7th Fort Magsaysay To Dingalan 65K Ultra Marathon Race (FM2D 65K)

Start Time/Place: 4:00 AM July 23, 2017/Headquarters 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City

Finish/Cut-Off Time/Place: 4:00 PM July 23, 2017/Sea Side Resto, Sitio Tanguigue, Barangay Aplaya, Dingalan, Aurora

Cut-Off Time: 12 Hours

Number Of Starters: 17 Runners

Number Of Finishers: 15 Runners

Percentage Of Finish: 88.23%

Group Picture @ Starting Area

RANK             NAME                TIME (Hrs)

1. Thomas Combisen (Champion, Overall & Course Record) — 6:44:43
2. Gibo Malvar (1st Runner-Up, Overall) — 8:04:54
3. Dondon Talosig (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) — 8:13:12
4. Kris Caleon ———– 8:15:22
5. Rod Losabia ———- 9:13:45
6. Glenn Rosales ——- 9:19:40
7. Tess Leono (Champion, Female) —– 9:22:18
8. Englebert Pantig ——- 9:24:40
9. Kathleen Piñero (1st Runner-Up, Female) —- 9:26:50
10. Peach Tamayo (2nd Runner-Up, Female) —- 10:49:59
11. Richard Gy ————— 10:55:59
12. JP Navarete ————– 11:01:39
13. Anna Odessa Albaracin (Female) —- 11:16:33
14. Mark Belaniso ———- 11:34:25
15. Avin Sauler ———- 11:57:30

Overall Champion & Course Record Holder Thomas Combisen

Female Champion Tess Leono

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

2nd Tagaytay To Naic 100K Ultra Marathon Race

10:00 PM August 5, 2017 to 6:00 PM August 6, 2017

Starting Line: Tagaytay Picnic Grove, Tagaytay City

Finish Line: Naic Public Plaza/Covered Court, Naic, Cavite

Cut-Off Time: 20 Hours (9 Hours @ Km 50/Nasugbu Poblacion (Jollibee)

Number of Starters: 23 Runners

Number of Finishers: 23 Runners

Percentage of Finish: 100%

Group Picture @ Starting Line

RANK            NAME                    TIME (Hrs)

1. Thomas Combisen (Overall Champion & New Course Record) —- 11:20:23
2. Bong Dizon (1st Runner-Up, Overall) —- 13:31:05
3. Doris Manguiat (Female Champion & Female New Course Record) —- 14:00:24
4. Aldrin Pallera (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) —- 14:02:09
5. Rod Losabia —- 14:25:02
6. Mhel Biscarra —- 14:55:32
7. Rolan Cera —- 15:29:14
8. Remy Caasi (1st Runner-Up, Female) —- 15:31:39
9. Tess Leono (2nd Runner-Up, Female) —- 15:58:20
10. Rose Betonio (Female) —- 16:04:59
11. Dondon Talosig —- 16:44:11
12. Gibo Malvar —- 16:50:27
13. Kris Caleon —- 16:50:28
14. Marilou Ingua (Female) —- 16:50:29
15. Glenn Rosales —- 17:23:31
16. Olan Ortines —- 17:31:52
17. Kathleen Piñero (Female) —- 18:14:10
18. Jeremy Blas —- 18:28:33
19. Domingo Pateño —- 18:32:34
20. Margie Pailaga (Female) —-18:51:12
21. Barney Mamaril —- 18:51:13
22. JP Navarrete —- 19:18:15
23. Miles Evangelista (Female) —- 19:46:22

Overall Champion & New Course Record Holder Thomas Combisen

Female Champion & Female Course Record Holder Doris Manguiat

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

2017 MILO Half-Marathon (21K) Qualifying Race In Tarlac City/August 13, 2017

I was supposed to have an scheduled 5-hour LSD/Hike in the mountain trails on this day but I asked my Coach if I could join and qualify for the MILO Marathon Race to be held this coming December 2017 in a Half-Marathon Race to be held on a Sunday. My Coach gave his approval with the condition that I have the option to continue my hike later in the afternoon to complete the 5-hour LSD/Hike for the day. However, after the race, I decided to completely rest.

My OnLine Registration 10 days before the race did not push through as the Local Race Organizer could not open the e-mail that I sent to them. However, I was given the assurance that I would be allowed to join the race as long as I will be early at the Race Packet Pick-Up Booth on Race Day. Two hours before the start of the race, I was already at the site making some effort to be included in the list of qualifiers for the race. The local race organizer was very helpful to arrange with the MILO staff/personnel coming from Manila to have me included in the 21K race after accomplishing my registration form and submitting the required Medical/Doctor’s Certificate and MILO Pack.

Thirty minutes before the start of the race, I was already at the Runner’s Corral and behind all the runners as some runners would request for Photo-Ops with me. In between those requests, I would do some quick stretching on my legs and arms. Some runners whom I’ve known and joined in some of my PAU/BR’s Events’ Races would greet me and wish them luck in the race, in return.

The race started at exactly 4:30 AM after a short program—Singing of the National Anthem; A Prayer; A Greetings to all the Runners; and a Good Video on the Reminders for the Runners For Us to have an organized and problem-free race. As soon as the Starting Gun went-off, I started to brisk walk and positioned myself at the back of the pack. As soon as the road became more spacious for me, I started to run and tried to keep pace with those runners on my sides and on my front.

Focused & Determined To Qualify

I really wanted to run this race while observing my effort as based from my breathing and how high were my knees while I was running. The harder I could breath and the higher my knees are would indicate that I was forcing my pace really hard and with more speed. However, based from my training, I made my first 20 minutes of my run as my warm-up run which is I think within the Range of 6-7 effort with 10 as the Maximum Effort. After 20 minutes had lapsed, I started to have my tempo run which would last for 10 minutes (Effort Rate at 8-9) and then recover for 2-3 minutes at a Range of 6-7 effort. This kind of tempo run was repeated all throughout the race until I reached the turn-around point at 10.5K. I was surprised that my time was below one hour!

On my way back to the Finish Line, I started to run faster and tried 5-minute “strides” with 2-minute “recovery” run and then later reduced to 40-second “strides” with 20-second “recovery” run. I was happy that my time was sub-1:55-hour when I reached the 20-Km mark but suddenly, I felt a “cramping” sensation on my right calf that prevented me from maintaining my pace and be able to finish the race in less than 2 hours. The more I would keep my pace, the cramps would become more severe and painful that I could hardly lift my right leg. I decided to run slowly and walked later for a few meters and waited until the muscle/calf tightening was over. On the last kilometer to the finish line, I had my slowest pace in the race that almost all of the runners that I’ve passed in the last 2 kilometers had overtaken me.

Easy Pace On The Last 200 Meters To The Finish Line

No worries. I finished the race in 2:00:33 hours which is almost 15 minutes faster than my qualifying time for the age of 65-69 years old. Oh, well, my name is not listed in the published list of qualifiers in the MILO Tarlac City Leg but I know this will be corrected soon by the Race Organizer.

As a point of comparison and analysis of my performance in this race, I tried to look for my split times in last March’s Los Angeles Marathon where I registered a split time of 2:04:30 hours at Km 20 point and comparing it with my split time now of 1:54:++hours, it is clear that I’ve improved in my pace and speed for about 10 minutes for the said distance. Hopefully and at last, I will be able to attain my dream to try and find a race for me to qualify for the Boston Marathon. God willing!

On a personal note, this is the only race (for the past years) where I did not use a compression socks or calf sleeves. I’ve been running ultras with calf sleeves/compression socks and I never experienced any cramps on my calves and I personally believe that I should have used them on this race. With this experience, whether it will be a short race or an ultra running event, I will be using these compression socks and/or calf sleeves in my future races!

I will be happy to visit Cebu City this coming December 2017 to join in the 2017 MILO Marathon Finals.

Nutrition: One Power/Energy Bar Before The Race; One GU Gel on the last 4K; Water In Every Aid Station

Runner’s Kit: BROOKS Koi (Launch 4); Surge Socks; BROOKS Racer’s Shorts; Outdoor Avenues Track & Field Shorts; PAU Shirt; Garmin Forerunner 310XT; Trail Asia Buff; Adidas Adizero Cap.

