Malico Grand Ultra in Santa Maria West, Pangasinan, in the West of Luzon a little south of Baguio, was held for the first time as an ATM Candidate Race last weekend. Organised by the Maharlika Team that also brings you Sierra Madre Trail Ultra in March, Malico turned out to be quite a tough and technical course with the 75 km long distance winner requiring 15h39’ to complete the distance. Miguel Carranza is not a soft cookie, though! The weather was cold in parts, but Carranza likes long ultras and was in his element to take the measure of a strong Bhert Orpiada, who took second and Sai Tonog II , one of last year’s Filipino protagonists who narrowly missed out on qualification for the ATM Final. One of the Finalists and pre-race favourites, Avelino Versola III suffered from hypothermia in the cold weather and decided to DNF with a long season ahead.
A great newcomer on the ultra distance has won the women’s Candidate Race: Michella Aradanas! She managed to outpace none other than last year’s Sierra Madre winner Ann Jilian Pulanco on the technical terrain. Pulanco came second. As you can hear in the post-race chat, Aradanas has a background in ultra cycling and bodybuilding training, so the basic fitness level is clearly there!
The next Filipino Candidate Race is already coming up in 2 weeks in Cebu: Danao City Ultra Marathon, which will have several big names at the start. The first ATM Championship points race in the Philippines will be Bagtit Ultra next month, followed relatively quickly by Mt Kalatungan Ultra and Sierra Madre Trail in March. The first quarter is indeed the trail high season in the country.
The men’s Top 3 on the Podium of the 75 km race with Miguel Carranza as winner
Michella Aradanas scored a nice win of AJ Pulanco in one of her first ultra races
Last year’s Sierra Madre winner Ann Jilian Pulanco had to settle for second
