The first ultramarathon in Bicol is back. This coming April 21, 2012, the second edition of the Mayon 360 Albay Ultramarathon will push thru.This ultramarathon is a collaborative effort of the Junior Chamber International – Legaspi City Chapter, Liga ng mga Barangay – Albay Chapter, Philippine Association of Ultrarunners and the Albay provincial government. It carries the 360 tag as participants will run around the “Most Perfect Volcano”, in the process visiting 3 cities (Legaspi, Ligao and Tabaco) and 7 towns (Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Polangui, Malilipot, Bacacay, Sto. Domingo) for a total distance of 80 kilometers. It is one of the highlight events of the month-long Magayon Festival in Albay.
Many runners (very much more than the 69 runners that participated in the 1st edition last April 2, 2011) are expected to answer the starting gun at Peñaranda Park in Legaspi City.
Among them are our 83nean runners from the Ateneo de Naga High School Batch 1983. Already, Ernie Badong of BPI, Ruben “Fards” Fajardo of the Philippine Navy and myself (from First Balfour) registered a week ago at A Runner’s Circle – Manila. Bobby Castilla will be registering this week while Ric Lozano and Ed Balcueva are expected to follow suit. For Fards, Bob and me, this would be our second participation in the Mayon 360 while the rest of the 83neans are newbies to this event.
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| Bob tackling the uphill at the Sabluyun Road between Ligao and Tabaco at the 2011 Mayon 360 |
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| Me on the downhill to Tabaco at the 2011 Mayon 360 |
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| Fards at the finish line of the 2011 Mayon 360 |
Why do we run in Mayon 360?
We are already in training for the 2013 Bataan Death March 160Km Ultra and any worthwhile ultramarathon from April to December, we will seriously consider to join. Being an awardee of the Best Philippines Sports Tourism Event in 2011 by the Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) certainly makes the Mayon 360 Albay Ultramarathon one worthy of such consideration. In addition, the Mayon 360 is starting to attract blue-chip corporate sponsors. For the 2012 edition, the major sponsor is Magnolia Purewater of the San Miguel Corporation group.
Why Mayon 360 in Albay and not the TNF 100 in Baguio City?
Both ultra events happen in the same weekend of April 21-22. But for us 83neans, the choice is clear. Being Bicolanos, we love our own. We have stated this axiom in the November 7, 2011 article “Our Bicol. Our Home. Our Run” in this blog and we do walk our talk.
The Mayon 360 Albay ultramarathon is a special event for us, 83neans. This ultra helped us become running men for others. In the 2011 edition, we were able to utilize this ultra event into a fund-raising activity for our Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983. We were able to raise funds via pledges from friends, relatives and officemates for our outreach initiatives in 3 public elementary schools in remote parts of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. For this 2012 event, we use it to raise funds for our scholarship program. Presently, Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983 has 2 college scholars entering their 4th year of college. In the coming days, we will be communicating (via email and via phone) with our supportive relatives, friends and officemates for another round of pledges.
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| Giving away slippers to school children in Apujao Grande Island, Mercedes, Camarines Norte last May 14, 2011 |
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| Distributing school supplies to children in Barrio Cagbunga, Pamplona, Camarines Sur last May 28, 2011 |
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| Helping parents repaint classrooms in Barrio Salay, Buhi, Camarines Sur |
We invite runners to the Mayon 360 Albay Ultramarathon. Mainiton ini pero magayon.
Experience the hospitality of the Bicolanos in running and in all things beautiful.
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