The Quest for the Elusive 102km Muhon (Marker)

Essay Writing Contest Entry #151, BDM102 Edition.

There was something about the Bataan Death March Ultramarathon that piqued my interest. It was probably the fulfilment of finishing a 100+ km race, its invite-only status, and that there are only 1,400+ finishers in its 9-year run.

(Race kit claiming at Army Officers Clubhouse. Shit got real.)

What didn’t occur to me though were the challenges that I would be dealing with. The struggle of finding a support crew, the pre and post race logistics, finding time to train and the hot weather of Northern Luzon, to name a few. Of course, the most obvious challenge is running and finishing the 102 km route. I knew it will be hard. I guess it won’t be worth doing if it was easy.

(At the starting line with runner friends that I’m sharing support crew with)

The race started at the km 0 marker in Mariveles where the historical Bataan Death March commenced. The first seven kilometers had me pumped, it being an uphill path. I managed to reach km 50 in a little over 7 hours but my left knee buckled at km 55, where I started to slow down.

(At km 14. Pringles is life.)

After taking a painkiller at km 68, I managed to run my way to km 80 before the pain killer wore off and I was forced to sprint to km 83 because of a “surprise cut-off”.

(Second half, dig deep.)

The next eight kilometers were probably the hardest, as I was tired and limping. I took a 20 minute nap on a shed near km 86 and then slowly made my way to km 91. From there, I had enough motivation to keep moving as I was only 11 kms from the finish line.

(Last few kms. Banat!)

At km 96, my support crew exerted more effort in making me move faster than I could. I mustered enough strength to keep running, and thanks to them, I made it to the last muhon at San Fernando, Pampanga prior to cut-off.

(Certified BDM 102km Ultramarathon Warrior and Survivor. Photo with RD sir BR.)

What does it take to run one of the hardest Ultra routes in the country? It takes a village. A community of runners and support crew willing to aid and motivate others to reach the end. If asked, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

(The best support crew any ultramarathoner can dream of having)

No amount of thanks will ever be sufficient for the following people: Sir Jovie “BR” and Mam Rowena for the opportunity to run. Our crew, Mam Malou, sir Monte, sir Juden, sir Mico. I’m here to support if any of you want to run BDM anytime soon. To all the #10thBDM102 runners including Annie, Mark, Aris, Genevie, congrats and thank you! Sir Mark and the support crew of other runners who have lent their support in all shapes and sizes, thank you!

(Status report: Mission accomplished)

/*End of speech. Penge ng tissue. 🤣

#BataanDeathMarch #BDM102 #Ultramarathon #102km #ForThoseWhoHaveFallen