6th Bataan Death March 102KM Ultra Marathon 2014 (BDM102)

Bataan Death March (BDM) Ultramarathon  is a commemorative race tracing the route where around 70,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forcibly transferred by foot from the battle field of Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga during the World War II. Thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war died before they could reach the final destination at Camp O'Donnell. This race, BDM as famously known by  most runners in the country is at its 6th edition this year. 

I had been part of the race for several times in the past, twice to be exact, as support crew/pacer in both BDM160 and BDM102. I witness how tough the race seeing from the experience of others but I never thought it will be that challenging as I add my  own BDM102  experience to my running adventure. For some,  it take six months to a year to prepare for the race. One friend of mine compare BDM race to a wedding preparation, one year in a making. The physical and mental preparation, the support crew and support vehicle as the entourage , the food and hydration as the food in the reception, to decide on what running gear to wear as the wedding gown and the 102km distance as  the long aisle that everybody will walk through and be part of. Mine was a different one, a photo finish event. 

BDM102 was not on my list of races to run this year. I know I will be able to run it one day  but not very soon. Mid week before the race date,  our mission (together with my other two friends) was just to convince a friend who registered but decided  not to run it anymore, mission accomplished for us but with a package of me having to run the race as well. Coming from a mountain trail run of the same distance the weekend before the race, I know it was a foolish decision to do such. I haven't really recovered from the race last weekend yet. But my stubborn self gave it a thought and finally said, why not. I come to the starting line on a half support crew half runner mode. I really do not know if I can run the race, I cannot even get excited with the thought that I am going to run it. 

Thirty minute before the gun start my race bib was finally handed to me, this is it, I will be running BDM102km in few minutes. I had to rush to get myself ready for the race. I was finally standing at the starting line now as a runner, not a support crew. Lots of familiar faces, 300 starters. And to my surprise there were around 6 of us from H1P1 race that also joined the race including Mr. Sang from Korea. My game plan, I know this is not going to be an easy race for me but I will just take my own pace and enjoy the route. I know my friend Kat with Bren,  as I share the support vehicle of my friend Bernard, will  take care of my needs as I go along the distance. I will just take things one at a time, distance by distance. 

Gun start at 10:00pm of March 1, all runners at its reflector vest for safety, the first 2km is flat which is a good warm up and it goes to 5km uphill, which was just fine with me. I take my own relax pace as I started climbing the ascend part, it wasn't as humid as I expected it to be. Kilometer by kilometer I go, Kat  and Bren has been doing great in handing me my nutrition and hydration from time to time.  Runners catch up with me, I sometimes catch up with others. I wanted to take advantage of the night time so I just went on with my own relax pace.  I started to sweat as I move further, everything seem fine except for one thing. I just had my monthly period a week ago and I still had my very minor discharge but I did not wear any pad on the race anymore. As I slowly move a little longer I can feel a little discomfort on my private part, looks like a chafing started. This is my first time to experience such on the many ultra races that I had in the past. I did not mind it but I never thought this will become a major discomfort towards the end of the race. 

I reach 50km mark (midway) 7:00 hours after gun start, it was still dark. I decided to take a 15 minute nap, elevate my legs but wasn't really able to sleep but at least I was able to rest. I loaded my hydration bottle with water, drink my favorite Coco Quench hydration drink and eat a little and off I go again. The road was dark and I felt cold. The breeze from the rice fields and the trees were cold. I have to run on a faster pace a little bit to warm up my body temperature. Slowly from dawn to dusk I witness the break of the day. This is going to be a hot day as I saw the horizon.  I slowed a bit on my pace, I got hungry, and can now feel the mercury going up. It gets warmer. I am now on the busy highway of Bataan, seeing clearly the other runners, the support crew and the rest of the community wondering where we come from and where we are going.

