“Back To Bataan” @ Sunday Inquirer Magazine

On September 29, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Running For Cause, Ultramarathon5 Comments

Two weeks before this story was published at the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s (PDI) Sunday Inquirer Magazine, I received an SMS from Eric Caruncho introducing himself as a writer for PDI asking me for an interview in relation with his assigned job to come up with a story on extreme sports. He specifically mentioned about the Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race.

I told him that I don’t want “e-mail interviews” as I prefer to have a “face-to-face” interview with him and other journalists. I could be the conservative type on matters like this but I know that this is the proper way for a writer to actually feel and get a full knowledge about the topic from his source. I would like again to experience those “eye-to-eye” contact while talking to a journalist as I have experienced when I was still in the active military service.

I asked Mr Eric Caruncho to send me “guide questions” through e-mail so that I could prepare for our meeting/interview. I was glad he sent me a list of questions immediately and we set for a meeting a few days after.

So, the meeting was set and Eric arrived ahead of schedule but I was there already at our meeting place before he arrived. I was happy to see him carrying a tape recorder, writing pad, and a ball pen. Great! I have the impression that I am dealing with a real and professional journalist. Over a cup of coffee and a simple Filipino breakfast in one of the Military Golf Courses in Manila, the following story was the result of our meeting-interview.

Thanks, Eric for the nice story! I hope you will regain your love for running with his story.

FEATURE
Back to Bataan

By Eric S. Caruncho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:53:00 09/18/2010Sport, Marathon, People, history

Filed Under:

THERE are marathons. There are ultra-marathons. And then, there’s the Bataan Death March.

Quickly gaining a reputation as the toughest race in the Philippines, the aptly-named Bataan Death March (BDM) is an annual 102-kilometer slog that retraces the route of the infamous World War II debacle from Ground Zero in Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.

Now on its third year, BDM promises to be an even greater challenge for “the few, the proud, the brave” next year. The race organizers plan to extend it to 151 kilometers, retracing the final journey of the original survivors of the death march to the Japanese concentration camp in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.

If you have to ask “why,” you’re obviously not ready. But if your question is “why not,” then perhaps you have the makings of an ultra-runner, for whom the full marathon distance of 42 kilometers is just the starting point.

The Bataan Death March is the brainchild of retired Major General Jovenal D. Narcise, better known to the local running community as the Bald Runner through his blog “Bald Runner” (www.baldrunner.com).

“We wanted a nice gesture to remember our Filipino heroes,” says Narcise, who at 58 has a blood pressure of 110/70, a resting pulse rate of 50 to 60 beats per minute, and the same 29-inch waistline he had when he was a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy – all thanks to his high-mileage, clean living lifestyle.

“In the States, they have been holding the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon in White Sands, New Mexico for the past 20 years, to honor veterans from the state. It has become internationally popular, and they have a ‘heavy’ category where runners run with a 35-pound backpack.”

Back home, local runners had been competing in the Araw ng Kagitingan ultramarathon relay on the anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.

“With the advent of ultramarathons worldwide, I thought, why not an ultramarathon?” says Narcise. “To make it more competitive, I thought of making it a 100-kilometer run.”

Under the International Association of Ultra Runners, the federation that regulates ultramarathon events, the standard ultramarathon distances are 50 kilometers, 100 kilometers and 100 miles. Narcise had had a bit of experience organizing races as an army commander, when he was in charge of the AFP’s Gintong Pangarap marathon. With his own funds (taken out of his retirement benefits), Narcise organized the first Bataan Death March in 2009.

“The standard cut-off time for a 100-kilometer race is 15 hours,” he says. “We decided to make it 18 hours for the BDM.”

To avoid the hottest part of the day, the race started before midnight. Out of 85 runners, 82 managed to make it to the finish line, with the fastest runner finishing in a little over 9 hours.

The second BDM held last April had even more participants, with 120 finishers, including 13 international competitors from the US, Singapore, Japan and France – all of whom heard about the BDM and signed up for it through Narcise’s blog. Despite the absence of any corporate sponsorship, the BDM is shaping up to be one of the premier annual events on local runners’ calendars.

Narcise isn’t just dreaming, however. He has organized local endurance athletes into the Philippine Association of Ultra Runners (PAU), which is federated with the International Association of Ultra Runners based in Morocco, a group that includes 40 member countries. Under its auspices, he has organized monthly ultramarathon events. He even sponsors his own Team Bald Runner, a core group of 15 elite athletes.

“My cause is just to promote the sport and raise funds for my athletes in Team Bald Runner,” he says. “I have 15 elite athletes I’ve been training for events. I support their registration fees, some subsistence, some out of town trips. They have been consistent in the top 3, top 5 in road races here. I brought two of them to South Korea last month for a 100-kilometer race. One of them placed sixth in the Jeju International 100K Run, setting a national record of 9 hours and six minutes. This is a good start.”

Through his blog, Narcise has become a pied piper of sorts for local endurance athletes and enthusiasts alike, providing training advice, anecdotes from his own experiences, commentary on local races, and miscellaneous information on diet, nutrition and training.

Originally from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Narcise’s own running path started in 1968, when he was a pre-med student in Baguio dreaming of entering the Philippine Military Academy.

“The university doctor examined me and found that I had weak lungs and a heart murmur,” he recalls. “He advised me to start running. My original motivation was to pass the physical exam so I could enter the PMA.”

