Guidelines/Rules & Regulations For The 7th T2N (Tagaytay to Nasugbu) 50K Ultra Marathon Race (4:00 AM May 11, 2014)
Starting Line & Assembly Area
1. This is a solo race. The race will start at 4:00 AM of Sunday, May 11, 2014 in front of the Picnic Grove (near the Development Academy of the Philippines) in Tagaytay City. The Finish Line of the race is at the PETRON Gas Station in Nasugbu, Batangas which is located One Kilometer before the Poblacion.
2. The route of the race will follow the Highway from Tagaytay City to Nasugbu, Batangas. Runners will have to turn LEFT upon reaching the SHELL Gas Station at the intersection of Nasugbu and the Highway that goes to Matabungkay Beach Resort. Runners will have to run at least 500 meters before they turn-around and finally proceed to reach the Finish Line.
3. Runners should bring with them their Registration Deposit Slip (BPI Deposit Slip) and submit it to the Secretariat/BR’s Staff before the start of the said race. Runners should be at the Assembly Area not later than 3:00 AM of May 11, 2014 for processing. All runners/starters shall be accounted at the Starting Area before the race will start.
4. Runners are allowed to have their Support Vehicle & Crew but they are NOT allowed to have Pacers. Due to the absence of any Aid Station along the course, runners may run on “self-support” or “self-contained” making sure that they have an appropriate hydration system with them.
5. Runners shall ALWAYS run or stay on the farthest LEFT side of the road facing the incoming traffic. Runners are advised to be extra vigilant on vehicles approaching on their FRONT and BACK. Vehicles overtaking other vehicles on your back have the tendency to get more space on the Left Lane of the Road. To be safe, run/stay on the farthest side of shoulder of the road.
6. Runners shall ALWAYS run or stay on the farthest LEFT Side of the road on SINGLE FILE. We will be strict on this and we will warn any runner violating this rule before we declare DNF or disqualification in the said race.
7. Support Vehicles must be able to “leap frog” their runners. It means that the Support Vehicle should be waiting for their runner at an appropriate distance ahead of the runner. Runners are NOT allowed to be “shadowed” by their Support Vehicle. Support Vehicle must cruise along the route at the prescribed Speed Limit of the Highway. Support Vehicles are NOT allowed to turn on their Hazard Lights while they are plying on the race course.
8. Support Vehicles must ALWAYS park on the farthest RIGHT SIDE of the road/highway when waiting for their runner/s. Support Vehicles parked on the LEFT SIDE of the road will be a ground for the runner to be Disqualified.
9. Runner are NOT allowed to get inside their Support Vehicle during the duration of the race. Support Crew can provide portable/collapsible chair for the runner outside the support vehicle which can be seen by other passing runners.
10. Runners’ Bib Number should be pinned and displayed in front of the runner’s apparel. Bandits will NOT be allowed to run this event.
11. Runners are highly encouraged to bring and wear with them their respective hydration system/belt during the race.
12. Cut-off time of the event is nine (9) hours.
Route Map & Elevation Profile
13. Ipods, MP3s, and “wires” are NOT allowed. Runners should be attentive and vigilant with their surroundings.
14. Finishers within the prescribed cut-off time will receive a PAU Finisher’s Medal, Finisher’s Shirt, and Finisher’s Certificate (to be given later). Official result will be posted at http://www.baldrunner.com.
15. All runners must wear the following mandatory equipment/accessory: headlight and reflectorized vest or shirt with reflectorized strips. It will be still dark during the start of the race and these items are needed for the safety of each of the runner.
16. Corporate Logos are NOT allowed to be displayed on support vehicles. However, tarpaulins with the name of the running team/group is allowed to be displayed.
17. Maintain the Integrity of the Race. Runners are “deputized” to report any suspicion of cheating in the race. The RD has the authority to declare disqualification to any runner before, during and after the race.
18. Runners MUST be able to memorize their Race Bib Number. There will be Marshals who will be asking the runner’s bib number in the different Checkpoints along the route.
19. In case of emergency or report of a DNF, a runner/support crew can contact Cell Phone # 0918-965-9895 through call or text message stating the runner’s location and nature of emergency/cause of DNF.
20. Any infraction or violation of these guidelines/rules and regulations shall be dealt with accordingly and the RD shall immediately impose decision on such violation. The RD’s decision is FINAL.
21. It is the responsibility of the runner to inform his/her support crew and driver about the rules and regulations of this event/race.
