Lorono, Idsla and Gamo prevail in 12th edition of The Punisher

The annual ATM appointment on Samal Island off the coast of Davao City in Mindanao saw the 20-year-old Michael Angelo Lorono and Merudin Idsla as fastest male runners on the 80km long course. Strongest female was Ana Fe Gamo, who a month ago also finished first in SIlabur Ultra Trail 100 in Sarawak, Malaysia. The 12th edition of The Punisher was part of the Grandmaster Quest calendar.

No elite superstars on the start list meant that upcoming talents had a great opportunity to show themselves. Lorono and Idsla did that in style, completing the course in a time of 14h30. Joshua Pateno and Rennier Arcenal came next in 15h45.

Ana Fe Gamo took the women’s race win in 15h53 , fifth overall. Jasmin Dela Pena and Devere Galo joined her on the podium.

Golden Grandmaster Mario Yap has come very close to becoming Legend by finishing The Punisher. Mario has already accumulated 480 kilometers (= 480 points) in five different countries. Originally, he had planned to reach the Legend milestone of 500 kilometres at BTR Ultra in Bali two weeks ago, but there he suffered an uncharacteristic DNF. In any case, Mario Yap seems keen to be first!

The Punisher is organised by Vertical To Sky and was one of the pioneering trail running events in Mindanao alongside the Mount Apo Sky Race now well over a decade ago. It remains a great introduction to long ultra trail running given its varied course and easy accessibility from Davao City. Moreover, Samal Island is worth a weekend stay no matter what.

Photos below credited to Vertical To Sky (facebook page)