(Note: I am a CTS Athlete)

5th WEST COAST 200K Ultra Marathon Race

5:00 AM August 19, 2017 To 5:00 AM August 21, 2017

Starting Line: Remy Oval Track, Subic Freeport, Olongapo City

Finish Line: Barangay Lucap, Alaminos City (Pangasinan)

Cut-Off Time: 48 Hours

Number of Starters: 29 Runners

Number of Finishers: 28 Runners

Percentage of Finish: 96.5%

Group Picture @ Starting Area

RANK       NAME                  TIME (Hrs)

1. Rolando Espina (Overall Champion & New Course Record) — 26:45:18
2. Thomas Combisen (1st Runner-Up, Overall & New Course Record) — 29:08:58
3. Ian Piza (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) —- 32:27:55
4. Remedios Barcelo (Female Champion & New Female Course Record) — 35:13:45
5. Badong Sietereales —– 35:40:55
6. Rod Losabia —- 37:23:17
7. Ryan Fabie —- 37:27:22
8. Jonathan Moleta —- 38:01:23
9. Frederick Peñelosa —- 39:08:36
10. Aldrin Pallera —- 39:16:52
11. Gibo Malvar —- 40:46:35
12. Engelbert Pantig —- 41:00:41
13. Tess Leono (1st Runner-Up, Female) —- 41:04:12
14. Khris Calleon —- 41:52:17
15. Gammy Tayao —- 43:41:13
16. Richard Gano —- 44:29:10
17. Jeff Velasco —- 46:21:39
18. Vicente Zapanta —- 46:24:35
19. Kathleen Piñero (2nd Runner-Up, Female) —- 46:27:25
20. Laico Tolentino —- 46:28:54
21. Isagani Zuñiga —- 47:11:58
22. Elmar Casaway —- 47:15:41
23. Tina Andaya (Female) —- 47:16:45
24. Jonathan Baysa —- 47:16:45
25. Avin Sauler —- 47:19:40
26. Mick Teaño De Jesus —- 47:24:17
27. Kerwin Ng —- 47:28:11
28. Reese Rogel (Female) —- 47:36:50

Overall Champion & New Course Record Holder Rolando Espina

Female Champion & New Female Course Record Holder Remedies Barcelo

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

Race Report: 25th Edition Of Jungfrau Marathon Race

I did not know about the existence of this event not until I bought a New Zealand Trail Running Magazine at the Auckland International Airport on my way back to Manila after finishing the 2017 Tarawera 100K Ultra Marathon Race. The registration period was scheduled to be opened on the day of my arrival in Manila which was in the middle of February this year. I immediately signed in on the very first day of registration period and I was surprised that there were 800+ runners who have registered already!

I was accepted immediately as there was no lottery and the registration would be closed once the number of registered runners would reach to 5,000 runners. After 3 days, the registration was closed and it appeared in the entry list that I am the only runner from the Philippines to be registered and accepted for this year’s edition which happens to be its 25th edition. Having been not so lucky to be accepted for the CCC of the UTMB Races, I found this race to be an opportunity for me to visit, for the first time, the Europe Continent!

After a month, I registered also for the 80th edition of the Mt Fuji Mountain Race (which I saw an article also in the same New Zealand Trail Magazine I bought at the Auckland International Airport) which only takes only the first 50 registered runners from other countries. The reason why I registered in this race was also an opportunity to visit Japan for the first time!

Research & Planning

I found out that a Pinoy Runner had finished in last year’s edition of the event and I was able to read a news article on Cebu Daily News Online Edition about the feat of Dr. Yong Larrazabal, a low-key Pinoy Marathoner who goes to international cities to join marathon races and a fast runner at that. He was able to finish the race in less than five hours, having been a consistent sub-4-hour finisher in flatter marathon races. Through Messenger, I sent him some questions on how he was able to reach Interlaken, Switzerland coming from Manila. He told me that his point of entry in Switzerland was in Zurich and drove a car to Interlaken. That was all, I did not ask him about the details of the race as every information related to the event is on the English version of the Event’s Website, to include the Route Map, Elevation Profile, Cut-Off Times, and Aid Stations. From their Website, any runner would conclude that this is a well-organized marathon race. The only problems that a runner would solve would be his/her travel/trip arrangements; accommodation; and availability of money…and be healthy and prepared to finish the event.

Jungfrau Marathon Route

Jungfrau Marathon Elevation Profile

Training & Preparation

On the last quarter of last year (2016), I decided to enjoy my retirement and be more focused to joining international running events in countries/continents where I’ve never been to. This was the reason why I decided to join the Tarawera 100 Ultra in Rotoura, New Zealand, a reason to visit New Zealand for the first time! After I was accepted at the Mt Fuji Mountain Race, I immediately made a scheduled plan where I would be joining these international race up to the 3rd quarter of 2017. I will still be joining local races but they will be considered as my training and evaluation races to find out if I am improving or not or if I am making good with my training and not “slacking” on my fitness condition. I maybe old at 65 years old but I know I could still find out some potentials on where and how my body strength is still capable of doing.

I decided to get the services of a Professional Coach on Ultrarunning and I started my training in the middle of June of this year. The first two weeks were more on developing my endurance but with better recovery as compared from my previous training schedules. I started to be exposed on quality training with more elevation and intensity on the 3 weeks of training leading to the Mt Fuji Mountain Race through “hill repeats” and tempo runs in my Playground. I have observed that I was getting stronger on my uphill runs and climbs and I am beginning to love faster running in some sections of my route. I may have been short of the time allocated in one of the checkpoints at the Mt Fuji Mountain Race, thus, I declared myself as DNF but I have observed a great improvement in my running on uphills and climbs! I am still in awe and surprised how I was able to continuously run an elevation gain of 4,000 feet for a distance of 10 kilometers in 1 hour & 30 minutes. Before, I would be hiking already after covering a distance of 3-4 kilometers. I knew that my preparation and training for the Mt Fuji Mountain Race was short from being perfect. But I considered my first race after being Coached by a Professional as a part of my training for my future races.

My training for the Jungfrau Marathon was very specific on the 4 weeks after the Mt Fuji Mountain Race, leading to the first weekend of September. I was again exposed to more “hill repeats” and “tempo runs” which were done on steep climbs in my Playground. And in one of my 20-minute tempo runs on a rolling terrain, I have observed that I was getting faster on my pace per mile for few seconds, little increments of improvement, but this is a good result of my training. On my peak training, I would go to Kennon Road (Zigzag Road to Baguio City) and run continuously the last 17 kilometers before reaching Baguio City which I covered in 2.5 hours. Aside from that, I spent my weekend back-to-back runs in Mt Tapulao, Palauig, Zambales and Mt Roosevelt where I would be running under the rain and cold temperature of Mt Tapulao. On my taper week towards the race, I had my one-hour recovery runs each day and fully-charged sleeps every night (7-8 hours of sleep).

Travel Arrangements

I attempted to apply a Shengen Visa with the French Embassy but I was asked to apply, instead to the Swiss Embassy since I will be staying more days in Switzerland. Since I did not bring any Passbook of my Bank accounts when I applied for the Swiss Visa (I only submitted a Bank Certificate), I was asked to submit a Bank Statement for the last 6 months. Unfortunately, my Bank could only issue me my 3 months of Bank Statement and I have to request to their Main Office and wait for 1 week for the said documents. Instead of waiting for one to two weeks, I went to AFPSLAI to get whatever the Swiss Embassy would require in order to tell them that I am capable of paying my trip and stay in Switzerland. In less than 15 minutes, I was able to get a Bank Statement for the past 15 years in only ONE page!

As of this time, I have not yet received my Bank Statement from the local commercial bank which caters to my banking needs for the past 30 years! And come to think of it, this is the oldest bank of the Philippines!

I found out that the Swiss Embassy is very strict on trying to monitor my movements/trips within their country to the point that they would like to know where I will stay for the duration of my visit in their country. I just realized the reason why when I was finally in front of the Swiss Immigration Officer when I landed in Geneva, Switzerland. The Swiss Immigration do not require their visitors to submit or fill-up an Immigration Card. They simply check your visa and mark it with a stamp indicating your date of entry in the country!

I made reservation for my flight arrangements with the Travel Agency that had been very helpful to me for the past 17 years and I was booked with the Qatar Airways with a stop-over in Doha, Qatar for 2.5 hours. My hotel accommodations reservations were personally made by me through OnLine on booking.com. And used the Google to its fullest for the trip/land travel arrangements.

I did not ask for any sponsors or made any requests from my friends in the corporate and government offices or came up with a running event to raise funds in order to support my logistical needs for this event. Joining this event is a personal choice and endeavor and I don’t want anybody to have the burden in supporting me.

Even if I am the ONLY Filipino runner in this year’s edition of the event, there is no need to brag about it. This is the reason why I don’t wave or display the RP Flag whenever I finish an international running event. I am just an ordinary and private Filipino runner enjoying my retired life!

Race Proper

My hotel, Hotel Central Continental, is 50 meters away from the Interlaken West Train Station and about one kilometer away from the Starting Area of the Race and Das Zelt, the place where the Race Exposition and Race Packet Kit Claiming Area is located, is just on the Public Park adjacent to the Starting Area. After checking-in at my Hotel, I immediately went to the Race Packet Kit Claiming area where it is located and I was able to get my Race Bib, Drop Bag at the Finish Line Tag, Event’s Magazine, and an ASICS Hydration Pack (Black).

Jungfrau Mountain @ Far Background With Snow

The 5,000 runners in this race were divided into 6 groups——Elite Runners & 1st Wave and 2nd Wave to the 6th Wave. The Elite Runner and 1st Wave would start at 8:30 AM and my group, which is the 6th and last group would start at 8:55 AM. Each group would be released every 5 minutes of which was done for the first time in this event.

I was on my way to the Starting Line when the 1st Wave was released at exactly 8:30 AM. I entered my corral when the 2nd Wave was released and I had enough time to position myself with the rest of the runners in my Wave. Every time a Wave was released we would move forward nearer to the Starting Line. It was time to check my AMIHAN Go Light Race Belt for my IPod Touch, gels, light jacket, and power bars and they were all properly stashed on my waist.

