(Note: At last, I am in a place with a Wi-Fi Connection!)
To be continued…
“West To East”: 1st Day Pictures
Month: March 2011
“West To East”: Conversation With Mang Ador
Conversation With Mang Ador: (As I entered a Beach Resort Compound. An old guy, whom he introduced later as Mang Ador, was sitting on a stool while I was still inside the vehicle)
BR: Manong, Yan na ditoy ti Administration Office yo? (Where is your Admistration Office?)
Mang Ador: Apay, Apo (Why, Sir?)
BR: Saludsudek koma no mabalin ti ag-check-in ditoy. (Would like to ask if it possible to check-in here)
Mang Ador: Wen, mabalin. Siak ti Manager ditoy. (Yes, you can check-in. I am the Manager here)
BR: Mano ti ibayad ko, Manong? (How much will I pay?)
Mang Ador: Two Thousand Pesos ti maysa a Cottage nga mabalin ti uppat a tao. (P2,000 per cottage which is good for 4 persons)
BR: Awan ti tawar na? (Any discount?)
Mang Ador: Kitam pay nga umuna san to agsarita ta. Diay ti cottage yo. Mabalin kayo nga ag-park diay abay na. (Please look at it first before we could talk on the price. There is your cottage (pointing at the cottage. You can bring your car and park thereat)
The cottage has a tiled and clean veranda that I had to walk barefoot on it and the room which elevated is clean. I said, “Cool”, this place is nice. It has a place where the occupants can cook and a bamboo dining was also there with plastic chairs.
My haggling for the price ended up to P 1,800.00 when I told him that I will be leaving the place before 6:00 AM the following morning. (I guess, he was able to glance at my “Bull Ring”! hehehe!). After paying him, I requested Mang Ador to cook for us our Rice for our dinner which he charged us with P50.00.
Our conversation resumed as I tried to get more information about the place. Still talking in Ilocano but I have to translate the conversation in this post to English.
BR: Who owns this place?
Mang Ador: He is a foreigner, from Sweden!
BR: A Swedish? I am sure he is married to a Filipina from this place.
Mang Ador (MA): Yes, you are right.
BR: How did you end up as the Manager of this place?
MA: I was the one who endorsed this place for the Swedish and his wife to buy as they had been looking for a place where they could develop a beach resort.
BR: So, you were the realtor of this place before it was purchased. How much was your “commission”?
MA: I did not get any commission but the wife told me that she and her husband would designate and assign me as the “Manager For Life” and my family would stay with me here in the place.
BR: Wow! Cool! That’s the best deal.
MA: Yes, money could just be spent in a few weeks or months but the future of my family is already settled.
BR: So, your wife and children are the ones that maintain and secure this place.
MA: My wife died already. And I am happy that I have 8 children who are helping me here.
BR: Did you marry again?
MA: Never. But I have a girlfriend!
BR: A-ha! I guess, she could be half of your age, Mang Ador?
MA: No, she is old already. (I found out later that the girlfriend is 42 years old)
BR: By the way, how old are you, Mang Ador?
MA: 68
BR: 68? You look young and strong with such age.
Mang Ador smiled at me.
BR: How much do you receive as your pay/allowance being the Manager? And do your children receive also some Pay/Allowance?
MA: I receive a monthly pay of P7,000 and my children who work here receive P3,500 each per month.
BR: How I wish I could stay in those more expensive Beach Resorts up ahead but I just need a place to sleep overnight and your place fits my needs.
MA: Oh, those places are very expensive! One regular room will cost you P4,500.
BR: Well, maybe next time, I would be able to see those places.
But at the back of my mind, this particular place will be a place where I could visit again because of Mang Ador’s hospitality and honesty. There’s no fancy and 5-star service and ambiance of the place but if you want a quiet and relaxing place along the beach of Bolinao, this place is highly recommended. This is a nice place where I could write a book. (Do I sound like Journeying James here? Hahaha!)
At 5:45 AM the following morning, I left the place and started my run. It was still dark and Mang Ador was still sleeping soundly knowing that he guarded us the whole night while we were sleeping. It was one of his sons who unlocked those padlocks on the gate of the compound when we finally left the place.
Mang Ador would never know that I was in his place to start another Running Adventure. But knowing that there are great people in the province who are satisfied to be staying in the province with a peaceful environment, clean air, fresh food, and willing to give service to visitors, this is something that we are proud of. Living in the province is better than living in a stressful city/urban environment and I could see on the happy face of Mang Ador.
The name of the place is COCOS Beach Resort! Look for Mang Ador and this guy is great! And the place is great, too!
Ooppps! Let us go back to running…
To be continued.
“West To East”: 1st Day (Unedited)
(Note: The Internet connection in Western Pangasinan is weak or it might be the signal of my SmartBRO is the culprit.)
From Manila, my support crew and I travelled to Bolinao, Pangasinan at noontime and were able to reach the place at 4:30 PM after an easy cruising speed on the road. A brief tour of the small town followed where we tried to find a place to rest and sleep for overnight.
After going to two places near the town, we decided to go the place where those nice beach resorts are located. One kilometer from the “more expensive” beach resorts are located, we dropped by a place which is very simple and clean. There seems to be no people in the area and we asked an old guy for questions of trying to find out where the administration office is located. To my surprise, the “old guy” is the administration office and the manager. Well, the price is cheap and we were the only customer in the place plus the basic amenities were all available. Mang Ador, the old guy was so accommodating that his sales talk was that the cottage we were going to stay was the same place where Jericho Rosales stayed a few days ago for a filming/shooting event to the point that there are posters stapled on one of the posts indicating that a filming group was there. More stories and conversation with Mang Ador in my succeeding posts.
We slept for the night and woke up at 4:15 AM on the following day, Tuesday. After scooping seawater along the beach, I was ready for my run and started from our beach cottage. It was still dark but the headlights of my support vehicle provided me with the much needed light along the cemented road that goes to the National Highway. It was a 9K distance and I made sure that this initial part of my run will be my warm-up!
I adjusted my strides as short but quick in tempo and I was comfortable with the pace. Since I did not have a Garmin Watch, I depended on my hand held Stopwatch with bigger dial and numbers. I strictly followed the Galloway Method where I have to do 2-3 minutes walk after a 15-minute jog. I kept on shuffling making sure that I have a consistent short and quick movement of the feet. In one hour and 15 minutes, I reached the National Highway and it was already almost 7:00 AM.
