Ultra on the rise

Barely had I sleep a wink. Frontrunner Magazine and 1st Cebu Ultra Marathon organizer, Jonel Mendoza asked me to prepare for the next ultramarathon. Yes folks, the next day after the historical ultra that saw 182 runners practically crawled 50 kilometers from Mt. Manunggal to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, we are preparing for the next ultra on May 1, 2011 either from Balamban proper or Toledo City via the Trans Central Highway again. This is a tune-up for Cebu’s first 102K ultra that we have scheduled for November, blasting from Bogo to the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Well, that’s something to look forward to. But, hey, that’s looking ahead. Let’s go back to what happened last Saturday. When Jonel offered me to direct the Ultra, I initially declined because with that route, I was afraid, “gamay lang ang makatiwas...” and it was kind of dangerous. Aside from the Manila-based ultra marathoners, only two from Cebu have experience in ultra running.

Brother Carlo Bacalla and Iron Lady Haide Acuña who finished the 102 km Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon last March.But a persistent Jonel won’t take no for an answer. Besides offering me a million Lira, he threatened to cut off my leg. From the proposed 100 participants, registration ballooned to 185. It could have been a thousand had we not screened or limited the field to those who have marathon experience. During interviews, I picked Mendel Lopez, Charlie Berberio and two-time Kota Kinabalu Climbaton finisher, Merlita Arias Dunkin. True to my prediction, Mendel and Charlie finished one and two. Dunkin could have topped the women’s field had veteran Michelle Estuar from Manila had not overtaken her. Anyway, I’d like to congratulate all finishers who defied pain and heat to finish the race which we extended for one hour. Had we not done this, only 113 would have officially finished instead of the 162. To all you guys, este.... ultramarathoners, congratulations!

Thanks a lot !

 The first ever Cebu Ultramarathon would have not suceeded if not for the many who supported us. First, we would like to thank the Province of Cebu through provincial administrator Ed Habin for allowing us to finish at the Capitol. Mayor Ace Binghay and Councilor Dave Karamihan for the impressive support in the Balamban side, fielding traffic enforcers from Balamban Traffic Organization (BATOM), an ambulance and a dump truck that ferried the participants to the site. Dave also arranged for the camp site and security from the Barangay Magsaysay tanods. Gatorade, through Chad Oliva for the sports drinks. Waterfresh of Lilio Lim, Captain A’s Seafood Grill for the meals and bottled water, Runnr and Casa Ilongga for the registration centers and Aboitiz and Company.

 A big thanks to ERUF which had an ambulance at the starting line with another group at the finish line. CITOM personnel under Ric Hapitan who took over from BATOM at Ayala Heights. Metrografix for the beautiful race numbers, posters and tarps.

Jens Funk of Rudy Project, San Miguel Coffee, Nature Valley, Philcopy, Aronamin Gold Vitamins, Brooks, Cebu Daily News, Sun Star and Ayala Center Cebu. And to those whose names escape us at the moment, “DAGHANG SALAMAT. “

Run to the power of 3

Registration to the RUN TO THE POWER OF 3 , set on Dec 5 at the Cebu International Convention Center, is now in full swing at Runnr, Ayala, Parkmall, Casa Ilongga, PSC Office and at the entrance of the Cebu City Sports Center.

P 100,000 in cash prizes are at stake while a participant gets P200 worth of San Miguel food products and a singlet, after paying an entry fee of P300.

“Unsa pa inyong gihuwat?  Register na!”