The running seemed to help his constitution, and he continued to run as a cadet.

“In the PMA, I had no talent for sports, just running,” he says. “I placed in the top 20 in a 20- kilometer race, out of 80 cadets.”

His running was interrupted, however, when he was assigned to Mindanao as a fledgling army officer, right in the middle of the MNLF rebellion in the mid-1970s. By the time he returned to Manila three years later, the first running boom was in full swing.

“I was running only 30 minutes a day when I entered a race from Camp Allen in Baguio to Fort Del Pilar in 1980,” he recalls. “I placed in the mid-pack but my brother, a sprinter, placed in the top 6. I asked him how he trained and he said he ran from his house in Diliman to Fort Bonifacio every day. I went and bought several back issues of ‘Runner’s World’ magazine, and that’s how I learned about scientific training for long distance running.”

He paid particular attention to the work of Arthur Lydiard, the legendary New Zealand coach who basically wrote the book on training for long distance running.

The following year, he placed second in the same race. “I began to appreciate the scientific approach to training – you have to develop endurance first, then speed.”

His career path took him through various commands in the military, but physical training became a constant in his life.

“When I became an army commander, I decided to set the example. Soldiers drink, smoke and indulge in other vices, but once you introduce running to them, they become disciplined. But for them to do that, you have to set the example. Clean living was the reputation I had among the soldiers.”

Narcise ran his first full marathon in 1980, and from then, there was no looking back. He continued to run local and some international marathons until his retirement three years ago, when he discovered the wonderful world of blogging. He started Bald Runner in 2007 as a way to share information and experiences about training. It has since become one of the more popular sites for local runners, especially on ultra distance events.

“In an ultramarathon, you are trying to find your limits physically, mentally and psychologically,” he says.

Obviously, a 100-kilometer run isn’t for everybody, but for those who are willing to put in the necessary training mileage, ultramarathons can often be easier than the marathon.

“In a marathon, you’re trying to finish the race within a set time,” he says. “In an ultramarathon, it’s different. You need somebody to talk to. You share food. You socialize. You develop camaraderie. The atmosphere is less competitive. You compete with yourself, the route and the elements, not against the other runners.”

In ultramarathons, it is also necessary to eat during the race to replenish the body’s nutrients, to hydrate, and to take walking breaks in between running. The Bataan Death March provides typical Filipino fare, including boiled bananas, boiled sweet potatoes, and a bowl of steaming mami or arroz caldo at the 50-kilometer mark, although many runners also bring carbohydrate gels, power bars and sports drinks.

All of these make ultramarathons less of a grim and determined death race and more of a shared bonding experience. Be that as it may, Narcise says prospective ultramarathoners should build up their weekly mileage to at least 50 kilometers a week, slowly building up to 80 to 100 kilometers a week as they near the event.

“I encourage my runners to have back to back long runs on weekends, ideally 15 to 20 kilometers on Saturday and a longer run of 30 kilometers on Sunday, or vice versa.”

“My vision for the sport is that maybe in eight years, the ultramarathon will be a regular Olympic event. By that time, maybe we can develop good ultramarathon runners. The Japanese are now the number one ultramarathon runners in the world. Why not Filipinos?”

That would be sweet revenge indeed for the original Bataan Death March. •

Links at http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20100918-292999/Back-to-Bataan

(Source: Sunday Inquirer Magazine dated September 19, 2010)

Decision Is Final

On September 9, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Race Results, Races, Running, Running For Cause, Sports Program, Ultramarathon3 Comments

1. Weeks and days before last year’s BDM 102 (1st edition), I included a warning in my rules and regulation that “cheaters” will be disqualified. Some of the runners made a comment why I have to include such instructions in their race packets as according to them this warning was not necessary. I just smiled and did not answer their comments. However, on race day, I was a witness of so many cases of “cheating” among the runners. Did I approach them and tell them on their faces that I saw them cheating during the race? NO! But I remembered their names and faces. In my RD’s Report, I admitted that there were cheating as I personally observed plus the fact that I received also information from my marshals, staff, and from the other runners and their respective support crew. Most of my marshals then were the members of my Elite Team Bald Runner and I really believed in their reports. Their reports were collaborated with the information coming from other runners and their respective support crew. I did not expose them but they know that I know that they cheated. It is for this reason that I declared the Results of the 1st BDM 102 as Unofficial. Case closed.

2. This year’s BDM 102 was a perfect race because there were no reported cheating or making some “shortcuts” of the route as we implimented time stations/checkpoints along the way where each runner were listed with their elapsed time/split time as they passed in many points along the route. Those who were reported to have allegedly cheated on the 1st edition were able to redeem themselves in this year’s BDM 102 by registering a much-improved finish times as compared in last years edition. Did I congratulate them for redeeming themselves in this year’s race? NO!

3. In the 1st PAU 50K Run in Tanay, Rizal last May 9, 2010, one of my marshals reported that one of the runners rode a vehicle with the intention of declaring himself as DNF but he alighted from the vehicle after riding a considerable distance and resumed his race until he reached the finish line. I removed the name of this runner from the Official List of Finishers in the said race and banned him from my road races. This runner contacted me and questioned my decision why I had to remove his name from the list. I stand on my decision based from the reports of my marshals and collaborated by other runners. The runner did not insist to defend himself and I told him that he is banned from my races. Case closed. Most of the finishers in this race knew his name and one of his running friends tried to defend the culprit but I just listened to his reasons and appeal. Did I expose his name? NO, but I kept on informing in my blog and in my race instructions that “cheaters are disqualified in my races and they forever banned in my future races”.

