Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon

The Bataan Death March 102 (BDM 102) Ultra Marathon recently held its second edition where our very own Bro. Carlo Bacalla and Haide Acuña, completed the grueling 102-kilometer run with flying colors. But did you know the original Death March Run started 25 years ago? Yes folks the Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon (A tribute to World War II Veterans) was first staged in 1985 by the San Fernando Runners Unlimited (Safer Run) headed by its president Ed Paez. The run was held to trace the actual route of the infamous Death March of 1942 that started in Mariveles, Bataan while ending at the train station in San Fernando, Pampanga. But wait a minute isn't it that history says the Death March ended in Camp O' Donnel in Capas, Tarlac? Well, the reason why the "finish line" is in the train station is because out of the 70,000 marchers, 10,000 died along the way, either of hunger, heat stroke and malaria. The Japanese bayoneted those who fell. So when they reached San Fernando, the Japs herded the prisoners to trains for its final destination, Capas. By the way, my father-in-law, Felix Leyson of the US Navy escaped after three days by jumping in a creek. Ed Paez gave me a call recently and asked if I could join the 25th year celebration, having joined the relay marathon for six times. I wanted to say yes right away but alas, the date also falls on the graduation of my daughter Janice, who finished her second course. It would be great to join past participants including Mona Sulaiman, Rey Antoque, Roy Vence, Jona Atienza, Orly Bauzon and Yeng Guiao. Come to think of it, 25 years ago Ed Paez led a rag tag 28-man modern day marchers to give tribute to the war veterans who are now part of our history. Good luck Ed, I will be with you in spirit.

Panaad Sports Penitence

Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) founding member Dr. Abe Manlawe wrote me a letter on their 64-kilometer run hike around the island of Camiguin during the Holy Week. Here's his story: An all-male Cebuano composite team of marathoners from the Cebu Executive Runners Club (C.E.R.C) and mountaineers of the Cebu Mountaineering Society (CEMS) will voluntarily participate and undergo a grueling 64-K, Holly Week, non-stop, circum hike, passing through 12 Stations of the Cross in Camiguin this coming Thursday (4p.m.:ETD) at Station I, Benoni till Friday (ETA 10a.m) and back to Station I. It is inclusive of a three to five minute prayer, salutation and reflection of the 12 consecutive Stations of the Cross which are strategically spread throughout the five towns that comprise this lush Eden, called Camiguin. While there are Panaad veterans in the group, the task, nevertheless, remains daunting considering the built-in struggles associated: sleep deprivation, inevitable friction/distance related injuries (such as "pilas" in the groin and axilla, or "lotu" on the under soles of both feet and the dreaded El Niño phenomenon with its water-drenching, eye-blinding and scorching effects on exposed areas of the skin. The team is made up of Panaad veterans, Joven Villasor and Oscar "Oca" Lopez of CERC, Jecris Dayondon ( a distant relative of Carina D., of Mt. Everest fame) and Adolfo "Boy" Olmedo of CEMS; both are Panaad neophytes but nonetheless seasoned mountaineers. This representation humbly leads the team: 65 years old also acting as its health adviser. With the Almighty God's Sovereign will and guidance, we would like to commemorate His only son Jesus' Sacrificial sojourn to Mt. Calvary, thousands of years ago.

Pinay In Action

Before the much awaited the Great Lapu-Lapu Run on April 18, runners will have a chance to tune up by running in the Pinay in Action (PIA) 10-K Run which fires off on April 11 at the Asiatown IT Park in Lahug. The race is being sponsored by Sen. Pia Cayetano, herself a triathlete and marathoner. Although the run is supposed to be an all-women affair, male runners are welcome. The run will be the acid test for first time organizers Annie Neric and Ken Casquejo who will act as race directors with yours truly as consultant. Registration is now ongoing at Leona's Cake Shop at Juan Luna St., Mabolo.

Notes:

In my previous column I mentioned that Boston Marathon qualifier Miletter Chiongbian's first marathon clocking in 2007 was over five hours. Well Milette actually timed less than 4:49 while her Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon time was 3:48. Sorry for the slip Let. The Great Lapu-Lapu Run chair Hembler Mendoza announced that some 1,000 runners coming from the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are joining the race.