AGOO MARATHON: 55th Marathon, 31st Province

 

This Sunday (Aug 2), the Bicolano Penguin (BP) crossed  the finish line of  the Agoo Marathon in the oldest town of La Union province.  Ably organized by Slowfoot Runners , the Agoo Marathon  is the 55th marathon that I have finished.  The coastal province of the La Union is the 31st province in the BP's bucket list odyssey of running a full marathon and ultra marathon  in the provinces of the Philippines. Thousands more of kilometers to go. 51 more provinces (out of a total 82 provinces to run) but at least we got 31 already. 

Map of the Philippines. The provinces marked in blue are the provinces where the Bicolano Penguin has finished a marathon or an ultra. These  are Ilocos Norte, La Union, Benguet, Ifugao, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato.     

Running a marathon in the provinces of the Philippines appeals to runners,  like the BP, by offering scenic natural backdrops,  cleaner air,  authentic cultural immersion, and,  more likely,  independent race organizers. Contrast this to the concrete heavy, polluted and congested settings of the urban jungle that is Metro Manila.  I really like running marathons in the provinces and the experience of running a marathon in La Union this weekend further boosted my conviction to continue that running odyssey.

Natural scenery in Agoo features coastal views, mangrove forests and green gardens. In the two barangays of Sta. Rita  West and Sta. Rita Central is the eco-tourism site called Agoo Eco Park. It is a 15-hectare protected landscape featuring a coastal mangrove forest, walking and hiking trails, and picnic areas.  Its picturesque setting is enhanced by the presence of tall Agoho trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) which create shaded areas that provide a respite from the torching sun. 

Arriving in Agoo a day earlier than race day, the BP together with Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983 classmate Bob dropped by  the Agoo Eco Park to scope out the starting line and view the Agoho trees and the mangroves.    

The Boardwalk jutting out of the Agoo Eco Park into the sea.  In the background are rows and rows of Agoho trees.  

Local fisherman setting up his net in the estuarine waters beside the Agoo Eco Park. In the background are strands of mangrove trees.  

Agoo is also rich in history and culture. Agoo is the oldest town in La Union, historically noted as a pre-colonial trading hub, a Spanish-era religious center, and now a rising eco-tourism hotbed in the province. It was founded officially in 1578 by Franciscan missionaries  and later made part of the newly created province of La Union in 1850.   The town of Agoo was named after the Agoho tree which was in abundance along the local riverbanks. 

The town's primary religious landmark, the Minor Basilica and Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, was originally established in the late 1500s by Fransiscan friars and later elevated to a basilica status in 1982 via  a pontifical decree of Pope John Paul II. Our Lady of Charity Basilica is noted for its Mexican-Baroque architectural features.  It has two non-identical bell towers. To the left of the facade is a four-level hexagonal tower, while the right bell tower is a bell-gable in its form. 

In the morning of Aug 1, the BP and Bob visited the patish office of Our Lady of Charity Basilica to offer a holy mass for the safety of all the runners in the Agoo Marathon. It was also a chance to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the church.  

The eye-catching church facade  of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity with the two non-identical bell towers. The bell tower on the left is hexagonal in shape while the one on the righ is clearly not.  

The central nave and altar of the Minor Basilica and Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Charity 

Food is an essential part of culture. Food is deeply ingrained in the culture of the place.  Agoo's coastal location ensures an abundance of fresh seafood and nowhere is this abundance very tangible than in the local palengke.  The Agoo Public Market offers a rich daily suppy of fresh marine produce, most notably blue crabs, bangus, shrimps, clams and scallops at affordable local prizes.   

After visiting the Agoo Eco Park and the Our Lady of Charity Basilica, we checked out the seafood section of the Agoo Public Market.  The seafood available were so enticing that we decided to buy a handful for subsequent cooking (dampa style) in one of the carenderias in the public market. Eating fresh seafood cooked at the J&J Food Haus inside the public market is a fun, budget-friendly and tasty Filipino culinary adventure. Kudos to Carol Collado   of J&J Food Haus for the excellent cooking.   

 

Wild-caught shrimps and prawns available at the Agoo public market.  While it is a bit pricier than cultured ones raised in fishponds, the wild-caught ones are more sought because of its firmer texture and deeper natural flavor.    

