I've always wanted to go back to Corregidor Island. The bastion of our final stand against the Japanese conquerors of yesteryear emanates a certain sense of tranquility, indelible relics of a forgotten war amidst an austere setting seemingly frozen in time.
So much... history happened here.
The last time I went there, they were still showing Pinoy Wrestling and Takeshi's Castle on Channel 13 and Jestoni Alarcon was all the rage with his Golden Buddha movie. Back then, the likes of Rita Avila and Christina Gonzales did "ST" films. Nowadays, we just call them "indie" films.
The most famous mustache this side of Rudy Fernandez Okay so you get the point, I haven't been there in ages. That's why when Takbo.ph boss Jinoe gave me the opportunity to actually visit "The Rock" of Bataan, I jumped at it. Parameters were simple, yet I somehow understated the gravity of the event I was getting into. I thought it was your typical, run of the mill media meet and greet. Little did I know that it would actually entail...... running.
The Cast
Only a couple of brave souls actually made it to the trip, either because they were afraid of Jap ghosts or they were still nursing a hangover from Friday night. I was advised that I needed to be at the Sun Cruises dock before 7 am. Once I got there, I only knew one person and that was Marga, better known as the head honcho/creative brains/fun person behind Run Radio. Hosts Jaymie/TBR and Jay/Prometheus Cometh were conspiciously absent, apparently they had to attend to other matters.
As I was introduced to the rest of the group, I slowly realized one thing - I was in the company of athletic, good looking, smoking hot............ men. Which would have been awesome. If were a screaming teenybopper fangirl. Attempting to somehow find a niche in this group whose chiseled jawlines were much more akin to a reality show cast, I strived to use my running "expertise" to hold my own. That eventually led to conversations like this one :
GBM : Oh yeah, actually I nearly broke 50 minutes during my last 10k, am so happy! Imagine, I missed it by just 15 seconds! 15 seconds! Would you believe that?You could do it too with the right training.
Hunk #1 : Yeah of course of course. I felt the way when I hit my first sub...
GBM : Sub 60? Oh yeah that's easy if you want I can pace you! You can do it! I can help you!
Hunk#1 : My first sub-40 ......
GBM: (x_x) !!!!!!
Or like this....
GBM : Yeah yeah I'm actually an ultramarathoner, I did 50 kilometers. You know how people do marathons? I do more than that. That's so long, took me forever to do it . One day, perhaps when you're not too busy shooting commercials, you can try it out as well. But I'm warning you, it aint that easy to....
Hunk #2 : Oh yes of course. When I did 100k in Vietnam, I almost gave up at kilometer 70. But I persevered and finished it!
GBM: (@,@) !!!!!
Oh God I'm such a poser. I'm with real pros. Hot, movie-star quality pros. I'm so lame next to these guys . And while I would neither confirm nor deny if these actual conversations actually took place, I soon realized that these guys were awesome.
In all seriousness though, Pinoy Ultra Runner dudes Joms and Carlo along with lawyer/blogger Raymund were such nice fellows. We met race organizer/coach Edward Kho, who among others is known for taking triathlete Javy aka Tri'n Hard to new multisport heights. In related news, he immediately clarified that he had no relation to the doctor of scandalous fame. Deadringer though, ladies take my word for it.
Corregidor Gang The Start
Having come in at nearly 10 am, the heat was sweltering. After taking some welcome photos and leaving our gear, we went about our business in simulating the race route. Edward had mapped out the route 2 weeks prior, and this run was to primarily remeasure the distance in miles with GPS. Imagine. An actual race route which would cut through some of the richest historical heritage this country has to offer. My interest was particularly piqued at the prospect of getting an early look at this.
And so it begins....
Awe-inspiring views 
Marga is all revved up and ready to go So as we dashed out of the projected starting line, we were all brimming with excitement. Speed was picking up, literally gliding through these paths marked by the ghosts of wartimes past. This would be a cinch. As I was thinking this would be an easy day at the office, we hadn't reached more than a kilometer until suddenly there was a collective gasp amongst the group. And we stopped. O.... M.....G.
Are you freaking kidding me?The Hills
Bolstered by the sudden onrush of adrenalin from our giddy start, we were stopped dead in our tracks as a severe incline stared down at us. It rivaled the toughest uphill I have ever encountered, which was when I ran the Botak Baguio 21k race. This made me realize two things - First, the race would not be a walk in the park. And second, woe to those who would suddenly sprint at the start only to be pitted against the veritable Sisyphus stone of uphills. After you think you have cleared one..... there's more.... and more..... and more to come.
This.... is... hard.
