(Note: At last, I am in a place with a Wi-Fi Connection!)

Crossroad Going To Anda, Pangasinan

Brief Chat With The Tricycle Drivers @ Crossing Going To Anda

Trying To Reach My Support Vehicle On The Right Side of the Road

Bringing The Carabao To Pasture @ Bolinao-Anda Boundary

Nice Future "PAU Trophy" Design @ The Background

Cheap Fresh Fruits Along The Road

One of Those Downhill Roads Where I Met A Pro Cyclist

Finally, Infront of the Bani Municipal Hall

My Upperclassman @ The Academy & Municipal Mayor of Bani (He was out of the office!)

To be continued…

1st Day: March 15, 2011 (Bolinao Beach to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan)

I had my lunch, rest and sleep at the Caltex Station in Barangay Banog Norte, Bani, Pangasinan. I found out later from the owner that the place is called Prima Vista. The place has a restaurant, nice garden, Nipa Huts, clean Rest Rooms, and Gasoline Station. I had a brief conversation with husband-wife owner of the place. And they are nice and hospitable and they are both graduates from the Colleges in Baguio City. I told them that I am also a graduate from Baguio City and had been assigned in the area in the late 70s and early 80s, and then later as part of my Area of Operations in the 2003-2004 when I was a Brigade Commander. Now that I am retired, I am revisiting the area by running from Bolinao up to Mangatarem, Pangasinan. They wished me good luck. These guys are great, too!

Sinigang na Malaga & Mountain Dew (The "Nectar" of Ultrarunners)

At 2:45 PM of Tuesday, I left Prima Vista to resume my run towards Alaminos, Pangasinan which is 10 kilometers away. Those 10

Leaving The Boundary of Bani, Pangasinan

kilometers were hard on my left knee because the pain was still there but I maintained my Galloway ratio of 20:5 on the level/flat parts of the road but had to disrupt the ratio whenever the road goes uphill. I had to force myself to brisk walk on uphill portions of the road whether it is runable, steep, or medium-steep grade.

Uphill Terrain Going To Poblacion Alaminos

In one of my walking breaks as I was about 2 kilometers to Alaminos, I saw a lady wearing a t-shirt with the print—“Vote Maki Pulido!” I approached the lady who was watering a garden in front of their house and asked what elective position did Maki Pulido had ran during the elections. Unfortunately, the lady did not know Maki Pulido! After 200 meters, I met an old lady carrying a 2-3 year old kid and tried to ask the same question. Yes, I got the answers I needed. The lad said that Maki Pulido ran for Councilor of Alaminos, Pangasinan but she lost! If you don’t know Maki Pulido, you are not watching GMA TV7 News! There is no need for much explanation as this is not a post on politics but I am glad she did not win! No wonder I could not see her anymore with GMA TV7 News! (Note: After a brief research, Maki Pulido ran for a seat in the House of Representatives as Congresswoman but she lost. She is now back as a journalist of the GMA TV7’s Reporter’s Notebook.)

I Need To Rest...@ The Poblacion of Alaminos

Do your Mathematics!

After 1 ½ hours, I was able to reach the Poblacion of Alaminos and there was traffic on the main thoroughfare, Quezon Street, with vehicles as well as pedestrians who are students coming from the different schools at the center of the town. Those high school girls were giggling whenever they see me approaching them and I was surprised to know what could be the reason why they are laughing at me. Some bystanders would ask me where is my bicycle is and why I am not riding on it. Hmmm. I concluded that most of the people in Pangasinan identify a cyclist if he is using a compression/biking shorts! And those girls were giggling because they might think that I lost my bicycle and I caught them looking on my crotch area! Well, it could be the latter observation why these young girls were laughing at me.

I walked the stretch of 2 kilometers which is the whole stretch of Alaminos’ business area along Quezon Street. I tried to run and jog while there was still pain on my left knee but he pain was still tolerable. At this point, I was able to cover a distance of 50 kilometers but the surrounding was still bright and I wanted to be on the road until it was totally dark. My final goal was to reach the Poblacion of Sual which was 16 kilometers away! I made my rough calculation and it would not be possible to be running in the dark as I approached the zigzag road before Sual’s Poblacion. I tried my best to run, shuffle and walk until I could feel exhaustion on my body and tried to observe the pain on my left knee.

@The Boundary of Sual & Alaminos...I Remember My Friends In Legazpi City

Trying To Relax & Hiding My Exhaustion

Before sunset sets in, I decided to end my run for the day at Km Post #327, 11 kilometers away from Poblacion of Sual. My left knee needed some rest and we still need to look for a place where we could sleep. With the recommendation of the owners of Prima Vista, Covelandia Beach Resort was the place to look for a rest overnight!

