Race Recap: Skyathon Boracay Beach Run 2013

The Skyathon Boracay Beach Run is now on its forth year. Yet, this year marks the first time I will be joining the event despite several invites in the previous year. No regrets. Running in the beach is one of my favorite places to run. Soft sand, fresh breeze and bikinis. 😀

Quennie’s Comeback Race

Since Quennie got pregnant in 2010, she never joined a race. Her last race was the 16K Men’s Health All-Terrain Race 2010 in Laguna. She started running again this year but only when I remember to wake her up in the morning. Despite out of the road for so long, she runs 3Ks and 5Ks like she’s been doing continuously for years. Running after Gab does provide some endurance training after all.

The Starting Line

The starting line at Station 2 for the Skyathon was small but the view was like no other. The white sand and the blue sea was our backdrop. The shores was clear since most of the people are still sleeping after the party the previous night. The tide was still low and it provided more surface to run.

Running on Sand

The route was simple and straight forward. We start at Station 2 and run towards the turn around point in Station 1. Then we run towards the next turnaround point in Station 3 where we head back to the finish line in Station 2. The 10K runners will have two loops.

I wanted to run barefoot on the sand. But I was adviced to be protected by wearing a shoe due to a previous incident. But I saw a lot of runners running barefoot and never had problems. I should have run bare as well.

Running on sand is a bit difficult. Having some sand getting inside your shoes and socks is a bit annoying. There were some parts that the sand is too loose that our feet would sink into it. It takes more effort to lift your feet out of the sand only to stick in back again on the next step.

That is why I prefer running where the sand meets the sea. This part of the beach is more compact and flat. It makes running easier expect for the high probability of getting your shoes wet once the waves catches your strides.

5K Finish and a Celebration

At first, I thought Quennie and I signed up for a 10K but realized we were running a 5K only. A good turn of events since Quennie and I only had 7Ks during training and missed two weeks of runs before the Skyathon. We crossed the line together with a finish time of 40 minutes and 52 seconds.

We got our medals with a personalized lanyard. That’s pretty nice. And a loot bag with goodies from the sponsors. If you thought that the Skyathon ends at the finish line, you’re wrong. A victory party was held on the same night with a 90s theme. Celebrities and personalities like Jake Cuenca, Troy Montero, Aubrey Miles and Ramon Baustista were there to join the party.

They say that what happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay. I guess, I have been giving out too much details.

Great job to Sky Cable and Finishline for a one of a kind running event in the beautiful shores for Boracay. Year after year, the Skyathon Boracay Beach Run attracts more and more runners. If we get invited the next time, Quennie and I would sure be back for the 10K and for the bigger and grander party.