Heat, Exhaustion, & Alleged Lapses: How a Trail Run Turned Fatal in Mindanao
TRAIL RUN – What was meant to be a challenging yet rewarding race up Mt. Magdiwata turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when a 34-year-old runner collapsed and died—prompting his family to accuse organizers of poor medical preparedness.
Agusan del Sur — The family of a 34-year-old runner who died during the Mt. Magdiwata Ultra Trail Run (MMUT) 2025 held on October 5–6 is demanding accountability from the event organizers, alleging that their brother’s death could have been prevented if proper medical assistance had been provided throughout the race.
The victim, Jessie James Manatad, a computer maintenance technologist at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPMH), reportedly collapsed during the 50-kilometer race due to heat stroke and dehydration. His sisters, both healthcare workers, are now questioning the preparedness and safety protocols of the organizers.
“This would not have happened if a doctor or even a nurse were readily available to attend to runners needing emergency medical attention,” said Sylver Joy Manatad Dinaya during an interview at her brother’s wake.
Dinaya and her sister, Raquel Irish Manatad Ramientos, who also works at DOPMH, criticized the main organizer, the San Francisco Water District (SFWD), for alleged lapses in ensuring the safety of the runners. They claimed there were no doctors or nurses along the trail and that basic emergency medical supplies were unavailable.
Among the missing essentials, the sisters cited the absence of a portable oxygen tank, ice packs, a spinal board, and a cradle—items that they said are vital in managing cases of exhaustion, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses.
Ramientos recalled how her brother struggled to breathe while rescuers transported him on a motorcycle through the rough terrain to reach the nearest ambulance. “It took them more than an hour to reach the nearest ambulance, and he was already unconscious without being intubated,” she said. Photos and videos shared during the wake reportedly showed Jessie James wearing only an oxygen mask despite showing signs of severe respiratory distress.
Ramientos further noted that the San Francisco Emergency Response (SAFER) team, which handled the rescue, had members trained only in Basic Life Support (BLS). “They are not medical professionals who have undergone years of training in emergency response,” she added.
Their cousin, Maria Glaiza Comendador, emphasized that the family’s goal was not to blame anyone but to raise awareness. “We only want to remind organizers and runners alike to be fully prepared for these kinds of events that could have been preventable,” she said.
In response, the SFWD issued a statement defending its management of the race, asserting that the event had been “carefully planned and coordinated with concerned local authorities, medical teams, and support personnel to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.” The agency added, “However, despite all safety measures in place, unforeseen circumstances occurred that were beyond anyone’s control.”
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