2015 MAYON 360 80-KM ULTRA: Where A Kenyan Reigns Again

5 hours, 36 Minutes & 44 seconds.

That is the time it took a tall Kenyan runner by the name of Eliud Kering to run 80 kilometers + around the most majestic of volcanoes all over the world. In the process, he was the first runner to cross the finish line of the 2015 Mayon 360 80-km ultra marathon. Generous cash prizes and gifts awaited the champion.  

Truly a majestic performance.  That is why the Bicolano Penguin is forced to come up with the title of this blog - "Where A Kenyan Reigns Again". This in reference to the title of my blog entry on the 2014 Mayon 360 http://bicolanopenguin.blogspot.com/2014/04/2014-mayon-360-ultra-where-kenyans.html.  For two years (2013 & 2014) already, hometown favorite Mario Malinao has lorded over the annual ultra from Legazpi City and back to Legazpi City. But now a Kenyan has regained the throne which was held for two years (2011 & 2012) by his fellow countrymen. 

I am sad that Super Mario did not get the three-peat.  He came in 3rd (6 hours, 7 minutes & 36 seconds).  I am sad that a fellow Bicolano did not get to defend our home court of an ultra.  But let us look at the bigger picture.  It is just right that the Mayon 360 ultra franchise should continue to have foreign runners into the fray so that our local elite ultra runners will continue to be pushed beyond their comfort zone, in so doing  their athletic performance will improve by leaps and bounds.  Plus, the participation of good runners from abroad will  add to the prestige of the Mayon 360 ultra marathon thereby further boosting its potential to draw in more sport tourism  for the province of Albay. 

Lest we forget, we should be very proud and very happy that the champion of the very first Mayon 160-km ultra marathon is a Bicolano - Lao Ogerio of Catanduanes (23 hours, 47 minutes & 13 seconds).  Let us see if a foreigner dare challenge for this crown in the coming years. 

I am also happy to see the continued success of  Iriga City runners Marino Lagyap and  Nino Monte who placed 4th (6 hours, 30 minutes & 47 seconds) and 6th (6 hours, 45 minutes & 41 seconds), respectively  in this year's Mayon 360 80-km ultra.    

  

For the continued success of the Mayon 360 ultra franchise, we have the provincial government to thank together with JCI Legazpi.  Also, the prestige and discipline that the Race Director (Bald Runner) and his team  bring to the table cannot be discounted.  May good times continue to run in the coming years.              

Going back to the new champion of Mayon 360, his family name sounds prophetic.  Drop the "E" and the "R" and we have ourselves a "King."

Hail to the new King.

P.S.  Photos taken from the facebook pages of Jovie Narcise and Mayon 360.