You might wonder why ultra trail runners would run for one to two days to finish a 100-mile mountain trail run within the prescribed cut-off time and receive a Finisher’s Belt Buckle at the Finish Line and the “bragging rights” to have finished such endurance running event. My ultratrail runner-friends Ben Gaetos, Rick Gaston, Eric Lumba, Carmela Layson and Jose San Gabriel would know the answer!
I am posting the following Finisher’s Belt Buckle as an “inspiration” to finish one of these popular 100-Mile Mountain Trail Runs.
If there is somebody among my readers who knows a company/business outfit in the country who can make or produce these “big” belt buckles, please leave a comment.
It is my plan and vision to extend the BDM 102 into a 100-Mile run from Mariveles, Bataan (Km 00) up to Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac and a Finisher’s Buckle will be awarded in addition to the Finisher’s Individual Trophy and Medal. Not for the next edition (next year) but it could be in its future editions.
Runners will have the option to finish BDM 102 or go all the way to BDM 160.
Never Stop Testing Your Limits!
Bald Runner 
sir jovie i think the belt buckle as a finisher’s incentive is a great idea. im looking forward to the BDM 160. it’s a new challenge and it gives ultramarathoners another reason to train harder and new goal to conquer. more power to BDM! i hope that in the future it will be one of the more prestigious ultramarahons in the region.
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thanks, rico. do you know of somebody here who makes such buckle here?
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finally, a true blue 100 miler at home! bring it on sir jovie. i hope next year ; ) bayanihan uli tayo. still have time to plan that.hehe.and train as well.
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jonel, we’ll stick to BDM 102 for next year but with slightly different rules & procedures in order to simplify our logistics concerns. if we can perfect this new rules & regulations, ala Badwater Ultra, by next year, we can do the BDM 160 for 2011 with an option to finish the BDM 102 & by this time, we might have better number of hardcore runners in the country. of course, the support of all our friends will be needed.
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BR, how come there’s no buckle for BDM102? Only for BDM160? 🙂
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in my research, the 100-mile race finishers are the only one being given with belt buckle. the lesser distance ultra race finishers are given finisher’s t-shirts. i guess, it gives special meaning and distinction for finishing a 100-mile trail run.
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Sir BR, I hope the finisher’s tshirt has good fabric quality that can be used for regular runs. I’ve been using the finisher’s shirt of the HK Standard Chartered Marathon and the Ironman 70.3 Singapore for years now. Matibay at parang dri fit 🙂 Anyway, just a suggestion 🙂
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Sir Jovie,
Regarding belt buckle maybe you can check out silverworks. they are the sponsor the champsionship ring for UAAP. BDM160 cant wait for it.
The Running Safety Pin…
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thanks for the suggestion. you gave me an idea. i never thought of those silver jewelry makers in baguio city.
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100 miler na! 🙂
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start training na!
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This is a great idea! here’s another sample of a 100-mile race: http://www.bear100.com/
It’s also nice that they made 3 types of buckles, reflective of the time they finished:
“a Black Bear buckle for times between 30-35 hours, a Grizzly Bear buckle for times between 24-30 hours, and a Wolverine buckle for times under 24 hours”
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thanks, mark. i am still researching & evaluating the cut-off time and the different brackets for time finishes in the BDM160. the degree of difficulty in a 100-mile mountain trail run is totally different from running on a paved road with lesser elevation gain. so, we will try to make some adjustments.
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I never wore a belt buckle until I received one at a race, now I wear it all the time. No one can see it because I don’t tuck in my shirts but I find them easier to use and more “substantial” than regular belts. I think BDM being the first 100-Mile/160 Kilometer race in the country is a grand idea and for one of the most noblest of reasons to run – to remember the Death March. I can’t wait to see the design once you have found a manufacturer.
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rick, the biggest buckle belt that i’ve been wearing is the rectangular LV belt and when i was a commander in mindanao, i’ve been wearing those big cowboy buckle with the AIRBORNE markings (bought in fort benning, goergia) with my pistol belt. yes, they are easy to use! as usual, the design will be centered on those “3 soldiers” walking/crawling as the official symbol of BDM.
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really exciting … the idea of having different buckles for finish times is the best idea and comment i’ve read so far – let’s make it happen
probably instead of designs we can use different metals – aluminum, steel, and silver 🙂
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mari, we will be doing this in order to give distinction of your performance. thanks!
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Great news. Finally, a 160KM race in our country! Our runners need not go out of the country for their first 100 miler.
In BDM102 2010, would you allow runners to run the course UNAIDED (e.g. Vol State)? I hope you can make an exception. Whatever your decision is, we will respect it. I hope BDM102 and BDM160 will attract more sponsors this time. BEST OF LUCK!
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atty jon, due to logistics & manpower problems (bringing tables, water, sports drinks, food to the area), i would like that each runner will provide their own support vehicle & crew. however, i will allow a maximum of 2-4 runners to share one support vehicle/van. definitely, i will no longer allow “pacers” for the runner. support crews will be there to hand over drinks & food to the runner. hopefully, my staff will now focus on the “integrity” of the said race. thanks for your support.
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Parang poker game..”Im all in”… hehehe..
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thanks for the support, as usual, armand
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Now I have a reason to visit the Philippines in the future!
BR, if you need assistance to “measure” the distance if that really 100-mile, Team Hardcore will be gladly to do it on foot with garmin and polar :p
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Finally…a 160k! Whether it will be next year or next next year, count me in…
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It just occurred to me Sir Jovie, what about a relay option for the 160km. Maybe 4 runners can split the distance so the marathoners can join in on the fun. It may be a great team building exercise and a way for marathoners to be exposed to the ultra distances. One of the 100s here has a relay option and it seems to be successful. Just a thought.
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Sir Jovie, paano naman iyong mga solo runners if they can’t afford their own crew or don’t know any other runners in the race? Will there be drop bag stations? A few weeks before Badwater 135M, Badwater Solo is held on the same course. About 20 runners participate. No aid station, official cutoff, buckles and certificate. Each runner is responsible for his own crew, pacer, etc. It’s an informal event (not a race) geared to those who can’t make the official 60 hr cutoff.
Angeles Crest 100M http://www.ac100.com has interesting award categories in addition to the buckle. They also gave us a beautiful certificate plaque including our name and finish time. I’ll send you a sample photo of the plaque wc included course map and profile. I love your finishers trophy. It’s very unique idea and clearly depicts the importance of the race.
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ben, i know that this problem will crop up most especially for the foreign runners and they will have the option to really plan for their participation. that’s the reason why we asked for their e-mail address so that we can inform them of the rules and they can make special arrangements for us to provide them with support vehicle & crew at cost. i really wanted to provide aid stations (for food & drinks) but the “bottomline” is too much to bear from the fees & we need a lot of trucks to transport them. however, if in case sponsors will be available for the foods and drinks, these items will be evenly distributed to the runners before D-day. thanks for the additional info.
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wow! a 100-miler! great idea BR. hmmm a suggestion though… why not make the BDM102 a qualifier for the BDM160 ?
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dr joe, of course!…nobody would be qualified to run the BDM160 if he/she is not a finisher of BDM102. thanks
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Hello
I’m working on an article about the history of belt buckles in the trail/ultra running world. I was wondering if you would be able to answer a few questions about belt buckles and their part in ultra running.
I’m also searching for anyone else who may have some input into this subject. If you know of anyone please send them my way.
Thanks
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