Last Km Post For The Day @ Brgy SESELANGEN, Sual, Pangasinan

I was able to cover a distance of 55 kilometers with almost 9 hours of actual time with my feet on the ground. It was a nice run as a part of my training for endurance and heat training. My left knee was able to hold on due to my regular intake of Tylenol Tablet 500-mg every 3-4 hours. (Note: I took only 3 tablets for the whole day!) My water hydration every 2 kilometers; Gatorade Drinks every 1 ½ hours; and constant intake of solid foods were perfect for my nutrition and “feeding” of my body. I made sure also to urinate at least once every hour during the run. My salt intake for the 1st day came from the Pork Adobo and Sinaing Na Tulingan (cooked with salt, pork fat and dried kamias fruits) I ate for dinner at the COCOS Beach Resort. These foods were part of our “baon” for the running adventure.

After dinner at the Covelandia Beach Resort and a massage from my support crew, Marlon, I was already sleeping soundly at 9:45 PM.

The following are some of data during the 1^st day of the run:

Weather: Cold in the morning with breeze; Sunny & Hot at mid-day and getting cold in the late afternoon. Low at 26 degrees Celcius to High at 36 degrees Celcius.

Average Pace: 6 kilometers per hour (kph)

Shoes: ASICS Gel-Kanbarra  4

Socks: Black Puma Sports Socks (Applied ASICS “Chafe Free” Creme Courtesy of A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Store

Apparel: Under Armour Compression Shirt; New Balance Compression Shorts; Fort Ilocandia Golf Course Cotton Golf Cap; Ray-Ban Sunglass; Nathan Hydration Belt with Salt Water from Bolinao Beach & Bandana

Expenses:

                Beach Resort Accommodation—-P 1,850.00

                Gasoline (From Manila)————      2,000.00

                Lunch w/ Drinks @ Prima Vista——–800.00

                Gasoline (From Bolinao-Sual)—–     1,300.00

                Ice—————————————-     100.00

                Total————————————- P 6,050.00

Another post will be published about the place called, “Covelandia Beach Resort”

To be continued.

 March 16, 2011

Covelandia Beach Resort in Labrador, Pangasinan is located 13 kilometers way ahead from the place where I stopped on my first day of my running adventure. You have to pass by the Poblacion of Sual, Pangasinan before reaching this place. If you are coming from Manila/Dagupan/Lingayen, you can reach this place before reaching Sual, Pangasinan.

It was already 6:45 PM of Tuesday when we entered the Beach Resort and it was already dark. I could only see the lighted portions of the place and what was important was for me to take a cold shower, change my clothes and have my dinner. Of course, the place is more expensive than Mang Ador’s Place (Cocos Beach Resort) in Barangay Ilog Malino, Patar Road, Bolinao due to the first class amenities and ambiance of the place. Overnight stay cost us P 2,500 for the De Luxe Room with BIG beds and nice pillows, linens and towels!

The plan was to maximize our stay here up to check-out time at 12:00 Noon the following day and just relax in the cottages and restaurant near the beach area. We did exactly what we planned to do—took shower, slept for 10 hours, have dinner and breakfast, and relaxed at the restaurant/beach cottages of the resort. We spent P1,300 for the food we ate here.

At exactly 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, we left the place and proceeded back to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan for the start of my second day of running adventure. At 12:45 PM, I was back on the road!

@ Covelandia, Labrador, Pangasinan

Nipa Huts/Cottages

More Nipa Huts & Cottages

Kids' Swimming Pool

Main Swimming Pool & Water Slides

De Luxe Rooms @ The Resort

Coffee Shop, Parking Lot, & Administration Building (Left to Right)

Relaxing at the Restaurant

Breakfast With Coffee...and...

...Pancakes as Dessert!

To be continued…

12:45 PM March 16, 2011/Barangay Seselangen, Sual to Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan

I started my adventure run for the 2^nd day at 12:45 PM/Noon. You can just imagine what it is like to start your run at this time of the day. I did not have to worry because I prepared for this kind of situation for the past weeks that I had my “heat” training at the Remy Field Oval Track and the roads inside the Subic Freeport.

For the 2^nd day, I need to make some adjustments with my attire. I have to use the regular running shorts so that people along the way would not have the impression that I lost my bike or make myself as the center of attraction among the younger and older women along the road. I believe that Pangasinan is famous for cyclists that spectators think that if an athlete uses a compression shorts, he/she is a cyclist. I used my old reliable ASICS shorts with a red-colored ASICS technical shirt which have the latest technology of a sports shirt. My running cap (by Headsweats) was the one that I used in my first BDM 102 Race in 2009 which has a cover on the nape portion. As seen on my pictures, the cape on the back keeps on waving and flying because of the headwind I met during the run. The inexpensive NIKE soccer socks was transformed to a running socks with calf sleeves, all in one! And I like them. The feeling when you use this kind of socks is the same with using those expensive calf sleeves! In order to have a lighter stride, I used my ASICS Gel-LyteRacer which is a Racing Shoe with Stability. I was also using those cheap arm sleeves to cover my arms from the heat of the sun and they work pretty well.

