AS THE 2014 Hundred Islands 100K Ultra International Marathon unfolds on March 15-16 in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, notable “elite” ultra marathoners have registered to test their mettle against each other, eyeing a coveted P100,000 top prize.
The “elite” runners who have registered to-date are: Hardcore 100 Miles champion Marcelo Bautista, dubbed as the “local Kenyan” because of his top place finish in all ultra marathons; 2013 TNF trail run champion Arnold Lozano; Laoag City ultra marathon champion Joey D.; Kenyan ultra marathoner Albert Tomabaga; and Philippine Army elite runner and Nature’s Trail Run champion Gerald Sabal.
In the 50K category, La Union’s ultra marathon champion Bullet Arellano and Baguio Twenty 1ne runner-up Julius Bay-an have registered. Three Philippine Star runners are also set to join the 50-kilometer race.
In the distaff side, expected to enroll in the last minute is Leds Opilla, the current 50K champion of La Union Ultra, while Sandi Menchi, an ultra runner, triathlete, and Cebu marathon champion, is gunning again to be a top podium finisher.
Race Director Philip Pacle is optimistic that the marathon will enlist at least 50-100 runners in the 100K marathon, while he expects some 100 to 50 runners in the 50K race.
Organized by RenderFarm Sports and Jones PR/J.T. Campos Corporation, for the benefit of Alaminos 100, the event is supported by various corporate sponsors that include: Pag-Ibig Fund, Pagcor, Zenco Sales, Globaltronics, Ayala Corporation, Smart Communications, Total (Phils.) and Pepsi Cola.
The media partners include The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Business Mirror, and Manila Bulletin.
Earlier, Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. favorably endorsed and expressed their support to the marathon, which will traverse the other western Pangasinan towns of Bani, Bolinao and Anda.
To register, one has to email renderfarmsports@gmail.com. Race Director Philip Pacle can also be contacted at 0922 260 4201, 0926 717 9344, and 074 424 1869 for inquiries. Deadline for registration is first week of March. (PR)