I stayed on the left side of the road, jogging and walking, making sure that I follow the Run-Walk-Run that I planned to do to conserve my strength on the later part of the day. My plan was to reach Bugallon, Pangasinan which is a distance of almost 70 kilometers from where I started but as I progressed along the road and went through those rolling terrain and the heat of the sun to come, I knew it was just a wish. I thought that a distance of 50 kilometers for the first day was already enough to shake off my legs and observe how my body would react.
Aside from the Galloway Method which I strictly followed, I also made sure to walk those uphill climbs no matter how steep is the climb is. If the road is ascending, it’s the signal and time for me to start my walking break. I did it religiously throughout the whole day. However, if the road is plain and flat, I still follow the 15:3 ratio for my Galloway Method. In my rough calculation, I was running at a pace of 7:30-8:00 mpk which is good for a LSD workout. I took time also to have my pit stops to drink and eat.
I have to drink water every 2 kilometers where my support vehicle is waiting for me as I’ve instructed my support crew to be “leap frogging” me for 2 kilometers along the way. It was a constant and repetitive thing to do to drink a sip of water every two kilometers and it was a “must” in my strategy. For every 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, I have to drink one-half bottle of Gatorade. As for my food intake, I eat anything (Nature Valley Sports Bar, Chips Ahoy Cookies, and ripe bananas) and I don’t have any intention of taking in those Sports Gels. It had been my personal observation that it is better to eat solid foods in this kind of running workout.
As I got nearer to the 35-km mark of the distance that I covered and about 2 kilometers away in reaching the town of Bani, Pangasinan, my left knee started to have pain. I was already running for 4 hours plus. I know this thing will happen as a result of the injury last December of last year. The heat of the sun was also punishing to the body plus the hot breeze/wind on the road were the ones trying to slow me down on the road. I have to walk some more and drink water. Every 3 hours from the start, I’ve been taking in one (1) Tylenol 500-mg tablet just to prevent and anticipate the pain that might crop up from my torn muscles in the past but my left knee just gave way.
After 3 kilometers, I stopped for a brief rest which ultimately became my lunch stop at 11:15 AM. It was a blessing in disguise that the Caltex Gas Station has the amenities of a Rest Area ( a Restaurant, A Garden, Rest Rooms, and Bamboo Cottage) and a Wi-Fi but the Internet connection is still weak though! We stayed here for 3 ½ hours and I was able to sleep and rest after a lunch of Sinigang Na Malaga, Fried Chicken, and Calamares! The owners of the place were very kind and hospitable. Of course, they are Ilocanos. Later, I found out that the place is located in Barangay Banog Norte in Bani, Pangasinan. In Ilocano, “Ban-nog” means “tired”. It’s a fitting description of my present condition during the run!
To be continued.
“West To East”: A Running Adventure
8:00 PM March 14, 2011/Bolinao, Pangasinan
After finishing the 5-day Adventure Run from Manila to Baguio City in February of last year, I was already thinking of another route where I could do another Adventure Run traversing and running along the roads of Luzon.
After researching and playing/browsing with the Google Map, I have entertained the idea of running from West to East, meaning, running from the western most part up to the eastern most part of Luzon. The distance is approximately the same with the distance from Manila to Baguio City but it could be farther and more challenging as the route offers more undulating and rolling terrain than the first adventure run that I finished up to Baguio City.
Why am I doing this? The reason could be that it is because I want to have fun and give meaning to life by running all possible routes in the country. I could be “opening the gates” for more possible routes for future adventure runs. I could be promoting the scenery of the towns, provinces and cities and its people that I will be passing and seeing through the “eyes/lens” of my digital camera. Or better yet, inspire more people along the way that running is good for the body and health. And for my readers in this blog to be inspired on what a retiree and almost senior citizen could do for the love of running.
Of course, my friends in the running community would also suspect that this is just a preparation for a bigger event to come in my adventure runs. Yes, they are right! I have that desire also to run from the very north tip of Luzon all the way to southernmost tip of the archipelago with the support of friends and corporate sponsors with the end-view of promoting running down to the “grassroots” level.
Many runners before me had done this feat but their accomplishments are still questionable up to this day based from my own standards or from what others would do to prove that they have done such feat. I have yet to see journals, diaries, pictorials, and other readable evidence to prove that these runners were able to run what they say they have run through. It is easy to say that you have run this part of the country without even showing to your readers any evidence or journal what each runner had gone through during the run. I would like to know the details, like: what was your daily mileage; what did you eat during the run; what is your hydration strategy during each leg or day; how many days did you rest during the span of period that a runner covered a certain distance; where did you rest and stop for the day; where did you rest over night; and how much did you spend for the adventure; and many more detailed factors/data to be known in order to pull off successfully in this kind of multi-day stage runs. Without these detailed facts, such feats/accomplishments are just “allegations”.
Let me go back to my plan. I will be starting in Bolinao, Pangasinan at the sea shore of the South China Sea and eventually proceed to Tarlac Province, running along the Carlos P Romulo Highway. From Tarlac Province, I will be proceeding to Nueva Ecija and ending up to the southernmost municipality of Dingalan of Aurora Province and specifically ending along the seashores of the Pacific Ocean. I will try to bring a bottle of sea water from the South China Sea and pour the said sea water to the Pacific Ocean. As there is no significant difference between the sea water of the South China Sea as to that of the Pacific Ocean, it will be a “tangible symbol” that I carried something from the West to be brought to the East. It would give meaning to the phrase, “West Meets East”.
What is the significance of my 2nd adventure run? The answer is very simple. I just want to prove that a runner could easily and efficiently document his run on a near-real time situation through a blog in the Internet with the aid of a GPS watch (I will be using a stopwatch this time!), digital camera, laptop computer or a cell phone, and a driver with a support vehicle. The documentation should be a some sort of a diary of the runner so that his/her reader is easily transported as if he/she is a part of the run and be able to feel the joy, fun, and hardship that the runner had gone through during the run. This is the gist of the run! It has no political ends and purpose but it simply sends the message that there is integrity in everything we want to do and for the things we want to impart to other people.
So another running adventure begins with the following pictures!
