MANILA, Philippines?North Face 100, the longest ultra-marathon race in Philippine history, pushed the limits of the country?s experienced runners around Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Out of 95 participants who started the 100-km race at 7:30 a.m. last July 26, only 36 finished the event categories. Cutoff time for the whole 100-km distance was set at 30 hours. For the solo 100-km event, the last participant came in at 1:09 p.m. the next day.

An ultra-marathon is longer than the traditional full marathon (42.195 km) and usually done in varied terrain, dirt road and trail path with some river crossings.

I decided to join two weeks before the race. My goal was to finish the 50-km loop with a partner who is physically and mentally prepared to complete the full 100-km event.

Fluid is the most important weapon to stay recharged for more than nine hours of running. For the whole 50 kilometers, I was able to consume two liters of sports drinks, almost two liters of water, three chocolate bars, candies, two bananas and crackers offered at logistical point stations.

There were around 38 water stations, but unlike in road marathons, distances between stations were not uniform. During the race, I needed to sip liquid every 15 minutes and eat for every 1.5 hours to survive every kilometer.

Buy shoes early

Buy trail running shoes weeks or months before the event. I bought mine two days before the race. Before the 10th kilometer mark, the outsoles disintegrated. Luckily, I survived the 40-km race without the most protective part of the shoes.

To finish the race, you really need to have proper training. But winning this tough race is another story. Pepito Deapera, over-all winner for 100-km solo, finished the race in 13 hours and 11 minutes. According to him, he was training for 20-40 kilometers on most days of the week as preparation for the 100-km race.

Endurance is just a part of an ultra-marathoner?s training program. You need to do core and functional training for great balancing tasks required at the steep and slippery descent trail paths.

The race also requires one with strong lower body muscles to be able to climb the mountain trails and complete the inclined dirt roads.

Take it easy

We were all strong enough to run even after the 20th kilometer. I did not bring a watch to avoid extra mental pressure. Just before crossing the 20-meter Pingkihan River, one runner said that we just finished the 22nd kilometer at three hours and 15 minutes.

In a 42-km road marathon, one can cover the same distance for almost two hours. For a race like this, you have to walk and climb slowly as required by the paths. So one is not expected to finish a 50-km distance at five hours.

Enjoying the company of the other participants will help you endure the long journey.

For an inexperienced trail runner like me, I allowed the runners to go ahead of me so I can see how they will approach the muddy trails, river crossings, steep climbs and descents.

I felt light-headed while approaching the 30th kilometer, thanks to one runner who assisted me in crossing the third river. Knowing what to expect now, I will surely bring a buddy to run with me next time.

Walking like a lost child, I arrived at Evercrest base camp at 5 p.m. and saw my race partner, Ken Tejada, waiting for me with excitement.

I finished my 50-km task at nine hours and 30 minutes. I knew by then that we will reach the cut-off time of 30 hours considering Ken?s time allowance since he will be running in darkness.

After another 14 hours and 43 minutes, he successfully reached the finish line. We won third place in the relay mixed category and was only a minute ahead of the other team who ranked fourth.

E-mail the author at mitchfelipe@gmail.com