More Efficient & Better Attire For The Heat & Hills Starting Point For The Day

 After the usual photo-ops from the starting line’s last kilometer post on the previous day, I started my run slowly, trying to warm-up my legs and my body. I usually do not have stretching exercises before starting my daily runs for the Adventure Run.

"Sel-lang" in Ilocano Means Crotch (Singit)

"Marin Headlands" in Sual, Pangasinan?

The Flat Road Before The Hills

Although it was hot, I was meeting a strong headwind as I approached the mountains/hills of Sual, Pangasinan. There were lots of rolling terrain before I started my climb towards the ever-famous Sual Zigzag Road where the only restaurants in the place were located in the 70’s and 80’s. On top of the Zigzag Road, you could see the Sual Cove with the South China Sea. Without any problems, I was able to reach the peak and the distance of Poblacion Sual is reduced to only 2 kilometers and I was able to cover 9 kilometers from the place where I started. Those were tough 9 kilometers towards this place. 

Running On The Right Side

 On this day’s run, I decided to run on the right side of the road with me travelling with the traffic. It got some relief from my left knee as I was able to balance my foot strike on the ground. I felt more comfort on my legs when running on this side of the road. I guess, this is a major adjustment that I did in this run. I was also very accessible to my support vehicle which would be waiting for me every 2 kilometers.

On this day, I also carried a small plastic bottle filled with water on my right palm which was also comfortable as I was used to carrying those Ultimate Direction Hand-held Water Bottle.

Slowly But Gaining Some Distance

Running On The White Line

Roller-Coaster Road Going To Sual, Pangasinan

Downhill Portion of the Road

Hot But With Light Headwind

Towards The Highest Peak

Weird Name of a Bridge

From the Sual Zigzag Road Peak Towards The Poblacion

Going Down...Down...

Racing With A Motorcycle?

REST With The Chair!

Why go to Cebu City when Danggit is available in Sual, Pangasinan? LOL!

 While passing along the Poblacion of Sual, I was able to inspect the stores that sell dried fish and fresh fruits. My crew was able to buy some of those ripe mangoes. I was surprised that most of the stores sell Danggit which is the dried fish famous from Cebu City. I really do not know if they are cheaper here but it costs P 450.00 per kilo. After running for 2 kilometers from the Poblacion of Sual, what was infront of me was the place where I stayed overnight, Covelandia Beach Resort. The place occupies a lot of space as seen from the road I was running through!

Aaahhh...The Joy of Running!

Eating Fresh Ripe Pangasinan Mangoes!

Jogging With High School Kids Who Were Going Home

A few kilometers more and I was able to reach the Poblacion of Labrador. There was traffic on the main road as most of the high school students were leaving the school and going back to their homes. While having my walking breaks, I started some conversation with the kids and it was relaxing! As I resumed my run, some of the kids joined me in my jogging and they were laughing and having fun. After a few meters, the kids stopped and it was timely that I was near my support vehicle. I had the chance to have some photo-ops with these kids.

A Pose With My "Pacers" & Future Runners

UYONG in Ilocano means "CRAZY"

 The road from Labrador to the next town of Bugallon is clear from so much traffic of vehicles. I am lucky to observe if there is one vehicle that I meet or pass me within the span of 5 minutes. As I looked around, I could see the sea on the left and the mountains on my right with rice fields. It was refreshing to see the things around me. After crossing so many small bridges and waving to people milling around on the corner of the streets, I was on the road with some kids on their bicycle trying to escort on the right side of the road.

Nice Background!

30 Kilometers Done For The Day

Last Km Post For The Day

I finished my run at 5:45 PM at Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan. I was able to cover a distance of 30 kilometers. After the photo-ops at the Kilometer Post, I entered in one of the carinderias and ate my early dinner of sinigang na native na baboy! Wow! The food and broth were great!

