"on a shoestring"

Pounding bass speakers. Fireworks. Excited Runners. This is what you can see at the starting line of the most attended race event in the Philippines outside Manila.

Tweet: “3minutes before gunstart. Fireworks to light the sky of CWC.”

Here’s what makes my CAMSUR Marathon experience worth it.

C- Cheering Locals. Those high-fives with kids especially in small towns are like free sports gels, the only difference is that it makes your spirit stronger. I love it when townsfolk get outside of there houses just to see what’s happening. Very much encouraging.

A- Amazing Scenery. The majestic Mt. Isarog and ricefields on my left and right are always there (okay some creepy scarecrows too). I really love the scene as it feels I’m close home as my training ground is usually IRRI and mt. Makiling.

Tweet: “So dark, so peaceful running along ricefields, 8.5k ”

Tweet: “20k at 2:15, Mt. Isarog is on the right and the locals are doing high fives. Still strong”

M- Medal. I got a sili medal! This is my second “sili” medal as I already got a 21K medal a year ago. It was also the time that I promised to go back and run full.

S- Supportive Staff. The organizing staff can make or break any race but if its RunRio, you are sure that everything will be right. Thanks for the cold (Summit) water and fresh bananas, and the sports gel at KM.36 is very helpful.

U- Unselfish Cause. 10 trees for each runner made this run so worth it. I just hope that “EL VERDE Movement” would plant more and more trees. I also wish that I can plant a tree myself like what we did before in Norzagaray with Nature Valley.

R- Refreshing & Breathable Air. I’m no fan of air pollution, that is why I really don’t join Marathons in Manila, sorry. I love my lungs than the 42K finisher’s medal. So, CamSur Marathon is really a breath of fresh air.

At the finish line, thanks for the photo Katie B.

Tweet: “DONE! Sub 4:40″

My target time is 4:30, I was late 10 minutes but that is just fine because I really lack long runs. I’ve got to train more and run more.

Congrats to every finisher! Kudos to Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte and Coach Rio for staging another successful event.