4. After the “P2P” PAU 70K Run in Ilocos Norte, I received reports from my marshals that some of the runners did not pass in one of the checkpoints where each runner must get a string necklace. To be specific, some runners did not pass along the trail road that goes to the Bangui Windmill Project and my marshals potively identified the runners. In another incident, one of my marshals reported also that one runner was seen alighting from a “jeep/multicab” some hundred yards away from the Finish Line. This runner was seen by tricycle drivers in the locality coming out from the vehicle and my marshal overheard some unsavory comments from them due to the incident that they have seen. My marshal positively identified the runner from the pictures I’ve taken at the Finish Line. Before I left Laoag City, I started receiving reports, stories, and observations from the finishers/runners and such reports supported the observations/reports of my Race Marshals. These additional information collaborated with the reports coming from my race marshals.

5. Do I have to call the attention of these reported “cheaters” and let them explain? NO. The reports of my race marshals are enough to pin down these people as I have delegated to them the authority to make sure that the race is conducted honestly and with its integrity intact. These marshals are members of my Elite Team Bald Runner and they know the “do’s and dont’s” in conducting road races. These are the very same people who have been my staff in my road races for the past two & half years and I personally know them since the time I was designated as the Project Director of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap for Marathon six years ago! These elite runners do not make-up or create stories of cheating. For what purpose? Bottomline, I trust my elite athletes and they did their job well in my races.

6. Now, ask me how do I feel with these reports of cheating in my races? I am already fed-up and angry about such acts. For the past two years, I am frustrated that there are still reports of cheating in my races (except for 2nd BDM 102) and this is an act of disrespect to the sports, to the Race Director and its staff/marshals, and to the rest of the runners competing in my races. Let us not be legalistic on this matter. But if these runners want to challenge the reports of my marshals, then the burden of proof rest on the shoulders of those who think that they should be innocent or not guilty of cheating.

7. My exposure of ultrarunning events in South Korea and United States as a runner-participant gave me the confidence to conduct more ultra road races in the country. In those countries, I’ve observed that the Race Organizers do not deploy race marshals along the route and there are no reports of cheating among the runners. It is my objective to reach this kind of situation and level of perfection in the conduct of ultra races where every runner should be honest and responsible for their actions. But somewhere towards this goal, a “wake-up” call is needed to remind the runners that I am serious in seeing to it that the integrity of a race should always be intact.

8. If you think I am gaining from these road races financially and for popularity, you are wrong! The registration fees we are collecting from each race are not enough to support the race. We are bringing our logistics from Manila to Bataan, Pampanga, Rizal, and Ilocos Norte and the effort we give just to ensure that each event is successful is not personally rewarding to us as the Race Organizer. The planning, preparation, coordination, bus trips, stress, and discussions among my staff and marshals were all very tiring as if we are also preparing as runners for the race. As you know, our PAU Races are not supported by corporate names or government sports institutions and most of our additional support come from the donations of the runners themselves and good friends who believe in my advocacies. So, I am appealing to everybody that each of the runners of my races should always maintain the integrity of the race and should give respect to us as the Race Organizer and to the other runners. Always remember that we organize these ultrarunning races because we simply have the love and passion to promote the sports. On the other hand, popularity for what end? None! I am already contented as a runner-blogger and enjoying my retirement with a plan to run more miles/kilometers here and to other countries. My blog serves as my one and only marketing tool for my races. At wala kayong makikitang product ads sa blog ko!

9. Now, if you are banned from my races, then that is my decision and I will stick to the reports of my marshals. I really don’t care the implication and result of my decision. My staff and I will continue promoting ultrarunning in this country and spreading the “good news” about running to include honesty in races. Going back to what I always said when I started the BDM 102—“It is better to conduct a race with only 10 participants who are honest than getting as much as thousands of runners in a race which is tainted with dishonest runners”. Lastly, our races define what you are made of, in terms of your attitude, character, personality, and physical and mental capabilities.

10. This “issue” boils down to Integrity, Respect and Obedience. All my races are covered with Rules and Regulations/Instruction and all runners who join my races abide by these rules and instructions. A runner in my races submits himself/herself to these rules from the starting line up to the time he/she crosses the finish line of the race. However, if he/she commits infraction or violation of any of my rules & instructions during the race, then I have the authority to decide to disqualify such runner even without informing the runner in question. It is harsh but, in simple terms, that is the Bald Runner’s Rule!

Final Official Result: 2nd PAU 70K Run

On September 8, 2010September 9, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Ultramarathon5 Comments

The following is the FINAL Official Result of the 2nd PAU Run dubbed as “P2P PAU 70K Run” in Ilocos Norte held on August 29, 2010.

The decision of the Race Director is FINAL.

