Last November 6, 9, & 10, 2002, the University of the Philippines
Marine Biological Society held the San Mig Light Diliman Endurance
Challenge. This endurance challenge was a multi-sport event, consisting
of a fun run, an aquathon, and a triathlon. Philippine Tourism Authority,
Rudy Project, and ActivePinoy.com also presented the event. Other
sponsors included Milo, Trek, Giant, and TurboLite.
On November 6, a 5.7
km fun run was held, gathering a total of 56 participants. The course
passed through the well-known academic oval and all major buildings
and dormitories of the State University. All runners defied heat
and stress as they scorched through the course. Mercurial Romeo
Maquez bagged first place with a lung-busting time of 18 minutes,
34 seconds. Liza Relox triumphed on the women's side.
On Saturday, November
9, the Aquathon (4.5 km run, 900 m swim, 4.5 km run) was held at
the University Pool and Academic Oval. It was a fu-filled day full
of energy and unparalleled determination. Majority of the athletes
spread like wildfire for the first few minutes as the remaining
participants seemed just to enjoy the day, cruising with a somewhat
jovial ho-hum. The water even threatened some to quit but nevertheless,
all participants finished the course. National team triathletes
George Vilog and Mark Candelaria zoomed to a close 1st and 2nd overall.
The highlight of the
endurance challenge was the 2nd UP MBS Sprint Triathlon last November
10, held again at the Academic Oval and University Pool. The race
consisted of a 600 m swim, 20 km bike, and a 4.5 km run with a total
participation of 75 recreational and elite athletes. This event
was quite a blast considering the crowd that watched along the State
University sidewalks, consisting of friends, relatives, and weekend
strollers who cheered for every triathlete, while eagerly awaiting
the race leaders. The UP MBS marshals swarmed to every corner, diligently
checking and supervising all movements, making sure all gears were
not in neutral. Spitfire Mark Candelaria, along with Perlito Ibanez,
and Abet Alonalon took the podium finishes for the men's side, while
Ani de Leon grabbed first place honors on the women's side, ending
the endurance challenge trilogy.
Awarding ceremonies and
a victory party was held at Gerry's Grill in Libis the night after
the sprint triathlon. The party atmosphere soaked in all the exhaustion
from the battle bruised muscles of the athletes and organizers alike,
erasing all unnecessary worries of the event. People drowned in
case upon case of San Mig Light for a night of mahabahabang inuman
with their heads bobbing to the music, as smiles and laughter prevailed.
Even happier was Race Director Joel Veloso together with other MBS
officials, who turned an informal brainstorming session into a triumphant
multi-sport challenge. Proceeds from the San Mig Light Endurance
Challenge will help the UP Marine Biological Society in their environmental
projects for the upcoming year.
On Saturday, November
9, the Aquathon (4.5 km run, 900 m swim, 4.5 km run) was held at
the University Pool and Academic Oval. It was a fu-filled day full
of energy and unparalleled determination. Majority of the athletes
spread like wildfire for the first few minutes as the remaining
participants seemed just to enjoy the day, cruising with a somewhat
jovial ho-hum. The water even threatened some to quit but nevertheless,
all participants finished the course. National team triathletes
George Vilog and Mark Candelaria zoomed to a close 1st and 2nd overall.