“The Hay Is In The Barn”

On May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon4 Comments

This is the statement that my Coach would send me after putting all the miles in my training program in preparation for the 2014 The North Face 100-Kilometer Trail Run which will be held this weekend. Since it was a new statement to me and have some varied personal interpretations about it, I would “google” it in order to find out what my Coach would like to tell me. And I was satisfied of the things that I would read on the Internet explaining what the statement is all about.

Basically, farmers (in countries with winter season) would put and store bundles of hay inside their barn in preparation for the winter to come so that their livestocks (cattles/horses) would have enough food when snow covers their farm. In the Philippines, our farmers don’t have barns or livestock covered structures where they could store rice straws/hay as food for their horses, cows and carabaos (water buffalos). Our farmers would simply bundle them and stack them on top of the other to form a pointed cone in the middle of their farm. But the intention is the same, for the livestock to have a reserve food during the dry season which sometimes result to drought.

"Hay In The Barn" Philippine Style — “Hay In The Barn” Philippines’ Style (Photo By Google)

In running. which is the same with the other endurance sports, the statement would mean that one has to appreciate the past months that one had prepared for the event and it is time to reduce the volume and intensity of training before Race Day. It simply means that one has to taper in final preparation for the Big Event, the end-goal of ones months of training. Putting more miles and more intensity to ones training at this point would no longer have an effect for a better performance during the event. If one is hard-headed not to observe the taper period, he/she is likely to be overtrained or not fully recovered and fresh a few days before Race Day.

My failure to finish in last year’s TNF Phil 100 was the reason why I would concentrate on mountain trail running. For the past 10 months, I’ve been almost running on the trails in my playground 5-6 days a week! Following a structured training program for trail running which is tailored to my age and history of my running-related injuries, I would log in at least 240-260 miles (380-420 kilometers) every month with some speed training/tempo running on the trail once a week and a rest day on Mondays. This is where I would test my nutrition, apparel, shoes and running techniques.

My training program paid off as a result of my satisfactory finishes at the Clark-Miyamit 42K Trail Run and Clark-Miyamit 50-Mile Trail Run last year. Last December, I finished only 110 Kilometers in the Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run due to nutrition problems and in February of this year, I was able to reach Kilometer #60 in the H1 100-Mile Trail Run after being lost along the route and spent a lot of my energy trying to catch-up with the rest of the runners. These DNFs had also contributed in my mileage in preparation for the next events to come.

For the past two months, March and April, I was consistent with my training which involved more hiking and running to higher elevations except for at least two weeks where I would reduce my mileage and do more some stationary cycling inside the house. It was also in these two weeks that I had to see my orthopedic doctor for some tests and rehabilitation for my injured knee in the past. These two weeks gave me the much-needed rest and recovery to be stronger in my runs and hikes to higher elevations and peaks within the vicinity of my playground for the rest of my training period.

Two weeks before this weekend’s TNF 100, I have tapered my training and I am ready for the challenge stored for me to this yearly event. I don’t have any specific goal for this event but as I usually predict in my CM Trail Races, I would target again to be among the upper 50% of the Finishers. If there will be 200 Finishers in this year’s TNF 100, I wish that I would land among the top 100 runners.

Wish me luck!

1st Mt Natib 50K Trail Run (FKT)

On April 25, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

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 — 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" — 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" — 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!

Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/baldrunner/media_set?set=a.10203065381649124.1073741930.1043179758&type=3

Downhill Running

On April 24, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners Injury, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon1 Comment

For an old runner like me and had a history of running-related injury on my knees, I need to be extra careful and very deliberate on my steps when I am faced with a steep downhill part of the course. This contributed much in my ability to run slower in my races. How I wish I would turn back the clock when I did not have any fear and took advantage of those downhill parts of the course to gain more speed and regain the time that I have lost in the ascending parts of the route.

I could see my elite trail runners and training partners to be “flying” on the air and spreading their gait to the maximum in order to gain more distance in every step they make on the downhill. I could see that they just simply “float”; bend their upper body forward; swing their hands farther and stretch their legs with a wider stance as their feet barely touch the ground. Only young and fast runners could do this kind of running downhill.

Downhill running was my “weakness” and one of the main reasons why I did not finish in last year’s TNF 100-Kilometer Trail Run. Aside from the knee injury I had which was not yet fully healed prior to the race, I was surprised to be running within the part of the course which I was not able to recon or practice on it. The 11-12 kilometer distance of the Barangay Alang part of the course is a steep road consisting of paved/cemented road and hard dirt road. The steepness of the road gave some pain on my knees that I was forced to simply hike/walk throughout the distance. Coupled with the heat of the sun that went directly hitting the runners, I was sweating profusely and I was on the verge of being dehydrated. Simply put, this part of the course just simply put the “nails to my coffin”, so to speak, in order for me to be over exhausted and weak. Even if I was able to refuel, rest and re-hydrate myself at the Aid Station on the halfway mark of the course, I was able to spend so much of my time and I was already thinking of ending the race.

