50/50 Sundown Ultramarathon

Last April 27 to 28, Bohol province played host to back to back ultra road races – the 50/50 Sundown Ultramarathon. The 50-mile (80 kilometers) road race started at the famed Chocolate Hills in Carmen town and ended in Panglao Island. The 50-kilometer ultra started in Loboc town and also ended in Panglao Island.

The 50-mile race was topped by local runner Felix Cenia of PMI Colleges, Bohol. Cenia breasted the finish line in 8:01:16. Andy Tunacao landed in second place in 8:12:07, while Aljon Vildosola settled for third in 8:18:17.

Cebu’s ultramarathon standout, Virginia Parajenog of Toledo Adik sa Dagan (TAD), emerged champion in the female 50-mile category with a time of 10:13:31. Daisy Batac, also of TAD, placed second in 11:35:34 while Melchora Masota of Team Safari settled for third place in 12:12:23.

Paul James Zafico of Runroo outclassed the men in the 50-kilometer race with a time of 3:56:56. Rodney Celeterio was a far second clocking 4:27:10 while Adolfo Salas, Jr. settled for third with 5:00:35.

Analisa Dacayana of TAD won the women’s 50-kilometer race in 6:12:11, followed by Melchomelda Kitane with 6:20:41 and Grace Diocampo with 6:41:06.

3rd Labor Day Coast Coast Ultramarathon

Meanwhile, Cebu province once again played host to Labor Day Coast to Coast Ultramarathon, a 65-kilometer road ultra – 3 days ahead of May 1. This year’s edition had runners running the original route in reverse starting at the Cebu Provincial Capitol and ending in Toledo City passing through the undulating and soul-crushing hills of Transcentral Highway.

Sixty-six (66) of the 93 runners in the solo category who started the race finished within the cut-off time, while all 6 relay teams finished.

Robert Daang emerged champion in the men’s solo category with a time of 6:31:01 followed by Herman Quanico in 6:57:20 and Jimmy Yu in 7:31:25.

Rhoda Oporto led the women’s winners with 8:36:55, followed by Frijie Laude with 9:11:43 and Jocelyn Crimard with 10:31:50.

The two-men team of Noel Tillor and Sherwin Managil lorded over the relay teams with 6:31:01.