The scallops caught off the coast of La Union in the Lingayen Gulf are scientifically known as Amusium pleuronectes, commonly called the Asian Moon Scallop, and referred to locally as eskalop. 

The best  halaan soup I ever tasted is the one cooked by  J&J Haus in the Agoo Public Market.  It featured a piping-hot, clear ginger broth packed with the clean, briny sweetness of freshly harvested clams, lifted by aromatic garlic, green pepper and a sharp, comforting kick of sliced ginger.  

Tried the eskalops of Lingayen Gulf and it is delicious. Not as big as the imported scallops from Peru and Japan but easily 1/8 the cost. 

Group photo with the owners of J&J Food Haus

Agoo is known for quiet seafront spots like Annie's Lodge and The Baywalk Sunset Resort. These resorts offer calm, budget-friendly beach stays rather than the heavy crowds or massive surf waves found further north in the province.  We stayed in Annie's Lodge located at Baywalk in Barangay  San Julian Norte.  Opened in late 2025, it offers a relaxing place to stay featuring a 50-meter lap pool, a kiddie pool, on-site dining, and direct beach access. Just the  kind of place a marathoner needs to rest before the race day and to recover after running 42 kms.

The 50-meter lap pool in Annie's Lodge. So inviting for a swim or pool running.

Sunset view from the vantage point of Annie's Lodge 

The Agoo Marathon has an out-and-back course, meaning the runners starts and finishes in the same place.  The start and finish line was originally the Agoo Eco Park but  moved to the Sta. Rita West Multi-Purpose Hall due to weather considerations. The race organizers were proactive enough to check the weather bureau  which forecasted rain in the area in the couple of hours leading to the gun start which is 12 midnight.  This change of starting area  indicated to me  that the race director knows what he is doing. If the race director did not transfer the starting area to the covered multi-purpose hall, then the marathon participants would have been wet at the open Agoo Eco Park even before the race started.  That race director is Arnold Balaba    of Slowfootrunner Events.  Having had experience in organizing long distance running events in the provinces of La Union, Rizal, Zambales, and Pangasinan, the race director did his homework which included extensive coordination with the Agoo LGU and other local stakeholders. 

42km route map 

Agoo Marathon race schedule (10K, 21K, 42K)

  

Race Director Arnold Balaba patiently explaining the race route. 

The Agoo Marathon organizing team in a coordination meeting with the relevant agencies of the Agoo LGU. Photo courtesy of  Agoo Tourism Office.

Group photo of the 42km  participants before the start of the race. Photo courtesy of Ride and Shine 

Proud finishers indeed.  Despite the dozens of races we have joined, finishing a marathon does not get old for us old warriors. 

the ever helpful Ride and Shine photographer. 

It is an honor for us to take a photo with the Race Director

With a capable race director, it is to be expected that the Agoo Marathon will be a success. And indeed it is a success.  No reported untoward incidents.  My running companion Bob, who is a veteran of long distance running events  like the Bataan Death March 160km Ultra and the Manila to Baguio 250Km Ultra pointed out that the variety of food  (e.g. boiled egg, nilagang saging, Biko sticky rice cake) available at the hydration stations, although not extravagant, was well-timed and practical.  With the deployment of a good number of volunteer marshalls, pacers and sweepers, the race participants safely crossed the finish line. And there was a designated photographer (Ride and Shine ) on hand to take shots and memorialize the moment for the runners. 

As for me and Bob, we were the last male runners to finish the 42km race.  But who's complaining or taunting?  We maybe the slowest marathoners in the event but our track record of marathons and ultras is not easy  nor a laughing matter.  We, as runners, are already at an age where our wisdom tell us that hitting a fast time  is no longer as important as the running experience itself.  Just to wake up, lace up a pair of running shoes, open the door, hit the road for a 5km jog or a 42km marathon is already a big blessing.   

Post race, the Bicolano Penguin enjoying the comforts of the small rocking chair in Annie's Lodge. Feeling the success of finishing yet another marathon and pondering the next province to run a full mary.   

Running a marathon is  a profound physical and mental gift. The simple act of moving our body forward on our own two feet builds deep health, clears our mind, and instills a powerful sense of gratitude of what our God-given body can achieve. Running a marathon is truly a blessing and running a marathon in the provinces makes it even more special for the BP.

So, in continuing this running odyssey, what province is next for the Bicolano Penguin?  

Abangan!