2013 TNF 100 Picture @ Barangay Alang Route

I tried to continue the race but after hiking for 500 meters, my knees and quads were not cooperating. It was time to preserve the weak body and prepare to recover as I decided to DNF in the race.

Aside from training for the downhill running along the trails for the past 11 months, I made sure to have a taste of running downhill on a cemented road in my playground, just like the road at Barangay Alang. Eleven months ago when I started training for my ultra trail runs, I discovered this place which is a part of my Playground “Bravo” 50K Trail Run course and I promised myself to train for hill repeats in this place in order for me to be properly prepared for the Alang portion of the TNF 100 course.

I was able to come up with a running technique on this steep cemented road which is appropriate for my old knees. I just have to shorten my strides, bend my legs from the knees, come up with a faster leg turn-over, bend my upper body slightly forward, swing my arms with a faster tempo, relax my shoulders, maintain a midfoot strike on the ground and make sure my eyes are focused at least 3-5 meters on the ground in front of me. I can not suggest this technique to the other runners as this is what I had experimented for my style of running. I was able to manage the pain on my knees and preserve them by following on this technique.

Hopefully, I would be able to reach the halfway point of the TNF 100 Race course without any issues or problems. If I reach the halfway point with some time to spare, I know I would be able to finish the race.

Wish me luck!

Result: 2nd Playground “Alpha” 50K Trail Run

On April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Race Results, Races, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

2nd Playground ALPHA 50K Trail Ultra Run (“Two Antenna” Loop Course 50K Trail Run)

Pastolan, Hermosa, Bataan

5:00 AM March 30, 2014

Number Of Starters: 10

RANK RACE BIB # NAME TIME (HRS)
1 15 Jon Borbon (Champion) 10:37:23
2 9 Ed Yonzon (1st Runner-Up) 10:42:35
3 20 Dhannie Tan (2nd Runner-Up) 11:18:23
4 26 Brian Tan Seng 11:20:59
5 24 Bong Anastacio 11:32:14
6 17 Luzel Tibo-oc (Champion, Female) 14:14:41
7 19 Mark Anthony Tibo-oc 14:14:43

Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/baldrunner/media_set?set=a.10202951564603769.1073741919.1043179758&type=3

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

**2nd Playground Alpha 50K Trail Run Champion: Jon Borbon**

Benson: An Aeta Friend

On April 21, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

In one of my trail running adventures, I was able to meet Benson, an Aeta residing in a Resettlement who is trying to earn a living by making and transporting charcoal in the mountains of Bataan. I was on my way to discover trails within my backyard when I met him. I asked him to orient myself in the different trails in the mountains and he was glad to help me.

I met Benson while he was on his way back to his residence in the Aeta Resettlement. He was carrying two sacks of charcoal which heights are taller than him. I can not believe how he was able to carry those sacks of charcoal with his thin and short body. What impressed me more was that he was using a rubber sandal walking/hiking on those mountain trails. His hiking pace was faster than me and my companion. He was really fast despite the fact that he was using a rubber sandal and carrying those two sacks of charcoal which are heavier than his weight.

While we were in our pits stops and water resupply points, I find time to talk to him and was able to gather a lot of information about him. He is married to another lady Aeta who just gave birth to their first child two months ago. He burned his bamboo hut which he constructed in the Aeta Resettlement Area and he gave me a vague statement/answer on the reason why he burned his hut. Since he does not have a place of his own, his child and himself are staying in the hut of his mother-in-law.

We asked some directions from him on how we can explore the mountains in the area and we asked the presence of mountain trails within the area. He is willing to be our “guide” if we intend to explore the nearby mountains and he asked that we should be in his place/resettlement area before 6:00 AM.

In our pit stops, we shared our bottled water/drinks and bite foods. Upon reaching the resettlement area, he invited us to the hut of his mother-in-law and offered us a beehive full of pure honey. Instead, we offered him and the rest of the children in the hut with our Cloud 9 Chocolates and Pan De Sal (local bread). After about, 10 minutes of rest and changing his shirt, he offered his service to guide us to the road that leads to the main Highway.

Picture With Benson Before We Parted Ways

After hiking for 3 kilometers, he pointed a paved road that leads to a subdivision and gave some instructions and information about the description of the paved road. I brought out some cash in my hydration belt and I gave my money but before I can hand him my money, he asked not to be given such cash. He said that the money we have will be used for our fare for our tricycle and jeepney ride in going back to where we started. However, I asked and begged him to get the money for the milk of his baby and he gladly accepted it.

