RANDOLF GONZALES AND CECILLE WAEL SHATTER RECORDS AND REIGN SUPREME!
Local favorites Randolf Gonzales and Cecille Wael were hailed as the new King and Queen of Sierra Madre Trail Ultra 75 as they dominated their respective races and clinched the win.
Gonzales started in the lead pack with fellow contenders and early favorites Kik Russel Suello and last year’s champion, Kristian Joergensen. It was a neck-and-neck battle for these 3 athletes as they consistently passed by each aid station with only a few minutes gap. Suello surged ahead in Sinfuego and Calawis but the boulders and technicality of the terrain of Panas was too much for him to handle. Gonzales and Joergensen eventually seized the opportunity to snatch the lead from then on. It was a showdown between the pride of the Philippines and Denmark as they tried to outpace each other in the brutal uphills of Puray going to Mt. Ayaas, Mt. Kapananan and Elmer’s peak. Gonzales broke away and eventually dethroned the former champion and set an astonishing new men’s course record of 08:56:21.
Kristian Joergensen finished in 2nd place while Kik Suello, Roberto Cain III and Jomarc Ferrer settled for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places respectively.
In the women’s division, third time’s a charm for Cecille Wael as she finally captured the title after finishing in 2nd place twice in the past Sierra Madre Ultra 75 editions. Challenged by an equally competitive contender – Malaysia’s Rejlen James, Wael established her lead early on arriving with a comfortable gap in Sinfuego, Malasya, Calawis, and Puray aid stations. She then tackled the grueling ascents of Mt. Ayaas, Kapananan and Elmer’s Peak with precision and finally arrived in the finish line with a new SMTU 75 women’s course record of 13:17:21.
Rejlen James arrived in 2nd place with just 13 minutes behind Wael. Jericha Dela Paz, Shekinah Glory Velasquez, and Keziah Marieah Loreto completed the women’s top 5.
In the highly competitive relay category, the duo of Andro Bacutana & Victor Calma displayed dominance as they were declared as champions. Derick Tindongan & Krizia Bondad finished in 2nd place while Shena Mae Amor & Boysie Dargo clinched the 3rd spot.
Addy Alajar and Gem Gamelong were named as the first ever Maharlika Trail Series Grandslam awardees after finishing Malico Grand Ultra, Puerto Galera 50 KM and Sierra Madre Trail Ultra 75 KM.
A total of four runners were also included in this year’s list of Hall of Fame – Ivan Zonio, Jomarc Ferrer, Maynard Encornal, and John Rey Callado.
Out of 92 starters, 96% made it before the cut-off time and finished the 4th edition of SIERRA MADRE TRAIL ULTRA 75 | Powered by Nitecore.
TOP FINISHERS 75 KM SOLO:
MALE:
CHAMPION: Randolf Gonzales (Philippines)
1st runner-up: Kristian Joergensen (Denmark)
2nd runner-up: Kik Russel Suello (Philippines)
3rd runner-up: Roberto Cain III (Philippines)
4th runner-up: Jomarc Ferrer (Philippines)
FEMALE:
CHAMPION: Cecille Wael (Philippines)
1st runner-up: Rejlen James (Malaysia)
2nd runner-up: Jericha Dela Paz (Philippines)
3rd runner-up: Shekinah Glory Velasquez (Philippines)
4th runner-up: Keziah Marieah Loreto (Philippines)
TOP FINISHERS 75 KM RELAY:
Andro Bacutana & Victor Calma (Team Local)
Derick Tindongan & Krizia Bondad (Trailista)
Shena Mae Amor & Boysie Dargo (Team Sh!t Happens)
AGE CATEGORY WINNERS:
18-29 years old
1. Ivan Zonio
2. Maynard Encornal
3. Mark Jason Bocado
30-39 years old
1. Sean Aying
2. Rod Axel Butac
3. Jordan Bugnay
40-49 years old
1. Wilnar Iglesia
2. Arnulfo Aquino
3. Dward Fuentes
50 and above:
1. David Khoo
2. Jelle Beekma
3. Kam Suen Lee
HALL OF FAME AWARDEES:
1. Ivan Zonio
2. Jomarc Ferrer
3. Maynard Encornal
4. John Rey Callado
BIGGEST DELEGATION AWARD:
Kadamaian Adventure Race team (Malaysia)
Provisional Result: https://www.racemeister.com/…/sierra-madre-trail-ultra
