The 25th Araw ng Kagitingan Ultramarathon Story

A Tribute to World War II Veterans

A Salute to Bataan War Patriots on a Silver Platter

After a heroic stand against the formidable Japanese Imperial Army, Mariveles, Bataan residents witnessed the coming of the dark clouds of our history as a nation when the United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) with some 70,000 Filipino defenders and 11,000 American Troops surrendered to the invading enemy on April 9, 1942.

Forty four years later, in 1986 shortly after the People's Power Revolution, sportswriter and president of the San Fernando Runners Unlimited, Inc. (SAFER RUN) Ed Paez, pioneered the rediscovery of of the old death march trail of 1942. However, two years before this, ultramarathoner Max Telford of New Zealand made earlier attempts to retrace the dreaded route. True to our Filipino trait of hospitality, the Paez-led SAFER RUN tried to put up a supporting role by escorting Telford out of Cabalen country in 1985. But Telford did not want the local runners to run side-by-side with him.

Stung by the humiliating experience, Paez, a Novo Ecijano from Guimba, personally did his own historical research and interviewed original death marchers, the late Veterans Federations of the Philippines Post Commander Fortunato Cuyco and others, read books and visited historical markers to find out later that the track the New Zealander took was erroneous. He failed in his two tries to retrace the original route.

"Lumakas ang loob ko nang malamang mali siya, kaya isinulong ko na ito, na may basbas pa ng mga beterano mismo, kaya mga pinoy pa rin ang nakauna at hindi isang banyaga," said Paez.

The following year, a rag-tag band of 29 SAFER Run marathoners, with only a dump truck in tow as back-up vehicle, successfully took turns in negotiating the punishing 1942 path on April 8 and 9, 1986. The sun-baked route took them to the Bataan towns of Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Hermosa amd part of Dinalupihan, before spending the night at Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga. The next morning, they completed their historic run after traversing the territories of Guagua and Bacolor to reach the town of San Fernando.

Today, what has began as a solemn vow to give homage to the fast dwindling war heroes, is now one of the most awaited events in the Philippine sports calendar. This unique running tradition went on and on through the years, spanning four Philippine presidents in more than two decades. Olympians Mona Sulaiman and Orly Bauzon, National Milo Marathon titlists Rey Antoque, Cresenciano Sabal and Bernardo Desamito, Jr., and Pinoy Global Runner Cesar Guarin were just few of the prominent running figures who joined this running tradition.

Now on its record 25th consecutive annual staging, the oldest, longest-running and the only privately-initiated run saluting our war heroes will hit the highways of Central Luzon again on April 8 and 9, 2010.

By walking (this time running) through the past, guiding the present via its long forgotten doors, showing the meaning of love, honor, compassion and sacrifice, sharing the secrets that enabled man not only to endure and survive and prevail makes this tradition worth running for beyond the last (man) Bataan patriot standing.

These are excerpts from the story written by Ed Paez.

Of Times & Chips: The Globe Run for Home

Timing chips, one of the most in-demand gadgets in running today. What's in it that attracts thousands of runners to join races? Is it because of the post-race runpix analysis or to simply outdo your personal best? Well, whatever it is, this chip is now a major component of the booming road races in the country, even though it's not cheap. But did you know that there was an international race in the past that did not post an official runpix result albeit the use of the deadly accurate timing chip. Pwede pala 'yun, and being a participant then, I felt I was deprived. And maybe so were the runners who joined since we understood that along with this chip come a runpix analysis.

the chips from what we've raced... so far

How It Works - The Technical part

Chip timing systems feature two components: a chip that carries a unique identification number, and a number of mats that activate the chip. The chip - along with an energizing coil - is encased within a durable shell, often glass or plastic, which is then housed in another plastic case. The shell is weatherproof, which allows for the chip to be worn in any racing conditions, regardless of temperature or moisture level. Significantly, there are no batteries inside the chip, and it can be reused again and again. (But not in the philippines wherein disposable ones are commonly used).

The chip's transponder is passive, and sends no signals until it is placed within the magnetic field created by the special mats. But once within this field, the coil within the chip becomes energized, produces an electric current, and powers the chip's transponder. The transponder sends a signal, reporting its own unique identification number, and this signal is captured by the "receive" antennas in the mat, and then collected by a computer. The mats contain two types of antennas. One type creates the magnetic field, while the other detects the signal emitted by the activated chip. The mats are placed at key locations along the course of a race: the finish, often at the start, and, at larger events, various checkpoints. A battery and some wiring are attached to the mat, providing energy to the "send" antennas, which create a magnetic field. The entire process of activating the chip and recording its signal takes merely a fraction of a second.

The recent globe run for home 2010 was another testament of how this timing chips attract runners. Reportedly, there were more than 8,000 individuals who joined.

Two weeks after my ultramarathon race, I lined-up myself at the middle of the 5km runners. The plan was just to feel the rhythm of running short distances again, and this race was a good opportunity to test my old self. And so I ran in tempo pace after the horn was sounded until I found myself increasing close to my old racing pace in just a little while. There's something in me that projects me forward in each stride I made, maybe the timing chip laced in one of my shoes. I enjoyed my run as I went along and found myself in the finish line where people were a scarce at that time. An odd feeling for me for quite sometime, but, luckily I found my name on the first page of the 5km race results. Sana may runpix ngayon.

Did the timing chips made the difference? Personally, I guess so.

More pics from the race here.
And check-out photovendo here.

On Winning a Podium

My medals in running were arguably no match with what I got during the past two days. I have been collecting plates for sometime now from my races but I feel my efforts are incomparable with what these two kids achieved in the past years. I would just run in an hour or two to collect one, but theirs are months of hardwork. While I must sleep early at night before the run, they would stay late to study for the exams. I have been going up and down the stage twelve times for the last nine years but those are not for winning my races, its because Sofia and Andres are winning theirs.

I guess running in florsheims is better than running in nikes.