	2nd PAU 70K Run Official Result
	Pasuquin to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
	August 29, 2010

	NAME	TIME
1	Reynaldo Pascua	6:29:10	Champion (Male)
2	Moses Moreno	6:46:57	1st Runner-up (Male)
3	Raul Patubo	7:14:20	2nd Runner-up (Male)
4	Hermogines Olvis	7:20:25
5	Rizaldy Juan	7:49:13
6	Jonnifer Lacanlale	7:53:11
7	Christopher Rodriguez	7:56:32
8	Jose Mari Javier	8:00:18
9	Eduardo Madariaga	8:03:13
10	Michelle Estuar	8:06:46	Champion (Ladies)
11	John Frederick Abenina	8:16:12
12	Jonel Mendoza	8:20:37
13	Sandy Alentajan	8:29:10
14	Graciano Santos	8:32:52
15	Armand Fernando	8:38:08
16	Alfred Delos Reyes	8:45:06
17	Junrox Roque	8:45:13
18	Julius Savella	8:45:14
19	Wilnar Iglesia	8:45:15
20	Siosan Baysa	8:50:15	1st Runner-up (Ladies)
21	Paolo Osmeña	8:51:47
22	Camilla Brooks	8:59:00	2nd Runner-up (Ladies)
23	Albert Sama	9:12:38
24	Raul Tapia	9:13:58
25	Dennis Ravanzo	9:27:07
26	Jose Dueñas	9:32:07
27	Albert Henson	9:45:38
28	Bonifacio Dalisay	9:45:39
29	Simon Miranda	9:46:20
30	Jereven Adriano	9:47:00
31	Rodel Cuaton	9:51:54
32	Jose Wacangin	9:51:55
33	Lymuel Pascua	9:55:59
34	Mark Adrian Hernandez	9:56:59
35	Jeffrey Avellanosa	10:01:28
36	Oscar Sañez	10:07:27
37	Christine Ferrera	10:09:44
38	Jeremiah Isip	10:09:45
39	Chips Dayrit	10:17:21
40	Roberto Delos Santos	10:18:45
41	Henry Realgo	10:24:07
42	Mon Marchan	10:26:26
43	Earl Quero	10:27:48
44	Carl Noel Balagot	10:29:48
45	Ria Go Tian	10:31:40
46	Wellington Yao	10:32:32
47	Chester Puno	10:38:43
48	Emerson Go Tian	10:39:23
49	Allen Aguilar	10:39:48
50	Michael Angelo Fabian	10:40:31
51	Joseph Baltazar	10:41:08
52	Ronnel Go	10:41:09
53	Precy Hernandez	10:45:29
54	Noel Hernandez	10:45:30
55	Edward Villareal	10:49:12
56	Warren Earl Navor	10:49:13
57	Faivo Bartolome	10:49:55
58	Shiela Compendio	10:50:14
59	Charit Agana	10:51:13
60	Allen Gaspar	10:52:51
61	Christian Oting	11:04:40
62	Rogelio Alejandro	11:12:53
63	Frederick Gabriel	11:13:04
64	Francisco Lapira	11:13:11
65	Grimaldo Anecito	11:18:05
66	Kessel Que	11:21:45
67	Cecil Morella	11:23:19
68	Chito Carreon	11:26:10
69	Mel Severino	11:26:13
70	Yul Antonio Almayda	11:32:56
71	Nicomedes Jaranilla	11:35:05
72	Blas Ople Tiangco	11:37:16
73	Reynaldo Jimenez	11:37:30
74	Jael Wenceslao	11:37:36
75	Jeff Adriatico	11:45:10
76	Mikko Barranda	11:45:10
77	Ivy Macainan	11:45:45
78	Camillo Kagaoan, Jr	11:48:17
79	Elma Gabriana	11:48:24
80	Bhrein Salazar	11:48:43
81	Ronnie Gabriana	11:49:15
82	Chinky Tan	11:49:26
83	Lemuel Narcise	11:51:56
84	Junar Layug	11:54:48
85	Benedict Meneses	11:58:18
86	Randolph Camalig, Jr	11:58:36
87	Edwin Rara	12:00:31
88	Samuel Narcise	12:03:52
89	Rosgar Apolinario	12:05:01
90	Ricardo Cabusao, Jr	12:05:23
91	Karen Kate Pascual	12:06:24
92	Craig Logan	12:09:31
93	Emil Ancheta	12:13:23
94	Aaron Anievas	12:14:32
95	Emiliano Burgos	12:19:14
96	Vic Viola	12:31:21
97	Angel Henson	12:31:22
98	Jose Lorenzo Mina	12:32:50
99	Marlin Marilag	12:35:04
100	Roselle May Dadal	12:36:44
101	Crisanto Ubungen	12:42:54
102	Teresa Ybañez	12:50:54
103	Marco Christopher Montaos	12:50:55
104	Don M Co	12:55:26
105	Francis Acop	13:00:38
106	David Buban	13:04:24
107	Arturo Virata	13:05:54
108	Raymund Anthony Abenojar	13:13:54
109	John Vincent Ong	13:16:34
110	Galo Pira	13:26:20
111	Carina Manansala	13:37:56
112	Alfred Paul Paiso	13:57:40
113	Ayette Padua	13:59:09
114	Jimmy Ong	13:59:09
115	Joseph Frederick Calulut	14:00:03
116	Eugene Tariaga	14:29:33
117	Norberto Mortel	14:30:08
118	Ellen Abegail Castillo	15:19:16
119	Yan Dizon	15:19:16

RD’s Report: 2nd PAU “P2P” 70K Run

On September 6, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running, Running For Cause, Sports Program, Ultramarathon11 Comments

The Pasuquin to Pagudpud (P2P) Run was planned together with the 1st PAU 50K Run in Tanay, Rizal due to the following reasons & factors as stated in this story. In addition with the reasons as stated in the story, I thought of promoting the province of Ilocos Norte as a sports tourism destination even without the involvement of the local government in the planning stage as this race was conceived during the campaign period in the last May elections.