So long boys!The Essentials
As always, I'll pass on making you use your precious time reading a terse mile-by-mile account of the proceedings. These are the things you need to know - we were tracking and remeasuring the route using our 305's, and the route was more or less 30% trail. The proposed distance is 10 miles, more or less 16 kilometers to those unfamiliar with that other measurement unit thing. If you want to see the race route, check it out here. Don't count the extra 1k though, that's me huffing and puffing my way back to the hotel.
The race is all set to go on November 29 at Corregidor Island. Registration will be limited to only 750 participants, with special packages that may include rooms and ferry transfers already. The reg fee is tentatively set at P1000, and this would be inclusive of a singlet, roundtrip ferry, island entrance fee, and lunch buffet. That is not a bad deal at all, considering some races will charge upwards of P600 for a singlet, timing chip, and a big dent to your wallet. So don't procrastinate on this opportunity guys, you want a repeat of NB again?
So why would you join this race again, given that these uphills are absolutely crazy?
Because of the views......
The trails.....
And it's incomparable history.....
In my opinion, this is actually a race that provides a unique appeal to a wide spectrum of runners. For the elites, the insane course could provide a pretty decent 10-mile warmup in a unique setting. For the serious runner, it would give a tremendous uphill/trail workout that would surely augment their current training program. To the recreational runner, this provides a wonderful opportunity to break away from the usual BHS-Mckinley-UP-MOA race routine, even for just a weekend. It could be a chance to hang out with you running buddies in a tremendous setting, take some awesome photo ops, and get in a good run/walk mileage builder in the process.
They say that oftentimes the ghosts of the past are oftentimes just that - ghosts. Ghosts that are relegated to the realm of the forgotten, disjointed memories that live on in the form of dinnertime anecdotes and fireside camping fodder. Truly, the heroes of Corregidor are but vestiges of a past that lives on through these seemingly tall tales. But as the essence of their sacrifice was forged through very real blood, tears, and an indomitable will to survive, surely they deserve something more.... fitting.
Perhaps by revisting the site of their greatest victory in synergy with the sport we love, the ghosts of wartime past would once again live on - if not for us, but perhaps for our children and their children as well.
History easily forgets. But people don't. See you at Corregidor everyone.
As always, I'll pass on making you use your precious time reading a terse mile-by-mile account of the proceedings. These are the things you need to know - we were tracking and remeasuring the route using our 305's, and the route was more or less 30% trail. The proposed distance is 10 miles, more or less 16 kilometers to those unfamiliar with that other measurement unit thing. If you want to see the race route, check it out here. Don't count the extra 1k though, that's me huffing and puffing my way back to the hotel.
The race is all set to go on November 29 at Corregidor Island. Registration will be limited to only 750 participants, with special packages that may include rooms and ferry transfers already. The reg fee is tentatively set at P1000, and this would be inclusive of a singlet, roundtrip ferry, island entrance fee, and lunch buffet. That is not a bad deal at all, considering some races will charge upwards of P600 for a singlet, timing chip, and a big dent to your wallet. So don't procrastinate on this opportunity guys, you want a repeat of NB again?
So why would you join this race again, given that these uphills are absolutely crazy?
Because of the views......
The trails.....
And it's incomparable history.....
In my opinion, this is actually a race that provides a unique appeal to a wide spectrum of runners. For the elites, the insane course could provide a pretty decent 10-mile warmup in a unique setting. For the serious runner, it would give a tremendous uphill/trail workout that would surely augment their current training program. To the recreational runner, this provides a wonderful opportunity to break away from the usual BHS-Mckinley-UP-MOA race routine, even for just a weekend. It could be a chance to hang out with you running buddies in a tremendous setting, take some awesome photo ops, and get in a good run/walk mileage builder in the process.
They say that oftentimes the ghosts of the past are oftentimes just that - ghosts. Ghosts that are relegated to the realm of the forgotten, disjointed memories that live on in the form of dinnertime anecdotes and fireside camping fodder. Truly, the heroes of Corregidor are but vestiges of a past that lives on through these seemingly tall tales. But as the essence of their sacrifice was forged through very real blood, tears, and an indomitable will to survive, surely they deserve something more.... fitting.
Perhaps by revisting the site of their greatest victory in synergy with the sport we love, the ghosts of wartime past would once again live on - if not for us, but perhaps for our children and their children as well.
History easily forgets. But people don't. See you at Corregidor everyone.
Gingerbreadman,
Tks a million for this great piece of writeup. Honestly, I'm really impressed with your writing style. Crisp words, vivid descriptions one could almost feel the experienece being recounted. Your intermittent jabs of humor is likewise unassailable. Elibs bro!
- thewanderboy
Thank you for the kind words Ed, I am hopeful that a lot of runners will join this wonderful race you're organizing. I'll surely be there, tremendous killer route that's absolutely worth it man. On another note, how's your scandalous brother? Hehehe.
anything about the history of the country, i'll highly endorse it and i like the idea. to make it more challenging, why not make it 2 loops around the island for a 20-mile (32K) distance?
