Do you love to run?
The biggest international sporting event in 2014 will be held in Pangasinan. The first-ever 100-km. ultra international marathon fires-off on March 15-16, 2014. Starting from the Lucap wharf of Alaminos City, it will traverse the western Pangasinan towns of Bani, Anda and Bolinao, then back to Alaminos City.
The top winner in the open marathon will receive P100,000 and a trophy while the second and third place finishers will receive P30,000 and P20,000 respectively. A finisher’s medal and certificate will be given to all finishers.
The event will have an attendance coming from African nations such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya. Some European countries are also expected to participate, like runners from London. They will test the mettle of local ultra runners who recently topped international competitions.
The said sport event organized by RenderFarm Sports and JonesPR (a public affairs/marketing communications consultancy) for the benefit of Alaminos 100, the international marathon is widely supported by Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr., together with other LGU mayors. The ultra marathon actually coincides with the 2014 city fiesta of Alaminos City, Pangasinan on March 19-24, 2014. The ultra marathon serves as the ‘curtain-raiser’ of the festivities.
Alaminos City is home to Hundred Islands, a resort destination famous for its boating, swimming, diving and picnics. Alaminos City is known for its unique and tasty longganisa. Pangasinan is 170 km. north of Manila with an average temperature of 27.91 degrees centigrade. It will offer runners and their team an extraordinary start of their summer adventure as they explore the Hundred Islands and the white sand beaches of Anda and Bolinao.
Philip Pacle of RenderFarm Sports, one of the organizers and an ultra runner himself, foresees “the race will be exciting since most of the runners will experience the thrill of running on 99% flat cement/asphalted roads with a 5-km winding and ascending route along Tiep, Bolinao going to the 50-km mark at night time. As it is a fast foot race, ‘curfew time’ is set at 18 hrs.”
Another highlight of the ultra marathon is a 50-km marathon from Bolinao and will end in Alaminos City. Open to male and female marathoners, top prize is P20,000, while second and third place finishers get P10,000 and P7,000 respectively. Consolation prize for the 4th to 10th placers in the 100 km. ultra marathon is P5,000; while P4,000 to the 4th to the 10th placers of the 50 km marathon.
The ultra marathon hopes to put Alaminos City and Pangasinan in the international arena of world-class sporting events as it targets international and national participation. Promoting wellness and competitive sports, its organizers plan to institutionalize it as a regular multi-sport activity. Plans are underway to organize a mid-year triathlon.
Participants from Kenya arrived last week, while 2013 North Face 100 Km Trail Champion Arnold Lozano of Baguio City, 200 Km Champion Marcelo Bautista, BDM 100 Km 2013 Champion and record holder Joel Bengtay of La Trinidad, Benguet; and an elite runner from London have already signified their intention to join the ultra marathon. A Philippine Army team led by Crisencio Zabal, is also joining. Top runners from Davao and Samal are also joining the race.
Registration fee for the 100 km. ultra marathon is P3,500 and P3,000 for the 50-km marathon. Included in the registration are souvenir shirts (100 km), welcome drinks and snacks, get together party before the run, carbo loading, boat ride and island hopping at Quezon Island, Children’s Island and Governor’s Islands. Runners’ inclusion are: singlet and bib, finisher’s shirt, finisher’s trophy, snacks at the 50k mark (100 km), finisher’s refreshment and snack, and vehicle support banner, if needed.
“We hope to generate more support from Philippines’ top corporations especially those who have sports products, or have sports as their CSR,” says Jones Campos, one of the organizers. Race director/organizer Philip Pacle likewise expresses hope that the success of the ultra marathon will be a milestone in his years of organizing running events.
Registration is ongoing until Feb. 28 via email only to: [email protected] (single entry per runner) and payment through BDO Acct. #5470348017 under Renderfarm Graphics. For details, contact Philip Aquino Pacle at 0922 260 4201, 0926 717 9344 or Jones T. Campos – 0917 818 1015; or visit www.Renderfarmtown.com; Pinoy Fitness; and Takbo.ph for complete information.