November 30, 2013 was the day of our
running of the Lake Bato Ultra
(http://www.bicolanopenguin.blogspot.com/2013/12/lake-bato-ultra-matira-ang-matibay.html). It was also a day of monsoon.
As such, it was raining the proverbial cats and dogs which resulted in the 16 runners being drenched to the max and looking like running red condoms. Despite the cold and the wetness, the condoms persevered thru the 55 kms it takes to run 360 degrees around the largest lake in Bicol.
As such, it was raining the proverbial cats and dogs which resulted in the 16 runners being drenched to the max and looking like running red condoms. Despite the cold and the wetness, the condoms persevered thru the 55 kms it takes to run 360 degrees around the largest lake in Bicol.
The RRCs in all their wet splendor last November 30 |
The RRCs waiting for the start of the 2014 Mayon 360. A bunch of color and impatience. |
Fast forward to April 5, 2014 and
9 of these hardy bunch were on another circum-running quest. This time it was around the most perfect
coned of volcanoes, the magnificent Mayon. And this time around, it was not to
be in the cold of torrential rain but under the fierce heat of the Bicol sun.
No matter, the Running Red Condoms proved hardy and trusty not to DNF.
As a matter of fact, the Lake Bato ultra
runners were all over the place in the rankings among the 396 proud finishers
of the 2014 Mayon 360. From Top 10 (row 1)
to Top 100 (row 2) to middle of
the pack (rows 3 & 4) and to the
back of the pack (row 5). Literally and figuratively, we had our day in
the sun. Hereunder are our standings:
Marino Lagyap 4th place (6
hrs & 32 mins)
Mariano Basagre 5th place (6 hrs
& 39 mins)
Nino Monte 6th place (6 hrs & 42 mins)
Bob Castilla 29th
place (8 hrs & 49 mins)
Kevin Moral 167th
place (12 hrs & 10 mins)
Ric Lozano 270th place (13 hrs &
48 mins)
Joji Asis 271st place (13 hrs & 49 mins)
Vicboy “BP” de Lima 350th place (14 hrs & 55 mins)
Noel “Ghibz” Guevara 355th place (15 hrs flat)
Despite getting sick a week
before April 5, Mariano retained his 5th
place finish which he first got last year in his first Mayon 360. He even cut
some 46
minutes from his 2013 finish time. Not to be outdone, Nino upgraded his
placement from 9th overall in 2012 to 6th this time around, erasing more than an hour from his previous
time. Bob was aiming for a sub-10 and he
came up with a sub-9 performance. In
the process, he shaved roughly an hour and a half from his previous best in the
event. Kevin was running his first Mayon
360 and he was not bashful in ripping up a promising maiden finish time. Lozano was gunning for a PR but
his compassion had him assisting/pacing a fatigued running buddy
but his 2014 finish time is much better than his 2013 by almost an
hour. Joji was not supposed to run given
a low BP but he was still able to finish at the middle of the pack. The BP was on pacer duty but still managed
to slice a minute from his 2013 finish
time. Ghibz’ is a whole different story of bravery (sob), worthy of a whole
article all its own.
4th placer Marino, small but el terrible |
5th placer Mariano in his exuberant pose |
6th placer Nino, displaying his winning form |
The ever cool and quiet but consistent strong finisher Bob |
Kevin, tasting his first Mayon 360 |
Ric's moment after breaking the wind for a wounded comrade |
Joji, the Old School warrior |
The BP, rarin' to run his 4th Mayon 360 |
Ghibz, vanquishing a hard fought battle |
Two other Running Red Condoms, Ed
Balcueva and Allen Tolledo, volunteered and performed admirably as support crew
for the back of the packers.
Allen, providing aid and comfort to the battle-weary Ghibz
|
Support crew chief Ed, beaming with pride with his Mayon 360 conquerors |
Evidently, the Lake Bato Ultra
runners lived up to the battle cry “Matira ang Matibay. Matira ang Bato.”
Truly, the hosts and organizers
(Jaycees – Legazpi Chapter, Liga ng mga Barangay – Albay Chapter, Philippine Association of Ultrarunners, Bald Runner & crew, A Runners Circle, the
governor and people of Albay) of the 2014 Mayon 360 lived up to the fabled hospitality of the Filipinos. These include private citizens (Dr. Malu,
the Mediavillo family, Bodjie &
wife, Liza, nurses Kristina & Angela) who are generous with their support and succor.
The “Running Red Condoms” will be
back for more next year. Hasta la vista
baby.
Thank you to the beautiful... |
...people of Albay. |
P.S.
Although not actual
participants of the LBU last November 30, Ernie Badong (85th place) and Mau Gines (349th place) are considered
RRCs as they were invited to the bootleg ultra and actually given the ARC red
shirts. Ernie performed smoothly at the 2014 Mayon 360 as he registered with
his trademark killer smile a time of 10 hours & 45 mins, an improvement of almost 3 hours from his
2013 finish time. Newbie Mau showed fierce
courage in gutting out a finish an hour before the 16-hour cut off time despite
pestering blisters on both feet. Check
out her story at http://wanderingjouster.com/2014/04/10/mayon-360-2014-where-beauties-and-beasts-abound/.
8 comments:
my words will be profuse, yet will not be enough to express my thanks for accompanying me again in my recent quest, vicboy. i hope you will not tire yourself in helping me conquer whatever run i have set my heart on.
again, thank you very much. my family and friends are grateful as well for making sure that i will cross that finish line still in one piece and in my best form. hehehe.
Your welcome Mau. We enjoyed running with you. We admire your determination.
Bawi ako sir Vic next year, ang goal is dapat top100 na. Will give up the good and go for the great..
Congrats everyone!!!! Till nexttime po, see you again :)
Hi Kevin, splendid feat. You are blessed to have gotten the passion for running at a younger age. But your words belies a certain coming of age of wisdom. Carpe diem.
Thanks Nino. Congratulations on a top 6 finish.
Certified oragons kayo. Congrats sainyo.
Maraming salamat Anonymous. Puwede man garo ma-araman mi ang ngaran mo?
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