One month before the race, I made my final implimentation of my race plan by paying my courtesy calls to the different local government units’ executives from the Governor of Ilocos Norte to the Municipal Mayors of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud. Unfortunately, I was not able to personally meet the Governor and the rest of the Municipal Mayors but I was entertained by their staff/secretary as they received my formal letter of intention/request to conduct an ultramarathon event in the province, passing along their respective municipalities.

I was happy and satisfied about the preparation on the security aspect as I was able to personally talk and coordinate with the PNP Provincial Director of Ilocos Norte. Being a PMA Cavalier and underclass, he immediately approved my request with additional support. Local friends involved in local sports with the likes of Dr Chester Puno, one of the participants & finishers of the race, Faivo Bartolome (a Race Organizer/triathlete & Finisher), and the Luis Family of the 5 Sisters Emporium were available during my visits in Laoag City and that they greatly helped in the realization and provision of the much-needed logistics and medical services for the run.

I actually made three trips by bus from Manila to Laoag to bring our logistics requirements and to recon the whole route. Those were tiring trips but I was satisfied with my personal coordination with the local friends who were there on the background to help and make the event a success. On hindsight, my planning and coordination were all worth plus the fact thatI was able to bring the whole staff and elite athletes of Team Bald Runner on those tourist attractions/spots for the first time!

A Briefing and CLP was done to inform and warn the runners that the course will be passing along tourist spots in Ilocos Norted with the exact points and distance along the route. But the main message for the participants was to expect some surprises and challenges during the run. However, I always emphasized the runners of their personal safety and observation of their surroundings while they are on the run. I even informed the group that my staff will wait for the last finisher even beyond the announced cut-off time for the race.

The Elite Team Bald Runner and my staff left Manila for Laoag City on the evening of Wednesday in order to have ample time to orient my staff and thresh out final coordination for the race. Final Briefing among my staff was done on Thursday on site and each of the members of the team was given their respective job desription for the race.

With proper timing and scheduling, we were abe to start the race before the scheduled time (my signature in all my races!). In conclusion, I think the conduct of the race went successfully well and there had been no major problems with the runners. However, I admit that there are still “kinks” and “lapses” to be solved and attented to in order for me to improve in my next PAU races.

Let me share you my thoughts about running in marathon and ultramarathon races.

I’ve been running for almost 40 years and I had also been running competitively with the same number of years. I’ve started finishing Marathon Races here and abroad since in the early 80s and I could not count anymore the exact number of Marathon Races I’ve finished since then. And two years ago, I got hooked to ultramarathon running and this is the reason why I came up with the Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race, simply dubbed as “BDM 102”. Later, I created and organized a distinct Sports Federation for Ultrarunning which is now called as “PAU” (Philippine Association of Ultrarunners) with the main objective of promoting the sports and be able to represent the country in international ultrarunning competitions under the auspices of the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU).

With my experience, I would know the “suffering and pain” that each runner would feel and encounter during a race. I would also know the anxiety of each runner within days or few minutes before the start of each race. And I would also know the feeling of joy and jubilation when a runner crosses the Finish Line in every race. Physically, I would know how a runner would look like when he/she finishes a road race because I could identify with them—the sweat/perspiration, the breathing, sunburned & shiny skin, body aches, chafings, blisters, severe pain on the running legs, limping while walking after crossing the finish, and sometimes “disorientation”.

There are two (2) important things that are common in all my participation to running events: (1) I always finish my race and never had any record of DNF (Did Not Finish) and (2) I never “cheated” or made a “shortcut” of the race route. In all the races that I have organized and directed, I always tell the runner-participants to FINISH the race and maintain the INTEGRITY of the race. Each of the runner should be able to finish the race with their own effort and don’t think that they could “cheat” because nobody would ever see them. Running is supposed to be a noble sports! And if a runner cheats in a race, he/she is cheating himself/herself!

After a thorough investigation, I admit (as the Race Director/Organizer) that some runners “cheated” during the P2P 70K Run last August 29, 2010. We have already identified them and they are no longer allowed to run in our future Bald Runner’s Events and PAU Races. These “cheaters” have destroyed the integrity of the race and they showed disrespect to a race where we invested so much time, money and effort. Without this incident, P2P PAU 70K Run would have been a “perfect” race.

Never cheat in running events, sooner or later, the truth will naturally come out!