As I move further, I was getting slower, it was getting warmer. My feet slowly get wet, but no signs of blisters, thanks to the injinji socks. Its my legs that I can feel the soreness, my calves, my quads, my right knee aching. I really do not know which one that was giving me discomfort but I know I am not getting any better. And as I started to sweat continuously and water drips up to my feet, I can feel discomfort on my private part too. As I enter the 15 kilometer stretch of Dinalupihan highways after running of over 60km distance even at mid morning, I started my routine of applying sunblock on my exposed skin, ice cubes wrap on my neck with buff head wear  and ice cubes on top of my head under my salomon cap, regular spray and pour of cold water on my body. I survive on  freezing cold water melon and Coco Quench drink. I know this is going to be the most difficult part of my adventure, the scorching heat of  the sun. I can feel I was placed on a huge mircowave oven at its highest temperature. It was a torture seeing the long stretch of the highway, so straight,  so flat without any curve and so hot. Hearing runners' word of encouragements as they pass by me really lifts my spirit and all the more from the support crew, my own and those from other runners,  who offer their supplies, food, water, etc.

At some point I decided to change shoes and socks hoping that it will help my slow snail pace pick up a much faster pace as I just want to get this race over with and be done with it but still to no avail. I was just too slow, alternating with brisk walk and jogging pace. My tough race a weekend before is now calling its toll on my not fully recovered body. All the discomfort I felt, the chafing on my private part got worst that I can feel it every time I move faster and every time I pour water on my body, my legs getting more painful. Time passes by, mid day, I was still on the stretch of Pampanga. A bright cloudless day, others said it was 32 degrees C, others said it reach 39 degrees, but there was just one thing I was sure off,  it was just too HOT and this is part of the challenge.

My hope of a much earlier finish was not a realistic one anymore, I just take my own time, walking, jogging just making sure that my legs will get me through until the finish line within cut off time. Having been to this route twice in the past, I know too well the curve, the bend, where to turn left and right up to  the finish line. I know I am not going there very soon, while at its hottest part of the day, I just move a slow pace forward together with other runners with the support of the crew from different runners. All of them were just too kind to offer help to each and every runner that will pass by them.

At some point, while trudging the long street under the scorching heat of the sun, it dawned in my mind how hard what our soldiers went through during the war, I may not have any of my immediate relative who took part of that  ordeal during the war, but I am sure they went through worst than what I  experience during the race. I also think those  runners who joined this race from the very 1st edition up this race, and most especially those who did the BDM Grand Slam each year. Really my salute to them for this race is not an easy feat. This year's edition may have been much much warmer as compared last year or even in the past editions due to the dry spell that effected not just the country, but really my  respect to all of those who did this race in the past.

I cross the finish line with a time of 17 hours and 17 minutes with so much lessons learned from the race.  One thing I realized BDM race is not only about the runner, it is a community of runners and support crew that make dreams a reality. I know I could not have made it and cross the finish line without the help of great people along the way. I'd like to thank Bernard for sharing his support team with me, Kat and Bren for taking care of my needs, to my Ayala Triads family for all the support and all the support crew who in one way or the other helped me on my journey. I thank God for keeping me safe while on the race, I thank Him for giving me the patience to finish despite all the discomfort. It was indeed a very long uncomfortable aisle for me but I am glad I finally make this a check of my list.

BDM is about helping each other, its about a runner with a dream having to run through the historical route  and a group of support team that tirelessly and selflessly share their time and strength just to make the mission fulfilled.  It is also a race about endurance, perseverance and patience. One thing that may help a lot in finishing to those who dream of doing this in the future aside from the hard training months prior to the vent, it will also help if one will crew first on the same race, or join the trial run that is organized by the Race Director and at least do your own trial run. Do not be ashame to ask for help from the crew of other while on the middle of the race. And please do not cheat, do not ride just to save time and finish within cut off time. Please show respect to those who suffered first during the Fall of Bataan way back April 9, 1942 and to those who run the race in the past editions.

Again, let me say this, thank you so much Katrina Constantino for literally my strength on this race. Indeed you make dreams happen to those people who believe in themselves. Thank you too Bernard Enriquez for sharing your resources to runner like me. Thank you Rica Mendoza for always being there. To the Race Director, Sir Jovie, thank you for giving me a chance to run this race. It was indeed an epic one.

