Sur to Norte

After the successes of Takbo Para sa Pasko, Ilocos Challenge and Hardcore Marathon, the race directors of Bad Circle Runners are again introducing another kind of challenge to runners – an ultramarathon from Ilocos Sur to Ilocos Norte.

Dubbed as Ilocos S2N (Sur to Norte), this ultra-event will have an 80-kilometer distance starting from Santa, Ilocos Sur to Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It will be held on October 26-27, 2013 with two exciting categories: 80K Solo and 80K Two-Member Relay.

The event—which will gun-off at exactly 10PM on October 26—will have an 18-hour cut-off. The starting line will be at the Quirino Bridge, more popularly known as Banaoang Bridge, which connects the southern and northern parts of Ilocos Sur traversing over the Abra River. The finish line will be in Paoay, Ilocos Norte—the home of the famous Paoay Church and Paoay Sand Dunes.

After this event was posted on Takbo.ph and FB, the organizers from the Bad Circle Runners were surprised by the great response not only from local runners, but also from running enthusiasts from the different parts of the country. The Ilocos S2N page was flooded with registration announcements, confirmations of participation and slot reservations.

According to the early registrants from Metro Manila, besides the affordable registration fee which is only P900, the Ilocos S2N will give them a chance to visit the amazing tourist sports in both provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Among the sites they plan to see before and after the event are: Apo Caridad Pilgrimage Site in Bantay; Heritage Village and Baluarte Zoo in Vigan; Salomague Port in Cabugao; Sinait Church and “Apo Lakay”; Badoc Church and the La Virgen Milagrosa; St. Augustine Church and the Sand Dunes in Paoay; Marcos Mansion in Batac City; Provincial Capitol and the Sinking Bell Tower in Laoag City; Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and Kapurpurawan Rock Formations in Burgos; beaches in Pagudpud; and the Wind Farms in Ilocos Norte.

For the runners from outside Ilocos, this event will not only enhance their sports record, it will also enrich their travel experiences. For the local runners, Ilocos S2N will give them a chance to improve their endurance and running skills.

Thus, the night of October 26, 2013 will be very memorable for the sports fans in Ilocos—for it will be the start of the great moments of ultramarathon in Northern Luzon.

***

BARD NOTES: Special thanks to INWD General Manager John Teodoro, INWD Board of Directors and all employees of Ilocos Norte Water District. 

Happy bard-reading to Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos, Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas, Vice Mayor Michael V. Farinas, Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta, Board Member James Paul “Goro” Nalupta, Mr. Efren Bartolome, Ms. Pia Salapongol, Dr. Chester Puño, Dr. Sme Juancho Estrella and Atty. Yvette Convento- Leynes.

Happy reading also to Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, INEC Director Virgilio Calajate, Ms. Cecil Nalupta and the employees of Philippine National Bank – Laoag Branch, AMA – Laoag Campus,  DepEd – Laoag, Video City – Laoag, Runner’s High Specialty Shop, Land Bank of the Philippines and Ilocos Norte PNP.