Paul Tergat’s Book: Running To The Limit
“Paul Tergat: Running To The Limit” by Jurg Wirz
This book was published in 2005 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd. Obviously, the book is about the life, training “secrets” of Paul Tergat and his tips for runners for them to excel and adhere to running as a way of life.
He was not yet a runner when he entered the military service in 1990. With his assignment in Nairobi’s Air Force Base, he started to run with a big group around the Air Force Base with a distance of 15 kilometers in the morning and sometimes running also in the evening on a daily basis. In one of their inter-unit running events, although he finished far behind the leaders, a coach was impressed on his running form. The coach invited him to the training camp where the “top guns” are preparing for three months for the Armed Forces Cross Country Championships. He managed to finish third in the said event. After two months, he won the National Cross Country Championships and he was on the top of the Kenyan running scene at the age of 22 years old. And the rest is history.
He set the World Record in 10,000 meters in 1997 with a time of 26:27.85 minutes; World Record in Half-Marathon in 1998 with a time of 59:17 minutes; and a World record in Marathon in 2003 with a time of 2:04:55 hours. Epic rivalry in the 10,000-meter run between Haile Gabrselassie and Paul Tergat had been displayed during the 1996 & 2000 Summer Olympics and in the 1995, 1997, & 1999 World Championship where he won the Silver Medals on these events.
It is unfortunate that he was not able to win any Gold Medal in the Olympic Games within the span of his running career. He tried his best to train for the 2004 Athens Olympics’ Marathon but things did not turn out within his expectations as he finished #10.
Paul Tergat mentioned his roots and the poverty prevailing in his country which he considers as the number one “motivator” for them to excel in long distance running. There are other reasons why the Kenyans excel in long distance running but on how he refined his competitiveness and being on top among the elites in the world were mentioned in detail in his book through his training and tips.
What is most significant in this book is how the international corporate shoe brands helped to finance and support the establishment of “training camps” for runners in Kenya aside from the traditional Armed Forces “training camps” for the military elite runners. With the support and guidance of their Italian Coach Gabriele Rosa, the Kenyan runners were able to train for the best in long distance running.
Obviously, Paul Tergat is already rich and famous even without winning a Gold Medal in the Olympic Games. He is now an athletics promoter for running events in the eastern part of Kenya which is considered as the driest and poorest part of the country. With the support of a corporate food brand, he is bringing the awareness of running to the “grassroot” level to develop more competitive runners. He is a philanthropist and a member of the IAAF Athlete’s Commission.
There are two things that we could learn from this book. In order for the country to excel in long distance running, there is a need for a dedicated corporate support for the athletes and the establishment of “training camps” to continously develop athletes to elite status and at the same time, discover potentials from the grassroot level. It happened already in the past and it had been proven to be successful. It easy to say it. We know the supposedly “secrets” of the Kenyans and the Ethiopians but nobody is doing about it in an organized manner. When will our sports officials ever learn and put the sports “money” where it is supposed to be? I am still wondering what is happening to our elite sports program and sustainable “grassroots” program.
This book is a nice reference if you want to train like the Kenyans in long distance running.
(Note: This is a part of this blog’s program/project to feature at least one book about running every week which started with the book, “Once A Runner”. Due to the “back-to-back” BDM Races for the past weeks, I was not able to publish this post as scheduled.)
1st Mt Mayon 360: 50-Mile Ultra Run
4:00 AM April 2, 2011, Penaranda Park, Legazpi City (Albay)
This is the first PAU/PAU-sanctioned Ultra Marathon Race for the year 2011. Runners can now register at the A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Store, Aloha Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila. Runners must have finished a Marathon Race (42K) in order to qualify for this race. There is no need for support vehicles as Aid Stations will be positioned every 5 kilometers along the route. However, runners are advised to have with them hydration belt or hand-held bottle.
All other details of the race are written in the registration form. Race packets will be redeemed at the Briefing & CLP on the night before Race Day. The venue of the Briefing & CLP will be announced later in the event’s website at www.mayon360.com.
Pictures @ 1st BDM 160K
These are some of the pictures taken by my staff through my personal digital camera. These pictures are supposed to be a part of my Race Director’s Report but due to the repair of my laptop, its publication had been delayed in this blog. I hope you will enjoy the following pictures.
And the rest is history!!!
Official Result: 3rd BDM 102K Ultra Marathon Race
10:10 PM March 5-6, 2011: Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga
| Rank | Name | Time |
| 1 | Juny Rox Carreon | 11:05:58 |
| 2 | Jun Adel | 11:10:08 |
| 3 | Alfredo Ocampo | 11:17:48 |
| 4 | Benedict Balaba | 11:32:47 |
| 5 | Victor Ayohan Jr | 12:00:28 |
| 6 | Godfrey Gozo | 12:25:17 |
| 7 | Alfred Delos Reyes | 12:49:23 |
| 8 | Camilla Brooks (F) | 13:04:30 |
| 9 | Sandy Alentajan | 13:07:15 |