And my adventure will continue. Next stop will be another road run but a shorter one.

BDM102 2014 Race Result

Support Crew for BDM160, Recon for BDM102 (2013)

BDM160 starts 4am, BDM102 is at 10pm.  Here are the notes along the way until KM102. (As recorded by Rica.)

0400  KM00  to KM02  - Flat city road. Pretty narrow for the first kilometer.
          KM02  to KM06  - Uphill with zigzags and passing buses and trucks.
          KM06                  - Landing/parking area
          KM14                  - Turn to the right upon reaching the road fork.
                                         Area's mostly residential.
0630  KM18                  - Merge with the highway. Terrain's rolling
0730  KM23                  - Turn to the right upon reaching the road fork.
                                        Sun was up & heat's on at this time.
         KM24  to KM27  - Flat road. Poblacion/market area.
0810  KM29                  - Zigzag uphill road with no shoulder/pit stop
         KM30                   - Rolling road and merging with the highway
0850  KM32                 - Turn to the right upon reaching the road fork.

        KM34        - Poblacion/market area again. Due to the road/bridge construction, the runners and vehicles had to turn right towards TESDA. Afterwhich, for the runners, turn left on the first corner.  For the vehicles, turn left on the succeeding corner or the next then turn left on the dead-end and turn right of the main road.

1000  KM38               - Ricefields/Residential
         KM42               - Residential
1100  KM44               - Merge with the highway. Rice fields
1200  KM49               - Lunch at an eatery. Area's got scarce eateries. 
         KM50               - Spacious, unshaded landing/parking area
1251  KM53               - Merge with the highway. Rice fields
         KM55               - Rest stop
1400  KM57               - Rest stop
1424  KM60               - Rest stop
1459  KM62               - Rest stop
1517  KM65               - Rest stop
         KM67               - Merge with the highway.
1607  KM68               - Dinalupihan. Keep left after the statue at the Rotonda.
                                     Rest stop at the Petron station across
1645  KM72               - Rest stop
1754  KM77               - Rest stop. Reflective vest on
1810  KM78               - Double Happiness/bus stop area with choices
                                      of eateries/pay rest room (P5)
         KM80                - Dusty road/under construction
1904  KM83               - Turn to the right upon reaching the road fork.
                                      Less-populated. Turn to the left upon reaching the road
                                      fork.
         KM84+              - Merge with the highway. Poblacion/market area
1932  KM85+              - Rest stop
         KM89                 - Rest stop
2049  KM92 or 93       - Rest stop
2116  KM95               - Rest stop
2145  KM99               - Rest stop
2148  KM100             - Rest stop
2202  KM102             - Check-in for KM102 to KM160
2300  KM102             - After a meal and nap, off from KM102 to KM160

Profile map:

Notes:

1. At all times run at the furthest left of the road facing the traffic but also be careful with cars overtaking other vehicles from the back.  If needed,  go down  the paved road and run on the shoulder of the road with gravel and stones.

2. Runners will share the road with all kinds of vehicles (trailer trucks, buses, cars, tricycles, motorbikes, bikes). Be extra careful and attentive at all times. In the evening it's a must to wear a reflective vest and headlamp. There are instances that tricycles and motorcycles do not have lights on while on the road, be very careful with this one as well.

3. Run in single line and take extra precaution when overtaking other runners.

4. Some parts of the road are dusty, be ready with it.

5. Bataan Death March (BDM) road kilometer markers are all at the right side of the road, this will serve as the only signage and markers of the race.

6. Support vehicle is only allowed to stop at the right side of the road. Be very careful when crossing the road to go to the support vehicle.

7. As of 10th of February, the weather in Metro Manila has gone up tremendously. Gone is the cool breeze and one can feel the start of the summer heat. I can imagine how much more come race day. So while on the race, take advantage of the coolness of the evening, cover as much kilometer as possible with extra care,  hydrate more often, have a ready ice cubes on the cooler and lots of cold drinks. An ice cream come day time will be a good treat probably.

