Europe-based Filipino athletes Rolando Espina, Bren Kevin Cabasa, and Eugene Evangelista demonstrated extraordinary endurance, perseverance, and determination—traits that epitomize the Filipino spirit—by successfully conquering the 222KM Ultr’Ardeche International Competition held recently in Ardèche, France.
Out of hundreds of applicants, only 61 were qualified to join, and only 37 completed the grueling race, which covered a distance of 222 kilometers. Participants were given only 37 hours to cross the finish line at Vernoux en Vivarais, France.
The race featured a trek to the foot of the Gerbier de Jonc summit, which has an altitude of 3,500 meters. Participants faced extreme difficulties and harsh conditions, including high temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night. Despite these challenges, the three Filipinos displayed remarkable endurance and resilience, making their country proud.
BEST FINISH
Among the three, Ireland-based Rolando Espina submitted the best finish with a time of 30 hours, 47 minutes, and 38 seconds. He has been competing in ultramarathons, having previously finished 3rd overall in the Ultramarathon Milan-Sanremo, completing that race in 36 hours and 40 minutes.
“This event is top-notch from top to bottom indeed! From the marshals and volunteers to the main man himself, Laurent Brueyre, who deserves all the love and applause,” said Espina in a social media post. “My goal is just to finish lang talaga, bonus nalang if maganda ang oras. I didn’t prepare much for this event, same lang din approach ko in all my other ultramarathons. Chill, relax, and see what happens.”
Espina has 15 years of experience in endurance running and founded Bagat Team in Bacolod. Back in the Philippines, he organized the Negros Loop, covering 680 kilometers in six days. He was the first Filipino to finish the Spartathlon race in Greece and placed second in the Ultramarathon Milan-Sanremo 2024 with a time of 36:40 hours, covering 283 kilometers.
Espina is set to join the Spartathlon in Greece again and another race in Dublin, Ireland.
NOT EASY
Bren Kevin Cabasa, an overseas Filipino from Milan, Italy, joined the race not aiming to win but to simply finish, which wasn’t easy at all.
“I just did it to finish, which wasn’t at all easy,” he said. He was there to enjoy the sight and beauty of the location, describing it as “magical and magnificent.”
He added, “But behind that beautiful scenery is a hidden difficult up and down course, that once crossed, will just make you smile like it had not given you a hard time,” after crossing the finish line in 31 hours, 01 minute, and 43 seconds.
Like Espina, ultramarathons are not unfamiliar to Cabasa.
He emerged as the champion in the 24-hour Ultra Cinisello Balsamo Running 2023, covering an impressive distance of 190.493 kilometers within the 24-hour timeframe. He also placed 4th at the Ultramarathon Milano-Sanremo last month, alongside Espina, who won 3rd overall.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
For Eugene Evangelista, the race was a mission accomplished as he finished with a time of 33 hours, 49 minutes, and 32 seconds, securing 27th place. Despite the grueling nature of the race, Evangelista maintained a positive attitude, smiling and making video calls with friends and supporters upon completion.
Evangelista has tackled some of the toughest races, including the 100-kilometer, 7,900-meter elevation gain Trail Run in the 11th Grand Trail Courmayeur in Italy, which he completed in 31 hours from July 7 to 9, 2023. He also ranked 13th at the Ultramarathon Milan-Sanremo in 2023 and has finished major marathons in New York, Boston, and Chicago.
These three Filipinos overcame immense challenges to finish the race, serving as an inspiration to other aspiring Filipino athletes.