Duration of Running: 5 Hours

Distance: 30 Kilometers

Average Pace: 6 Kilometers Per Hour

Weather: Sunny & Hot with Light Headwind

Food & Water Nutrition: No Change from the Previous Day

Running Apparel: ASICS Shorts & Technical Shirt; NIKE Football Socks; Ice Bandana; Headsweats Runner’s Cap; Sunglass by Ray-Ban; Local Arms Sleeves

Shoes: ASICS Gel-Lyteracer

Tylenol Tablet: None

Expenses:

Hotel Accommodation @ Covelandia—-P 2,500.00

Food (Dinner & Breakfast)—P 1,300.oo

Fresh Fuits (Mangoes)—P 100.00

Ice—P 50.00

Gasoline—P 1,000.00

Dinner @ Carinderia—P 150.00

Total Expenses For The Day: P 5,100.00

(Note: Covelandia Beach Resort has NO Wi-Fi Connection!)

To be continued…

This post is not about running but it is one way of explaining while I wanted to experience going back to places where I’ve been during my younger years by running. The following stories happened during the period from 1978-1980, three decades and some years ago!

oooOOOooo

After serving three years in Mindanao since graduating from the Academy, I applied for a position which would bring me to be assigned in Metro Manila. A senior officer who held an important and sensitive position in Malacanang Palace was in need of young  and sports-minded officers who would be trained and pre-positioned as Regional Directors/Sports Coordinator with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (MYSD). It was then in the middle part of 1978. The plan was to expand MYSD to the different regions and develop sports in the grassroots level where each of us should be able to act as “catalyzers” in sports to the local government executives from the Provincial Governors down to the Municipal Mayors.

oooOOOooo

I was then a newly graduate of a Special Intelligence Course and most of us from the class were the core members who were recruited to be trained and projected to the expanded MYSD at that time. The country was then in Martial Law and the President would like to develop a holistic approach in sports development by discovering potentials in the grassroots level through Sports Meets and Competitions in the Provincial Level and later bringing the best to the Regional Level Competitions. I was one of the selected 14 officers to undergo a management/supervisory training on this endeavour, one Officer to each of the 12 Regions and 2 Officers for the National Capital Region (NCR). I was chosen to be assigned for Region 1 covering the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet and Mountain Province. The Regional Office was supposed to be located in San Fernando, La Union. (Note: This program was never brought out to the media and known by the public)

oooOOOooo

This challenging and gargantuan plan did not materialize. Instead, I was assigned as Intelligence Officer with a special task and had the power to send my reports direct to the President on all political, social, economical, and security matters that are happening in Region 1. I was also tasked to create and organize the different Civil Security Units (CSUs) in all the Regional, Provincial, and Municipal levels of governance to include Government-Controlled Corporations for the whole region. This task made me to travel a lot within the region, meet with local government leaders, conduct seminars and trainings, and “service” these organized CSUs on a regular basis.

oooOOOooo

For one year and 6 months, I’ve been assigned in Pangasinan and had an office within the City Hall of Dagupan. This was the time that I went around the whole province of Pangasinan. The Bolinao-Alaminos-Sual-Bugallon-Mangatarem Route was a memorable road because it was where I was able to hone and became expert in driving any kind of light vehicle. My service vehicle then was a Ford Fiera which resembled as one of the service vehicles of the Department of Public Works & Highways. It was a good “cover” for me where people would identify me as an employee or supervisor of the DPWH inspecting those workers and roadside cleaners contracted by the said office. There were times that employees of the DPWH would hitch a ride during my trips within the different towns of Pangasinan.

oooOOOooo

 Intelligence reports worth to be known by Malacanang Palace were the smuggling activities in Bolinao and Sual where ships would dock for awhile and drop some goods to the waiting local fishermen in smaller motorboats and bancas. Goods would range from motorcycles, electronics, textiles and canned goods. On the other hand, Sual, Bolinao, and Anda had been the usual pick-up points for smuggled bangus and shrimp fries to be transported to Taiwan’s fish pens. These areas which are considered as coves are favorite stop-over of ships plying from Indonesia to Taiwan & Japan during times of inclement weather. These places then were not guarded by our Coast Guard or the Philippine Navy. I spent some days and nights on these places observing on the things that were happening which were worth reporting.

oooOOOooo

There were not much houses and structures along the roads in the Western Pangasinan. The Carlos Romulo Highway was always flooded and not passable to vehicles and buses during the rainy season. The security problem then within the interior barangays along this highway was cattle rustling. Although the place was considered as the birthplace of the CPP/NPA Movement, the insurgents were not active in Western  Pangasinan during the 80s. At that time, there were no tricycles on the road.

oooOOOooo

I could still remember three (2) intelligence projects/cases which were brought to the attention of the President. These were the results of my intelligence operations in the province of Pangasinan. These were the activities of two separate groups of politicians and businessmen who were involved in the smuggling of bangus and shrimp fries out of the country and the smuggling out of the country of cured Virginia tobacco. I got the feedback from my “boss” then that these politicians and businessmen were called by the President to the Malacanang Palace and they were told to stop their illegal activities in Pangasinan (short of saying, they were “bawled-out” by the President)! The smuggling activities ceased to exist since their visit & “bawl out” session in the Palace!

