A Cebuano long distance runner is eyeing for a piece of history as the first footracer from this portion of the archipelago to finish in an ultra marathon.
In high spirits, Napoleon de la Torre, Jr. is all primed up for action in the men’s double marathon (84 kilometer) category of the Adidas Sundown Marathon 2008 on May 31 starting and ending at Changi Point along Nicoll Drive at Car Park 1 in Singapore.
De la Torre, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) by profession, has practically raced in all major running events here and abroad, but said the ultra marathon is a completely different thing which he hopes would bring his running capacities to a higher level and new dimension.
“I want to push closer to the physical limits because honestly I did not find fulfillment with the first and one marathon I had. With this ultra marathon, and with the will to finish, for sure I will be ecstatic,” said De la Torre.
De la Torre trained religiously by running two hours in the morning and in the afternoon and undergoing daily workout to keep himself in top shape for what is by far the longest race he will be taking part.
“Running ultra marathon will give me opportunity to see the view of the spots of the route, push my physical limits, and in the process will have the best time to know exactly my aspirations in life and that can be best done when you are physically tested in the challenge of ultra marathon,” said De la Torre.
“It will not just challenge my body, but the mind as well. With full confidence that my mind can conceive my body can achieve, then it will be proven in this challenge when body and mind will be simultaneously tested,” added De la Torre. —EBV