22. The spirit of ultra running where runners are disciplined, honest, and caring /supportive to one another is highly encouraged. Remember to treat the other runners as your FRIENDS and SUPPORT to Finish the Race. The enemy lies within yourself and it is specifically located “in between your ears”.
PAU Finisher’s Medal
Good luck and See You at The Starting Line.
(Note: These Rules & Regulations Will Apply To The Runners Of The 1st Tagaytay To Naic 100K Ultra Run)
For the past nine (9) months, I have considered this trail route from Roosevelt National Park in Dinalupihan, Bataan up to the peak of Mt Natib as a personal obsession to explore an all-trail route as a part of my training playground. I can personally call this the Mt Natib’s North Trail Route.
After the PNOC made some testing and exploration up to the peak of Mt Natib in the ’80s in order to discover geothermal energy source in the Bataan Natural Park, the government left a dirt road and some gravel road from the Roman Highway in Orani, Bataan up to Barangay Tala and then further up to the base camp (Camp 06) before the final assault to the peak of Mt Natib. Through the years, the road from the highway to Barangay Tala was paved/cemented as part of the development in the area. What was left was a 7-kilometer trail/dirt road from the trailhead to the peak of Mt Natib. This is the traditional and well-known route for hikers and mountaineers who would like to camp and visit the peak of the said mountain. I personally call it the South Approach to Mt Natib.
I’ve used this traditional route for two times: first, when I went to peak bag Mt Natib with escorts from the Philippine Army; and second, when I brought some of my ultra running friends to conduct an “Operation Linis” to collect the trashes left by visitors and campers at the peak of the mountain and the trail that leads to it. It was a successful event wherein I tied up the effort with the Philippine Army operating in the area.
Fast forward. After two years since my last visit to the mountain, I’ve started to concentrate more of my running workouts/training in trail running. It was in July last year (2013) when I started trying to explore the possibility of coming up with a trail route coming from my first playground area from the North Approach going to the peak of Mt Natib. And it was only in November of last year that I was able to trace the trail that connects to the place called “Binutas”, considered as the Gateway To Natib.
The distance is measured, through my Garmin Watch, as 20.7 kilometers from the place I started my trek up to Binutas, from an elevation of 40 MASL to 900 MASL , with a Total Elevation Gain of 8,000 feet. From Binutas up to the peak of Mt Natib has a distance of 5 Kilometers with a Total Elevation Gain of 1,500 feet.
I would make the trail course from the trailhead up to “Binutas” as my long trek on weekends (at least, once a month) and named this course as my “Playground Bravo”. With a “pit stop” in my friend’s place, Weeler Orogo, on my way up to “Binutas” and then going down to where I’ve started, I would register 11-12 hours workout in the mountain. I would bring my lunch and some bite foods in my pack and would have our resupply of water at Weeler’s place and at Barangay Mabiga.
I came up with an Event Page on Facebook about a trail running event which I dubbed as the “Playground BRAVO” 50K Trail Run (1st Mt Natib 50K Trail Run) but I made sure that only those who are well-seasoned trail runners are accepted to join the event. The final requirement to join this race was my personal knowledge on the capability of the participant. I really did not care if I had ONLY ONE participant for the event. What was important was the fact that a proof that this trail route is doable and find out whatever feedback (positive or negative) I could gather from the participants.
My Ever Loyal “Usual Suspects” In My Races
Four runners registered for the event with a registration fee of P 900.00 for each runner. I came up with three (3) water resupply points, to include an Aid Station at “Binutas” where Jollibee packed lunch was available to the runners with Soda, Gatorade, Ice Candies (Joy-Joy), Ensaymada, Hard Boiled Eggs, and Rice Cake.
Aid Station (Vehicle) @ “Binutas”
After serving the participants with coffee and full breakfast, the race started at exactly 5:30 AM with four (4) participants, 3 males and 1 female.
To ensure safety and confidence to the runners, I provided a “pacer/guide” for the leading runner/s and a “safety marshal” for the last runner. I also gave specific instructions to the runners to be extra careful and deliberate in their footing and trekking on the final assault and descent to and from the peak of Mt Natib as there will be “rappelling” portions to be done on the rocks towards the peak.
As the race progressed through the day, the first 3 runners with the “guide/pacer” arrived at the “Binutas” area in 6:00 hours, to include a 40-minute “pit stop” at Weeler Orogo’s place as the group waited for the last runner. The last runner with the safety marshal arrived after two hours and I advised the runner not to proceed to the peak anymore. For the safety of the runner, I declared the runner as DNF.