At exactly 8:55 AM, all the runners in my Wave which were easily identifiable by their race bib numbers beginning with the number 6 and myself started to jog and easily claimed my spot a few meters away from the Starting Line. The runners were not crowded at the start and I simply relaxed and imagined that my first 15-20 minutes were my warm-up runs during my training. After two miles, I started to increase my pace as the course would be flat and paved. As we left the center of the City of Interlaken, it started to drizzle and the announcement before the race started that it will be rainy and cold during the course was becoming a reality. It is even anticipated that it will be foggy and very cold once we will be reaching the last 15K towards the Finish Line.

Before reaching Mile 4, I was already passing the tail-end of those runners on Wave 5 and I was surprised. Such observation inspired me to maintain my pace and steadily move forward. There are portions of the flat sections which are wide dirt road with crushed gravel which you might think that the event is a trail running event. I have observed that I would pass some runners on the uphills but some of them would pass me on the downhill. It was a no big deal on my part since these runners would look like they are half younger than my age!

On The First Two Miles Of The Course

I reached the 6.2 Mile Mark (10K) in 56:22 minutes in the town of Wilderswil where there was an Aid Station. I took one of my GU Gels and then took at least two cups of water as I was sweating a lot even if it was drizzling. I was too nervous that I might be cut-off in this Checkpoint, thus, I was running faster than what I have planned. The cut-off time here is 9:55 AM or one hour from our Wave 6 start. So, I have less than 4 minutes as cushion as I passed this checkpoint. Based from my recorded split, I was ranked #2,832. At Kilometer #15, where the cut-off time is 10:25 AM or 1:30 hour elapsed time, I was able to gain one minute as additional cushion time where I timed at 1:25:47 hours but my rank decreased to #3,031. It could be that I slowed down or the other runners who started slower are starting to pick-up their pace at this point.

After I passed the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen and reached the checkpoint at Km #21, my time registered at 2:11:34 and my rank decreased to #3,244 and it was due to brief walking at the Aid Station to grab some water, take in some bananas and GU Gel. But I was able to gain another almost one minute as cushion from the cut-off time of 2:17:00. From Km #21 to Km #25, it was slight uphill at the start but once you cross a river, it is almost slight flat and downhill. However, after reaching Km #25 where I timed in in 2:40:23 hours and placed #3,279, it was now the start of a steep switchbacks which are more than 15 turns going up to the mountain. However, I was able to gain a total of cushion time here for almost 8 minutes! It was raining harder at this point and I was starting to feel the air to be thin and cold that my hands were starting to get numb. I brought out my Patagonia Light Jacket (Waterproof) from my AMIHAN Race “Go Lite” Belt and zippered it all the way to my chin to keep my body warm. I would hide my palms from the sleeves of my Jacket just to keep them warm!

At The Town Of Lauterbrunnen

Before reaching the next checkpoint at Km #30, I had the urge to pee and I decided to just approach one of the trees beside the road and took my time to unload my urine. This is where I had been overtaken or passed by 50 runners! But once I reached the checkpoint, my time was 3:39:57 hours and I was ranked #3,329! But I was able to gain a total cushion time of 13 minutes!

From Km #35, it was the start of the steep uphill climb to the peak of the mountain, it was still raining and the temperature was going down to freezing cold. This is where I remember my training in Kennon Road leading up to Baguio (17 kilometers) and my uphill climb in Mt Tapulao (14 kilometers) during a rainy and inclement weather! I started to hike strongly and then jog from time to time on those steep ascents and flat portions of the course. At checkpoint Km #38, my time was 5:12:18 hours and I was ranked #3,325, an improvement of 4 slots and have a cushion time of 15 minutes. At this point, it was already a “conga line” of runners on the steepest part of the course and it was raining, foggy, and with muddy single-track trail.

It Was Freezing Cold

I got to make my move as the other runners in front of me were too slow in their hike towards the peak. I would start to jog, get out of the trail to pass the slower ones, one at a time, until I reached the peak of the mountain. The last one kilometer was downhill and I started to run, braving the cold wind, thick fog, rain, and thin air! Finally, I crossed the finish line together with some of the runners with an official time of 6:14:17 hours!

I was surprised to find out that I was able to pass 64 runners on the steepest part of the course even if it was cold, building up a cushion time of almost 16 minutes before the the cut-off time of 6:30 hours. However, as I reviewed the official result, I found out that the Race Organizer decided to adjust the course cut-off time to 7:00 hours! Maybe, it was due to the inclement weather during the race. I am glad the race was not stopped even when it was raining hard on the last few hours of the event.

Out of 95 starters on my Age Category of 65 years old and above, I placed/ranked #60. Out of the almost 5,000 runners, I was ranked #3,261.

The Marathon Race has an elevation gain of 8,406 feet and elevation loss of 3,386 feet.

Not bad for an old 65 years old runner from a tropical country finishing a marathon race in the Swiss Alps!

To be continued.

5th ANTIQUE 100-Mile Ultra Marathon Race

Starting Date & Area: 10:00 PM September 22, 2017/ Provincial Capitol, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Finish Date & Area: 6:00 AM September 24, 2017/Army Transient Facility (ATF), Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan

Cut-Off Time: 32 Hours

Number Of Starters: 14 Runners

Number Of Finishers: 13 Runners

Percentage Of Finish: 92.8%

Group Picture Inside The Provincial Capitol, Antique

RANK          NAME                  TIME (Hrs)

1. Thomas Combisen (Overall Champion & New Course Record) –21:45:29
2. Rod Losabia (1st Runner-Up, Overall) —26:55:24
3. Badong Sietereales (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) — 28:06:15
4. Jonathan Moleta — 29:24:44
5. Gibo Malvar — 29:24:45
6. Laico Tolentino — 29:24:46
7. Khristian Caleon — 29:42:02
8. Olan Ortines — 29:48:58
9. Domingo Pateño — 29:54:16
10. Tess Leono (Female Champion) — 29:54:26
11. Kathleen Piñero (1st Runner-Up, Female) — 30:55:12
12. Tina Andaya (2nd Runner-Up, Female) — 31:20:13
13. Jeff Velasco — 31:20:14

Thomas Combisen, Overall Champion & Course Record Holder

Female Champion Tess Leono

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

Blogging And Fake News (2017)

I am not fond of Blogs whose topics are about Politics. Since this blog is safely categorized as Health and Lifestyle, a part of being a Sports Blog on Running, and had always been a personal journal of my running adventures, opinion on running about my personal experiences, and my Ultra Races under the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU), such kind of writing will be continuously followed in this blog.

This blog has never been involved in advertising and promoting other running events except for BR’s Events and PAU Events. As for the other running events, I usually post Race Reports in Running Events where I finished or Did Not Finish. I even post Running Events which I intend to join for the year to the point that I would also publish my weekly training schedule and workouts as my preparation for the said events.

My opinions about running are geared towards my personal experiences and the things that I have observed in my participation to running events. There nothing fake about my opinions and experiences as they are taken from my first-hand/personal experience.

There are times that I feature Runners or Ultrarunners who have shown exemplary performance as they serve as inspiration to other runners. These runners are considered as “trailblazers” or “pioneers” to running events where no one have dared to join before, most specially, in international races. To some, they have set a National Record in Ultra Running Events and best performance in International Ultra Running Events.

As I reckon the new birth of ultra marathon/ultrarunning in the country from the time I thought of the idea of conducting the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race, ten years had passed and I predict that more ultra marathon runners will join us to promote the sports and experience what our body is capable of after the Marathon distance.

Approaching The Finish Line @ Miyamit Falls 42K Trail Run (Photo By Glairold Recella Photography)

Race Report: 2017 Miyamit Falls 42K Trail Run (4th Edition)

I was one of the “pioneers” of this trail race and I published a Race Report about it. That was four years ago and had been a trail runner for two years when this event was conducted.

I did not have any plans of joining this year’s edition but I thought of exposing my running buddy and training partner for a race, for the first time, which is very near my Playground. It was still within the Registration Period when I sent a message to the Race Director, Atty Jonnifer Lacanlale, of my intention to join in this year’s edition of the event with another runner. He gladly accommodated my request and I informed my training partner (aka Official Kodaker) that I have registered him to compete in a Trail Marathon.

Whatever my training for the day is the same training that we had to do and run together. For the past months and weeks since the middle of June of this year, my training partner was exposed to the training program/schedule that I got from my Professional Coaching Services. If the schedule calls for “hill repeats”, he would do so but with a faster speed/pace than me. If my schedule calls for a “tempo run repeats”, he would stay with me for the first repetition and ask him to just hold my camera and take pictures of me while doing my intense and hard “tempo repeats” in the mountain. If I do my “strides”, he would quicken his pace as he is always positioned behind me in my runs.

Knowing that he has the strength and speed for the race, I taught and advised him on tactics and race strategy during a race. I advised him to position himself on the 3rd or 4th guy from the front, with his eyes on the leading runner on the first half of the race. If he has still the strength and speed on the second half, that is the time to make a move. On a final advise, I told him not to talk or engage in any conversation with those guys in front of him or to anybody. He should be focused on getting in front by all means before reaching the finish line. However, if he can not keep up with the pace of the top runners, I advised him to conserve his energy on the first half (climb to the peak/turn-around) and then go as fast as he can on the downhill going to the Finish Line. And that was what he did! He finished #6 Overall and he was happy. And the Coach is happy, too!

