The first half of the Laoag marathon is a lollipop. It starts at the Laoag City Hall, going westward along Rizal St. to Sabu Dam in Brgy 1 Discolandia. This 2.5km part of the dam (or more appropriately, dike) is rough terrain flanked on the left with a serene view of the Laoag River and “kaleddaan” (tall grasses) which extend to the right side of the dam. Rio Grande resort marks the west end of the dam in Brgy Suyo, which puts the feet back on flat concrete, albeit just for less than a kilometer. At km 4.5 the run dips into Ventura Highway, a dirt road which ushers the start of the challenging sand dunes phase of the run. What follows is a 12kilometer grueling duel with sand, pebbles, undulations, assortments of gradient and dried grasses/ weeds that may abrade skin on contact. This may well be the most difficult segment of the Laoag marathon. Daunting as it may sound, the majestic view of sand, sea and sky is reward enough for seizing legs, burning lungs and heart in hyperdrive. The runner runs back the 4.5km lollipop handle to the Laoag City Hall. Those doing the half-mary may stop at this point.
The second half of the marathon brings the runner to the colonial period-inspired Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Brgy Calayab, 10.5kms from the capitol. This out-and-back course is a mix of concrete and asphalt, without any rough parts in-between. It traverses Barangays Nangalisan, Buttong, Nalbo, Mangato and Balatong. Easy as it may sound, the trip back from Fort Ilocandia to the finish line at the capitol may well be the longest 10k in the runner’s life, as stamina runs out, energy crisis surmounts and the (mythical?) wall lurking just around the corner. The sight of the city hall (finish line) from the south end of the Gilbert bridge brings salvation to just 1 final kilometer where an empty tank suddenly finds a few more drops of gas to propel heart and legs to a near-death last kick.
Laoag City Hall
February 25, 2012 @ 5 AM
Race Distances:
42k /21k/ 10k/ 5k/ 750m
Registration Fees:
Jan.9-Feb.18: PHP 500.00
Late Registration Feb.19-Feb.22: PHP 700.00
42k Mixed Relay
Registration Jan.9-Feb.18: PHP 1,500.00
Late Registration Feb.19-Feb.22: PHP 2,400.00
10k
Registration Jan.9-Feb.18: PHP 250.00
Late Registration Feb.19-Feb.22: PHP 400.00
5k Fun Run
Registration Jan.9-Feb.18: PHP 200.00
Late Registration Feb.19-Feb.22: PHP 350.00
750m Kids Dash
Registration Jan.9-Feb.18: PHP 100.00
Late Registration Feb.19-Feb.22: PHP 200.00
**Please take note that Relay Teams should be a mix of both genders in any combination. We wont allow all-male or all-female teams.
Registration Centers:
- Dashma Computer Laoag
- Vigan and San Fernando Branch
- Ravandens Grill
- Runners’ High
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