Three Runners With Guide Arriving @ “Binutas”
After nine (9) hours, the three (3) runners with their guide arrived at “Binutas” after coming from the peak of Mt Natib. They were still strong and determined to finish the race. Their last 20 kilometers were all downhill with about 3-4 kilometers of uphill and I would expect them to be arriving at the Finish Area at nighttime!
The following is the Official Result of the 1st Mt Natib 50K Trail Run:
RANK RACE BIB # NAME TIME (Hours)
1 160 Ronnel Go (Champion) 13:44:45
2 1 Graciano Santos (1st Runner-Up) 13:45:23
3 8 Jon Borbon (2nd Runner-Up) 13:52:50
Aside from the “forest” section of the course which is 2-3 kilometers before reaching “Binutas” where the participants encountered sharp blade of grasses, thick vegetation along the trail and thorny vines and plants on each side of the trail, the trail could be runnable or could be negotiated with faster hiking speed.
The finishers told me that they hiked the whole course except for the downhill portions on their way back to the finish line. They were fully satisfied that they have finished a very challenging trail course. One of the runners had also strongly suggested that I could submit the course as a UTMB qualifier. However, unanimously, all the tree runners would like to return to do another race event on the same course for them to improve their finish times. But they suggested that trail course is not really for “first-timer” trail runners.
Included in their post-race dinner/buffet is a Finisher’s T-Shirt and Podium Trophy for each of the Finishers.
Personally, I consider the trail event as a success even with only 4 starters with 3 as finishers. I was able to prove that with a seasoned trail runner, the North Trail to the peak of Mt Natib is doable and runnable. I would be happy if I will have at least ten (10) runners for the next edition of this event.
Officially, this is the First Edition of the Mt Natib 50K Trail Run! Congratulations to all the Finishers!
Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon (BDM) Grand Slam Award/Trophy is given to an ultra runner who finishes the Bataan Death March 160K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 160) and the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102) in succession within a year, a period of 4-5 weeks between the two ultra events.
For the past 4 years since the first edition of the BDM 160, there were ultra runners who were brave enough to do the impossible and they were awarded the first BDM Races Grand Slam Award/Trophy. Ultra Runners Jonnifer Lacanlale and Arturo Virata were the first BDM Grand Slam Awardees in 2011. They became the “idols” of our Pinoy Ultra Runners. What made these two gentlemen extra special and admired by their peers was that the two races were one week apart!
Starting in 2012, I decided to schedule the BDM 160 on the last weekend of January and have the BDM 102 on the first weekend of March. With such development, more finishers of the BDM 160 were able to recover with the 4-5 weeks period in between the two races and received the much-coveted BDM Grand Slam Award. (Note: I will have another post in this blog to publish the BDM Grand Slam Awardees for the years 2012 & 2013)
Fast Forward. For this year, 2014, the number of BDM Grand Slam Awardees had increased more than twice compared last year and the number of Lady Awardees had also increased. Almost all the Lady Finishers in this year’s BDM 160 joined and finished the BDM 102 this month.
The following are the 2014 BDM Grand Slam Awardees:
1. Carl Balagot
2. Sandy Alentajan
3. Carlo Gonzales
4. Tess Leono (F)
5. Dante Sagayap
6. Glairold Recella
7. Meljohn Tezon
8. Joseph Sibal
9. Gia Estrella (F)
10. Wilnar Iglesia
11. Lao Ogerio
12. Ofelia Lorete (F)
13. Sheryll Quimosing (F)
14. Joel Sison
15. Noel Ko
16. Mark Tibo-oc
17. Myk Dauz
18. Marlon Saracho
19. Dindo Diaz
20. Ryan Sison
21. Hermie Saludes
22. Lyra Valles (F)
23. Emerson Sto. Domingo
24. Neil Broncano
25. Randy Racho
26. Peach Tamayo (F)
27. Ariel Briones
Congratulations to the 2014 BDM Grand Slam Awardees!
2014 BDM Grand Slam Trophy2014 BDM Grand Slam Awardees
On the first quarter of last year, 2013, I came up with an award for ultra runners to look forward to and try for them to challenge themselves. I shared my idea with my ultra friends and on Facebook and I forgot to write about it in my blog. So, let me explain the concept and details about this special award among ultra runners.
As I copied the concept from the US Grand Slam of Ultrarunning Award which consists of four (4) famous 100-Mile Trail Races which are done within a period of four months, the PAU Grand Slam Award also consists of four races—two 100-mile road races; one 100-mile trail race; and a 200K single stage run. To be specific, they are: Bataan Death March 160K Ultra Marathon Race which is done in the month of January; Antique 100-Mile Ultra Marathon Race which was held in October; West Coast 200K Ultra Marathon Race in the month of November; and Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run in the month of December.