Official Result: 2nd PAU 70K Run

On September 1, 2010September 1, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Running Heroes, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon3 Comments

	2nd PAU 70K Run Official Result
	Pasuquin to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
	August 29, 2010

	NAME	TIME
1	Reynaldo Pascua	6:29:10	Champion (Male)
2	Moses Moreno	6:46:57	1st Runner-up (Male)
3	Raul Patubo	7:14:20	2nd Runner-up (Male)
4	Hermogines Olvis	7:20:25
5	Rizaldy Juan	7:49:13
6	Jonnifer Lacanlale	7:53:11
7	Christopher Rodriguez	7:56:32
8	Jose Mari Javier	8:00:18
9	Eduardo Madariaga	8:03:13
10	Michelle Estuar	8:06:46	Champion (Ladies)
11	John Frederick Abenina	8:16:12
12	Jonel Mendoza	8:20:37
13	Sandy Alentajan	8:29:10
14	Graciano Santos	8:32:52
15	Armand Fernando	8:38:08
16	Alfred Delos Reyes	8:45:06
17	Junrox Roque	8:45:13
18	Julius Savella	8:45:14
19	Wilnar Iglesia	8:45:15
20	Siosan Baysa	8:50:15	1st Runner-up (Ladies)
21	Paolo Osmeña	8:51:47
22	Carly Dizon	8:52:16	2nd Runner-up (Ladies)
23	Camilla Brooks	8:59:00
24	Albert Sama	9:12:38
25	Raul Tapia	9:13:58
26	Dennis Ravanzo	9:27:07
27	Jose Dueñas	9:32:07
28	Albert Henson	9:45:38
29	Bonifacio Dalisay	9:45:39
30	Simon Miranda	9:46:20
31	Jereven Adriano	9:47:00
32	Rodel Cuaton	9:51:54
33	Jose Wacangin	9:51:55
34	Lymuel Pascua	9:55:59
35	Berns Tan	9:56:21
36	Jade Lee	9:56:22
37	Mark Adrian Hernandez	9:56:59
38	Jeffrey Avellanosa	10:01:28
39	Oscar Sañez	10:07:27
40	Christine Ferrera	10:09:44
41	Jeremiah Isip	10:09:45
42	Chips Dayrit	10:17:21
43	Roberto Delos Santos	10:18:45
44	Henry Realgo	10:24:07
45	Mon Marchan	10:26:26
46	Earl Quero	10:27:48
47	Carl Noel Balagot	10:29:48
48	Ria Go Tian	10:31:40
49	Wellington Yao	10:32:32
50	Chester Puno	10:38:43
51	Emerson Go Tian	10:39:23
52	Allen Aguilar	10:39:48
53	Michael Angelo Fabian	10:40:31
54	Joseph Baltazar	10:41:08
55	Ronnel Go	10:41:09
56	Precy Hernandez	10:45:29
57	Noel Hernandez	10:45:30
58	Edward Villareal	10:49:12
59	Warren Earl Navor	10:49:13
60	Faivo Bartolome	10:49:55
61	Shiela Compendio	10:50:14
62	Charit Agana	10:51:13
63	Allen Gaspar	10:52:51
64	Christian Oting	11:04:40
65	Rogelio Alejandro	11:12:53
66	Frederick Gabriel	11:13:04
67	Francisco Lapira	11:13:11
68	Grimaldo Anecito	11:18:05
69	Kessel Que	11:21:45
70	Cecil Morella	11:23:19
71	Chito Carreon	11:26:10
72	Mel Severino	11:26:13
73	Yul Antonio Almayda	11:32:56
74	Nicomedes Jaranilla	11:35:05
75	Blas Ople Tiangco	11:37:16
76	Reynaldo Jimenez	11:37:30
77	Jael Wenceslao	11:37:36
78	Jeff Adriatico	11:45:10
79	Mikko Barranda	11:45:10
80	Ivy Macainan	11:45:45
81	Camillo Kagaoan, Jr	11:48:17
82	Elma Gabriana	11:48:24
83	Bhrein Salazar	11:48:43
84	Ronnie Gabriana	11:49:15
85	Chinky Tan	11:49:26
86	Lemuel Narcise	11:51:56
87	Junar Layug	11:54:48
88	Benedict Meneses	11:58:18
89	Randolph Camalig, Jr	11:58:36
90	Edwin Rara	12:00:31
91	Samuel Narcise	12:03:52
92	Rosgar Apolinario	12:05:01
93	Ricardo Cabusao, Jr	12:05:23
94	Karen Kate Pascual	12:06:24
95	Craig Logan	12:09:31
96	Emil Ancheta	12:13:23
97	Aaron Anievas	12:14:32
98	Emiliano Burgos	12:19:14
99	Vic Viola	12:31:21
100	Angel Henson	12:31:22
101	Jose Lorenzo Mina	12:32:50
102	Marlin Marilag	12:35:04
103	Roselle May Dadal	12:36:44
104	Crisanto Ubungen	12:42:54
105	Teresa Ybañez	12:50:54
106	Marco Christopher Montaos	12:50:55
107	Don M Co	12:55:26
108	Francis Acop	13:00:38
109	David Buban	13:04:24
110	Arturo Virata	13:05:54
111	Raymund Anthony Abenojar	13:13:54
112	John Vincent Ong	13:16:34
113	Galo Pira	13:26:20
114	Carina Manansala	13:37:56
115	Alfred Paul Paiso	13:57:40
116	Ayette Padua	13:59:09
117	Jimmy Ong	13:59:09
118	Joseph Frederick Calulut	14:00:03
119	Eugene Tariaga	14:29:33
120	Norberto Mortel	14:30:08
121	Ellen Abegail Castillo	15:19:16
122	Yan Dizon	15:19:16
	Angela Jacinto	DNF
	Grace Jacosalem	DNF
	Ryan Marquez	DNF

2nd PAU Run…Done!

