Some 150 marathon enthusiasts, who came from Santiago City, Isabela, Pampanga, Manila, La Trinidad, Benguet and Mountain Province, braved the steep trails, paved roads and scorching sunrays to finish the Lang-ay ultra run.
The purpose of this activity was to promote eco-tourism and healthy lifestyle, and explore new adventurous terrain as routes for succeeding running and trekking events that will soon be organized.
The event was initiated and organized by the Mountain Province Ultra organizers with Clint Clifton Valemcerina as race director, Racquel Chakas as logistics coordinator, technical race director Billy Regaspi, head marshals Alfred Wayne Apolinar and Aqueles Agnapan, and race timer Evonna Patingan.
Isaac Layogan, who is considered a special child finished the 20 km run with vigor. According to RD Clint Valencerina, he said that the participation of Isaac proves that courage and willpower are vital in joining a sports activity.
Winners were as follows: Virgilio Escano was declared champion under the male category of the 50 km run and Bryce Sapod Fagyan, as second finisher, while under the female category, Marcelina Ongan was adjudged champion and Flora Marie Khensay as 1st runner up;
In the 30 km race under the male category, Wayneric Lazaro ruled as over-all champion, and Berstein Kawi and Jessie Tambiac, as 2nd and 3rd finishers, respectively. On the other hand, the female winners were Fe Singlot, Jarrette Widwidan and Cherryl Ann Toyokan, 1st, second, and third, respectively;
Jomar Buclay ruled the 20 km distance run, male category, while Anthony Faswagan and Vican Farnican finished 2nd and 3rd rd places respectively. In the female category, Rowena Agang-ang finished 1st while Roxanne Roxas and
Kim Joyce Cullalad were declared 2nd and 3rd finishers, respectively;
The males under the 10 km category was controlled by Zhedrac Fagsao,
Thom Scott Fagsao as 2nd and Rogerson Sacyaten as 3rd. Kristil Fasawil reigned in the woman category while Ayrie Mei Alingawad and Aimee Fakat placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The kiddie obstacle race, boys category was ruled by Melvin Adchak, while Acwyz Adchak came up 2nd and Johnirin Kibatang finished 3rd. Khaway Sagorsor was 1st in the girls category, followed by Kheandle Shein Fachafad as 2nd and Jhadasah Aquino as 3rd.
Special awards were given to Farn Bongbonga as the youngest participant, and Francis Degay as the oldest runner.
Some of the runners disclosed that the route that passes thru the river control and mountain of barangay Samoki was breathtaking. And central Bontoc can be viewed from a different angle.
The sponsors of this sports event were the HOKA Oneone, Amihan, Kroomberg, 8a Performance, Lightwater, Vitaboost, Smart Communication, Basekamp, Kambal Pandesal, CMV Enterprise, Aijay’s Marketing, Lumnay General Merchandize, and Ardayn.
Race director Valencerina is extending his gratitude, in behalf of his co-organizers, to the supporters of this affair composed of the Philippine Red Cross-Mt. Province Chapter, SK-Samoki Chapter, Mountain Province Provincial Tourism Office, MPCGHS, MPCGHS-SPED, and a group of Pangasinense who are residing in Bontoc, Mountain Province.**By Francis B. Degay