Leo Taruc, My Training Partner & Kodaker (Photo By Glairold Recella)

Four years had passed when I joined the First Edition of this event and I finished #36 out of 115 finishers with a time of 7:58+hours then at the age of 61 years old and two years after I’ve transformed myself from a road runner to a trail runner. It is not bad to condition my mind that I would improve my time in this year’s edition. I announced on my Facebook Wall that I will try to improve my time in this event, even for some few minutes! I was wrong!

At exactly 5:30 AM of Sunday, October 1, the race started at the Alviera Recreational Center in Porac, Pampanga and the runners were combination of those doing the 42K and 26K distances. I call the 42K runners as the “bravest ones” in this event! As for me, running without “trekking poles”, is again my “bravest and dumbest” decision in this race! It should be noted that I finished the CM50 for four times without the aid of trekking poles because I was simply “hard-headed”! I guess, as I become older in this kind of sports of Trail Running, it is already a mandatory on my part to bring trekking poles with me if the event allows the runners to have them as a running gear.

From the Starting Line, I jogged and ran comfortably, making the flat and downhill sections going to Barangay Sapang Uwak (1.5 to 2 kilometers) as my “warm-up” run which is equivalent to my 20-minute of “warm-up” runs during my daily workouts. As I approached the center of the Barangay, I was still running comfortably as the road became steeper. I am glad that we took the original route where almost one kilometer of the steepest portion after the Barangay Hall had been cemented/paved. But the steepness of the road was still brutal to the runners’ legs! A Lady Runner would curse and shout the F-word as I passed her. I really don’t know if she was cursing me or cursing herself or cursing the road! There was no need to look back to see her face or engage in a conversation with her!

There was a lot of new faces in this event and most of them were my first time to see them. I saw some of the “usual suspects” and I know by their names and most of them are “loyalists” to this event. It was also a good observation that I saw a lot of runners wearing the Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 but I was glad I was wearing a different shoes! The color of the my Speedgoat 2 does not match with the color of my Running Kit! Hahaha!

Miyamit Falls 42K Elevation Profile (From Training Peaks)

I tried hard to reach the Miyamit Falls within two hours but I failed! I reached the falls at 2:28+hours and went back to AS3 where I filled my hydration bottle before proceeding to the Peak/Turn-around point which is another 10 kilometers! It took me another 2:30+ hours to reach the Peak/Turn-Around point. On my way back to AS3, I have to stop and eat my Pack Meal on a flowing stream where I have to sit on a rock and drink some water. I think I was able to rest for about 20 minutes just to regain my strength and rehydrate my tired body. I even went to extent of pouring cold water from the stream to my head and whole body to cool off and dip my legs to the flowing water. My decision to rest, re-hydrating, taking a dip to the cold water, and eating my packed meal gave me the strength to run all the way to the AS3. It took me another two hours to reach AS3 from the Peak/Turn-Around Point.

I knew already at this point that I could no longer improve my previous time of sub-8 hours! Instead, I took some time to talk with my friend, Joma Sison, who was manning the AS3, and eat some food served at the Aid Station and drank the Sprite soft drinks he reserved for me! Thank you, Joma for being there despite the inclement weather and slippery/muddy road! At this point, I was already raining and my feet would compete with the flowing water on the trail as I ran down towards Barangay Sapang Uwak. I have to stop and refill my hydration bottle for the next two Aid Stations and pour some water to my head and face! There are also sections of the trail that I would run through some deep and shallow muds. And that is part of the fun and challenge in trail running.

From the second to the last Aid Station to the Finish, I knew that my quads will be challenged on those steep downhill road towards Barangay Sapang Uwak and I was prepared for the beating! I continued to run and took some small successive steps on those steep portions of the road until I reached the flatter sections at the center of the Barangay. From the steel bridge, I knew that I have at least 1.5 kilometers to the Finish Line!

Approaching The Finish Line! (Photo By Glairold Recella)

I finally crossed the Finish Line in 8:58:30 hours, which is One Hour slower that my previous time! My performance is still on passing grade, considering that the cut-off time for the event is 10 hours! Aside from the inclement weather; muddy and slippery condition of the trail; extended rests on the stream; and staying more time in the Aid Stations, I think my age is catching up on me! However, I am happy that I finished this race; served as one of my training runs for a longer race in the future; and being the Oldest Finisher in this Badass Trail Running Event!

I highly recommend this trail running event to everybody but there is a need for a race-specific training schedule and workout for this event. A 3-month trail running schedule/training preparation with lots of elevation gain and downhill running would best prepare anybody to finish this event within the prescribed cut-off time of 10 hours.

Congratulations to Atty Jonnifer Lacanlale and his Team for coming up on this yearly Badass Trail Running Event. It is one of the well-organized trail races that we have in the country today!

Running Gears:

The North Face Orange Shirt; The North Face Cap; The North Face Trail Shorts; AMIHAN Go Lite Race Belt; Taiwan’s Beast Hydration Bottle; The North Face Compression Socks; New Balance Vazee Summit Trail Shoes; Adidas Gloves; 2017 UTMB Buff; San Diego 100-Mile Endurance Run Buff; Miami Sunglass; and IPhone5

Nutrition: XO Coffee Candies; Cloud9 Chocolate; SkyFlakes Condensada; Goya Chocolate Pops; and Meal Pack

3rd East Coast 145-Mile Ultra Marathon Race (2017)

Starting Area & Start Time: BALER Sign, Baler, Aurora/9:00 AM December 26, 2017

Finish Area & Finish Time: BALER Sign, Baler, Aurora/9:00 AM December 28, 2017

Race Course: From Baler, Aurora To Casiguran, Aurora and Back to Baler.

Cut-Off Time: 48 Hours/Intermediate Cut-Off Time In Casiguran: 24 Hours

Number of Starters: 10 Runners

Number of Finishers: 10 Finishers

Percentage of Finish: 100%

3rd East Coast 145-Mile Ultra Race Starters With RD

RANK       NAME                  TIME (Hrs)

1. Bong Dizon (Overall Champion)—38:07:08
2. Rhoda Oporto (Female Champion & Female Course Record)—38:23:42
3. Remy Caasi (1st Runner-Up, Female)—41:11:50
4. Jon Borbon (1st Runner-Up, Male)—44:32:49
5. Fer De Leon 92nd Runner-Up, Male)—44:48:38
6. Aldrin Pallera — 45:51:24
7. Rolan Cera — 46:06:22
8. Laico Tolentino — 46:06:23
9. Frederick Peñalosa — 46:21:29
10. Rod Losabia — 47:47:22

Bong Dizon, Overall Champion

Rhoda Oporto, Female Champion & New Female Course Record Holder

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

3rd Naic To Nasugbu 50K Ultra Marathon Race (2017)

Starting Area & Time: Naic Public Plaza (Covered Court), Naic, Cavite/4:00 AM December 30, 2017

Finish Area & Time: PETRON Gasoline Station (Owned By Retired Lt General Obaniana, AFP), Nasugbu, Batangas

Cut-Off Time: 10 Hours

Number Of Starters: 29 Runners

Number Of Finishers: 29 Finishers

Percentage Of Finisher: 100%

RANK     NAME         TIME (Hrs)

1. Thomas Combisen (Overall Champion)—5:29:29
2. Felmer Hiponia (1st Runner-Up, Overall/Male)—5:46:20
3. Jeff Salera (2nd Runner-Up, Overall/Male)—6:43:55
4. Desrie Balla — 6:48:23
5. Tess Leono (Female Champion) — 7:09:29
6. Rasette Pesuelo (1st Runner-Up, Female) — 7:21:31
7. Karl Ocampo — 7:30:33
8. Jennylee Pascua (2nd Runner-Up, Female) — 7:40:16
9. Eugene Mendoza — 7:51:42
10. Bien Alcala — 7:53:17
11. Joy Eder (Female) — 7:56:07
12. Efren Olpindo — 8:04:25
13. Albert Villamayor — 8:05:45
14. Kathleen Piñero (Female) — 8:12:15
15. Vicente Zapanta, Jr — 8:16:04
16. Thess Santos (Female) — 8:40:45
17. Cecilia Lalisan (Female) — 8:42:35
18. Binky Musngi (Female) — 8:50:44
19. Bob Tolete — 8:50:45
20. Joseph Nebrida — 8:57:50
21. Max Sanchez — 9:01:15
22. Aris De Leon — 9:02:14
23. Reese Rogel (Female) — 9:23:36
24. Anna Odessa Albarracin (Female) — 9:27:11
25. Lou Maghuyop (Female) — 9:30:47
26. Jun Ramirez — 9:31:13
27. Johnson Lontoc — 9:36:52
28. Abegaile Par (Female) — 9:49:15
29. Sabrina Oliveros (Female) — 9:50:04

Overall Champion Thomas Combisen

Female Champion Tess Leono

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

For the first time in this blog I will be featuring an article (based from my own view and opinion) on Pinoys who excelled in running or those who have shown the true spirit of an outstanding runner, whether they are based locally or abroad for the year 2017. I will limit my story for the Marathon and Ultra Marathon distances.

Marathon Distance:

Top Award For Best Performance: Mary Joy Tabal was our First Gold Medalist in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the Marathon event with a finish time of 2:48:26 hours beating the second runner by seven (7) minutes. Her personal best time in the Marathon distance was 2:43:31 hours at the Ottawa Marathon Race in 2016, which qualified her to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In the local races, Mary Joy Tabal has in her name a record in the history of running as the First Female Champion of the MILO Marathon for five (5) successive years. Last December, she won the MILO Marathon in Cebu City with a time of 2:58:01 hours, the day after his father died.