A Silver Buckle is being awarded to each of the Finisher of these 4 ultra marathon races. A runners who finishes the 4 races shall be awarded with the PAU Grand Slam Award/Trophy.
Since I just made the announcement of my concept to my close ultra running friends after the conduct of the Bataan Death March 160K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 160), I told them that if they were not able to join the said race event, they can still have a chance to complete the four (4) races if they finish the next year’s edition of BDM 160.
I took the risk of coming up with the Single Stage of the West Coast 200 Ultra Marathon after a successful 3-day stage race on its first edition. I had to go also to Antique on the first week of May last year in order to run the whole distance from San Jose De Buenavista in Antique to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan with a total distance of 166 kilometers. It did not matter whether I have only 5 or 10 runner-starters on these two new races. What matters most was to be able to try and find out the response from my ultra friends.
To my surprise, I got positive response and encouragements from the runners and I got full support from them. And the whole concept of the 1st PAU Grand Slam Award was implemented. And everything is already history.
During the 2014 Bataan Death March 102K & 160K Ultra Marathon Races’ Awarding Ceremony and Philippine Association of Ultrarunners’ (PAU) Recognition Party, I have awarded the 1st PAU Grand Slam Award/Trophy to the following ultra runners:
1. Graciano Santos
2. Ronnel Go
3. Raffy Gabotero
4. Anthony Mark Alindada
5. Wilnar Iglesia
6. Meljohn Tezon
7. Glairold Recella
8. Elmar Bob Tolete
9. Benedict Meneses
10. Yob Red
Congratulations to these First Awardees of the 1st PAU Grand Slam Award!
For the year 2014, the PAU Grand Slam Award will start with the Antique 100-Mile Endurance Run in September; West Coast 200 in November; Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run in December; and the last race will be the Bataan Death March 160K Ultra Marathon Race in January 2015.
PAU Grand Slam Award/Trophy (Courtesy of Ronnel Go)BR & 9 PAU Grand Slam Awardees. Raffy Gabotero was not in the picture. (Photo Courtesy of Bong Alindada)
My First Adventure Run was the Manila To Baguio 240 Kilometer Run which took me 5 days, from February 9-13, 2010, 2 days after I finished the Condura Skyway Marathon with a time of 4:17:++hours.
The primary motivation why I did this run was to show to my readers that a runner who would venture to this kind of running can also “journalize” or document his experience on the road on a near “real time” reporting through a blog. My “pit stops” would include writing something on my blog so that my readers would know the progress of my run. My adventure story would be very detailed so that the reader is transported on the road and places where I was running. In simple terms, I was showing my integrity in doing this adventure run.
The second reason was to show and prove to my Cavalier colleagues/alumni and cadets of the Philippine Military Academy that I could join the yearly Alumni Homecoming in the month of February without riding a bus or a car. There seems to be a problem of Parking Areas in Fort Del Pilar/PMA every time there is an Alumni Homecoming of PMA. For obvious reason, there are Alumni who would join this event with lots of “support vehicles” in tow, from the Officer’s Aide, Family, and Security Detail. If you add up those politicians who are Honorary Members of our Alumni Association attending this event, parking of vehicles would extend up to the Loakan Airport!
As a result of my run, it became a topic of conversation among the Generals and Colonels of the AFP and Alumni of the PMA as it filtered down to the subordinate units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army. I just hope that the Vehicular Traffic and Parking Space problems inside Fort Del Pilar during our yearly Alumni Homecoming had been solved (joke!)
Obviously, this Adventure Run was my recovery run after the Condura Skyway Marathon. It is also great way to travel by foot and see the places along the road in a very “slow motion” mode.
Fast Forward. On the last quarter of 2013, I thought of coming up with an ultra race from Luneta Park/Rizal Monument to Rizal Park in Baguio City and came up with a Facebook Event Page. I wanted to limit the number of runners to 30 only but I was surprised to find out that more runners were interested to joining the event. Just like what I did with the West Coast 200, I wanted the runners to experience a multi-day stage running event where they could rest every leg of the event. After 3 days since I posted the Event Page, the applicants for the race had exceeded 35 and more runners would request me to be included in the list after I closed the registration period.