| 10 | Vergilio Leona | 13:10:59 |
| 11 | Victor Ting | 13:28:20 |
| 12 | Saturnino Camangonan | 13:39:58 |
| 13 | Jose Wacangan | 13:40:50 |
| 14 | Robert Patrimonio | 13:41:21 |
| 15 | Elmer Morales | 13:41:28 |
| 16 | Ignatius Patrimonio | 13:43:23 |
| 17 | Roberto Delos Santos | 13:53:55 |
| 18 | Roel Olimba | 13:56:04 |
| 19 | Dindo Diaz | 13:57:08 |
| 20 | Rain Ordonez | 14:06:09 |
| 21 | Jose Duenas | 14:07:14 |
| 22 | Francis Velasquez | 14:09:46 |
| 23 | Terence Chen | 14:11:58 |
| 24 | Priscila Hernandez (F) | 14:15:37 |
| 25 | Melvin Pangan | 14:28:09 |
| 26 | Felipe Nama | 14:33:22 |
| 27 | Romulo Doctolero | 14:36:05 |
| 28 | Lito Lopez | 14:40:50 |
| 29 | Bob Castilla | 14:42:58 |
| 30 | Tin Ferrera (F) | 14:43:30 |
| 31 | Christian Oting | 14:48:22 |
| 32 | Jonnifer Lacanlale | 14:50:00 |
| 33 | Enrico Tocol | 14:50:53 |
| 34 | Bobby Go | 14:52:56 |
| 35 | Bong Bernadez | 14:54:14 |
| 36 | Vincent Lorenze Ocampo | 14:58:45 |
| 37 | Mac Millan | 15:02:38 |
| 38 | Ronnel Go | 15:04:20 |
| 39 | Mark Anthony Rodica | 15:06:07 |
| 40 | Allan Bandiola | 15:06:50 |
| 41 | Earl Quero | 15:10:33 |
| 42 | Benedict Meneses | 15:13:02 |
| 43 | Chips Dayrit | 15:15:22 |
| 44 | Simon Pavel Miranda | 15:16:35 |
| 45 | Nolan Llanora | 15:19:30 |
| 46 | Willie Yao | 15:21:52 |
| 47 | Carlito Buenaventura | 15:23:35 |
| 48 | Marcos Lontoc | 15:39:45 |
| 49 | Marlo Guloy | 15:46:07 |
| 50 | Jereven Adriano | 15:52:29 |
| 51 | Gil Ocampo | 15:58:50 |
| 52 | Conrado Teodoro | 15:59:10 |
| 53 | Narciso Alipio | 15:59:11 |
| 54 | Raincy Robert Del Rosario | 16:00:40 |
| 55 | Randy Rubio | 16:04:57 |
| 56 | Reynaldo Jimenez | 16:05:32 |
| 57 | Ken Alonte | 16:13:31 |
| 58 | Joshua Suarez | 16:14:55 |
| 59 | Gil Brazil | 16:15:02 |
| 60 | Emma Alvarez (F) | 16:15:13 |
| 61 | Chito Vegina | 16:17:30 |
| 62 | Manuel Dela Serna | 16:25:22 |
| 63 | Francis Hortellano | 16:27:18 |
| 64 | Samson Ocampo | 16:34:47 |
| 65 | Nelson Mallillin | 16:36:59 |
| 66 | Tom Moreno | 16:42:48 |
| 67 | Rayman Delos Angeles | 16:43:00 |
| 68 | Earl Warren Navor | 16:43:56 |
| 69 | Michael Angelo Fabian | 16:43:57 |
| 70 | Reginald Santos | 16:46:10 |
| 71 | Barry Red | 16:54:12 |
| 72 | Jose Merdino Lim | 16:58:49 |
| 73 | Noel Tillor | 16:58:50 |
| 74 | Allen Gaspar | 17:00:42 |
| 75 | Julian Confessor | 17:01:32 |
| 76 | Paul Pajo | 17:08:15 |
| 77 | Arlito Masamoc | 17:11:25 |
| 78 | Jay Chavez | 17:12:16 |
| 79 | Mark Lester Salvador | 17:12:17 |
| 80 | Jimmy Ong | 17:14:17 |
| 81 | Carlos Napoleon Ocampo | 17:16:34 |
| 82 | Abell Ngo | 17:17:16 |
| 83 | Ferdie Cabiling | 17:17:39 |
| 84 | Blas Ople Tiangco | 17:20:08 |
| 85 | Emmanuel Toralba | 17:20:20 |
| 86 | Mel John Tezon | 17:21:22 |
| 87 | Bong Alindada | 17:23:55 |
| 88 | Teresa Ybanez (F) | 17:24:12 |
| 89 | Oliver Templo | 17:25:44 |
| 90 | Leo Tugade | 17:28:02 |
| 91 | Rodel Montejo | 17:28:27 |
| 92 | Vans Camanong | 17:28:28 |
| 93 | Jose Lorenzo Mina | 17:28:29 |
| 94 | Aaron Anievas | 17:28:50 |
| 95 | Roselle Dadal (F) | 17:29:00 |
| 96 | Ryan Washington | 17:30:00 |
| 97 | Keshia Fule (F) | 17:30:45 |
| 98 | Laarni De Guzman (F) | 17:30:50 |
| 99 | Arturo Virata | 17:32:27 |
| 100 | Ronald Perez | 17:36:02 |
| 101 | Fernando Cunanan Jr | 17:37:28 |
| 102 | Jemuel Bayot | 17:37:29 |
| 103 | Larry Daliwag | 17:37:30 |
| 104 | Mark Salazar | 17:37:31 |
| 105 | Alden Meneses | 17:41:48 |
| 106 | Jayson Van Masayon | 17:44:35 |
| 107 | Tess Geddes (F) | 17:45:20 |
| 108 | Julius Cervantes | 17:49:32 |
| 109 | Ed Escalante | 17:52:30 |
| 110 | David Buban | 17:53:55 |
| 111 | Mark Fer Castillo | 17:55:42 |
| 112 | Ellen Castillo (F) | 17:59:20 |
Race Director’s Report: 1st BDM 160K Ultra Marathon Race (Longest Edition)
Race Director’s Report (Longest Version): 1st BDM 160K Ultra Marathon Race (February 26-27, 2011)
Birth of an Idea/Concept
The idea was brought about by my invitation as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the Araw ng Kagitingan Bike/Cycling Event sponsored by the Philippine Veterans Administration Office under the Chairmanship of DND’s Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina which was held on the 1st week of April 2010. The cycling event consisted of Officers and EPs of the AFP and other Bike Clubs in Metro Manila and other provinces within the suburbs of Metro Manila. Almost 200 cyclists attended the event where they started at the BDM Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan and finished inside the Capas National Shrine, passing through the historical markers and Kilometer Posts of the Bataan Death March in the Old Railway Stations in San Fernando and Capas, Tarlac.
As most of the cyclists arrived in the early afternoon, I asked a lot of cyclists with cyclometer on their bikes on the actual distance they have traveled or biked on the said route. More than four cyclists registered a distance of 151 kilometers as they ended on the last Flagpole of the Capas National Shrine. This gave me the idea that the distance from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas National Shrine could be a running event that would completely commemorate the distance travelled by the POWs by march and by train.
Planning
Being “low-tech” and non-Google Map expert, I started to plan the route by actually going to the area and recon the place where the runners would continue as soon as they reached BDM Km Post 102 in San Fernando, Pampanga. My former multi-day run from Manila to Baguio City using the McArthur Highway gave the idea to let the runners take this road as they proceed to the Old Railway Station in Capas, Tarlac. (There was no way for me to trace the old railway that connects San Fernando, Pampanga and Capas, Tarlac.)
I considered in my planning that there is a necessity for a “test run” for the BDM 151 runners, at least, one month before the Race Day and it would be an easy 49K long run.
