, in all seriousness, I had a great time running, sight-seeing, and laughing our butts off.

I am incredibly grateful to be invited to events like this and to be able to meet new people whose faces I often see in the races that I have participated in. People from various parts of Metro Manila and from different running teams. The organizers did an excellent job in selecting the route, which is extremely challenging. I’d done a few trail runs before this, but this has to be one of the most notorious in terms of elevation.

Oh, and it almost pushed me to my breaking point. I’d want to give it another go. Meanwhile, #Bucketlist completed!

If you’re visiting the Philippines and want to test your endurance by running or cycling… THIS IS THE PERFECT SPOT!

Polly Amora

Polly Amora is the señorita behind GoldenIslandSenorita.Net. A corporate warrior by day, and a perpetual explorer by heart. She is a lifelong learner who is very outgoing, speaks four languages, loud & outspoken, and loves to have adventures in the mountains, on the beach, and in the city. You can throw her anywhere, and she'll handle it like a pro. Ice cream and bourbon are two of her weaknesses.

17 Comments

  1. 21KM wow!!! what a long trail. It sounds like a great adventurous place but challenging.

  2. That looks like a lot of fun! I do a lot of mud runs and hiking. I may look into trying something like this in the future! Very inspiring.

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