Since 2012, I have harboured the desire to run an ultra marathon each in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Our country is an archipelago and it is just right that a Pinoy runner dreams of this endeavor. It would be a pity if one cannot get to taste the exciting and vibrant running atmosphere from the north to the south of these 7,000 islands we use to collectively call the Pearl of the Orient.
Finally one half of that dream is
nearing fruition. I have registered for
the Digos City to Davao City (DC2DC) ultra marathon (60 kms) scheduled for September 6-7, 2014. This is a treat considering
that Davao City and the neighboring
provinces are blessed with fabulous natural attractions like Mt. Apo and Samal
Island and the area is a bastion of peace and order. Plus, this will be an introductory immersion
for me to the lively running scene in the south.
I have many people to thank for
this good fortune. First of course are
my bosses in First Balfour. Our company
will be joining the PHILCONSTRUCT convention in Davao City this September 4-6. I will be part of the team that will be
manning our exhibit booth in this convention. At least, my airfare going to Davao is taken
care of already. Second are my Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983 batchmates Ernie
Badong and Ed Balcueva who, without blinking their eyes, said yes to joining me
in this adventure. Third is newly-found relative Allan Claudio de Lima
who, being based in Southern Mindanao,
encouraged me to join this ultra. He
even promised to pace with me the whole length of the 60-km ultra. Will see if he keeps his word but if he
doesn’t I would understand given that the Bicolano Penguin is really slow. It takes patience of biblical proportions to
be able to endure with my waddling speed.
Lastly, I would like to thank the
DC2DC organizers – Team Kapwa, in particular one of its leaders, Paul Aldaba
for the super accommodating stance in dealing with interested participants,
especially inquisitive ones like me. One
could feel a hospitable and proactive
ambiance on the part of the organizers
and other Davao-based runners like the Red Butterfly. Proof of such can-do
spirit is the patience that Paul exhibited in responding to the questions I
emailed him last week. My idea was to share this Q&A to give the readers a
feel of DC2DC and its organizers.
Route map of DC2DC |
Ernie, Bicolano Penguin and Ed looking forward to a lot of ultra marathons in the south, including one in Davao |
About DC2DC
BP: What is the inspiration behind the decision by Team Kapwa
to organize the DC2DC? Why Digos
City?
PA: As Team Kapwa was founded by group of marathoners who wish to level up in running which led them to explore the longer distance called ultramarathon races, and found a new joy in it, they created the TK DC2DC Ultramarathon 60 to share their passion for running ultramarathons to other runners, and those who wish to try the somewhat impossible ultramarathon distance. (http://runroo.com/2014/08/01/davao-running-group-7-things-about-team-kapwa-of-tk-dc2dc-ultramarathon-60/) Why Digos City? The event is part of the Digos City Fiesta Celebration and Digos City is one of the hometowns of our Race Director.
BP: Sometimes, fun runs and marathons are organized to raise funds for a certain charity or initiative. Is this the case with DC2DC? Is there a beneficiary community or charity foundation?
PA: As Team Kapwa was founded by group of marathoners who wish to level up in running which led them to explore the longer distance called ultramarathon races, and found a new joy in it, they created the TK DC2DC Ultramarathon 60 to share their passion for running ultramarathons to other runners, and those who wish to try the somewhat impossible ultramarathon distance. (http://runroo.com/2014/08/01/davao-running-group-7-things-about-team-kapwa-of-tk-dc2dc-ultramarathon-60/) Why Digos City? The event is part of the Digos City Fiesta Celebration and Digos City is one of the hometowns of our Race Director.
BP: Sometimes, fun runs and marathons are organized to raise funds for a certain charity or initiative. Is this the case with DC2DC? Is there a beneficiary community or charity foundation?
PA: Yes. One of our future plans is
that to go to a certain community here in Davao and conduct medical and dental
mission to them.
BP: For the DC2DC, did Team Kapwa form a particular task
force or committee to handle the
management/execution of this ultra marathon?
PA: Yes, all of us are part of the
committee. The team is composed of 26 members and all of us have specific task for
the said event.
BP: How many runners are expected to run in the DC2DC? Are there foreign participants?
PA: We do expect around 100-150 runners and as of now, there are no foreign participants registered yet.
Team Kapwa members doing recon run of the DC2DC route (Photo
courtesy of Team Kapwa facebook page)
|
PA: We do expect around 100-150 runners and as of now, there are no foreign participants registered yet.