I made an announcement in my blog that there will be a longer version of the BDM Ultra Marathon Race which will end at the Capas National Shrine in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac sometime in May/June 2010. I received a lot of comments from friends and Finishers of the 2010 BDM 102 that it would be a big challenge on their part and they were amenable to join the said extended distance. In addition to the said positive and encouraging comments, some of the runners intimated that if possible, I could extend it to 160K so that the runners would be able to experience a solo 100-Mile Run. Initially, I did not approve of it because there is no historical basis to extend the Bataan Death March as what was stated in the books of history.
In one meeting with my brother, General Samuel, on the third quarter of last year, he told me to contact another General who is now the Historical Officer of the AFP, General Aguilar. Through these good Generals, they informed me that the POW Concentration Camp at Camp O’Donnell was divided into Two Sectors/Areas. Sector/Area 1 is the same area where the Capas National Shrine was established and it was the POW Concentration Camp of the Filipino & Militia contingents; while Sector/Area 2 which is now the area occupied by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Light Armor Division (LAD) of the Philippine Army was the POW Concentration Camp of the US troops before they were finally transferred to Nueva Ecija in June/July of 1942.
So, the BDM 151 could be extended for another 9-10 kilometers just to meet the requirements of a 160K Run with the purpose of letting the runners reach the TRADOC, PA area and back to finish inside the Capas National Shrine. The DPWH Km Post 118 along the Capas-Sta Juliana Road was used as the turn-around point for the course. I had to measure this distance again from the Gate of the Capas National Shrine up to Km Post 118 just to make sure that it will be 160 kilometers.
Advance Scheduling
Due to the increasing number of applicants for the 3rd BDM 102K Ultra Marathon Race which breached the 200 limit of runners, I decided to schedule the BDM 160K in advance, at least, one week before the main event, which is the BDM 102K. The reasons were for the safety and control of the runners. Also, I don’t like that my attention and focus will be divided to two different races in one day in two different finishing areas. It would not be possible for me to be shuttling from one finish line to another with 58 kilometers in between each other!
With the BDM 102 as the main event, I decided that the focus and attention should be concentrated on the supervision and administration of the 1st BDM 160K Ultra Marathon Race due to its being the longest, hardest, and most challenging distance. This will entail a lot of pre-positioning of our time stations/checkpoints and mobile marshals within the distance of 160 kilometers.
It was an action that I have to take risk as most of the participants from outside the country were pissed off or complained due to another adjustment in their flight schedules. I am really sorry for those who were affected by this decision but in the end it was the right decision in order to have a successful result in this event. I hope that those who were not able to join this event due to such decision would be able to come and join the event in its second edition.
Ultra Marathon Clinic
At least 4-5 sessions of lecture had been conducted at the Philippine Army Officers’ Clubhouse Lecture Room ranging from subject topics like Training, Strengthening Program, Hydration, Apparel, Nutrition, Race Strategy, Support Crew Tips and Techniques, Reminders and Rules & Regulations, Heat Training and others. It was the lecture of Atty Jonnifer Lacanlale that gave the insight among the participants on what it takes to finish a 100-Mile Ultra Trail Run as he just finished the GNW 100-Mile Endurance Run in Australia.
Test Run
There was only one scheduled “test run” for the BDM 160 runners which was held at least one month before Race Day. The “test run” was from BDM Km Post 102 in San Fernando to the Finish Line, a distance of 58 kilometers. I scheduled it to start in the late afternoon, 5:00 PM, which is the estimated time that the lead runners would reach the area on Race Day. And I was right in my estimation for the said start as compared on what really happened on Race Day. The runners were exposed on what it felt to run on night time along the dusty and traffic areas on the stretch of San Fernando-Angeles-Mabalacat-Bamban Areas, and the cold breeze (and lots of dogs) as they run along the Capas-Sta Juliana Road and ending at the Gate of the Capas National Shrine.
Registration Fees
The registration fee is costly if compared with the BDM 102K Race. This race and the experience you get has a “class” of its own because of its historic significance, the procurement of the “Finisher’s Silver Buckle”, and being the most prestigious extreme running event in the country today. There will come a time that this event will be participated by those who have saved their money and well-trained & sincerely prepared for the event.
Qualifications
I became strict on this matter as I advised late applicants that they have to finish first the BDM 102 before they could be considered and invited to join this premier event. The foreign runners from USA had finished 100-Mile Endurance Runs and I accepted them. The Singaporean Runners had to finish a 100K Running Event within the cut-off time of 18 hours within the year prior to the event just to be able to qualify to join the BDM 160K. I am glad they complied with this requirement in one of their ultra races in Singapore.
I have to turn down triathletes who applied and had finished 70.3 Ironman or Kona Ironman because of the reason that they have to finish first the BDM 102K Ultra Marathon Race before their application will be considered to join the BDM 160. It is not a guarantee that an Ironman Finisher would be able to finish the BDM 160K without trying and qualifying first in the BDM 102K.
Race Day (February 26-27, 2011)
Fifty-Nine (59) “brave warriors” toed the starting line inside the BDM Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan at 5:00 AM of Saturday, February 26, 2011 for another historic moment in the history of running in the country. The BDM 160K Ultra Marathon Race is the first 100-Mile Solo Road Race in the country which is doubly significant because it is a tribute and commemoration of the infamous Bataan Death March in April 1942.
Out of the 59 runners, 7 are foreign runners—2 from the USA and 5 from Singapore; and four (4) ladies—2 locals and 2 foreigners.
After a short program that consists of an invocation (by Jonel Mendoza), singing of the US (by Gilbert Gray) & Philippine National Anthems (by all the runners & crew), and a brief final instructions by the RD, the gun went off at exactly 5:47 AM. The runners left the BDM Shrine with a slow jog and most just walked due to the heavy traffic of vehicles and personnel near the Shrine.
BDM Km Post #14
After two kilometers, the runners had stretched out on the left side of the road while their support vehicle had to “leap frog” to Kilometer Post #7 and wait for their respective runners to arrive thereat. After one hour had elapsed, the 59 runners have already covered a stretched distance of 14 kilometers, with the 3 lead runners (Lacanlale, Iglesia, Santos) reaching the Km Post 14 in 1:12 hours which was a very fast pace for a 100-Mile race on the early part of the event. As the first group of runners had cleared Km Post #14, the last runner (Wenceslao), while brisk walking, just passed by Km Post #7. Despite the increase in elevation on the 1st 7 kilometers to about 800 meters and the strong headwind meeting the runners on top of the mountains and hills of Mariveles, the lead runners maintained their fast pace (5:08 mpk) as if they were running a Marathon Race.
