Daralaganan sa Bombon (10.2.10)

We learned about this race a couple of days before the event. It was scheduled a day before the Milo Marathon Naga Elimination! Nonetheless, we registered. Daralaganan sa Bombon was sponsored by the local government. We had no option to choose a category since non-Bombon residents could only join the 10km run. The two other shorter categories were exclusive to its residents.

We knew we must not exert too much energy in this race and still prioritize the run in Naga the next day. We just wanted to have a "dry run" but what we did not know is that the route was over 10km and it was partly trail!



I had joined two different runs, but this one was completely different from the previous ones. As far as the number of participants is concerned, Daralaganan sa Bombon was a small race. Most of its participants in the two categories exclusively for residents were kids. They did not have running shoes. They were barefoot! Runners in the category we were in were mixed. Some were "professional runners" while others were of other professions. There was one group from Taguig. They came to Bombon for the town fiesta.

The organizer of this race is generous, I realized, comparing this to the succeeding races I have joined. Aside from the top winners, they had consolation prizes for the top 30 runners. Unfortunately, the event was scheduled a day before the Milo Marathon. As a consequence, some seasoned runners missed this. There were only 20 registrants in our category, meaning we were all guaranteed to get a prize! We only paid P150 for this race with a free 'free size' jersey.

The first kilometers of the route covered the poblacion. With only twenty runners, it was clear at the early part of the race who the faster runners were. I was trailing. The locals were outside their houses watching and it was a mental challenge, at least to me, to ignore their comments. I just greeted and smiled at them. One marshal even joked, "you have a long route to cover!"

We got to see the other parts of the town during the race. After some few kilometers, the route went uphill. I knew I did not have more energy to run more kilometers. My buddy also thought so. When we saw each other at the turn around, we decided to just walk and finish it. The following kilometers was a long muddy road. Bombon is situated at the foot of Mount Isarog.

We arrived at the finish line after 1 hour and 45 minutes just in time for the awarding ceremony. We were officially 19th (me) and 20th place. We both got a crispy P100 bill as a consolation prize, aside from the cold bottle of mineral water and snacks!

Kagawad Eddie Alteza was the race director. We did not know each other then. We got acquainted along with other enthusiasts in Basilica. Earlier this year, he was elected President of the newly founded Caceres Runners Club.





Taken on 5th of March 2011, after CSPC's Takbo para sa Sentenaryo which I missed.