Mary Joy Tabal From Cebu City (Photo From Facebook)

Ultra Marathon Distance (Road)

Top Award For Best Performance: Rolando Espina is now the Filipino Record Holder for the 24-Hour Run finishing a distance of 210.798 kilometers (130.99 miles) in the July 2017 IAU Belfast 24-Hour World Championship held in Belfast, Ireland. He is also the Overall Champion in the 9th Edition (2017) of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race with a time of 9:26:39 hours, the second best time finish in the history of the event. He is the first and only Filipino who have finished the Spartathlon in Greece in two consecutive years, 2016 & 2017, with finish times of 33:19:33 hours and 32:30:03 hours, respectively. He is also the Overall Champion and New Course Record Holder in this year’s PAU’s West Coast 200K Ultra Marathon Race with a time of 26:45:18 hours.

Rolando Espina From Bacolod City & Based In Ireland (Photo From Facebook)

Ultra Marathon Distance (Trail)

Top Award For Best Performance (Male): Hermogines “Gene” Olvis outstanding performance at the 2017 UTMB Race makes him as the Best Male Performer in Ultra Trail Running for 2017 for finishing the race with a record finish time (among the local runners) of 35:33:54 hours. He also finished Overall 2nd Runner-Up in the 2017 edition of the KOTM’s Hardcore 100-Mile Trail Run with a time of 30:17:29 hours.

Gene Olvis (Photo from Facebook/Jajaferrer.com)

Top Award For Best Performance (Female): Sandi Menchi Abahan outstanding performance at the 2017 TDS Race (118K) @ UTMB makes her as the Best Female Performer in Ultra Trail Running for 2017 for finishing 21st Overall in the Female Category and 9th Overall in her Age Category with a record finish time (First Female Local Finisher in the TDS & Record Holder) of 23:27:16 hours. Being a member of the Philippine Skyrunning Association Elite Team, she won as the Female Champion for two successive years, 2016 & 2017, in the Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon Race with these finish times, 2:58:48 hours and 3:04:30 hours, respectively.

Sandi Menchi Abahan @ TDS Finish Line (Photo from Facebook)

Congratulations For Your Outstanding Performance!

The following is a Powerpoint Presentation on the Rules & Regulations of the 2018/10th Edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race. All Runners and their respective Support Crew & Drivers must abide by these instructions. Any infraction of these rules and regulations will jeopardize the success or finish of every runner during the event.

Please click on the following link. Good luck!

2018 BDM 102 Final Briefing.pdf

The 10th Edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102) is a Qualifying Race for the 2019 Western States Endurance Race (WSER) in California, USA.

The following is the list of Pinoy Ultra Runners (Locals & Residents Abroad) who have represented the country in International Ultra Running Races and those who performed outstanding finish in our Local PAU Races:

1. Jag Lanante: The First and Only Filipino who have finished the Honkong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4UTC) in less than 60 hours this year.
2. Gerald Tabios: The First and Only Filipino to have finished the Badwater 135-Mile Ultra Marathon Race for Three Consecutive Years (2015, 2016, & 2017).
3. Rolando Espina: The First and Only Filipino who have finished the Spartathlon Ultra Marathon Race in Greece for Two Consecutive Years (2016 & 2017).
4. Conrado Bermudez, Jr: Based in New Jersey, USA, he finished Four (4) 100-Milers (Trail) in 2017—Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler in Texas, USA; Massanutten 100 Miler in Virginia, USA; Cruel Jewel 100 Miler in Georgia, USA; and UTMB 170K in Chamonix, France. He is setting a goal to be the First Filipino to Finish the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning Series in the USA this year.
5. Paul Encarnacion—Based in Maryland, USA, he finished the Massanutten 100 in Virginia, USA and Eco Trail Madrid 80K in Spain.
6. Aleksis Capili-–The First Pinoy to Finish the Tor Des Geants 330K Endurance Run in Courmayeur (Aosta Valley), Italy. He also finished the 2017 Tarawera 100 in New Zealand. He is also one of the Pinoy Runners in the Asia Trail Master Championship Ranking.
7. Mon Beleno & Jerome Bautista—Finisher of the 2017 The North Face LAVAREDO 120K Ultra Trail Race in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy.
8. Jerome Lagumbay, Rodney Cabahug, Rex Gonzales, & Jovenal Narcise—Finishers of the 2017 Tarawera 100K Ultra Trail Race in New Zealand.
9. Edmund Cura—Finisher of CCC 102K (UTMB)
10. Sandi Menchi Abahan & Aldean Philip Lim—Finisher of TDS 121K (UTMB)
11. Hermogines Olvis; Miguel Carranza; & Majo Liao—Finishers of UTMB 170K.
12. Henry Laron—The Only Filipino Finisher in the 2017 San Diego 100-Mile Endurance Run (Solo Category).
13. Joseph Sibal-–One of the Pinoy Ultrarunners with the Asia Trail Master Championship Ranking, finishing the following trail races in 2017—Beach Bunch Trail Challenge 100K; BTS 100K Ultra; Ultra-Trail Panoramic 100K; and other Ultra Trail Races in the Asia Trail Master Series.
14. Wilnar Iglesia—Finisher of the Penang Eco 100K; Mesastila Trail Challenge 100K and other Ultra Trail Races in the Asia Trail Master Series.
15. Rose Betonio—Finisher of the Monster Ultra 200K in Singapore and 2nd Runner-Up in the Coast To Coast 444K Ultra in Malaysia. She also finished 2nd Runner-Up in PAU’s North Coast 200-Mile Run and finisher of PAU’s West To East 280K Ultra.
16. Cheryl Bihag—Finisher of this year’s Beach Bunch Trail Challenge 100K; The Magnificent Merapoh 100K Trail Challenge; Ultra-Trail Panoramic 100-Mile Run; and other Ultra Trail Races in the Asia Trail Master Series.
17. Kat Bermudez-–Based in New Jersey, USA and wife of Conrado Bermudez, Jr, is the First Lady “Virgin” Pinoy to have joined the Barkley Marathon finishing the 1st loop with 12 pages gathered. She finished the 2017 Rocky Raccoon 100-Mile Run in Texas, USA.
18. Rhoda Oporto & Remy Caasi—PAU’s Top Lady Ultra Runners who finished the PAU’s 200+K Road Grand Slam Ultra Marathon Series for 2017.
19. Bong Dizon, Rolan Cera, Fer De Leon, & Jon Borbon—Finishers of the PAU’s 200+K Road Grand Slam Ultra Marathon Series for 2017.
20. Thomas Combisen, Gibo Malvar, and Salvador Sietereales—Candidates for the PAU’s 100-Mile Road & Trail Grand Slam Ultra Marathon Series for 2017.
21. Thomas Combisen & Ronnel Valero—PAU Top Ultra Trail Runners who finished among the Top 10 Local Runners in the 2017 Hardcore Hundred Miles Trail Run.

Congratulations to everybody. Keep inspiring other runners to excel and to join international ultra running events and local ultra running events.

The following are things that you should know about the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race which makes it very unique and special from the other ultra marathon races in the country and around the world:

1. The FIRST Ultra Marathon Race In The Country: Nobody believed or thought of this event to be done in one Solo and Single Stage Running Event with a prescribed cut-off time to finish the event in 18 hours. It took a group of 83 brave runners to test the course on the very first month of Summer in 2009 (April 4-5, 2009) and everything is now history.
2. “By Invitation Only” Race: It is the runner’s own volition to send a Letter Of Request to the Race Director to introduce himself/herself that he’s/she is qualified to join the race. If accepted, he/she receives a Letter Of Invitation from the Race Director to join the said race. There are NO Commercial Promotions or Advertisements published in the traditional media about the said event. The RD does not encourage runners to join the event simply to make the number of participants bigger and more profitable.
3. No Dedicated Website: This is a Race that had gained popularity through the years without a dedicated Event Website where you could “register and know” all about the event. If somebody would like to know the details of the said event, he/she would be able to browse on the articles posted at the Blog site of the Race Director—www.baldrunner.com. On Facebook, there is a dedicated Page for the said event which is used as a Chatroom for everybody interested to join the event.
4. Integrity Of The Race Is Paramount: Since this event is a commemoration of a historic event of the country where the lives of past heroes, military veterans, and those who defended our country in the name of freedom, independence, and democracy, it is fitting that all the runners should be honest in finishing this race as there are no monetary prizes or popularity recognition in the media for being the fastest or slowest in finishing this race. The ultimate prize here is bragging on the Social Media.
5. No Commercial Sponsors: The Race Director had strictly maintained his position for the event to be not supported by any Commercial Sponsors, even with the Government, except for the Local Government Units, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police for security and administrative assistance. The RD had a bad experience with these Private Commercial Brands and the National Government bureaucracy when this event was on its “birth stage”.
6. “Lesser Number Of Runners, The Better”: In the 2014 edition (6th Edition) of the race, the number of runners reached the number of 300 and it was a nightmare on matters of control, administration, logistics, and overall supervision of the event. Even then, the result was still the 4th lowest finisher percentage in the history of the event. In order to lessen the number of interested runners, the RD decided to increase the Registration Fee and had maintained it since 2015 up to the present. It drastically resulted to a lower number of runners in 2015 but the RD and its Staff were happier to have managed the event with ease and comfort.
7. No Special Treatment To Any Runner: Whether a runner is coming from abroad or coming from Visayas and Mindanao, they have to make their own research on how to reach the Start of the Race and make their respective accommodation and other logistics matters. The RD also goes to some International Races abroad and he does need to contact the RD of these Races for basic information about such events.
8. “No Whining” On This Race: Not All Running Events are Perfect. Even the oldest and most prestigious Marathon Race, the Boston Marathon, is NOT perfect! We try to investigate such “whining” related to the event and if we find out that such complaints are baseless and try to destroy the reputation of the race and its Race Organizer/s, we immediately BAN these people from joining this event, whether as volunteers, support crew, or a requesting participant. There are other running events scheduled on the same dates with the BDM 102 Ultra where they could join.
9. No Reimbursement or Roll-Over of Registration Fee: If you have decided that you can not make it at the Starting Area on Race Day, the least that you can do is to pick-up your Race Packet and you will be declared as DNS (Did Not Start). No alibis or reasons will not be accepted why you could not make it to the race. Your Registration Fee for this year is NOT transferrable to the next edition if you can not make it this year.
10. 2019 Western States 100-Mile Qualifying Race: It is with deep gratitude and thanks that the Western States 100 Endurance Race’ Board of Trustees have selected the 2018 BDM 102 Ultra Race as a qualifying race for its 2019 edition. This will be a good chance for our local runners who will finish this year’s race to apply for the lottery in the 2019 WSER 100.
11. BDM “Get Together Party”: This is the ONLY Ultra Marathon Race in the country that  honors its runners to a “Dinner Party” and a chance to recognize outstanding ultra runners of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) for the year 2017.
12. The Race Director Runs His Race: The Race Director ran and finished the FIRST Edition of BDM 102 just to prove to everybody that it could be done. He could be the Only RD in the country that runs its own race and competes with the younger runners. Now that he is already 65 years old, he would wish that he could still finish the BDM 102.
13. Rules & Regulations Are Strictly Enforced: Do you know why every runner must memorize his/her Bib Number? Because our Marshals (Checkpoint and/or Secret/Intel people) will ask your Race Bib Number and this will remind you that you must follow the Event’s Rules and Regulations strictly throughout the Race.

BDM 102 Ultra Race Past Results

10th Edition (2018) Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102)

Start Time & Place: 10:30 PM January 27, 2018 @ BDM Shrine, Mariveles, Bataan

Finish Time & Place: 4:30 PM January 28, 2018 @ Old Railway Station, Barangay Sto. Niño, San Fernando City (Pampanga)

Course Cut-Off Time: 18 Hours (9 Hours @ Km 50)

Number of Starters: 244 Runners

Number of Finishers: 212 Runners

Percentage of Finish: 86.88%

RANK          NAME                 TIME (Hrs)

1. Desiderio Engbino (Overall Champion)—10:35:30
2. Edilberto Batiancila (1st Runner-Up, Overall)—10:35:41
3. Felmer Hiponia (2nd Runner-Up, Overall)—10:40:01
4. Jon Las Bruce —11:23:34
5. Thomas Combisen —11:24:45
6. Ronnel Valero —11:25:01
7. Herbert Gutierez —11:45:02
8. Moses Moreno —11:48:09
9. Jonathan Bajaro —12:07:37
10. Bong Dizon —12:08:20
11. Reynolds Enriquez —12:30:59
12. Preciousa Sanchez (Female Champion) —12:34:49
13. Sherwin Bargos —12:46:24
14. Jonas Nacario —12:50:36
15. Gil Conanan —12:51:37
16. Michael Dela Rama —12:57:16
17. Peter Christopher Illanza —13:02:19
18. Raffy Barolo —13:05:38
19. Angelo Rodriguez —13:12:37
20. Jovencio Luspian —13:19:28
21. Rex Brillantes —13:28:15
22. Salvador Sietereales —13:28:23
23. Raymond Balan —13:53:26
24. Kevin Luna —14:05:19
25. Richard Antonio —14:05:48
26. Jeneth Silvestre (1st Runner-Up, Female) —14:11:23
27. Desrei Balla —14:16:57
28. Rene Villafuerte —14:18:11
29. Aldrin Pallera —14:18:56
30. Ralph Louie Jacinto —14:20:52
31. Greggy Galicia —14:21:30
32. Joseph Lizardo —14:23:39
33. Simon Pavel Miranda —14:25:32
34. Jose Napiloy —14:26:34
35. Wai Thing Law (2nd Runner-Up, Female) —14:35:09
36. Jonathan Epes Suerte —14:35:31
37. Kelly Castro —14:38:03
38. Dante Dela Torre —14:41:09
39. Remy Caasi (Female) —14:43:38
40. Alex Bugnos —14:43:57
41. Monday Klaus Gimeno —14:47:55
42. Fer De Leon —14:48:56
43. Gibo Malvar —14:49:45
44. Oliver Angeles —14:49:53
45. Meljohn Tezon —14:50:08
46. Joselito Rosales —14:52:27
47. Mario Carig —14:53:35
48. Peter Lloyd Molera —14:54:18
49. Engelbert Pantig —14:55:41
50. Khristian Caleon —14:55:54
51. Rena Serion Manubang (Female) —15:06:12
52. Rod Losabia —15:10:16
53. Loben Macairan —15:13:44
54. Richard Buco —15:14:17
55. Jess Edmar Guerea —15:14:33
56. Louie Cotejar —15:14:44
57. Richard Rantillo —15:16:17
58. Jim Taguiang —15:18:15
59. Joel Ibañez —15:19:36
60. Jovenal Narcise —15:20:08
61. Anthony Noriel Fodra —15:20:57
62. Juanito Centino —15:21:44
63. Peter Canlas —15:23:24
64. Rogelio Espe —15:24:34
65. Eric John Galeos —15:26:32
66. Rogelio Reyes Jr —15:28:03
67. Roy Simon —15:28:26
68. Glenn Rosales —15:30:45
69. Rolan Cera —15:31:07
70. Aaron Laron —15:31:36
71. Richard Gamo —15:31:48
72. Adonis Amoro —15:33:45
73. Henry Laborde —15:35:19
74. Renz Bruno —15:36:10
75. Marilou Ingua (Female) —15:37:19
76. Elgrace Jazmin (Female) —15:37:32
77. James Kieven Liong —15:41:16
78. Manuel Johnson Balancio III —15:41:47
79. Noel Ade —15:42:44
80. Domingo Patiño Jr —15:42:59
81. Gary Mosqueda —15:43:30
82. Edward Agdamag —15:47:20
83. Laico Tolentino —15:49:15
84. Virgilio Diaz Jr —15:57:49
85. Rone Milan —15:58:20
86. Jaime Sanchez Jr —15:58:47
87. Bryan Francia —16:00:00
88. Tess Leono (Female) —16:00:53
89. Franz Quiestas —16:05:24
90. Joemel Rojas —16:05:44
91. Ricardo Catangay —16:06:00
92. Hope Jhon Brazil —16:07:45
93. Raymond Bueno —16:09:56
94. Ma. Elena Cuario (Female) —16:11:06
95. Joven Gozum —16:15:20
96. Rey Timbreza —16:16:14
97. John Arman Perez —16:20:43
98. Mark David Elpedes —16:21:57
99. Inla Diana Salonga (Female) —16:24:07
100. Margie Pailaga (Female) —16:24:24
101. Kathleen Piñero (Female) —16:24:31
102. Bong Anastacio —16:26:02
103. Anthony Pelera —16:26:43
104. Brady Yandoc —16:27:03
105. Jennylee Pascua (Female) —16:29:34
106. Bien Alcala —16:29:52
107. Elizer Loquere —16:32:17
108. Joy Eder (Female) —16:33:03
109. Nelson Val Caro Jr —16:33:17
110. Joel Joseph Montilla —16:33:32
111. Maria Theresa Santos (Female) —16:33:52
112. Dennis Racho —16:35:16
113. Michael Socito —16:39:48
114. Aris De Leon —16:40:51
115. Jeffrey Furigay —16:40:51
116. Raymond Tuazon —16:41:30
117. Marquis Albert Minlay —16:41:59
118. Christopher Maravilla —16:42:53
119. Jeneth Soriano (Female) —16:43:05
120. Homer Paras —16:47:18
121. Elmer Caballes —16:47:40
122. Eduardo Magpoc —16:49:05
123. Joey Alcantara —16:50:22
124. Che Che Magramo (Female) —16:51:27
125. JP Navarrete —16:54:18
126. Rosario Mosca Jr —16:55:03
127. Abgermel Tayaban —16:56:08
128. Adelaida Laking (Female)—16:57:00
129. Earl Louis Saez —16:57:25
130. Romeo Canda —16:57:51
131. Alnie Amoro —17:00:34
132. Vladimer Quetua —17:01:20
133. Oliver Salas —17:03:14
134. Bernadette Aguirre (Female) —17:03:44
135. Faustino Quiocho —17:05:48
136. Ivan Lu —17:06:13
137. Prances Autor —17:06:39
138. Audie Tolentino —17:06:59
139. Manuel Remandaban —17:07:29
140. Eric Salazar —17:08:14
141. Rimberto Del Rosario —17:08:30
142. Leonora Ealdana (Female)—17:08:47
143. Jun Ramirez —17:09:05
144. Mary Jo-anne Lim (Female) —17:09:23
145. Rodolfo De Ocampo Jr —17:09:37
146. Anne Rose Paras (Female) —17:09:55
147. Cecilia Lalisan (Female) —17:10:21
148. Maila Bautista (Female) —17:10:49
149. Hendricks Gonzales —17:11:18
150. Jun Galita —17:11:44
151. Yulo Andrew Patone —17:12:01
152. Elmar Bob Tolete —17:12:16
153. Josephine Amoguis (Female) —17:12:30
154. Kharl Ocampo —17:12:57
155. Marlon Saracho —17:13:33
156. Bingky Musngi (Female) —17:14:26
157. Paolo Tiong —17:14:42
158. Gamaliel Tayao —17:14:59
159. Oliver Cavinta —17:15:11
160. Ann Sweat (Female) —17:15:32
161. Michael Sacluti —17:16:06
162. Roderick Salih —17:17:27
163. Christopher Saavedra —17:17:37
164. Alexer Resurrection —17:18:15
165. Florie Bartolome (Female) —17:22:31
166. Pia Ballesteros (Female) —17:22:32
167. Rasette Pesuelo (Female) —17:22:48
168. Efren Olpindo —17:23:12
169. Beverly Andal (Female) —17:23:25
170. Queenie Villanueva (Female) —17:23:45
171. Alvin Alcantara —17:24:40
172. Arianne Ortega (Female) —17:24:56
173. Arnold Pagaran —17:25:10
174. Yang Wai Yee —17:25:27
175. Albert Joseph Carreon —17:25:34
176. Jesus Arevalo —17:25:53
177. Jeffrey Velasco —17:26:07
178. Marjohn Presbitero —17:26:23
179. Marilou Ruanes (Female) —17:27:05
180. John Wilfred Saraza —17:28:18
181. Markrinello Sarical —17:28:27
182. Marissa Lim (Female) —17:29:09
183. Jessibel Casamis (Female) —17:29:21
184. Victor Rodriguez —17:29:39
185. Ma. Naomi Tan (Female) —17:29:47
186. Jonas Olandria —17:30:14
187. Mark Hernandez —17:30:36
188. Mandoy Cariaga —17:32:07
189. Ramil Dumantay —17:33:14
190. Juan Crisanto Cunanan —17:34:35
191. Florydette Cuales (Female) —17:36:31
192. Jose Mari Mercado —17:36:49
193. Carl Vincent Mano —17:37:46
194. Michael Peralta —17:38:03
195. Edwin Dalusog —17:38:17
196. Joselito San Diego —17:38:29
197. John Robas —17:38:53
198. Abegaile Par (Female)—17:39:27
199. Alipio Narciso —17:39:58
200. Rodrigo Quillan —17:41:22
201. Mark Leonard Partoza —17:42:34
202. Aldwin Palomo —17:43:15
203. Rona Carandang (Female) —17:45:50
204. Miles Evangelista (Female) —17:46:04
205. Fritz Erwin Fernandez —17:46:38
206. Christine De Guzman (Female) —17:47:03
207. Angelica Paz (Female) —17:47:27
208. Ariane Al Legarte —17:48:29
209. Quennee Roseanne Mamano (Female) —17:48:59
210. Clarissa Calingasan (Female) —17:49:26
211. Joseph Nebrida —17:49:53
212. Katrina Marie Cruz (Female) —17:56:13