On August 31, 2010September 1, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Running, Ultramarathon2 Comments

I will have a more detailed account of this race in my next post. I just want to extend my thanks to all the runners—veterans and the newly-baptized ultramarathoners, for their participation to this road race and their support to the objectives of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU). This race, to include all the races being organized and directed by the Bald Runner’s Events, would not be possible without the untiring efforts of the men and women behind the scene who implemented our plans and for making sure that the support/logistics were available to all the participants.

A total of 125 runners started at the Plaza fronting the Municipal Hall of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte few minutes before 5:00 AM last Sunday. After 15 hours, 122 runners reached the Finish Line and they were declared as Finishers!

Gathering from the feedback of the finishers, there are two distinct descriptions of PAU Races—Surprises and Scenery of the Route! The runners were surprised of the exact distance of the race. Instead of registering 65K in their GPS watches, the actual route was measured as 70K! Runners were also surprised on the type of road to run and in summary, the runners were able to experience running on paved roads, trails, rocks with water, and climbing some rocks and stairs, too! The scenery of the route is beyond compare and it was refreshing to the eyes which was totally new to the “first-timers” in Ilocos! The weather also surprised the runners as the sun started to appear on mid-morning even if the weather forecast was cloudy & overcast brought about by the passing of Typhoon “Florita”. Lastly, the presence of the local folks living in those barangays along the highway who watched and cheered the runners as they passed gave another surprise to everybody.

We have proven to ourselves and to all our runners (once again!) that support (donations) coming from our running friends and the participants themselves made this event a success and worth repeating every year. With the help of these friends and the ultrarunners, we will try our best to bring our runners to other places with different challenges…and more “suffering & pain”!

Thanks also to the local government executives of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud and Ilocos Norte for their warm welcome and cooperation for this event. I am sure more of our runners and readers of this site will be aware of the beauty of the roads, tourist spots, the sea, the rocks, the beach, and the hospitality of the people of Ilocos Norte.

For the 2011 edition of this race, we will add the Blue Lagoon & Patapat Viaduct as parts of the route!

See you on the 3rd PAU Run dubbed as the “Mt Pinatubo 50K Trail Challenge” on October 9, 2011.

46447_423499357063_666667063_5538729_7767587_n — Thanks & Good Job, Guys!!! (Photo Courtesy of Mark Hernandez)

41307_1538982551293_1136761558_2650997_6017394_n — Runners In Action (Photo Courtesy of Shiela Compendio)

41355_10150250324830632_544810631_14234501_5450249_n — Banners Provided By Mayor Cris Garcia of Burgos, Ilocos Norte (Photo Courtesy of Mark Hernandez)

Final Instructions: 2nd PAU Run (P2P 65K)

On August 27, 2010August 28, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

1. All runners are advised to review the final instructions for the 1st PAU 50K Run which was held in Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. The same rules and regulations will be implimented in this race.

2. Instead of Race Marshals along the route, there will be painted signs in white on the paved road to direct the runners. They are located either on the right or left edge of the road which will indicate the directions the runners will follow. These are printed with waterproof paint.

3. Runners are advised to take extra precaution in approaching the Kapurpurawan Rock formation. It would be wise to just walk along the sharp rocks & corals before reaching the turn-around point where one of my staff will be handing the 2nd string-necklace. Be safe on this portion and take time to select your footing on these flat but sharp-edge rocks. Runners can climb up to the white rock formation for their photo-ops.

Stairs Leading To The Kapurpurawan Rocks

4. There are no fees to pay when entering each of these tourist spots along the route.

5. There will be no Aid Station at the Parking Area/Turn-Around point of the Burgos Lighthouse. Instead, the Aid Station will be positioned at the Km #20 point. One of my staff/Marshals will be positioned at the Parking Area to hand each runner the 1st string-necklace.

6. For those who have not yet redeemed or received their Race Packets, my staff will be at the La Elliana Hotel in Laoag City from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM to give your Race Packet or settle your reserved slots. We would like to settle all administrative concerns and clarifications from the runners at this period. On D-Day before the race, we will simply start the race.

7. As in previous races, we would like to be consistent on the start of the race. We will start on or before 5:00 AM on Sunday in front of the Pasuquin Municipal Hall. There will be no VIP to grace the occassion. The VIPs are the brave runners at the Starting Line of this race!

8. The distance of the race is expected not to be accurate. All runners are warned that the race distance might reach up to 68-69 kilometers. After passing the Pagudpud Boundary Arch, prepare for a winding uphill climb up to the Poblacion of Pagudpud and the last 3-4 kilometers to the finish line will be flat.

9. Have a safe trip and good luck to all the runners and their support crew.

Getting Bigger

On August 25, 2010August 26, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Ultramarathon3 Comments

The number of runners interested in ultramarathon is growing and getting bigger. This was shown and observed during the Briefing and CLP last night for the participants of the “P2P” 65K Run in Ilocos Norte which will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2010. I saw the “usual suspects”, I mean, the BDM 102 veterans as well as those who finished the 1st PAU 50K Run which was held last May 9, 2010 in the Sierra Madre paved roads. I noted also that I was able to see new faces and new recruits of the BDM 102 veterans.

