A marathon experience

SUBIC, Zambales – The Smart Subic International Marathon, as far as marathons go, was unique. It wasn’t just the time of the start – close to 4:30 p.m. – it was the inordinate number of first-time runners. The hospitable temperature and lack of rain was particularly encouraging.

It was also the first time a race of this kind – and of this size – has been staged on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

“We are so grateful for all the support, especially from our partners,” said retired police general Sam Tucay, race director and founder of the marathon. “This has been such a fun and gratifying event to do.”

One hundred and fifty policemen joined the elite race. Executives of PLDT-Smart and Smart Sports were on hand to observe their partnership in action.

From the get-go, a small pack of Kenyans broke away, surrounded by a handful of marshals on bicycles and vehicles with their blinkers going, carrying photographers, videographers and race officials. For a while, top Filipino finisher Hernanie Sore stayed with them, even briefly taking the lead. But as the field stretched out into the vast expanse of the tollway, they kept their pace, and pulled away.

Everything went well, with very few minor challenges, such as darkness descending early and a growing number of spectators getting a bit too close to the runners. The Kenyans stayed strong, with a couple of them falling back a few meters or so halfway through the race.

Shooting video of a moving event of this scope is very challenging. We had one crew in an open-backed vehicle running ahead of the leaders, and another hopping through the field, picking up situationers every few kilometers. The languorous lay-out of the SCTEX was both a blessing and a distraction, with the scenery of farmlands and hills also calling attention to themselves.

The clouds and imminent sunset soon obliterated the landscape, though.

Then the question for the runner became how fast they were going, if they could keep track of the distance without the milestones and checkpoints visible in daylight.

“Sometimes, we could not see where we were. Sometimes, we slowed down,” admitted Vincent Chepsiror of Kenya, who took home the $5,000 first prize. “But otherwise, there was no obstruction.”

Chepsiror led the small, seemingly tireless bunch down the winding SBMA main road, disappointed that the darkness slowed them down, but happy that they took most of the top 10 places.

At the finish line in Remy Field, an elaborate set-up ushered in the weary finishers, who often sprinted to the finish thanks to an encouraging crowd. Well into the night, the runners trickled in, with companions and family patiently waiting for them. Immortal singer Leo Valdez, looking incredibly trim, completed the entire 42 kilometers.

“It was great that I had an escort; it was a big help,” said the performer acknowledged as the greatest “Engineer” in the history of Miss Saigon. “I felt some pain in my left leg, but when I slowed down a bit, it went away. I’m happy I finished.”

R & B singer Luke Mejares endured a nine-hour road trip, including a ferry ride from Mindoro and seven hours of traffic from Batangas, just to be able to perform before the tired crowd. In truth, he mesmerized the spectators.

Yesterday, more than 7,000 runners joined the shorter races and fun runs starting at 5:30 a.m., including members of the Smart-Gilas Philippine basketball team, and the Liga Pilipinas Pampanga Buddies.

The atmosphere was even more festive, and enjoyable.