The fast pace could be attributed by the cooler temperature prevailing on the early morning of Saturday; the strong wind and breeze; the overcast sky; and the pressure within each runner and the competition.
The second group of leading runners at Km #14 with one minute difference from the 1st group consisted of Albert Salazar, Junrox Roque, and Gene Olvis and the group of Singaporean runners (Wee, Sean Say, & Paulina) were trailing them with a difference of two minutes. Jonel Mendoza, General Narcise, Lemuel Narcise and John Jeffrey Avellino’s were on the middle of the stretch of runners with 28 minutes behind the leaders and they were running at an average pace of 7:08 minutes per kilometer. While the last runner, Jael Wenceslao, was able to clear Km Post #14 in 2:09 hours (9:13 mpk pace).
BDM Km Post #23
At the next critical intersection at Km Post #23, Jonnifer Lacanlale & Wilnar Iglesia were running together and reached the place in 2:26 hours. They slowed down to an average pace of 6:20 mpk because of the terrain of the route as it was a rolling road. Behind them in 3rd with 4 minutes difference was Gene Olvis and followed by Junrox Roque and Totoy Santos. A 10-minute difference from Totoy Santos, Say Huat Tan & Paulina Tanoto had been established as they arrived at the intersection. Victor Ting, General Narcise, Jonel Mendoza, and Lemuel Narcise were still at the middle of the pack where they reached the intersection in 3:28 hours. Abe Lim and Gilbert Gray, both from the USA were ranked #38 & 39, respectively, with an identical time of 3:32 hours. Consistently, Jael Wenceslao reached the intersection as the last runner #59 in 4:13 hours with an average pace of 11 mpk!
BDM Km Post #32
The sun started to appear and the sky became clear from clouds when the runners were about to reach the intersection at Km Post #32. Wilnar Iglesia was already leading at this point with 4 minutes ahead of Jonnifer Lacanlale. Iglesia reached this point at 2:58 hours. Gene Olvis and Junrox Roque were trailing Lacanlale with 2 minutes difference. Totoy Santos was on 5th place with 13 minutes difference from Olvis & Roque. Totoy Santos was followed by the Singaporean Runners (Sean Say, Hong Soon, Wee Tech & Paulina) and reached the Km Post #32 in 3:26 hours. Aniceto Grimaldo, Jonel Mendoza, and General Samuel Narcise were at the middle of the pack with a time of 4:21 hours. They were followed by Blas Ople Tiangco, Mark Hernandez, and Julius Giron with a time of 4:25 hours. Eventually, Gilbert Gray and Abe Lim from the USA had improved their ranking/standing when they reached this point. The two runners were ranked #33 & #34, respectively. Jael Wenceslao was still the last runner who reached this point in 5:15 hours.
BDM Km Post #50
Wilnar Iglesia was the first runner to reach this point in 4:27 hours with 10 minutes difference from Jonnifer Lacanlale who was the second runner. 3rd runner was Gene Olvis with a time of 5:00 hours. Sean Say Huat Tan of Singapore was the 4th runner in 5:04 hours followed by Junrox Roque in 5:13 hours. Junrox was followed by Wee Tech Hian and Seah Hong Soon after 7 minutes. Totoy Santos and Paulina Tanoto arrived #8 & #9, respectively, with a time of 5:34 hours. Gilbert Gray of USA was able to gain grounds as he improved his standing to #18 as he reached this point in 6:33 hours. Jonel Mendoza has also gained grounds from #25 in Km Post #32 to #20 as he reached this point. Mark Hernandez and Julius Giron were still together and ranked # 22 & #23 with a time of 6:44 hours, followed by General Samuel Narcise with 14 minutes difference. Jael Wenceslao was no longer the last runner when he reached this point in 7:41 hours and gained grounds to be ranked #51. Junar Layug & Joseph Soriao were the last runners to arrive with an identical time of 8:06 hours.
RD’s Personal Observation From BDM Km Post #50 to #97
After the 59 runners arrived at BDM Km Post #50 in Abucay, Bataan, I left the place aboard my vehicle and took the Roman Highway so that I can catch up with the lead runners before they would reach the intersection that goes to the town of Guagua, Pampanga after passing Lubao, Pampanga. I brought a Race Marshal to be prepositioned on the said intersection.
At the vicinity BDM Km Post #80 (before reaching the Poblacion of Lubao, Pampanga), I saw Jonnifer Lacanlale brisk walking on the left side of the road and I asked him what is the problem or “issues” he was encountering. I slowed down driving my vehicle and asked him about his situation. He gave me a body language that sent me a message that he is “giving way” for the stronger runners and had some problems with his quad muscles due to stiffness and cramps. I smiled at him and shouted that he can still make it and be able to recover along the way. To be accurate, I shouted at him, “Kaya mo pa yan!” Pwede ka pang maka-recover niyan!” and gave him the “thumb-up” sign before I left him.
I tried to catch up with the lead runner/s as I proceeded to the Poblacion of Guagua, Pampanga. The first runner I was able to catch up (after leaving Jon Lacanlale) was Gene Olvis and tried to ask about his condition and he answered that he was doing fine. As I moved forward, I saw Sean Say Huat Tan approaching Km Post #85 and he was the second place runner at this point. I tried to ask him about his condition and he answered that he was doing fine. I gave him a “thumb-up” sign before I left him.
After positioning my Race Marshals at the Poblacion of Guagua, Pampanga, I proceeded to Bacolor, Pampanga, towards San Fernando, Pampanga, just to find out where Wilnar Iglesia was located. I was surprised to see him running towards BDM Km Post #97 and he was strong with a consistent pace. I asked him if he is ok and he replied with a positive answer. I could only conclude at this point that the lead runner was already ahead by 12 kilometers from the second runner.
