PSA-cited Bataan Tribute Run hits road ~ Provincial Government of Bataan

BATAAN -- Inspired by a citation given by the Philippine Sportswriters' Association last month, the Annual Araw Ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon again hit the dreaded Death March route last April 8 and 9.

Considered as the oldest and longest non-competitive relay marathon in the country, the event -- which was first held in 1986 – took off with a simple opening program at the Death March Shrine Km. Post 0 just outside the BEPZ Compound in Mariveles town.

Mayor Jesse Concepcion and Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) post commander Peregrino Divinigracia led the rites.

At the end of the program, Divinagracia lit a torch, which was handed over to Ed Paez, president of the San Fernando Runners Unlimited (Safer Run) and also the founding organizer of this run.

The only Gawad Oscar M. Awardee in Central Luzon and the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, he led representatives of Safer Run, the Philippine Army-Special Services Unit, Light Armor Division, Caloocan North Running Club, Runners Plus and Pampanga Motopedic Riders in alternately pounding the 114-km trek.

On the first day of the event, the modern-day "Death Marchers" passed through a city and nine towns in Bataan before spending the night at the Lubao Gymnasium. Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and Lubao Mayor Mylyn Cayabyab played host to the entourage.

During the second day of the run, the group passed through the streets of Guagua. From there, they performed a "Visita Iglesia" at the San Guillermo Church in Bacolor where the local executives led by Jomar Hizon welcomed them.

The travel continued in Ciudad de San Fernando where they were welcomed by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and VFP Pampanga chapter headed by post commander Eleuterio Mercado.

The final stretch of the event saw the runners boarding their respective support vehicles, heading towards Sto. Domingo in Capas town. It is from this point where the group ran the last 12 kilometers of the activity. The end of the journey was at the Capas National Shrine o Camp O'Donnell. Capas Mayor Antonio Rodriguez joined the closing rites.

A replica of the citation given by the Philippine Sportswriters Association was awarded to the war veterans from Pampanga and Bataan as a tribute to their heroism by 2006 Bandera Super Pinoy Paez during its 16th anniversary issue.

A "Patriotic Runner Medallion", on the other hand, awaits all groups and individuals who supported the event.

Event sponsors also include Milo Energy Drinks, CIE-The School For Leaders, Mayo Productions Inc., Magnolia Health Tea POCARI Sweat, LeRome Trophies & Plaques, Pampanga’s Best, Alice Bakery & Grocery, City Heights Hotel, SPEED Detergent Bar, BFAR Gitnang Luzon, PNP RO 3, Excellent Noodles, Isport BOTAK and F.M. Ringor Engineering.

source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/sports/2011/04/12/psa-cited-bataan-tribute-run-hits-road-150054