The Dumaguete Adventure Marathon has been adjudged by the Runners World magazine as one of the top marathons in the country.
The Runner’s World January-March 2012 edition placed the DAM on top of the list of eight Philippine marathons, along with the CamSur International Marathon, Cebu City Marathon, Subic International Marathon, The Bull Runner Dream Marathon, Milo Marathon, Condura Skyway Marathon and the Quezon City International Marathon.
Marie Calica, editor-in-chief of Runner’s World Magazine, said that while the article was not written or voted on in any particular order, “The DAM seems to be an awesome event,” as described to her by ultramarathoner Simon Sandoval, “who had nothing but praises for it.”
Calica said she hopes that the article will draw more participants to this year’s race.
The DAM, to be held for the fourth time on Nov. 18 this year, elicited positive comments from runners last year for its challenging terrain and good organization.
Runners emailed the organizers at Foundation University through the DAM website
The runners, some of whom flew in from as far as France, Singapore, Japan, Africa and Germany, said they would be back for the 2012 DAM with more fellow runners.
Dr. Aparicio Mequi, director of FU’s Institute for Youth Sports and Peace which organizes this annual race, said he was not surprised to hear of the selection of DAM as one of the country’s top marathons. “Everyone who ran the DAM knows that the DAM is Numero Uno, and many credible bloggers had posted so in their blogs.”
Held every third Sunday of November, the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon is the only running event that promotes awareness of the rice conservation campaign undertaken by the Asia Rice Foundation and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Instead of cash, winners and participants in the DAM receive bags and sacks of rice. This is a tough mixed road and trail marathon. The run starts and ends in Dumaguete City but will take the runners on a total ascent of 877 meters in the mountains of neighboring Sibulan and Valencia towns.