Congratulations To All The Finishers!!!

“Enjoy Every Step”….From Coach John Fitzgerald, CTS

I am proud to say that I am the only Race Director and Organizer of Ultra Marathon Races in the Philippines who runs its own event. It started with my “Pilot” Event then which is now the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102). I would think then that running beyond a Marathon Distance was impossible and crazy to think among the local runners. It was like breaking the borders and exploring the impossible when I thought of having a solo and single stage running event of the historic Bataan Death March route from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. But the hard-headed in me and making my dreams possible, everything was planned out and implemented and the rest is history. But for all the local runners to see and prove that such event can be done, I have to “set the example” and run the first edition of this race with the rest of the participants.

Fast Forward. While I was in Europe after I finished the Jungfrau Marathon Race last year, I received an e-mail from the John Medinger, President of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run stating that the 10th Edition of the BDM 102 was selected as one of the 2019 Qualifying Races for the Western States 100- Mile Run. I was shocked and amazed that a Road Race in Asia is considered as a qualifying race in the most prestigious 100-mile Trail Race in the USA and in the whole world. It is for this main reason why I decided to join this event after nine years older than when I first ran it. The second reason why I decided to join the race is to find out the present state or condition of my running body after being under the watchful eyes of a Professional Coaching Service in the USA which is the CTS (Carmichael Training System) for the past six months. And lastly, as a part of my training to “kickstart” my 2018 Ultra Racing Season in preparation for my first international event for the year, the Madeira Island Ultra Trail Race (MIUT) in Portugal on the last weekend of April.

Planning for the 10th Edition of the BDM 102 had started since the months of April & May last year. And I firmly believed that my Race Staff and Volunteers would be there to administer and supervise the race while I was running the race. Slowly and surely, everything was in place and ready to be implemented on Race Day. Everything that can be controlled during the race was properly attended to except for the some surprises to include the assistance of the Local Government of Mariveles, Bataan in providing us with Public Address System and Lighting System for the whole Starting Area which is the BDM Shrine where the BDM Km #0 is located. Such assistance contributed to a “Party” environment for all the Runners and their Support Crew. It also made me more relaxed and comfortable in calling the attention and delivering my last detailed briefing to everybody before the Gunstart! The best surprise of them all was the weather during the night and day as most of the runners were covered with clouds and overcast sky. It even drizzled in some parts of the route and it was the first time to have experienced a rain at the Finish Line! I knew somebody up there was also with us in celebrating the 10th edition of this historic Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon Race.

Opening Ceremony & Short Program

I was asked by the local Police to delay the start by 30 minutes as most of the workers in the factories within the Mariveles Export Processing Zone will be leaving their respective factory/place of work at exactly 10:00 PM. The delay of 30 minutes will enable our runners and Support Vehicles free from traffic on the first 7 kilometers of the route as most of the workers traveling with their personal vehicle on this section of the Highway should have cleared the roads. The Zigzag Road from Km 2 to Km 7 is too narrow and the only long ascending portion of the route and with Big Cargo trucks, Commercial Buses and Private Vehicles on the road, extra safety was needed. The PNP made sure that only the runners would be on that section until the last runner had passed when they would open it again to regular traffic.

20 minutes before the Gun Start, we had our simple Opening Ceremony which consisted of a Prayer, Singing of National Anthem from the Main Actor-Countries of the Historic Bataan Death March and my usual Last Briefing and reminders on the Rules and Regulations of the Race. The short Prayer was done by Ronnel Go, one of my trusted and loyal PAU ultra runners; the Star Spangled Banner was sang by our US runners—Ann Sweat; Kim Travella; and Philip Bouve, all of whom are Veterans in their respective US Armed Services. Nobody from Japan was present and my Filipino ultra runner who teaches the Japanese dialect did not join the race, thus, we did not sing the Japanese National Anthem. Obviously, everybody sang our National Anthem proudly and loudly. I have also acknowledged the presence of 3 runners who came from Singapore—Wai Thing Law; Yang Wai Yee; and Jonathan Suerte. After some group picture at the BDM Km Post #0, the countdown started and all the runners were excited to start the journey.

Mandatory Group Picture @ BDM Km Post #0 (Photo By Dhan Punsalan)

At exactly 10:30 PM of Saturday, January 27, the race started with 244 runners with 48 Female Runners. I started the two Race Timing devices on my hand and waited for the last runner to leave the Shrine before I started the run. I was the last runner to leave the Starting Line.

With all those excitement, conversation with the runners, “photo-ops” or pictorials with individual runners and running groups, briefing, opening program, and giving instructions to my staff and volunteers, I forgot to prepare myself for those detailed things that I have to do minutes before the start of a race when I am a runner. I felt hungry immediately as soon as I had my first step of the race! I brought out one of my Power Bars from my Race Belt and started eating and walking on my first kilometer. No worries as I planned to hike on the ascending portion/s of the route.

As the event was getting nearer, I would review my notes and my thoughts and I thought of what would be my outcome goal in this race. When my Coach sent me a message two days before the race, expressed in three 3 simple words, “Enjoy Every Step”, I smiled and conditioned myself mentally that I will Finish the race and enjoy every step along the course. And that what I was expected to do from Start to Finish—Enjoy Every Step! However, at the back of my mind, a warrior’s voice aka “Devil’s Voice” would say, “Pass as many runners as you can!” So, from the very start, it was a fight between my Coach words aka “Angel’s Voice” and the “Devil’s Voice” in me!

I always advise the “newbies” in the BDM 102 that they should hike the first 7 kilometers of the route. Not heeding to this advise would compromise of what would be their running condition and ranking on the last 25-30K before the Finish Line and ultimately, on what kind of Finisher’s Medal they will receive as soon as they cross the Finish Line. After jogging the first 2 kilometers of the route which is flat, I started to power hike up to Kilometer #7. As I hiked, I was able to pass the slower runners and I would greet them and converse with them for encouragement.

