AWUM 2014: Hall of Fame

Event: All-Women Ultramarathon 2014 (AWUM)
Compilation of results & photos / stories, click link above.
***

Though, All-Women Ultramarathon can be a girly event, but that does not mean that it lack boldness! As mentioned in our “fearless forecast,” the field is getting deeper. It seems that as this race gets older, the women got bolder!!!

The challenge of sub5-hour finish (finishing in less than 5 hours) thrown by Doc Willie Estepa, the Race Director, at the women seemed to be NOT big enough of a challenge any more when 3 women crashed it.

The Sub5-Hour Hall of Fame

Mereeis Ramirez (Dumaguete City) – Champion (4:38, CR Holder). It’s a back-to-back championship for Mereeis, from the SRP Midnight Marathon to AWUM. Probably she has nothing to prove to anyone. So, respect in a way that she might have helped in pulling the other girls to race at its best, and broke the sub-5. (Read our story of her here >>.)

Sandra Soliano (North Road Runners Club (NRRC)) – 1st Placer (4:43). Before the race, there’s a bit of a doubt that Sandra can make it to the very top as she will be racing this without a pacer. Placing top 2 and getting a sub5-hour finish, definitely she has it. (Read our previous story of Sandra here >>.)

Photo by Reynan Opada

Jennefer Sabala (Team Happy Finish of CDO) – 2nd Placer (4:55). Consistently, CDO women are getting the 3rd overall place. It was Janice Vamenta last year. So the question is that will CDO women be contentedly be staying in the 3rd place in AWUM? We’ll find out next year.

Photo by Reynan Opada

More than 6 hours, you’re out!

It’s amazing to see that all the remaining top 10 ladies were clocking sub-6 finish time. Last year, the 8th-10th female runners’ time were beyond 6 hours. I believe that’s the power of AWUM — it brings out the best in women.

Preciosa Sanchez (NRRC) – 3rd placer (5:14). From a bad injury she got from the Olango Ultramarathon, and got worst at CUC 100K Leg 3, Precy was sidelined for some time. There was probably a thought that she might stop from racing competitively. But her AWUM performance showed that she is definitely back at racing mode!

As the fourth placer, Precy also got the slot for Runnilla Eco Challenge (April 13, 2014, registration details here >>), and she confirmed she’ll join.

Photo by Izzy Studio

Odiza “Jade” Abellana (IGAT Runner) – 4th placer (5:15:18). Jade can probably let go of the Championship Crown, but the “Pakigol” award will always be hers, which of course she won on top of being the 5th placer overall.

Photo by Mhalou Villamala

Virginia E. Parajenog (Toledo Adik sa Dagan (TAD)) – 5th placer (5:15:47). She came in this race injured so there’s this big question in my head that “What if she was not injured, will she be part of the sub-5 finishers?” That is something we can look forward to next year. (Read our previous story of Virgie here >>.)

Photo by Jay Arias / Izzy Studio

Jennefer B. Catublas (DARS) – 6th placer (5:19:22). DARS women are getting stronger in the rank.

Photo by Michael Ocana / Shutterspeed Sports Photography

Wilma Theresa H. Lugay (Cebu) – 7th placer (5:19:32). It’s not totally unexpected as she was the Warrior 50K Ultra champion in 2013. Making it again in the AWUM, Cebu has another top female ultramarathoner to bet on.

Photo by Jay Arias / Izzy Studio

Mary Luz H. Shimizu (IGAT Runners) – 8th placer (5:21). If we compared her rank with last year’s, it’s a bit disappointing to see her fall to 8th from being the 3rd placer last year. But comparing her time, she slashed some 15 minutes from last year. Maybe, it’s telling that a lot of stronger women were in this year.

Photo by Roy Delez

Path A. Torremoro (NRRC) – 9th placer (5:23). Three (3) NRRC women in the top 10 may show that this group is home of top ultramarathoners in Cebu.

Photo by John Domingo

Other hall of famers!

The mother-daughter tandem. The proof that women are best in multi-tasking — running and babysitting? =)

G6 tandem: Brenda and iCapture’s Imeka / Akemi. =) Ultra pretties.

Photo by iCapture

Dins Domingo and Joanne Blanche Domingo, with Joanne as the youngest ultramarathoner at 15. Dins and John said it was hard for them to say no when Joanne said why they cannot support her dream when they refused at first. This little girl knew how to win it.

Photo by Dennis Savellano / It’s Shaw Time

And another upcoming youngest ultramarathoner with her come-back-er mom, Vera and Haide Acuna. It’s definitely nice to see Haide back on the scene. She’s probably one of the reasons why there are a lot of female ultramarathoners in this island. (You want to know what’s best make-up to wear during an ultra, you can check her 1st AWUM talk here >>.)

Photo by Reynan Opada

Parklane’s Stunning Awardee is Shineski Cunanan. It’s hard to argue with that beauty. There’s just no way to contest to it. A brawl would be useless.

Of course, we, women are not giving up! Note that, Parklane!

Photo by Jason Dorado

Bisdak Sole Deal’s Pakigol awardee is a no brainer — Jade Abellana. She is probably the most awarded dethroned queen.

Photo by John Domingo

And of course the “most awaited woman” of AWUM 2014, Ulachika! =)

Photo by JD Dorado

This is quite late but I made a vow to the woman in me that I’m going to chronicle this epic event annually even if ThinkThankers would ban from me doing it! =) And, there is more to come. Wait for my interview episode at ARC – TG Lasang – ThreeofMe station plus Jade’s speech in our flashbackfriday stories! =)

Photo credits listed here >>.

———————————————————————————-
Posted by:

Rose Buenconsejo. A runner who runs after runners, and their stories, and her dream to become a NEDBANK.
Promo Girl, runroo.com
View her aktib race calendar >>

Let’s get connected, check us at: facebook.com/runroo, twitter.com/gorunroo, instagram.com/runroo, aktib.ph/runfest.