As I returned to Poblacion of Guagua, Pampanga and to pick-up my Race Marshal at vicinity Km Post #83, I saw Sean Say Huat Tan approaching BDM Km Post #89 and Gene Olvis trailing him. After I picked up my Race Marshal at Km Post #83, I turned around and proceeded back to Guagua Poblacion. As I approached Guagua Poblacion, I saw Jon Lacanlale jogging & shuffling and he told me that he was able to recover and he is bouncing back on the race. At this point, my staff informed me that Wilnar Iglesia was approaching the BDM Km Post #102 with a time of 10:20 hours!
After 10+ hours had elapsed, the 59 runners have already stretched out within the distance of 35 kilometers in between the lead runner and the last runner!
BDM Km Post #83
At this point, Wilnar Iglesia was leading the runners with a time difference of 47 minutes from the 2nd runner, Sean Say Huat Tan and arrived with a time of 7:14 hours. The 2nd runner arrived at 8:01 hours. Gene Olvis was 3rd runner with a time of 8:11 hours while Jon Lacanlale arrived with a time of 8:40 hours. Singapore runners Wee Tech Hian and Hong Soon were ranked # 5 & #6, respectively with 19 minutes difference from Jon Lacanlale. Gilbert Gray from the USA improved his standing at this point and landed at #12 with a time of 11:16 hours. Ariel Cortez of the Philippine Army was ahead of him who arrived 6 minutes earlier with a time of 11:10 hours. Jonel Mendoza slowly improved his standing by placing #18 with a time of 12:45 hours. Mark Hernandez arrived at this point with a rank of #21 with a time of 12:57 hours followed by General Samuel Narcise in 13:00 hours. Jael Wenceslao had tremendously gained grounds at this point where he landed as #30 (from #51 @ Km Post #50) with a time of 13:23 hours. Patrick Alcomendas, who was consistently on the upper half of the runners, had slowed down and eventually arrived as runner #48 with a time of 14:26 hours. Joseph Soria was the last runner to arrive with a time of 15:03 hour.
Only 53 runners arrived and crossed this point. Six (6) runners have declared themselves as DNF.
BDM Km Post #102
Wilnar Iglesia reached this point in 10:20+ hours as the leading runner. Gene Olvis was the 2nd runner to arrive with a gap of 1:26 hours from the lead runner. Sean Say Huat Tan was 3rd with 5 minutes difference from the 2nd runner with a time of 11:51 hours. Jon Lacanlale was 4th with a time of 12:36 hours followed by Seah Hong Soon in 12:44 hours and Wee Tech Hian in 12:59 hours. Francisco Lapira was trailing Paulina Tanoto with 3 minutes difference as he arrived in # 9 with a time of 13:45 hours. Gilbert Gray had overtaken Ariel Cortez and Junrox Roque and placed #10 as he reached this point in 13:53 hours. Albert Salazar had also recovered and arrived as #15 with a time of 15:10 hours. Kelly Lim was the 2nd woman to arrive as #21 with a time of 16:27 followed by Abe Lim of the USA with a time of 16:28 hours. Unfortunately, Abe Lim had to wave and drop the towel once he crossed BDM Post #102. General Samuel Narcise was able to overtake Jonel Mendoza along the way as the General arrived as #23 with a time of 16:31 hours followed by Joma Galauran in 16:41 hours and Jonel Mendoza in 16:42 hours.
Haide Acuna was the 3rd lady runner to cross the BDM Km Post #102 in 17:34 hours and ranked #37. Raiza Tulan was the 4th and last lady runner that reached this point in 17:39 hours. The last runner who cleared this point in 18 hours was Dionam Basco and the rest of the runners behind him were declared DNF.
After 18 hours of running, only 49 runners were left on the road with the goal to reach the finish line within the cut-off time of 30 hours. Ten (10) runners eventually were declared as DNF.
BDM 160K Km Post #135 (@ Vicinity Bamban Bridge)
Wilnar Iglesia arrived at this point in 14:21 hours with a time difference of 1:56 hours from the 2nd runner, Sean Say Huat Tan who arrived at 16:17 hours. Eight (8) minutes later, Gene Olvis arrived as the 3rd runner with a time of 16:25 hours. Jon Lacanlale was 4th trailing behind Gene Olvis by 27 minutes and arrived at this point in 16:52 hours. Sean Hong Song was the 5th runner with a time of 17:30 hours and trailing behind Jon Lacanlale with a time difference of 38 minutes. Wee Tech Hian was the 6th runner with 15 minutes behind Hong Soon. Arman Fernando was able to gain grounds as he was able to overtake Francisco Lapira and Gilbert Gray and put himself to number #8 with a time of 18:15 hours. Paulina Tanoto, the 1st woman in the race, placed #11 with a time of 20:15 hours. Julius Giron was able to overtake Junrox Roque and he placed #15 with a time of 21:43 hours with Junrox Roque trailing behind with 9 minutes difference. Jael Wenceslao was already ranked as #18 with a time of 22:05 hours at this point and was able to jump from #30 @ BDM Km Post #102. (This guy really conserved his energy during the daytime run and only to get stronger during the night run!) Jonel Mendoza was steadily maintaining his pace with a time of 23:52 hours while General Samuel was following him with a gap of 8 minutes and a time of 24:00 hours.
At this point, my time marshals had only listed 35 runners who passed the Bamban Bridge with the last runner, Arturo Virata, with a time of 24:22 hours and it was already 6:09 AM of Sunday.
The remaining runners have only 6 hours left before the cut-off time of 30 hours with 25 kilometers to go. Severe running–related injuries would be the only reasons why any one of them would not reach and cross the Finish Line and declare themselves as DNF. The mental challenge was on the mind of each of the runner at this point.
@ Highway Post #118/Turn-Around Point on the last 5K
As I approached the turn-around point at Km 118 near the TRADOC, PA Compound in Camp O’Donnell to check if my route marshal had been positioned thereat, I saw Wilnar Iglesia and his Pacer brisk walking in his half-naked attire with long tights as he was 100 meters away from the turn-around point. I said some encouraging words to him that he could finish the race in sub-18 hours! He looked pale and tired but I could see in his eyes the determination to finish the race with a good time.
I left him on the road and proceeded directly inside the Capas National Shrine to set-up the Finish Line Banner, the electrical lightings, and prepare for the Silver Buckle and other awards/souvenirs for the finishers. I knew I have a lead time of almost one hour before he finally arrives inside the Shrine.
