From left, Edilberto Batiancila, Desiderio “Sano” Engbino, and Preciosa Sanchez show their trophies and medals after winning in the Bataan Death March 160k ultramarathon.
contributed
Runners from the Cebu-based Spectrum Runners Club logged record-shattering performances in the grueling Bataan Death March (BDM) 160-kilometer Ultramarathon yesterday.
Boholano Desiderio “Sano” Engbino, Edilberto Batiancila, and Preciosa Sanchez managed podium finishes in the race that started at the Bataan Death March Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan and ended at the Capas National Shrine in barangay Cristo Rey, Capas, Tarlac
The 47-year-old Engbino, the first placer in the BDM 102K Ultramarathon last January, ruled the men’s 160k distance by clocking 20 hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds.
He is the first runner to win back-to-back BDM ultramarathons. He is also the first runner to win a grandslam in the three-leg Leyte Landing Ultra series last year.
Batiancila placed second in his first try at a 160K distance with a time of 20:17.05.
The 48-year-old Sanchez topped the women’s race by breaking the current record. She clocked 23 hours, 30 minutes and 53 seconds, eclipsing BDM’s current record of 23 hours and 43 minutes posted by Silame Apolistar Gutang in 2016.
She is also the women’s champion of the BDM 102k distance last January.
Spectrum Runners Club President, Dr. Gerry Mayo, is happy with the results but reminded the winners to remain competitive and humble.
“I just want them to continue to strive harder, continue to be motivated and determined,” he said. “There are those times when we don’t win but the most important thing is to rise up to the challenge and go one step higher than what we were yesterday. I also want to tell them to keep their feet on the ground and remain humble despite their achievements.”
The Bataan Death March (BDM) 160K Ultramarathon is considered as the “Holy Grail” of ultramarathons in the Philippines.