oooOOOooo

The other intelligence project was a result of a report I made about the PC Provincial Commander in Pangasinan as the “main operator” and “mastermind” of the Jueteng operations in the province. It was the first time within Region 1 that Jueteng was introduced in the late 70s. The Provincial Commander was so brave to introduce the illegal numbers’ game to the province as he thought he could be backed up by the mother of the President. The PC Officer had served as the Security and Escort Officer of the Mother of the President for so many years! However, after I sent my report of confirmation on the presence of jueteng in the province, the Provincial Commander was relieved from his position immediately. After a few months, the PC Officer retired from the service!

oooOOOooo

Those were the days when the country was under Martial Law and the decision of the President was firm and decisive.

To be continued…

COCOS Beach Resort, Barangay Ilog-Malino, Bolinao to Poblacion, Sual, Pangasinan/5:00 AM August 20, 2011

It’s an Ilocano word for “It’s Done”.

I finished my self-proclaimed “West Coast 200-Kilometer Endurance Run” in 57:48:32 hours with the route along the Olongapo-Bugallon Highway from the Remy Field’s Oval Track at Subic Freeport to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

This is the summary of my daily runs:

September 21 (Wednesday). I was able to complete a distance of 73.5 kilometers, from the Remy Field’s Oval Track to the Poblacion of Botolan, Zambales with 18 hours on the road to include “pit stops”. Average Heart Rate: 135 bpm

September 22 (Thursday). I was able to complete a distance of 67 kilometers from Botolan, Zambales to the Poblacion of Santa Cruz, Zambales (the last town before reaching the boundary of Pangasinan). It took me almost 16 hours on the road to include “pit stops” and sleep in waiting sheds along the road. Average Heart Rate: 132 bpm

September 23 (Friday). I simulated this run at my own “race pace” which I purposely did at nighttime. I was able to complete the remaining 60.4 kilometers in 9:48:32 hours to include brief “pit stops” and some “photo-ops”. Average Heart Rate: 138 bpm.

I was able to finish my self-proclaimed run in almost 3 days with an average daily distance of 66+ kilometers! This could be my best performance in my adventure runs despite some setbacks (dog bites, LBM, recovery from my left knee injury and inclement weather on my last day’s run). A big improvement from my best daily run of 55 kilometers during my 1st adventure run from Manila to Baguio City.

This feat would not be possible without the snappy performance of my support team (a driver and a support crew). I would like also to thank my sponsors—A Runners Circle Specialty Store; FrontRunner Magazine, Northern Luzon Command of the AFP, 7th Infantry Division & 24th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and Reinier Pacific for their support on this adventure run.

Details on my training and preparation, details of the route and personal thoughts during the run, my running kit, and my daily experiences & photos will posted soon in this blog.

Leaving Sta. Cruz, Zambales & Going Towards Infanta, Pangasinan

3 Kilometers Away From The Finish Line (Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Finished The Run at The Alaminos-Sual Diversion Road

Now, it’s time to rest and recover and make a detailed account of this adventure run. How I wished I could post a “near real-time” account of this run but due to weak Internet connection along most of the the areas of the route, my time could had been wasted just to look for reliable signal or places with WiFi connections.

My special appreciation goes also to those who prayed and wished for my fast recovery/treatment for my dog bites and those who wished me for my safety and best of health during the duration of my run and trip in this latest adventure run. As always, this adventure run is dedicated to all the runners out there, whether you are a novice/beginner; average runner; or a seasoned ultra runner.

See you on the road and trails!

The following are the Rules & Regulations and Additional Information on the conduct of the West Coast 200K Ultra Marathon Run on November 1-4, 2012:

1. WEST COAST 200K (WC200) is multi-day stage run, a run of three (3) consecutive days which will start o/a 5:00 AM of November 1, 2012 at the Remy Field Oval Track at Subic Freeport (Olongapo City) and ends o/a 5:00 AM of November 4, 2012 at the Port of Barangay Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan.

2. This is a SOLO run. Runners will run along the Olongapo-Alaminos Highway covering a distance of 200 kilometers. A runner-participant has the option to join as an unsupported or supported. A supported runner can avail of a support vehicle and support crew. An unsupported runner will be on his own as he/she can avail of convenience stores & eateries along the route.

3. Pacer/s are not allowed.

4. Runners should always stay on the left side facing the incoming traffic. The race route is an Open Road and the runners shall share the road with other vehicles.

5. Support vehicles should always park on the far RIGHT side of the Highway. A runner will be disqualified if his/her support vehicle is parked on the Left side of the Highway. Support Vehicles shall not be allowed to “shadow” their runner. Only four-wheeled vehicles are allowed as support vehicles.