Finish Line @ Capas National Shrine
Wilnar Iglesia arrived and crossed the Finish Line at exactly 11:22 PM of Saturday evening with an official time of 17:35:48 hours. It took him 3:14 hours to cover the last 25K-leg of the race. After the traditional “hug” from the RD, I gave him his Awards—1st BDM 160K Silver Buckle; #1 Finisher’s Medallion, BDM Km Post Trophy, and Finisher’s T-Shirt with Collar. He was apologetic to me for having slowed down and walked on the last 9 kilometers of the race and thereby extending so much time for me to wait for him to cross the Finish Line. This guy is so humble!
From here, it was a waiting game for me for the next runner/s to arrive. The Shrine was so silent and the place was windy and cold. It was past midnight already and I was shivering from the cold breeze of the early morning. Even if I was wearing a thick Adidas Cotton Track Suit with a T-Shirt inside, I was still feeling cold that I have to get inside my vehicle just to be able to warm myself.
After 3:17 hours, I was surprised to see Jonnifer Lacanlale approaching the Finish Line Banner from a distance of 10 meters! He was running like hell and as fast as possible as if somebody was trying to catch and kill him from behind! He was trying to catch his breath and perspiring like he was running under the heat of the sun when I hugged him! After the traditional hug, he immediately lie down on the cemented steps of the Shrine to rest. His official finish time is 20:52:18 hours!
Almost 2 minutes after Jon Lacanlale crossed the Finish Line, Gene Olvis was also sprinting so fast to cross the finish line as if he had seen a ghost along the 400-meter paved stretch of the Capas National Shrine! Gene was able to register an official time of 20:54:08 hours placing himself as the 3rd runner to cross the Finish Line. I overheard Gene saying the following to Jon Lacanlale, “Pare, ang lakas-lakas mo!” Through the blog of Jon Lacanlale, I found out that these “two warriors” battle it out on the last 5K of the course with a blistering pace of a 5,000-meter run in an oval track!
And the rest is history.
Sean Say Huat Tan of Singapore arrived as the 4th runner in 21:07:42 hours. Wee Tech Hian, another Singapore runner arrived as the 5th runner with a time of 21:44:06 hours. Totoy Santos arrived as the 6th runner followed by a teary-eyed Sean Hong Soon of Singapore as the 7th runner in 22:30:11.
Arman Fernando was so gentleman enough not to overtake Sean Hong Soon who finished ahead of him by mere 5 seconds! Arman placed #8 with an official time of 22:30:16 hours. I found out later that he really wanted to be ranked as #8 Finisher because it’s his favorite number. He even reserved the Race Bib #688 for this race. So, he got his lucky number in this race, from Start to Finish!
Francisco Lapira crossed the finish line as #9 with an official time of 23:21:10 hours. His hug was a memorable one as he lifted me for a few seconds in the air. Gilbert Gray from the USA, carrying the flags of the USA and Philippines, followed in a few seconds as the #10 with a time of 23:21:25 hours. While he was hugging me, he also lifted me into the air. These guys are really big and strong and still have the strength to carry me after going through a 100-Mile run. These guys are simply amazing!
Ariel Cortez, a First Lieutenant of the Philippine Army, arrived at the Finish Line at sunrise with an official time of 24:49:39 hours placing him in #11th position. After one hour, Jael Wenceslao arrived with his wife, Cookie, as his Official Pacer with a time of 25:49:33 hours placing him in #12th position. Jael was sporting a “Tony Krupicka”-look (half-naked with very short running shorts) without the long hair and mustache/beard!
The first woman finisher, Paulina Tanoto of Singapore, followed as the #13th runner with a time of 25:56:37 hours. The 2nd woman finisher, Kelly Lim, proudly carried the Singapore Flag as she crossed the finish line as # 29 with a time of 28:54:38 hours. She had to be given with a seat after she crossed the Finish Line and she was seated while I was giving her awards.
General Samuel Narcise finally entered the Gate of the Capas National Shrine with so much time to spare before the cut-off time of 30 hours. He was declared finisher #31 as he crossed the Finish Line in 29:18:20 hours.
At this moment, I started to ask the location and condition of my friend, Jonel Mendoza. As the minutes and seconds ticked before the cut-off time of 30 hours, I received information that he had 18 kilometers more to go before he reaches the Finish Line and he had some “issues” to deal with. I advised his crew for him to finish the race even beyond the cut-off time. As I closed the arrival of the Official Finishers of the race, I got information that he declared himself as DNF for the race.
Officially, 34 runners, out of the 59 starters, finished the race within the cut-off time of 30 hours. At exactly 11:47 AM of Sunday noon, the official time was closed.
Unofficial Finishers
I maybe harsh and strict with my rules and regulations in my races but there are also ways and means where I could be very kind and generous to my runner-competitors. It is for this reason that I waited for the arrival of the remaining runners who forced themselves to keep up the challenge to finish the FIRST 100-Mile Run in the country and get the reward for their accomplishment. Although I don’t include them in my Official List or Result of my races, I will mention them and acknowledge their accomplishment through this blog. (These guys should be paying me an extra compensation for waiting for them up to 6 hours under the heat of the sun!)
#35 Ramon Gillego—–30:23:27 hours
#36 Haide Acuna (F)—31:08:05 hours
#37 Mar Marilag ——-34:05:54 hours
#38 Christopher Montaos—36:05:08 hours
Except for the BDM 160K Silver Belt Buckle, these 4 “brave runners” received their Bataan 160K Finisher’s Medallion, BDM Km Post Trophy, and Finisher’s T-Shirt.
Conclusion
My special gratitude and thanks to all the runners who had the courage to be a part of this historic event in running in this country. Each of these runners has their own story to tell as they could even write a book out of their failures and victories in order to explore and go beyond their physical and mental limits. These runners, whether they are finishers or not, will serve as inspiration to upcoming ultra runners in this country.
The “flood gates” had been opened and we have proven that we can conduct a 100-mile road race in our country despite our hot and humid weather (without corporate sponsors). We have proven also that we are already known by other countries and ultra runners worldwide that there is a historic Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon Race which could be done ONLY on the very exact place where history/event had happened. There is only ONE Bataan Death March Route and it is located in the very heart of our country.
This road race will remain to be the ultimate test to runners who have properly trained and prepared for the daunting distance. This race is not for the fast runners but a race for the patient, matured, strong, smart, and have the positive determination to finish the race.
See you on the next edition of the BDM 160K Ultra Marathon Race!
Bald Runner 
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