"on a shoestring"

I should be sound asleep because I will run 21K at United Run1 the following morning but I found myself cheering the 102K virgins and veterans as they start their travail on the 6th night of March, 2011. I was at the Bataan Death March Km.0 post to support my friends who are "crazy" to run 102 kilometers within 18hours.

The following are my tweets (in blue) during the loooooong and butt-numbing trip from Km.0 to Km.102. Along with pictures from Raymund, Banjo and Julito who are also part of the support crew for Alabang Snail Runners.

Also included are tweets from my hilarious runner/blogger friend Banjo of ULiKblog Runner (tweets in red and mostly in Tagalog). Please check hie site, a funny look on the Manila running scene. He also has a post about th BDM 102, you gotta read Part 1 and Part 2.

• just arrived at mariveles,bataan… ultrarunners are getting ready, i can feel excitement and "kaba" here

They are still smiiling here, let’s see what will happen after 50 kilometers…

• the travail to kilometer 102 just started. blinking lights, reflectors, headlamps line-up from km1-2

It was pitch black and a must to would-be 102ers to bring headlamps and reflector vest for safety.

• Nakalagpas na ang mga snail sa km.6 with killer uphills.. We’re now waiting sa Km 10..

Nice get up UltraRodel, you can serve as traffic enforcer afterwards…

• Update km 10: Ding, Sir Gil, Ambo, Xtian, Sir Toel, Vans and Rodel.. Si Sir Toel ang kulit gusto ata pumodium.. On our way to KM 14

Looking at the his watch, "Can I still make it to the top 3?" Peace Sir Toel

• the alabang snail runners just passed km32. the lead runner is 7k ahead. camila leads the women,followed by tin

Somewhere along the route, for support crew, you have to find ways to kill boredom. Or maybe the best time cam-whore, no we didn’t.

• the sun began to shine, most runners have crossed the 50th marker. weather is perfect, blue skies and cold air. atleast 1 DNF
• KM 50 na! All snails nagbihis at nakakain na ng agahan..

After this kilometer marker, legs began to be stiff, minds and hearts of runners will lead them to the finish line.

Look who leads the team? Follow the eldest, ayyyy, the leader pala.

• toel & rodel just crossed bataan-pampanga border. vans, ronald & ular of team boring 10mins behind them. temp around 36C. go ultrarunners!

 Massage. Massage. Massage.

The Support Crew of Team Alabang Snail Runners.

UltraToel & UltraRodel

UltraVans

• After almost 18hours on the road running, we salute 102K ultrarunnners Toel, Rodel & Vans

Wearing proud, the Survivor 102K Finisher.

• Tapos na ang race! Pauwi na kmi ng manila! Congrats SIR TOEL, VANS and RODEL for a job well done..
• on our way home… all snail runners finished the race within cut-off time, injury-free. ready for 160k next year?

Again, my congratulations to the 102K Bataan Death March Ultramarathon and to the Sir Jovie aka BaldRunner for organizing this one-of-a-kind ultramarathon experience.

Special thanks also goes to Run with Ronald Support crew, to Sir Jess and co and all the people who helped and prayed the team.

All photos from Banjo A. and Jojo P’s facebook albums. Salamat ng madami mga ka-suso!

Race Results can be found at BaldRunner’s site.