6. Runners will run or cover a distance of 70 kilometers on the FIRST Day. Runners shall assemble at the Remy Field Oval Track in Subic Freeport and the race shall start at 5:00 AM of November 1, 2012. The Finish Line/Area will be the Municipal Plaza of Botolan, Zambales. The cut-off time is 12 hours.

Remy Field Oval Track, Subic Freeport

7. On the 2nd day, runners will run/cover a distance of 70 kilometers. Participants should be at the Starting Area (Municipal Plaza of Botolan, Zambales) before 5:00 AM of November 2, 2012. The race shall start at 5:00 AM and the Finish Line will be at the Municipal Plaza of Infanta, Pangasinan. The cut-off time is 14 hours.

8. On the 3rd day, runners will run/cover a distance of 60 kilometers and it will be a NIGHT Run. Runners should be at the Starting Line (Municipal Plaza of Infanta, Pangasinan) before 7:00 PM of November 3, 2012. The race shall start at 7:00 PM and the Finish Line will be at the Port of Barangay Lucap in Alaminos, Pangasinan. The cut-off time is 10 hours.

Finish Line @ Vicinity of Lighthouse in Baranhay Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan

9. Podium Finishers’ Awards/Trophies will be given to the Top 3 Male & Top 3 Female. Finish Times  for the 3 stages will be added and  Finishers will be ranked from the fastest total of finish time  to the slowest. Official Finishers (Finishers within the Cut-off time) will be awarded with a Finisher’s Medal, Finisher’s T-Shirt, and Certificate. Points for the PAU Runner of the Year will also be awarded.

10. A runner is declared DNF once he/she could NOT meet or finish the stage within the prescribed cut-off time. The runner will not be allowed to run in the remaining stages of the race.

11. There will be NO Aid Stations along the route. NO Drop Bags will be allowed.

12. It is mandatory for every runner to have his/her hydration system; headlight/lighting system; reflectorized vest; and first-aid kit.

13. Unsupported runners could bring their camping tents and their extra clothes to be deposited at the RD’s vehicle which will be brought directly to the Finish Line of each stage.

14. Each of the Municipal Plaza in Botolan, Zambales & Infanta, Pangasinan has a Covered Court (with Comfort/Bath Rooms) and Lawn Area where runners could sleep/rest and take a bath. Please don’t litter on these areas.

15. Runners will be responsible for their meals and accommodation if they prefer to be housed in hotels/pension inns/resorts/homestays. There will be no curfews as it will be the personal responsibility of each runner to have his recovery and rest every after stage. There will be NO “socials” in every stage of the run.

16. This is the FIRST Multi-Day Stage Run to be held in the country. Let us maintain the INTEGRITY of this run and be proud to be a participant and much more if you intend to finish the event.

Additional Information:

The following are the recommended Resorts & Restaurants in Botolan, Zambales as suggested by the Botolan Tourism Office: (Note: Runners can directly contact these establishments through their respective contact numbers/websites)

1. C & J Sunset View Beach Resort. Contact Person: Mr Zaldy B. Yap. Contact Number(s): 0949-775-5082/0917-607-9207. Website: www.cjsunsetview.com

2. Rama Beach Resort & Restaurant. Contact Person: Mr Roger Bound. Contact Number: 0918-922-2863. Website: www.ramabeach.com. E-mail address: rama@zambales.net.ph

3. Westcoast Beach Resort & Restaurant. Contact Person: Mr Jun Gimeo. Contact Number(s): 0917-732-0716/0918-985-9352.

In Infanta, Pangasinan, there are NO resorts. hotels, or pension inns. There are restaurants in the nearby town of Sta Cruz, Zambales. Additional information on hotels/pension inns in Sta Cruz, Zambales will be posted soon on my Facebook Wall’s Event Page.

1st WEST COAST 200K Ultramarathon Race/Second Day

5:00 AM-7:00 PM November 2, 2012

Start: Municipal Park/Plaza, Botolan, Zambales

Finish: Municipal Plaza/Park, Infanta, Pangasinan

Distance: 72.5 Kilometers

Number of Starters: 32

Number of Finishers: 30

@ The Starting Line, Municipal Plaza/Park, Botolan, Zambales

***Those who finished the 2nd leg whose times were more than 14 hours were allowed to run for the next stage the following day (last stage).

