It was another successful staging of the BE Resort Warrior 50K Ultramarathon at the BE Resort in Mactan Island last Saturday. It was also the biggest attendance for a single distance event with 282 entries. The ultramarathon was held last year to accommodate first time participants as our other events were longer, like the Coast to Coast 65km and the Century Properties 100K. Thus, Jonel Mendoza, the guy responsible for bringing ultra running in Cebu and myself tried to make the route easier while also starting earlier. This year, we started at 1:00 am and re-designed the route which the runners believe, was better. It was an exciting battle royale between multi-titled Noel Tillor and fast-rising Paul James Zafico that was only decided in the last 200 meters. Tillor started like a house on fire after the bark of the starter’s gun and led almost all the way until Zafico surprised him at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Zafico made a final assault just after the Shangri-La Resort Hotel but Tillor just won’t allow him, summoning what’s left in his tank to finally hit the finish line at the BE Resort beachfront in 3:48:26. Paul James Zafico clocked 3:51:46 while Jieter Bada was a distant third in 4:25:50. Tillor later said he was still recovering after joining the “ I Shall Return 50k Ultra” in Tacloban only last month. In the distaffside, unheralded Presciosa Sanchez took advantage of the absence of Cebu’s top ultramarathoners to rule the race in 5:05:35, still an impressive clocking. Sandra Sollana took second place in 5:20:31 while Path Torremoro wound up third 5:31:50. BE Resort general manager Garry Garcia who made the cut-of with barely two minutes to go was overwelmed with this year’s turnout that he promised to come up with a third edition next year. Some of the familiar faces who made it to the finish line were Atan Guardo, Allan Torrevillas, Allan Delantar, Cenelyn Manguilimotan, Barbie Impatino, Cercs’ Dodong Sulatre, Nato Sabino, Steve Ferraren, Edgar Sanchez and Ken Lopez, Olive Dimaano and Kathrina Perez. To all the finishers, Congratulations guys! You’re indeed warriors of the road.
Hardcore 100 miles and bogo 80k
After the whooping success of the BE Resort Warrior 50K Ultramarathon, all eyes are now focused on the Hardcore Bogo 100 miles (160km) that unfolds on Nov 17 at the new Bogo City Hall. The route will take participants up to Maya, Daanbantayan, then go down to Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod and back to Bogo City via the Sogod Eme. Mayor Junie Martinez said he might time the race with the blessing of the new Bogo City Hall with no less than President Noy Aquino as Guest of Honor. Interested parties may register directly to organizer Jonel Mendoza who will screen the entries to make sure they have completed a 100K run, a requirement. One may wail at the entry fee of Php 5,000. Well, that’s because a finisher will receive a silver buckle that costs Php 2,500.00 plus other perks. For those who cannot run the 160km distance, there’s the Bogo 50 miles (80km) that fires off simultaneously with the main 160km. For further details please text or call 09178030664 or 09173644828 (Raffy) or email us at: frontrunnemag@gmail.com.
Palawan heritage ultra
My prodigy, Boyet Rentoy, of IloIlo City has started planning the Palawan Heritage 80K Ultramarathon that will start in Puerto Princessa while ending at the world-famous St. Paul Underground River Park. Jonel and yours truly will soon survey the route that will take the runners to the lush forests of Palawan. Watch out for the exact schedule.