Thanks for dropping by Sir Jovie, your support is very much welcome en route to the success of this event. Actually, the course is already quite challenging as it is, featuring severe inclines much like what one would encounter in Baguio, two loops may make it deathly to the recreational runner. Although of course if the race organizer would decide so, that would make this one heck of a challenging race! I'd surely join this, if only to pay tribute to our fallen heroes of yesteryear.
So, Luis, THIS is the Corregidor junket that you told me about back in RotaRun! Just because you're the one who said it, maniniwala na ako that a recreational runner like me can gut this one out.:) Problem is, I'll be out of the country Nov 29! Is the schedule final already? If it is, it looks like I've already missed my shot at a very unique running experience. Sayang.
Good one Luis!
Hey Julius! Believe me it was anything but a junket haha. The route was quite hard. But you can pull it off no doubt. Sayang sayang. Will keep you posted for additional updates :) Hope all is well hehe.
Uy Atty! How's it going man? Main character ka dito ah haha. HAppy that you liked it, takbo uli tayo one of these days :) Nice entry on this btw!
nov.29? sabay with the re-scheduled nb power run?hmmmmm historic race route and a more challenging one at that! hmmm who would want my nb power run 10k? heehehe
nice post luis!
Excellent write-up, Luis. You definitely convinced me. Looking forward to that race.
Cheers!
Hahahaah nice Tim :) Thank you thank you :) Alam ko na, ibenta mo kay Hitler! Kakagat un! :)
Thank you so much Macky, very happy you liked it :) Glad to hear you're joining! It should be fun man, and the packages are a good deal :) See you there!
Dear Luis - I like your humor how your wrote the post Luis, very typical of you.
I have done the route twice in 2009 and nothing could be better. You have the seaside run, elevations, trails, historical background, fresh air and with no motorist to compete with the road during race time. Highly recommended!
Hi Luis, I enjoyed the write up. I have visited Corregidor a couple of times but only done the tour on a minibus. I did run / walk some of the route though. It is an amazing place, full of history. I remember how steep some of those inclines were so appreciate how hard that race will be. Hope I can take part in that event one day !
Thank you very much SIr Amado! Glad you found it funny hehe :) I try! Oh definitely SIr. Awesome route, so many different intangibles that words cannot really do it justice. Main problem is New Balance moved Power Run against this. Let's see how it plays out. Thank you for dropping by sir!
Hey Dermot! I'm happy that you liked it! It's a wonderful place to stage a run in, and it appeals to all sorts of runners of differing levels of experience. Hope you could visit here in November!
AHAHAHAHAHA shet ka luis bakit di mo pa nireveal identity ng dalawang hunghunks.
re: photo of the corregidor gang -- the caption should be "marga and her super handsome harem." mwahahaha i look like one lucky biatch
Luis,
Sobra naman. I have not reached any 'heights' :P
Looks like a good race...too bad it coincides with the 'New' New Balance date...
This run would be a good choice if you're not running NB or Laguna de Bay ultramarathon 200km.
Thanks for a vivid description of the trail, Luis. I feel like I was there running.
See you there!
oh yeah, the reason why I wont join NB is because Team Hardcore ran/measured the New Balance Power Run route yesterday
:)
Really interesting race! (And nice write-up too man! --> bumenta!! as always)
I hope I get to join this.
Keep rockin' GBM!
Hey MArga! Hahahaha "Marga and her super handsome harem" sounds like a fun caption lol. Sila lang ung super handsomne mwahahahaha
JAvy, you're our tri idol hehe :) Sayang nga eh. Nagkasabay sabay na. I do hope that people would still consider this though, still an awesome race. Thanks for dropping by man! See you at Gold Loop :)
Thanks Jerry glad you liked it :) Good luck with your 200k relay. What about it, was the route short?
Tara Cath let's run this hehe :) Masaya siya promise :) Tapos pag pagod na, picture taking pace na lang hehe :) We haven't see you in ages, hope to see you soon!
nice one luis! you translated into words the adventure we've had at The Rock.
-joms-
by the way, i'm not from pinoy ultra runners. =)
'til then bro!
Thanks Joms! :) Glad you liked it man, had an awesome time with you guys. Oops you aint? So where you from ? Star Circle Batch 5? Hehehehehehe :P See you around bud.
too bad, kasabay ng new balance...is there a possibility that this date can be moved?...we would love to join!
norman
Hey Norman thanks for stopping by. I talked to the organizer and it looks like they are pushing through with this on the given date. Sumabay kasi New Balance sayang. Hey it's still your call, pero in terms of value differentiation, route, overall experience - IMHO this would be a tough one to skip. :)
Hi do you have data on the total ascent?