PARANAQUE CITY — For a couple of years, the “Bicolano Penguin” [the author] has been craving to run an ultramarathon in one of the lovely islands of the Visayan part of our Philippine archipelago.
Looking through articles after articles in the Internet pointed to the glaring fact that the long distance running scene has been happening in the big islands of Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros and Panay. It would be a pity if I didn’t get to taste a piece of the action.
Thus, upon reading of the Negros Oriental 100 Ultra Marathon (NegOr 100) scheduled for Dec. 13-14, the decision was made to go and join.
The actual distance of NegOr 100 is actually 103 kilometers. The route started in the Provincial Capitol of Negros Oriental in Dumaguete City, and finished in the city proper of Bayawan.
The ultramarathon was organized by the Negros Oriental Sports Development Program (NOSDEP) of the Office of the Governor, and the Fiesta Committee of Bayawan City. Providing support from the private sector were local running clubs Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club (MDRC), and the Dumaguete Adventure Runners & Striders (DARS).
From the onset, the NegOr 100 organizers trumpeted the scenic route that awaited the participants from sunset to sunrise to sunset. We all know of the exquisite beauty of Dumaguete City, which made our national hero Jose Rizal gush with eloquence, and call it the City of Gentle People.
But the towns (Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton and Sta. Catalina), and the other city (Bayawan) along the 103 kilometers had something beautiful to offer as well. To quote from the words of its Facebook page, “The Negros Oriental 100K race route is not only fun; it also has a number of photo-ops.”
Thus, upon arrival at Sibulan Airport in the morning of Dec. 12, I immediately decided to go on a reconnaissance drive of the 103-km distance from Dumaguete to Bayawan.
Immediate reason was for this Penguin to familiarize with the route. But the main rationale was for me to be able to have photos already of the gorgeous sites that NegOr 100 was offering.
This Penguin, given his slow speed, would not have much the luxury for picture-taking on these tourist attractions on race day itself.
As advertised, the 103-km route was something special, with many historic and natural attractions.
Truly, I had my fill of a lot of interesting sights along the NegOr 100 Ultra that should make this a destination run for many ultramarathon aficionados, both local and international.
How about the run itself? The NegOr 100 Ultra was well-organized. From the Facebook page and manner of registration, I was given a sense that the people behind this event had in mind to show us their best foot forward. Kudos should be given to Race Director Paultom Paras, and his team of volunteers.
I was given a taste of their effectivity in the race bib pick up on the morning of the race. There were no long lines, and the people releasing the race packs were all smiles. The Race Director was on hand to greet the participants.
Also, the official photographer, Joel Balajadia, was busy clicking away.
At race start, there was a short program to make sure our national anthem was honored, and the Provincial Governor given the chance to greet the runners.
Then with a visibly-busy yet excited Gov. Roel Degamo eager to fire the gun start, the runners were sent off 15 minutes earlier than the 5pm start. I liked this punctuality.
There were more than 90 runners, including five husband & wife teams, who answered the gun. One of the participants was Peejay Herrera, a fellow member of Paranaque Running Circle. But Peejay is way faster than me, so in the first five kms. of the ultra, I was basically running without a buddy. This is strange territory for me, as all the ultras I have done in the past were done with some running companions.
But I did not worry any further since as I left the city limits of Dumaguete, I saw several meters ahead a fellow NegOr 100 participant doing the run-walk. Immediately quickening my pace, I was within hearing distance, and I inquired, “Can I run with you?” The runner said yes, and off we went on a 4-1 run- walk interval (4 minutes run-1 minute walk).
After a few conversations on the walk break, the runner said, “We are actually friends on Facebook. I am Ging.” The name sounded familiar for the last few weeks back, I had been sending out some friend requests on FB to Negros-based runners. Ging Acot was one of those who responded positively.
And there we were on the asphalt roads of Negros, getting some real Facetime. The world is indeed getting smaller with social media.
So from the municipalities of Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, and Siaton, Ging and I got to work with another to cover the 50-km distance in less than 10 hours.
Literally and figuratively, Ging provided the much-needed light on the road.
Arriving at the town proper of Siaton, we gladly consumed the much-needed hot food of tinolang manok provided by the race organizers.
The Race Director and his team delivered on their promise to provide hydration and nourishment: every two kms., there was a water station; every 10 kms, a Gatorade station; at Km. 50, tinolang manok; and at Km. 70, tinolang isda with hot steamed rice.
It was past midnight. So after eating, Ging decided to have a much-needed nap in Siaton. It was from Siaton that I went ahead of Ging, and went running solo for the remaining 53 kilometers. Up ahead was a long stretch between Siaton and the next town of Sta. Catalina, 42 kms to be exact.
Good thing, the race organizers made sure there were a lot of race marshalls and security personnel (Army soldeirs and Police units) to provide safety coverage. The road was very dark, and it was quite reassuring to come upon an Army ambulance with a lot of blinking lights every a few kilometers.
I was also accompanied by a First Balfour support vehicle provided by Benjie Dublin, our project head in Negros. The driver, Eduard Lobo, was now waiting for me every five kilometers in these dark roads.
Daybreak found me still in Siaton, a very long town, I realized. I planned a speed of five kilometers per hour on the second half of the 103-km ultra, but the heat and humidity in the coastal roads were slowing me down to a crawl.
You know you are slow when even small kids get to overtake you with a skip and a jump.
It wasn’t only the heat but the hunger that was becoming a factor. I had a hearty meal of tinolang isda at Km 70., but at Km 85, I was hankering again for some more rice meal. The ever-alert Eduard shepherded me to a local eatery by the road. Downing a freshly-cooked lechon kawali in record speed, I was back on the road, recharged for the approach to Sta. Catalina, and the final destination of the NegOr 100 – Bayawan City.
The finish line was in a park beside the sea. This proved to be a good backdrop for the triumphant and dramatic finishes. Given the hard arduous 103 kilometers, there were a lot which the photo lenses of the official photographer got to capture.
In my case, I did my victory shuffle which I also did in my first ultra in 2010.
Fifteen ultramarathons later, I deemed it time to show again a genuine appreciation of the challenge that Negros Oriental 100 offered.
Surviving this ultramarathon is one of the highlights of my running life, thus far. NegOR 100 at 103 kms. is the longest ultramarathon I have joined and finished. Thus far.
For the record, there were a total of 86 solo runners, out of the 91 who started, who eventually got to cross the finish line successfully.
Several Visayas-based running clubs sent runners to NegOr 100. The biggest delegation came from Team ADR Cebu.
The fastest solo runner had a time of 12 hours-30 minutes.
This waddling ‘Bicolano Penguin’ finished at 61st place with a time of 21 hours-20 minutes.
