Best Merrel Adventure race ever

None of the runners have any idea what awaits
them in the bloody, muddy course designed by
Thumbie Remegio, who probably thought that
manholes and mud barriers are fun. 

I've participated in all three editions of the Merrel Adventure race. And I could say that last Saturday's edition of the yearly trail run was so far the best ever.

Because of the rains the last few days spawned by Typhoon Ambo, the route was hellishly slippery and muddy but that was expected. And that was the reason I decided to run the 5k event instead of the 10k category.

I am not in my best running condition and I am unsure if I could survive the 10K event so, the 5k run was the best option for me. But on top of the slippery trail, there were surprises.

The manhole may not be stinking,
but it was full of mud. 

It never crossed my mind that trail course design specialist Thumbie Remegio would be so crazy and likewise creative to put up several obstacles along the already challenging trail.

Runners have to walk or even crawl inside
the mud barrier to finish the course.

Already muddied due to several spills and tired after negotiating a slippery uphill route in the last one kilometer, I was surprised that a manhole was waiting for the participants to crawl into to finish the course.

But it was just one of the surprises because after diving inside the manhole, a mud barrier was waiting the runners.

"Putik!!!"

Yes, I run, spilled so many times I lost count,  crawled and even tasted the mud but it was great fun.

Surprisingly, most participants were smiling after surviving, yes surviving the goddamn course.

Muddied runners try to clean up after the race.

With all the runners muddied from legs up to their necks, it was a good thing that the organizers provided showers and liquid soaps.

The finishers shirt also came in handy as everyone needed new and clean clothes after the run.

I would like to congratulate 21K winners Bernardo Desamito and Janette Agura for topping the highly competitive event.

Calito Fantillaga finished behind Desamito to bag the second spot followed by third placer Elmer Sabal. In the women's event, Luisa Raterta managed a second place finish while Ailene Tolentino followed suit for third spot.

Gerald Sabal topped the 10k men's event with Merlyn Lumagbas doing the same in the distaff side.

Finishing at second spot in the men's event was Alquin Bolivar and Gregg Vincent Osorio at third. Lara Lugo played second filled to Lumagas while Mercy Robilla finished at third in the women's category.

In the 5k men's event, Thomas Soliven finished at the top of the heap with Michael Lim finishing at second and Milbert Nauab at third.

In the women's category, Janette Lumidao bagged the title while Michelle Ann Tibagacay salvaged a second spot finish and Michelle de Vera followed suit to cross the finish line as the placer.

Bernardo Desamito (center) received the top prize worth P15,000 during the
awarding. Bagging the second and third spots respectively were
Carlito Fantillaga and Elmer Sabal.

Jannete Agura (center) raised the over-sized check during the awaring
ceremonies held immediately after the race. Sharing the spotlight
with Agura were second placer Luisa Raterta and Ailene Tolentino.