BP: By island group (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), what is
the profile of the registered participants for DC2DC? How many are from Luzon? From the Visayas? And from Mindanao?
PA: In percentage, I think the
majority will come from Mindanao, I think it will be Luzon: 5%, Visayas: 10%
and Mindanao: 85%.
BP: Any particular feature of DC2DC that will make it unique
or differentiate it from other ultras?
PA: The route itself and the view
when you reached the 50k marker, you can see the Davao Gulf and if it will be
around 5-6am, you can see the glimpse of Mt. Apo from the 50k marker or in the
Shrine hills.
BP: Are the roads from Digos City to Davao City predominantly
concrete road? Or asphalt road?
PA: The route will be concrete road
and portions might be asphalt road.
BP: What explains the significant gain in elevation in the
last portion of the 60km ultra marathon?
PA: Because we want to give the
runners some challenge and something the runners can remember when they finish
the race that the route is not an easy one. Because 60k is 60k!
Elevation profile of DC2DC ultra |
BP: What is the
finish cut off time?
PA: 12 hours cut off time.
BP: Are support vehicles allowed?
PA: Yes, they are allowed.
BP: Would durian be served at one of the water stations?
PA: We are hoping to have durian and
other Davao Fruits to be served in one of our food/water stations.
About TEAM KAPWA
BP: When was Team Kapwa started? Who were the founding members? Who are the current officers of Team
Kapwa?
PA: The founding date of the team was last
September 8, 2014. From Davao City, the team made it official in Gen. Santos
City Tuna Festival Duathlon and Tuna Fest Half Marathon, where they represent
Team Kapwa for the first time. The founding members are: Paul, Garry, Jay, JJ,
Robert, Griffton, Rod, Roland, Kenneth, Dante, Eric, Jojo and Peter Mars.
BP: Why the name Team Kapwa?
Team Kapwa group picture |
PA: “Kapwa” in Team Kapwa’s original
meaning is not “fellow” but “hayahay” or relax/chill in English. At the
Michelle Estuar’s running clinic, some of the founding members were just
standing at the sideline watching the other runners working hard for the
drills. So one of them noticed their being very chill commented, “Kapwa kaayo
sila kay hayahay kaayo. (You are all “kapwa” because you are all so chill.)” But the word “kapwa” with the
meaning of relax originated from a local radio station in Davao which aired an
ad that said something like “Basta kapwa, hayahay.”
BP: How many members does Team Kapwa have?
PA: 26 members
BP: Do you have regular membership fees for Team Kapwa members?
PA: No, we don’t have as of the moment.
BP: We notice a vibrant running community in Davao City and
surrounding areas. To what factor(s) do
you attribute this?
PA: We are friends with other running
teams in Davao City and we do cooperate and participate in their runs since we
are also runners and we do understand what runners feel during on the road.
BP: In addition to organizing long distance running events, what
does Team Kapwa do to promote the development and progress of running in Davao
City?
PA: Since we join running events outside of Davao
City, we do have this club called Ultra Runners Club of Davao to which all
members of the said group came from different running teams also and when we
join ultramarathons outside the city, we bring the name of Davao.
BP: Does Team Kapwa organize running clinics for the general
public in Davao City?
PA: Right now, we do not have such
activity since we are focused on organizing running events.
BP: Is DC2DC the first ultra marathon that Team Kapwa has
organized? Prior to DC2DC, what are the
running events that Team Kapwa has organized?
PA: DC2DC is the first UM that TK has
organized.
BP: What is the longest running event that Paul Aldaba has
joined? A full marathon? An ultra
marathon?
PA: The longest running event that I
joined was last March 2014 which was the TDR80k Ultra marathon (hosted by Team
Davao Runners). I already joined 2 ultramarathon events. My first was last
year, November 2013 which was Samal Ultramarathon 50k. Also, I’ve done 5 Full
Marathons since 2013 and counting.
There you have it. Straightforward answers from Paul of Team Kapwa Davao. You could taste the bona fide passion for
running. This is a promising sign that the DC2DC is and will be a
well-organized ultra marathon event.
It will be colorful. It will be vista-rich. It will be fun. It
will be worth the trip to Davao.
So for those interested to join,
the registration is still open. You
have up to August 22 to pick up the
challenge and dare to conquer.
For more information on how to register for DC2DC, kindly visit https://www.facebook.com/events/655217577886951/permalink/660355390706503/.
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