The 250-kilometer distance from Manila to Baguio is divided into 3 legs where the 1st Leg is a 90-Kilometer distance to be completed in 16 hours; the 2nd Leg is also a 90-Kilometer with the same cut-off time; and Final Leg is a 70-Kilometer to the Finish Line with a cut-off time of 16 hours. The total cut-off time for the race would add up to 48 hours which equivalent to 2 days!
@Rizal Monument, Luneta Park, Manila
At the starting line, I could see “new faces” to include Tan Ray from Singapore, Lito Malillin from General Santos City (Mindanao), Rhodz Cordora from Zambaonga City (Mindanao), Dhannie Tan from Manila, Benedict Ngo from Dagupan City, Jaylord Ballao from Team Ek Ek, and members of the Team Snail Runners. The “usual suspects” in my Ultra Races were there and I could see that they are entertaining and talking to the “new faces” in my events.
And The Race Started Before 1:00 AM of Friday
There were 42 runners who started the race in front of the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park few minutes before 1:00 AM of Friday, February 7, 2014.
Having declared this event as an adventure run, I am not that type of a Race Director that “spoon feeds” my runners by showing and instructing them very detailed route description and providing them with map, elevation profile, and deploying marshals on every intersection of the road. It is the responsibility of the runner to be observant on the signs along the road and find out the correct route to the Finish Line. It is either a runner would “google” the route or “test run” some portions or conduct a “window tour” while riding a vehicle in order to familiarize with the route.
The first leg/day was considered as a “disaster” for the other runners who were not observant on the signs of the road or they were simply ignorant of where they were on the road. Instead of going to Malolos City after hitting the Tabang Area, runners went straight to the Sta Rita Area (NLEX Entry/Exit for those Vehicles going to Cagayan Valley). Some runners would spent 40 minutes running just to realize that they were on the wrong track. Because of this experience for some of the runners, I allowed all the runners who finished the 1st Leg/Day beyond the cut-off time of 16 hours to still join the 2nd Leg/Day.
1st Runner To Reach Km #90, Jaylord Ballao2nd Runner, Jael Wenceslao, @ Km Post #90
Km Post #90, Finish Line of the 1st Leg & Starting Line of the 2nd Leg, is located 2 kilometers north of the center of Dau, Mabalacat. Dau is a famous Entry/Exit to and from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and it has a lot of commercial establishments to include hotels, motels, pension inns and restaurants. This place is an ideal “pit stop” for the runners for their much needed accommodation and food/supply replenishment.
Four runners did not join the start of the 2nd Leg/Day as they declared themselves as DNF. Most of them were victims of the intense heat of the route. Four minutes before 1:00 AM of Saturday, the remaining 38 runners started their run for the 2nd Leg.
I also joined the runners after two minutes from the time I released them. I wanted to practice my nutrition on this time of the night as it became my weakness to be sleepy when running from midnight to the early morning time. Slowly, I was passing some of the runners until I reached Tarlac City. I had to stop when my GPS watch registered a distance of 32 kilometers. Later, while I was driving my car, I found out that I was one kilometer away from the main group of runners.
More Power Walking On The 2nd DaySelf-Support Runner Rhodz Cordora From Zamboanga City
The runners were able to experience what I’ve experienced during my Adventure Run on this route. The intense heat of the sun and the road made the runners exhausted and would brought them to run slowly. It was a big test for them to endure as the stretch from Gerona-Paniqui-Moncada-San Manuel and the Pangasinan towns of Rosales, Villasis and Urdaneta were the hottest places along the course. Such stretch covers a distance of 60 kilometers of intense heat!
I decided to shorten the 2nd leg distance by 250 meters and made the famous Matutina Restaurant in Urdaneta City (Pangasinan) as the Finish Line. It was a very convenient place for the runners and their support team to rest and eat their snacks/lunch and dinner. I hope in the next year’s event, I will be able to get the said restaurant as one of the Race Sponsors.
Alfred Delos Reyes Arriving At The Finish Line On the 2nd Leg
I had to be strict on the implementation of the prescribed cut-off time on the 2nd day and it resulted to only 25 runners who would finish for the day. Runners were able to get accommodation within the city and most of the runners had more time to rest before the last leg of the event. Little did I know that there were some “drama” and/or “strategy sessions” being made by some of the top ten runners on how they would run the last leg of the course. However, one thing was sure as I’ve seen on the faces of these runners—they all wanted to finish the race and reach Baguio City on foot on the fastest time possible.