Started As The Last Runner

An arrangement was made that I would be supported during the race by two Support Vehicles and Crew of two of my PAU Lady Ultrarunners. They would alternately provide me with the necessary food and hydration aside from their respective dedicated runner. Everything went fine and perfect on this kind of arrangement during the race.

From Km 8, everything was downhill and I took advantage of maintaining my “endurance run” pace with a relaxed, comfortable and steady speed and leg turn-over. I made sure that I was running with a speed of 5 miles per hour or 8 kilometers per hour. I was thinking that I should reach the first Checkpoint (Km 14) in less than 2 hours and not faster than 1:40 hours. Finally, I reached Km 14 in 1:44:44 hours and I was ranked #142. I was able to pass, at least, 100 runners as I came from behind in less than 2 hours!

After 2 kilometers from the first checkpoint, it was already a “roller-coaster” on the elevation of the course along the Roman Highway, you have hills and ascending portions of the course but you will be rewarded with some descents until you reach the second checkpoint at Km 23. I was surprised to know that I was ranked #66 with a time of almost 3 hours. At this point, I was having a speed of 5 to 5.3 miles per hour and I knew I was going faster as I tend to have the desire to pass every that runner that I see in front of me! The devil was really taking over into my mind!

Along The Km 68-83 Stretch

From this checkpoint, the next 9-kilometer stretch of this route is free from any vehicles except for the Support Vehicles parked on the right side of the road and their Support Crew waiting for their runner waiting on the left side of the road. Most parts of this stretch is well-lighted with street lamps, most specially in the center of each municipality or town one has to pass. I would pass more runners on this stretch until I came out to the Roman Highway at Km 31. At the 3rd Checkpoint in Km 32, I was ranked #58 with a time of 4:12:25 hours! I was able to catch up with the Singaporean Lady Runner Wai Thing Law and her Filipino companion, Jonathan Suerte and told them that there will be no more hills to climb up to the finish line. I guess, I lied because I did not take into consideration on those ascending approaches of bridges to cross up to the Finish Line.

After the Km 32 Checkpoint, it seems there are no longer runners in front of me as I was running without any “target” or reference point in terms of determining if I was going fast or slow on my pace/speed. This was the time that I thought the race was becoming boring. Not until I was in the company of Gibo Malvar, one of PAU’s candidate for the PAU Grand Slam Award for 2017 and it will be his second time to get such an award. He could be the ONLY PAU Runner who will have the distinction of coveting this Award in two successive years. Gibo and I paced with each other until I told him to get ahead after 5 kilometers. I would later catch him again at Km 45, eating some egg pie with Aldrin Pallera, another strong and consistent PAU Runner. These two runners caught and passed me before reaching Km 50 Checkpoint.

I finally reached Km 50 Checkpoint with a ranking of #42 with a time of 6:28:34 hours. I could see a lot of runners resting, eating, and having their massage with their Support Crew. This is where almost all the Support Vehicles wait for their runners. I did not stop as the my Support Vehicles were still few kilometers behind me taking care of their respective runner. One of the Support Vehicles/my Support Crew was able to refill my hydration bottle and I was able to stash some food in my Race Belt before reaching Km 50.

I was in the company of Wai Thing Law and Jonathan Suerte after passing Km 50 with few meters ahead or sometimes few meters behind me. It was a “see-saw” race between us until they left me for good at Km 57 when I started to incorporate power hiking with my run. Another runner in an orange shirt passed me before entering the town of Hermosa, Bataan and even if he was fast, I could still see him from a distance and use him as my reference point of my pace/speed. It was already daybreak and it started to drizzle when I was in Hermosa.

BDM 102 Never Gets Easier

I could still see the orange shirt of the runner ahead of me when I finally reached again the Roman Highway at Km 67. A PNP Checkpoint personnel was there to make sure every runner would be able to cross the Highway safely. I started to run again once I was on the left side of the road from this point. I knew the iconic BDM Km 68 post at the Layac Junction in Dinalupihan, Bataan was just one kilometer ahead of me.

I knew what to expect on the road stretch from Km 68 to Km 83. It is a 15-kilometer stretch where you meet every kind of vehicle on the fast highway of the San Fernando-Olongapo route. During the first edition, all of the runners had to cover their nose and face to prevent the dust from getting into your face/eyes and into their lungs. This stretch of road was under construction and being cemented at that time. The strategy to maintain your sanity in running on this section is to jog, run, and hike with a rest of power hiking! But with the heat of the sun, it will slow you down tremendously if you don’t be friends with ice water, wet small towel with ice cubes placed on top of your head or ice bandana tied around your neck or regular dousing of cold water on ones head, face, neck and upper body. However, in this year’s edition, the weather was so kind to everybody that I could feel a cold breeze coming from the East (in front of me) until I reached the commercial district of Lubao, Pampanga. It is just a matter of time that I would reach the Lubao Bridge (Km 82). It was on this stretch that some of the runners would be able to pass me and I would console myself with a reason that these runners are half younger than my age.

Enjoy Every Step On The Last 2 Kilometers

I finally reached Km 83 Checkpoint with a ranking of #53 with a time of 9:58:15 hours. My speed had decreased tremendously as I started to hike longer than jogging. From 5.3 miles per hour, I would estimate that I was averaging a 4-4.5 miles per hour speed at this point. One runner was on sight in front of me and I tried to use him as my reference point but to no avail. He just disappeared after a few minutes. At Km 90, fatigue and some tightness on my legs started to slow my pace and I knew more runners would be passing me. It was good that these runners are my PAU regular runners that they were kind enough to share their support-logistics to me aside from the designated Support Vehicle and Crew for me.

The plan to finish the race in 14 hours or less than 15 hours was nowhere in sight when I reached Km 100. The “angel voice” in my mind returned and reminded me to enjoy every step up to the finish line. I started to jog, run, and power hike on the last 2 kilometers and on the last turn towards the Finish Line, I saw the Finish Line Arc and some energy brought me back to jog all the way to the waiting crowd.

Approaching The Finish Line

I finished the 10th edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race with a ranking of #60 among the 212 finishers with a time of 15:20:08 hours. At first, I was sad that I was not able to improve my time of 15:18:45 hours when I was 9 years younger but I realized that with every year that a person gets older, his body mass and VO2 max deteriorates or decreases making him slower and weaker. But with my performance in this race, I would conclude that I have not aged or never got older since the day I first ran this event.

The first thing that I did when I reached home was to immediately send an e-mail to my Coach and told him of my performance. He replied immediately with the following:

“For you to run the same time as you did at the 1st edition of BDM shows your fitness right now. More focus on quality efforts over quantity has helped improve fitness. Not placing such a high emphasis on hard workouts and just as much focus on the recovery process (rest days) has allowed you to be more fresh and rested for workouts. As you age, you lose muscle mass and your aerobic capacity is lowered. Focusing on high intensity intervals and consistency with a strength routine is required to continue to make improvements.

I’m beyond excited to see what else you can accomplish this season!”

Thank you, Coach John. I really enjoyed every step along the course as I finished the 10th edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race!

Congratulation to all the Finishers and a greetings of “Good Job” to all my BR’s/PAU Staff and Volunteers for yet another successful edition of the BDM 102.

2018/4th Manila To Baguio 250K Ultra Marathon Race (Solo, Single Stage)

10:00 PM February 8, 2018 to 12:00 Midnight February 10, 2018

Start Line: Rizal Park, Luneta, Metro Manila

Finish Line: Rizal Park (Burnham Park), Baguio City

Course Cut-Off Time: 50 Hours with Intermediate Cut-Off Time of 10 Hours Every 50 Kilometers

Number Of Starters: 18 Runner

Number Of Finishers: 11 Runners

Percentage Of Finishers: 61.11%

RANK        NAME                     TIME (Hrs)

1. Rolando Espina (Overall Champion & New Course Record) —35:43:11
2. Ronnel Valero (1st Runner-Up, Overall) —42:48:18
3. Jivee Tolentino (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) —42:48:37
4. Elmar Bob Tolete — 48:06:22
5. Frederick Peñalosa — 48:13:01
6. Sam Maniaul — 48:48:34
7. Jeremy Blas — 48:50:51
8. Gibo Malvar — 48:55:02
9. Kristian Caleon — 49:00:34
10. Reden Dominguez — 49:40:51
11. Oliver Cavinta — 49:42:28

Overall Champion & New Course Record Holder Rolando Espina

Overall 1st Runner-Up Ronnel Valero

Overall 2nd Runner-Up Jivee Tolentino

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

Starting this week, I have created a Podcast where anybody could listen to anything about my experiences in running, most specially in Ultra Running/Ultra Marathon, whether they are about my training workouts or races. It will be a mixture of road running and trail running experiences.

I hope listening to my Podcast’s Episodes will be informative and entertaining to everybody. Thank you!

http://baldrunner.buzzsprout.com

Initial episodes are all in the Filipino Dialect to cater to runners within the Philippines and to those Filipino runners abroad. BR will try his best to publish some Podcast in English in the future for the understanding of non-Filipino runners.

BR’s Podcast Website