1st WEST COAST 200K Ultramarathon Race/ 3rd & Last Day

8:00 PM November 3, 2012-6:00 AM November 4, 2012

Start: Municipal Plaza/Park, Infanta, Pangasinan

Finish: Barangay Lucap Port, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Distance: 56.6 Kilometers

Number of Starters: 30

Number of Finishers: 29

@ Infanta, Pangasinan Municipal Plaza With 30 Runners

The following are the Rules & Regulations and Additional Information on the conduct of the 1st West Coast 200K Single Stage Ultra Marathon Race on November 1-3, 2013:

1. WEST COAST 200K Single Stage (WC200SS) is a single-stage solo run which will start o/a 5:00 AM of November 1, 2013 at the Remy Field Oval Track in Subic Freeport (Olongapo City) and ends o/a 5:00 AM of November 3, 2013 at the Port of Barangay Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan.

2. This is a SOLO run. Runners will run along the Olongapo-Alaminos Highway covering a distance of 200 kilometers. All runner-participants has the option to join as an unsupported or supported. A supported runner can avail of a support vehicle and support crew. An unsupported runner will be on his own as he/she can avail of convenience stores & eateries along the route.

3. Pacer/s are not allowed.

4. Runners should ALWAYS run on SINGLE FILE. Running abreast with other runner-participants will not be allowed. This is a cause for disqualification.

5. Runners should always stay on the farthest left side of the road facing the incoming traffic. The race route is an Open Road and the runners shall share the road with other vehicles. Be always vigilant on your surroundings and be alert on the vehicles in front and behind each runner.

6. A runner-participant is limited to only ONE support vehicle. However, a support vehicle can support a maximum of three (3) runner-participants.

7. Support vehicles should always park on the far RIGHT side of the Highway/Road. A runner will be disqualified if his/her support vehicle is parked on the Left side of the Highway. Support Vehicles shall not be allowed to “shadow” their runner. Only four-wheeled vehicles are allowed as support vehicles.

8. Runners will not be allowed to enter their parked Support Vehicle once the Race starts. Runners should bring a stool or portable chair or folding bed positioned outside their support vehicle (within the view of other runners & roving marshals) if they intend to sit or lie down. Runners will not be allowed to sit or lie on any part of their support vehicle.

9. Runners are required to display a piece of tarpaulin with the words “RACE IN PROGRESS” on any side of their Support Vehicle. Race Organizer will not provide such tarpaulin.

10. Only the NAME of Running Group or Team’s Name of the Runner will be displayed on the runner’s Support Vehicle.

11. Corporate Brands will not be allowed to be displayed on the runner’s Support Vehicle.

12. Runners with Support Vehicle must submit to the Race Secretariat the Type & Make/Model of Vehicle; Color; Number of Support Crew and Plate Number.

13. The prescribed cut-off time for the race is 48 hours. However, there will be intermediate cut-off times along the route on the following checkpoints:

Kilometer #40——7 Hours

Kilometer #80——15 Hours

Kilometer #100—–22 Hours

Kilometer #140—–32 Hours

Kilometer #180—–42 Hours

Kilometer #200—–48 Hours

14. Podium Finishers’ Awards/Trophies will be given to the Top 3 Male & Top 3 Female. Official Finishers (Finishers within the Cut-off time) will be awarded with a Finisher’s Belt Buckle, Finisher’s Medal, Finisher’s T-Shirt, and Certificate. Corresponding Award Points for the 2013 PAU Runner of the Year will also be awarded.

15. A runner is declared DNF once he/she could NOT cross each checkpoint within the prescribed cut-off time. The runner will not be allowed to run the course once he/she is declared DNF in the race.

16. In case of emergency and/or reports of DNF, the runner or support crew should contact Cellphone # 0918-965-9895 and provide the following information: Name of the Runner; Race Bib Number; Location of the Runner; and Nature of Emergency or Reason For Declaring as DNF.

17. There will be NO Aid Stations along the route. NO Drop Bags will be allowed.

18. It is mandatory for every runner to have his/her hydration system; headlight/lighting system; reflectorized vest; and first-aid kit. These items will be inspected before the start of the race. Unsupported runners must bring with them a cellphone.

19. Registered runners are advised to bring their BPI Deposit Slip to the Starting Area on Race Day and this will be used to redeem their Race Packet/Race Bib.

20. Each of the Municipal Plaza in Botolan, Zambales (Km #70) & Infanta, Pangasinan  (Km #140) has a Covered Court (with Comfort/Bath Rooms) and Lawn Area where runners could sleep/rest and take a bath. Please don’t litter on these areas.

21. This is the FIRST 200K Run under the auspices of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) to be held in the country. Let us maintain the INTEGRITY of this run and be proud to be a participant and much more if you intend to finish the event.

22. It is the responsibility of the runner-participant to inform, advise, and instruct his/her designated support vehicle DRIVER and SUPPORT CREW on the Rules & Regulations of this Event.