Runners from Pangasinan were at the Finish Line at the Matutina Restaurant to cheer the arrival of runners. Dennis Uy from Pozzurubio, Pangasinan, Head/Leader of the Pozzurubio Running Club was there to reiterate his invitation to stop by at his place at Km Post #195 for a “pit stop” for all the runners, support teams and to include my staff.
25 Runners On The Start Of The Last Leg/Day
Few minutes before 1:00 AM of Sunday, 25 remaining runners toed the line and started the last leg of the race. After releasing the runners, I went immediately (aboard my vehicle) to Dennis Uy’s place at Km Post #195 and he established an Aid Station for all the runners with Ice Cold Water, Hot Coffee, local rice cakes called Tupig and Patupat, and Hot Soup #5 with Misua (thin rice noodles). After 24 runners had passed the said Aid Station, the 25th/last runner was having some digestive tract “issues” but he was trying his best to catch up with the group.
Dennis Uy (Yellow Shirt & Eyeglass) With The Pozurrubio Running Club
Jaylord Ballao of Team EK EK had consistently led the runners from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 and he was leading by two hours based from their aggregate total times from the rest of the runners. At Kennon Road, he was leading by almost 3-4 kilometers and it would be a matter of time before he would reach the Finish Line with a Course Record.
Jael Wenceslao of 100 Miles Cafe was trailing Jaylord Ballao from the start of the race up to the 3rd Day and he was already sure of getting the 1st Runner-Up position. The “drama” on the 3rd Day was a fight between Lao Ogerio, Alfred Delos Reyes, and Raffy Gabotero as who would be the 3rd, 4th and 5th Overall Top Runners of this Event.
Finally, Alfred Delos Reyes arrived at the Finish Line as the 3rd Runner of the 3rd Leg. Then, Raffy Gabotero came in as the 4th Runner to arrive at the Finish Line. Raffy Gabotero was surprised to know that Lao Ogerio was still on the road towards the Finish Line. Lao Ogerio, after running around the streets of Baguio City, realized that he was lost! It took him 30 minutes to finally find his way to the Finish Line. Despite such mistake, he landed 4th Overall with Raffy Gabotero as the 5th Overall Runner. Alfred Delos Reyes registered a faster pace on the 3rd Leg and eventually got the Third Overall Place for the race.
Podium Finishers (Left To Right: Alfred Delos reyes; Jaylord Ballao; Jael Wenceslao; RD)
After the cut-off time of 17 hours for this leg, 24 runners arrived and they were declared as the First Official Finishers of the 1st PAU Manila To Baguio 250K 3-Day Stage Ultra Marathon Race.
I consider this Road Race Event as an Epic Run and I could personally assess it as the most challenging road running event race in the country today. My special thanks and appreciation would go to the runners and their teams; Benj Termulo of Our Kitchen Restaurant who established an Aid Station in Meycauayan, Bulacan; Dr Marco Christopher Montaos of Valenzuela, Bulacan who provided an Aid Station at Bocaue, Bulacan; Juvy Pagtalunan for the Aid Station in Malolos City which served hot coffee and breakfast to all the runners; Dennis Uy of Pozzurubio, Pangasinan; Melan Ku Marquez of Baguio City for the post-race dinner to my staff; and to the BR’s staff. My snappy salute to everybody!
My friends (ultra runners) in Taiwan and South Korea are now telling me that they will train and prepare to join the next edition of this race. It would be a great exposure again for the country in terms of Sports Tourism and for our local ultra runners to mingle and develop friendship with the best ultra runners from our ASEAN brothers.
Two of the runners of this year’s event came all the way from Mindanao and they ran unsupported. Lito Malillin of General Santos City DNFd on the 2nd Day and he told me that he will be coming back for a vengeance on the next edition as he had learned a lot of lessons and experience during the event. Rhodz Cordora of Zambaonaga City, who ran also as unsupported, landed on Top 10 Overall and I consider him as the Most Hardcore Runner among the Finishers!
As I look for the future of this event, I can see great potentials in coming up with “side events” for this race. By next year, we will have a SOLO run for the distance, the multi-day stage (3 days) will still be there, and we will add also a 5-man relay competition (with one woman per team) event.
There are two things that I’ve proven in the conduct of this event. First, my past Adventure Runs can be easily converted as a Road Race Event because I was able to run and survive the distance at the age of 58 years old, and Second, the greatest lesson/experience we got from this event, it proved that we can travel by foot if we want to reach and visit the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City!
The next Adventure Run to be converted as a Road Race Event will be the “West To East”: Run Across Luzon!
Lace up, get out of the door and run! Keep on running!
Bald Runner 
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