HOW do you run 50 kilometers in the challenging terrain of Balamban? You don’t. That’s a lesson runners learned Saturday in the historic 1st Cebu Ultramarathon 50K. It wasn’t so much the distance as the terrain and heat that knocked the wind out of many runners.
The elevation data gathered by GPS watches participants used during the race looks like a linear representation of a mountain range. We were, after all, running on the mountains. At the start, the elevation was 971 meters, at the finish line it was a mere 30 meters.
Those that practiced running the route earlier knew that unless you were among the elite runners and in top physical condition, you shouldn’t try running the very steep C Highway in Barangay Cansumoroy.
CRAMPS. Dr. Willie Estepa falls after suffering leg cramps near the Ungo aid station in Barangay Busay. Fellow Ungo Runners Michelle So, Sun.Star executive editor, and Federico Garganera rush to his aid. CLICK TO ENLARGE (PHOTO BY ALLAN DEFENSOR OF SUN.STAR CEBU)
The race started with a short ceremony at about 5:30 a.m. near the bust of former president Ramon Magsaysay on Mt. Manunggal. Frontrunner publisher Jonel Mendoza, race organizer Raffy Uytiepo, Balamban Councilor Dave Karamihan and Philippine ultrarunning icon Jovie “Bald Runner” Narcise gave short talks before the 180 plus runners assembled near the cottage about 200 meters away for the start of the race.
At gun start, the elite runners darted off like they were running a mere 10K. The rest of us mortals stayed behind, enjoying the fantastic view in Manunggal.
Oath of office
I ran with serial marathoner Joel Garganera, who was legally bound to finish the race—the Tinago barangay councilor had arranged to take his oath of office before runner Judge Ester Veloso at the finish line in Capitol. Days before the ultra-marathon, he said he told Judge Veloso to be there from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. I told him it was a contempt order waiting to happen. He later said he texted Judge Veloso to be there later.
At several points of the race we ran with Jonel Mendoza, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino manager Hembler Mendoza, Be Resorts Mactan general manager Garry Garcia, ultra-marathoner Haide Acuña, former congressional candidate Atan Guardo, Jeson Guardo and Ironwoman Annie Neric.