23. Runners are reminded of the presence of dogs along the course. Take precautionary measures in dealing with them.

24. Runners are also reminded to talk politely to the locals and greet them as you pass them. There will be a lot of people and vehicles on the cemeteries along the road as the days of the event are declared as “Public Holidays” to honor the dead.

Good luck and have fun!

Finisher’s Belt Buckle

2nd WEST COAST 200K (Single Stage) Ultra Marathon Race

Starting Area: Remy Field Oval Track, Subic Freeport, Olongapo City

Finish Area: Barangay Lucap Port, Alaminos City (Pangasinan)

Start Time: 1:00 AM November 1, 2014

Finish Time: 1:00 AM November 3, 2014

Cut-Off Time: 48 Hours

Number of Starters: 18 Runners

Number of Finisher: 18 Runners

18 Runners @ Remy Field Oval Track, Subic Freeport

RANK                         NAME                                        TIME (Hrs)

1. Lao Ogerio (Champion, Overall)—————–33:39:22

2. Merbert Cabral (1st Runner-Up, Overall)——33:59:40

3. Dindo Diaz (2nd Runner-Up, Overall)———35:48:58

4. Rhoda Oporto (Champion, Female)————36:53:40

5. Eric Cruz ——————————————39:47:39

6. Bong Dizon—————————————-40:16:21

7. Gia Estrella (1st Runner-Up, Female)———-40:24:02

8. Allan Sabado————————————–41:12:10

9. Lyra Valles (2nd Runner-Up, Female)———41:55:10

10. Myk Dauz—————————————-42:50:09

11. Ariel Briones————————————-43:23:54

12. Marlon Santos———————————–43:28:56

13. Robert Watson———————————–43:40:28

14. Amor Gabriel, Jr.——————————–44:54:45

15. Jocelyn Lanas (Female)————————-45:55:04

16. Tess Leono (Female)—————————-47:34:37

17. Manny Ocampo———————————-47:34:38

18. Ray Paras—————————————–47:58:55

Overall Champion Lao Ogerio

Lady Champion Rhoda Oporto

Congratulations To Everybody!

1st “WEST To EAST” 280K Ultra Marathon Race: The Longest Solo & Single-Stage Ultra Marathon Road Race In The Philippines.

Starting Area: Bolinao Sports Complex/Bolinao Municipal Hall, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Finish Area: Pacific Ocean Shore, Barangay Tanguige, Dingalan, Aurora

Start Time: 5:00 AM Thursday, April 2, 2015

Finish Time: 2:00 PM Saturday, April 4, 2015

Course Cut-Off Time: 57 Hours

Intermediate Cut-Off Time: 10 Hours Every 50 Kilometers

Number Of Starters: 11 Runners

Number Of Finishers: 7 Runners

Percentage Of Finishers: 63.63%

RANK                    NAME                                       TIME (Hours)

1. Henry Laron (Overall Champion, Course Record)—-51:32:09

2. Elmar Bob Tolete (1st Runner-Up, Overall) ——-52:00:36

3. Thomas Combisen (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) —-52:27:52

4. Bong Anastacio ——————————–53:34:18

5. Marlon Santos ———————————54:31:18

6. Romhel Biscarra —————————— 55:21:37

7. Benedict Meneses —————————– 56:32:20

Overall Champion Henry Laron 

Overall 1st Runner-Up Elmar Bob Tolete

Overall 2nd Runner-Up Thomas Combisen

Finisher’s Buckle

Finisher’s Medal

Finisher’s Shirt

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

4th West To East 280K Ultra Marathon Race (Road/PAU Grand Slam Event 200+K)

6:00 AM March 29, 2018 To 2:00 PM March 31, 2018

Starting Place: Ramos Beach Resort, Patar Road, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Finish Line Area: Seaside Resort, Barangay Tanguigue, Dingalan, Aurora

Course Cut-Off Time: 56 Hours (Intermediate Cut-Off Time: 10 Hours Every 50 Kilometers)

Number of Starters: 7 Runners

Number of Finishers: 3 Runners

Percentage of Finish: 42.85%

West To East 280K Starters @ Bolinao Beach

RANK          NAME                FINISH TIME (Hrs)

1. Gibo Malvar (Overall Champion) — 52:52:01
2. Roberto Vocal Jr (1st Runner-Up, Overall) — 55:16:34
3. Rod Losabia (2nd Runner-Up, Overall) — 55:40:29

Champion Gibo Malvar

Overall 1st Runner-Up Roberto Vocal Jr

Overall 2nd Runner-Up Rod Losabia

Mandatory Ritual @ The Finish Line (Pouring Sea Water From The West To The East Coast)

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

Note: Pictures By Dhan Punsalan