Bautista gets crack at Hong Kong 100

WITH his eight victories in ultra-marathon in 2012, Marcelo Bautista will gun for another victory, this time abroad when he sets foot at the Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race set on January 19.

And Good Samaritans has once again answered to the 33-year-old janitor’s flee of support with a local Philanthropy donating a huge amount of cash for Bautista’s allowance when he competes in the two day ultra-running event.

“For us gusto lang naming makatulong at maganda nga na may nagrerepresent sa atin dito sa Baguio sa mga ganyang kumpetisyon,” said Engr. Rodolfo Cato, an executive assistant at the Manila City Mayor’s Office accompanied by his wife Susan during Friday’s turnover of P10,000.

The Vibram® Hong Kong 100 is an ultra-endurance race that starts in Pak Tam Chung on the Sai Kung Peninsula and covers some of the most beautiful scenery in Hong Kong, including remote and unspoiled beaches, ancient forests, nature trails, reservoirs and steep hills.

The course is based around Hong Kong’s famous Maclehose Trail, but with some diversions to ensure that runners spend more time in its most scenic sections, as well as finishing with the descent from Hong Kong’s highest peak (Tai Mo Shan).

Vibram 100 also involves a cumulative elevation gain of over 4500 meters and the cut-off time is 32 hours and offers a unique, challenging and beautiful run for the trail running enthusiast and a chance to take part in an unforgettable event.

“Malaking bagay etong tulong pinansyal sa akin para gamitin ko sa Hong Kong kaya pipilitin kong makatapos maayos para masuklian ko yung kabaitan sa akin,” said Marcelo.

Aside from the Cato couple, Andre Blumberg of Hong Kong had sponsored for the registration fees, round-trip tickets and accommodation for Bautista, together with Cebuano runner Gerald Sabal.

Both runners have been training alongside each other even during the Christmas break where Gerald and Marcelo had been training in Mt. Cabuyao and Santo Tomas.

Their training regimen also include stairs running & repeats at the Lourdes Grotto; trail running loops at the Camp John Hay Complex; speed drills & stretching workouts; long distance runs to Ambuklao Dam and back to Baguio City.