The start of BDM102 is at KM00 near Mariveles Municipality Hall. There is a Jollibee fast food chain before reaching this office which I guess will serve as a final pit stop for the runners before the start of the race. For BDM160 since the race start 4:00am Jollibee is not open to serve food to the public yet.

Coming from Manila KM00 is at the right side of the road before reaching Jollibee and Mariveles Municipality Hall. A starting line banner will be placed on a small paved area near this signage.After the gun start, support vehicle can wait the runner either at the next 2nd kilometer distance before going up to the zigzag road or support vehicle and crew can wait at 6km mark at the landing/parking area at the top. No vehicle can wait and stop at the zigzag road for that part of the road is just too narrow.

KM19 is another rolling highway. At BDM102, this is still going to be dark and hopefully less vehicle.

After the KM23 mark as one can see at the right side of the picture above and the road after the car that is park on the left side of this picture is a right turn. For BDM102, this part will still be dark, a runner can most definitely notice this part as many support vehicles will be waiting before the right turn. But still a runner should also be mindful of this turn,  as one runner missed this turn at BDM160 even on a broad day light and even with support vehicles parked. Right after the right turn is a slow minor ascend.

Another stretch of the highway, runners will be sharing with all this vehicles on the race.

Dinalupihan area, KM68 mark of the race, one of the busiest part of the race route (based on my observation) and most of the runners that joined this race in the past said the heat of the sun starts on this area. Before reaching this part is a wide busy street until the road reach a bridge then into this busy intersection. As seen in the picture above, runners will be coming from the street behind the traffic lights. Just stay on the left side of the road, then cross on the road towards the first center island as one can see on the picture below then cross to the second center island with the green signage and the Death March 68KM marker.

Three road intersections on the left side, two center islands. After the second center island is the third  road that turns left, cross this street and run towards the Petron gasoline station. Be very careful with all kinds of vehicle that is crossing on this part of the road.

Right after the busy confusing intersections with two center islands will be this Petron gasoline station. This part can be a pit stop and support vehicle can wait on the left side (I hope it will be allowed) of this road as crossing to the right side to replenish supply is too dangerous, all kinds of cars really run fast. Be it the runner from the left crosses to the right side or  the crew from the right side of the road crosses to the left side of the road (either side) one should be very careful crossing the street.

One may see this street sign NO OVERTAKING  but promise drivers do not follow this. I see it right before my own eyes how all kinds of vehicles overtake each other if there is an opportunity. So runners should be very careful not just to in coming vehicles but also vehicles coming from behind. So  always follow the 'run to the furthest left' rule of the race director.

Double Happiness Restaurant on the left marks the 78km of the route. This is a bus stop terminal area with eateries and toilets inside. Crew can get food here but part of the race rule,  runners cannot get inside. At the right side of the road is a Shell Gasoline station.

Towards the last 10 kilometer stretch of the race route Death March markers are more frequent as compare to the earlier stretch of the race. This is just a flat straight road with some intersections but runners should just follow the straight road.

As the cut off finish of 18 hours is 4:00pm, this part is expected to be hot and sunny, this is an open area with tall bushes and grass on the side without any shade at all. Be prepared with it.

Last 3 kilometers of the race, the route is towards  the Municipality Hall of San Fernando, Pampanga, then a turn to the left to the old train station which is the finish line.

From the highway, a runner running on the left side of the road can see the Municipality building on the right side of the road, a big one with tall steel bar fence. Upon reaching a small street on the left with an arch turn left, enter this small road, that is few meters towards the finish line. A runner should not miss this part for all the support vehicles are only allowed to park on the main highway before entering this small street.

And this is the finish line of BDM102. A finisher's banner will be placed on the road near the old train station.

Writing this makes me feel so excited for all the runners doing this race.  (Ako ang na-excite para sa yo Rica Mendoza.)  I hope I was able to give a clearer picture of the race route and how important safety is at all times. I wish  a safe run to everyone on the race. This goes not just to the  runners but also to the support crew and the marshals. Good luck every one and happy running.

Some of the pictures are taken from the photo album of Rica Mendoza and Roger Villareal. Thank you to Rica Mendoza for the notes too.