Cebu’s ‘Man of Steel’ Cuyos wins 2-day, 250km ultra race from Santander to Bogo

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano Joel Cuyos became the first man to finish the longest ultramarathon to date, the South to North 250-kilometers which started in Santander and ended in Bogo City yesterday.

Cuyos who had done a good number of long distance running events but never won a single medal finally gave him something to brag as he finished the lung-busting and longest ultramarathon in Philippine history in 42 hours and 39 minutes.

“I had ran a countless fun runs and yet never won a single medal.I had ran so many marathons and even dedicate most them to God hoping for divine intervention and came empty handed,” said Cuyos.

“I tried 50K, 65K and 100k and still nothing, but yesterday was the greatest achievement I had in running. I finally nailed it, not a runner-up but a champion, not on a fun-run but on an ultra but not an ordinary ultra, it is the longest ultramarathon in Southeast Asia in one single event.”

Trailing Cuyos is Znechen Lagapa of Iligan who ended in 43:19:3, while Wilmar Iglesia ended settled for third with 43:19:36.

Cuyos who was first to beat the first cut-off of 28-hours set in Toledo which is covering 141-kilometers in 23 hours and 12 minutes.

From Toledo, the 14 ultra-runners led by Cuyos dealt with different road conditions in Balamban, Asturas, Tuburan, Tabuelan, San Remegio and then Bogo.

Rodney Cabahug tried to outpace Cuyos, but the latter tried to stay focus and continued the lead with pacing reportedly about 12 minutes per kilometer.

Aside from Cuyos, Lagapa and Iglesia, four others made it to the 48-hour total cut-off set including Cabahug with 46:40:20, Cebu Ultramarahon Club's main man Tony Galon in 46:58:06 clocking, Randy Rubio with 47:02:31 and Barry Red with 47:37:10.

Rhoda Oporto, one of the three female runners who joined the race was also able to conquer the 250-km non-stop run organized by front Runner's Jonel Mendoza. Oporto made it to the finish line but missed the cut-off time set by only 12 minutes.  (FREEMAN)