Seven of the Toughest Ultramarathons in the Philippines

Posted On February 3, 2017

Running a 42.195 kilometer marathon is a tough ordeal. But, what lies beyond that is even tougher- welcome to the world of ultramarathon.

As its name suggests, an ultramarathon is a more grueling version of a marathon. Any foot race that is at least 50 kilometers in distance is considered an “ultra.” Many of these events are conducted within a day, but others take more depending on its total distance and the difficulty of the route.

In the Philippines, there are dozens of ultramarathons held all over the country each year. The following are considered some of the toughest ultras in recent years.

Manila to Daet 342K Endurance Challenge

The punishing 342-kilometer race spans between 3 regions, 4 provinces, 12 cities and 14 municipalities in a three-day event that will surely test your endurance. It starts off at the Rizal Park in Manila (Kilometer 0) and finishes at Bantayog Park in Daet, Camarines Norte. Jose Rizal’s monument in Daet, completed in 1889, is said the first memorial landmark to honor the national hero.

The race route passed mostly on the Pan-Phil Highway system and the Manila South Road (MSR). Each checkpoint is roughly 50-kilometers apart and has a cut-off time of nine to 12 hours per leg.

Course Record Holder

Male: Lao Ogerio (74 hrs, 44 mins, 29 secs in 2015)

(Photo Credits: Rodellmen.wordpress.com)

West to East 280K Ultra Marathon Race

Dubbed as the country’s most difficult single-stage solo run, the West to East 280K Ultra Marathon 2016 started at Bolinao Pangasinan and ended at Dingalan, Aurora. The event cut-off was set at 56 hours with an intermediate 10-hour cut-off every 50 kilometers.

Of the 15 runners who registered only nine were able to finish the race. The event was organized by retired Army Major General Jovenal “Jovie” Narcise who is known in the running community as the “Bald Runner.”

Course Record Holder

Male: Thomas Combisen (48 hrs, 49 mins, 26 secs in 2016)

(Photo Credits: baldrunner.com)

South to North 280K Ultramarathon

Cebu is the country’s ninth largest island. Constante Mendoza Jr., editor-in-chief of frontRUNNER magazine had an idea of organizing a footrace that will run the whole length of the Cebu Island. In 2013, he put this into motion by organizing the South to North 250K run. The race started in the town of Santander in the south and ended in the city of Bogo.

The following year, the race organizers added an additional 30K and settled SN280’s finish line in the town of Daantabayan. The 2014 edition has a cut-off time pegged at 56 hours with a half-point (141 km mark) cut-off of 27 hours.

Course Record Holder

Male:  Brian Lou Guillen (24 hrs, 7 mins in 2014)

(Photo Credits: frontRUNNER magazine)

 

Kadayawan 260K Ultramarathon Race

(Photo Credits: bbgrun.ph)

Considered as the longest distance race in Mindanao, the Kadayawan 260K Ultra Marathon kicked off in Mati City and went through- Tagum city, the town of Carmen, Panabo city before ending in the People’s Park of Davao city. The event was organized by the Davao Ultrarunners Club  (DUC) and also has a shorter 102-kilometer event.

Course Record Holder

Male: Jonathan Pido (42 hrs, 17 minutes and 6 secs in 2016)

Female: Olive Fermiza (50 hrs, 9 mins, 39 secs in 2016)

(Photo Credit: Regie Cruz/ Sunstar.com.ph)

Manila to Baguio 250K Run

The scenic route from Kilometer 0 (Rizal Park) to the country’s summer capital is extremely challenging. The course takes you from the plains of Central Luzon to the steep mountains of northern Luzon. The last few kilometers of the race include a grueling uphill before reaching Baguio which has an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters.

The first edition of the race in 2015 has a cut-off time of 50-hours. The event was organized by “Bald Runner.”

Course Record Holder

Male: Thomas Combisen (38 hrs, 59 mins, 53 secs in 2016)

Female: Tess Leono (48 hrs, 41 mins, 24 secs in 2016)

(Photos Credit: baldrunner.com)

Bataan Death March 160K Ultramarathon

One of the most popular ultras in the country because of its historical inclination, the Bataan Death March serves as a tribute to the sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers who suffered the cryptic ordeal during World War II. The race also starts at the Bataan Death March shrine in Mariveles, Bataan.

Now on its 9th edition, the event also has a 102km race. BDM is another ultra organized by retired Army Major General Narcise.

Course Record Holders

Male: Wilnar Iglesia (16 hrs, 25 mins, 32 secs in 2014)

Female: Silame Apolistar Gutang (23 hrs, 43 mins, 13 secs in 2016)

(Photos Credit: baldrunner.com)

Hardcore Hundred Miles 160K Trail Run

Only a few brave souls dare to conquer longest trail race in the country. With an elevation gain/loss of more than 11,000 meters along the Cordillera Mountains, the Hardcore Hundred Miles (H1) is not for the feint hearted. A cut-off time of 40 hours is strictly implemented in the race.

The H1 is part of a five-series trail run event called the King of the Mountains (KOTM) organized by frontRUNNER magazine. It is annually held in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. Finishing the H1 on time will earn you 6 qualifier points for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), the Mecca of trail running.

Course Record Holder

Male: Jan Nilsen (27 hrs, 22 mins, 49 secs in 2016)

Female: Maria Josephine Liao (36 hrs, 40 mins, 21 secs in 2016)

(Photos Credit: frontRUNNER magazine)

Do you agree with our list? Write a comment below if we missed a tougher ultra marathon race or share to us any of your running experience.

+Featured Image Credit:  Andie N. Zaragoza/ byaheroph.blogspot.com