In my briefing presentation, I emphasized the objectives of these ultra runs being scheduled to be conducted on a monthly basis up to January 2011. Aside from our main objective of promoting ultra running events, we would like also to bring the runners to new running routes outside Metro Manila. Most of the runners I talked during the party also confirmed my observation that the running routes in Metro Manila are already “boring and easy” and that these routes are plainly used as training routes.

PAU is also geared to discover new talents and potentials in ultra running among the runners in the provinces. We are bringing the races to the regions and provinces. I guess, this is what they mean when our sports authorities say about “grassroot level” of sports development. Although this kind of arrangement will be more costly in terms of logistics and travel expenses, we hope we will be able to sustain this program with the help of our runner-sponsors.

Who says running and tourism do not mix? Well, that’s the beauty of running an ultramarathon distance because you have the chance to walk, stop, take some pictures of the places and scenery along the route, see different places in the country, develop closer friendship among runners, and a chance to bring the whole family and friends outside Metro Manila for a change of environment, for rest & relaxation, and other activities like tasting the local foods in the area. So, these series of runs outside Metro Manila will somehow promotes eco-tourism in the provinces.

Runners, I mean, ultrarunners have a craving for never-ending challenges in routes, distance and terrain. These runners want variety and want to push their endurance capabilities beyond their limits. It is hard to explain why these runners keep on wanting for more—more pain and more pain and more satisfaction on themselves as they cross the finish line. Most of the runners that finished their first BDM 102 uttered to me as they crossed the finish line that their experience in the race will be their “first and last”. But you will be surprised that the same people were the first ones who applied for the longer version which is the BDM 151 next year!

Lastly, PAU does not have any objective that will help improve the political, social, and economic situation of the country. Our Sports Federation will not duplicate the mission & objectives of the different departments and institutions of the government as well as to the goals of non-government organizations. We simply want to raise some funds for us to expose our best ultrarunners in international competitions. PAU had been officially invited by the Ultramarathon Sports Federation of Taiwan to participate in the famous Soochow University 24-Hour Endurance Run which will be held on the first Sunday of December 2010. Our best PAU runner will be among the 35 countries invited by the Race Organizer. With this international competition, our runner will be able to set our official national record on the 24-Hour Endurance Run. Hopefully, with these ultra races being organized and conducted by PAU, we would be able to raise some funds to realize our plan of exposing our runners in Asian Ultramarathon events which are sanctioned by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU).

For those who have attended in last night’s Briefing and CLP and to the almost 140 participants of the P2P 65K Run this Sunday, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation for your support on the objectives and plans of PAU.

41202_457052395972_624065972_6845130_5030654_n — P2P 65K Briefing (Photo Courtesy of John Jeff Avellanosa)

Have a safe trip to Ilocos Norte and see you at the Starting Line. Good luck and have fun!

41264_457052470972_624065972_6845137_8067069_n — Group Picture (Photo Courtesy of John Jeff Avellanosa)

“P2P” 65K Run Update: Registration; Briefing & CLP

On August 14, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Ultramarathon9 Comments

1. Whether August 30 is declared Non-Working Holiday or not, the 2nd edition of PAU run will push through. Whether it will rain or shine, the “show” will go on!

2. Last day of registration is August 15, 2010.We are not after the number of runners joining the PAU races. We are after the quality of runners who find the challenge & enjoyment in running along the roads outside Metro Manila; promote camaraderie among ultra runners; and enjoy the tourist spots in the province.

3. Finally, individual trophy for the Finishers had been delivered and soon to be transported to the Finish Line. I hope the runners will like and treasure their Finisher’s Trophy for this road race.

4. A Briefing & Carbo-Loading Party will be held at the Main Restaurant, AFP Officers Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City at 6:00 PM on August 24, 2010 (Tuesday). Each participant shall be asked to pay P 200.00 at the entrance/registration table. A briefing will be presented to orient the participants on the route/race course. Each runner must be able to reach or pass on the following tourist attractions in Ilocos Norte as depicted on the following pictures.

Kapurpurawanan1 — Kapurpurawan Rocks In Burgos, Ilocos Norte (Picture Courtesy of Dr Chester Puno)

"Puraw" In Ilocano Dialect Means "White"

30538_388846233601_720873601_4060806_2489435_n — Burgos Lighthouse (Photo Courtesy Of Rey Jimenez)

Finish Line @ Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

5. For those who were not able to read my tweets, the Official Hotel in Laoag City is the La Elliana Hotel along Rizal St, Laoag City. (Guys, this is not a 5-star or 3-star hotel but it is near one of best restaurants in the city that offers the best Ilocano cuisine!) To make a reservation, please contact Joel Bagay, the owner, at CP# 0917-568-1968. And for those who are opting to stay in Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, you can make your reservation at Terra Rika Hotel & Dive Resort (location of the Race Finish line) through their website at www.terrarika.com. (Note: Mention that you are one of the participants of the P2P 65K Run being Race Organized by Retired General Jovie Narcise).

6. Race Bibs will be distributed during the Briefing & CLP. If you can not join us for the Briefing & CLP, you will get your Race Bib at the Starting Line in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. (Note: For those who will get their Race Bib during the Briefing & CLP, please make sure to bring them with you on your trip to Ilocos Norte).

Good luck to all the ultra runners!!!