“Rest if you must, but don’t you quit,” is the favorite quote of Isaias Tonog II, 33, from Northern Samar, who championed the individual category in the Albay 100 Ultramarathon race competition on March 8 in Tabaco City.
In the aforementioned marathon, 329 participants from various provinces and areas in the Philippines took on the task of completing a 100-kilometer run from Tabaco to Legazpi and back.
Tonog is a married fireman employed by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and is a proud member of the Special Rescue Force at Makati Central Fire Station. In addition to jogging, boxing serves as his escape route from all the chaos.
Being productive and attending to his duties are the things that make Tonog feel the spark of life—finding it more purposeful.
In 2013, Tonog decided to enter the field of running with the help and influence of his father, whom he used to join in marathons and ultra-races.
“It was my father who influenced me to run. Before, it was just for recreation and for the preparation para po sa training (ko) noon when I entered the Bureau of Fire Protection way back in 2014,” Tonog said.
According to Tonog, the Albay 100 Ultramarathon was his second time owning a title. He shared that his first win took place last year in a 60-kilometer race in Eastern Samar.
He added that he had previously participated in races in the province of Albay. In fact, he participated in the Mayon 360 back in 2019, although he was unable to place among the top finishers.
Kenneth Abinal, the race director of the Albay 100 Ultramarathon, who happens to be a friend of Tonog’s, actually invited and encouraged him to join the race.
Tonog believed that he had an advantage because of his routine and his enthusiasm to take part in monthly trail competitions. Aside from the support of his friends, Tonog said that it served as early training for this year’s Albay marathon.
With a gun time of 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 54 seconds, Tonog successfully reached the finish line at exactly 8:34 in the morning, making him breathe with pride as he defeated the other 328 participants who joined the race.
“I’m very happy and ecstatic. Medyo malaki kasi ‘tong event (Mayon 100 Ultramarathon) and I won the race. The good part of it (is that) I finished it with a very awesome time and injury-free,” Tonog shared.
Tonog remains ineffably happy despite only getting a medal and no money prize because, for him, it inspires him to think deeper, strive harder, and appreciate things more.
“Iyong experience lang po ang hinahabol ko. It’s not about the premyo naman po. [pati na rin] yung pagsasama-sama at pagkikita-kita namin ng mga kaibigan kong runners. Iyong feeling o [kagustuhang manalo], mararamdaman mo po ‘yon during the race na,” he narrated, stating that the medal he received will be added to his collections.
The experience, memories, friendship, and bond he gained are some of the unmatchable things he will treasure the most. Moreover, Tonog considers his uncle and his uncle’s girlfriend as his support crew, giving him unwavering support and assistance throughout the competition.
“Every 10 km, nakaabang na silang dalawa sa akin para ibigay ang food at nutrisyon na kailangan ko sa stamps na ‘yon. Bale naka-plan na po kung ano ‘yong kakainin at iinumin ko during those stamps,” he shared.
After winning the competition, Tonog said that he would immediately return to Manila to take care of his personal business due to his hectic schedule.
Although his journey in ultra-races for the last 10 years was tough, Tonog stays pure and genuine to his goal, leading him to win titles under his belt for two consecutive years.
Despite having a full-time job, Tonog’s passion and love for running until the very end will never fade from his heart but will grow instead to inspire others.
The goal of the Albay 100 Ultramarathon Race Competition is to promote and keep the marathon alive.| Gabby Bajaro