From there, we left him as he walked back to the resettlement area. And for us, we still have 14 kilometers more of dirt and paved roads before we reached our final destination.

One of these days, I and my training partner will be going back to get the service of Benson as our guide to the mountains in the area.

I hope we can explore and measure another 30 kilometers along the mountain trails so that I can have a 100-mile mountain trail route in my playground.

Sacks Of Charcoal

On April 15, 2014April 15, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, TravelLeave a comment

It has been awhile when I had my last post in this blog. I was too busy in the mountains where I could hardly get a good connection to the Internet. Aside from my trail running training, I’ve been busy preparing and directing my road and trail races which are scheduled for the past months.

In my desire to look for trail routes within the vicinity of my “playground”, I had been exposed and had observed some of the local people in the area to be involved in charcoal making in the mountains. I almost meet a group of locals with their sleds being pulled by a carabao (water buffalo) stacked with sacks full of charcoal on a daily basis. Sometimes, I would pass by a place where two locals would be guarding a makeshift underground “oven” where they process or burn the woods cut in pieces and wait for these woods that would turn to charcoal.

I really don’t mind or give any interest or even stop to start a conversation with these people in the charcoal transport and processing “industry”. It is enough that I greet them while I am running or simply wave my hand just to show that I really don’t care about their trade. Anyway, they simply know me as a crazy trail runner in the mountains where they do their business.

Last week, in one of my adventure runs in the mountains trying to look for trails, I was surprised to see a band of charcoal “carriers” or persons who carry sacks of charcoal from the mountains to be brought to the populated community. Most of these carriers are our indigenous people called the “Aetas”. I met these band of Aetas resting in a shaded part of the mountain where there is a pipe with water freely flowing from it. Most of them were resting and some of them were taking their lunch as I can see some cooking pots near the sacks of charcoal.

The following pictures will show the number of sacks of charcoal resting on the rocks along the trail and you can imagine the number of trees being cut by these charcoal makers in the mountains in order to produce these sacks of charcoal:

Spring Water & Rest Area In The Mountains

I am not here to post these pictures and make any judgement or opinion on what I have seen and observed in the mountains. It is enough that you can see and conclude for yourself what is really happening on those hidden valleys and cliffs in the mountain ranges which you can see far away while you are in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus or driving your personal vehicle along the highway on your way to the province and from the city.

As usual, I had to greet the Aetas and went on to refresh myself by drinking the fresh and cold water freely flowing from the plastic pipe that was inserting in between two big rocks on the cliff. And then douse my head, face, nape and back with the flowing water.

After a few seconds, I waved my hands and told to the resting Aetas that I will be ahead of them in going to their resettlement. And I am glad they waved their hands and replied to my greetings.

My mountain trail running must go on and as I was nearing the trailhead near the Aeta Resettlement Area, I could see more mountains and more trails to explore in my next outing.

Trail running in the mountains reminds me how blessed I am and the rests of us living in the lowlands.

Result: 1st Playground “Alpha” 50K Trail Ultra

On March 18, 2014March 18, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

***By Invitation Only

5:30 AM March 16, 2014

Pastolan Trails, Dinalupihan, Bataan

Number of Starters: 21

Number of Finishers: 17

RANK	BIB #	NAME	TIME (HRS)
1	2	Wilnar Iglesia (Champion)	6:50:32
2	6	Raffy Gabotero (1st Runner-Up)	7:22:06
3	7	Bong Alindada (2nd Runner-Up)	7:57:10
4	1	Graciano Santos	9:23:42
5	14	Daphne Codilla (Champion, Female)	9:44:00
6	8	Jay Lamela	9:55:46
7	4	Venn Lamela	9:55:47
8	160	Ronnel Go	9:59:32
9	32	Marc Conrad Molina	10:00:11
10	311	Manny Ocampo	10:20:39
11	22	Michael Lafuente	10:33:01
12	10	Ryan Garcia	11:08:49
13	11	Roy Garcia	11:08:50
14	5	Lady Dianne Palongan (1st Runner-Up, F)	11:10:11
15	50	Januarius Padilla	12:40:10
16	30	Jonathan Moleta	13:17:26
17	42	Jon Ogsimer	14:21:44

Runners @ The Turn-Around Point (Km #25)

Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/baldrunner/media_set?set=a.10202845708757439.1073741898.1043179758&type=1

Congratulations To Everybody!

2014 BDM Grand Slam Awardees

On March 10, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

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!

2013 PAU Grand Slam Award

On March 8, 2014 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Sports Program, UltramarathonLeave a comment

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.