The stage is set for what could be the most beautiful Trail Ultra in the Visayas region... but this pesky Corona Virus came and dimmed it's shine - multiple times in a span of 2 months. Alicia Ultra 2020 is the brainchild of one of Bohol's pioneers in trail running, Richard "Chardee" Anania. Nope, this is not about the race, so save your whining later. Let's get to know the RD a little bit.
Chardee has always been a student of adventure, and just recently became a full-time adventurer after leaving the corporate world. Ever heard of Bohol Trail Adventure? That's him, too. An avid outdoors-man who craves big challenges and has this weird thirst for pain. He got a taste of both when he signed up for Columbia Eco Run Pinatubo in 2012, his first 12K trail run, just to get 50% discount on Columbia products. The rest is history.
It is almost automatic to consider all race directors to be badass runners themselves, well I heard there are few of them who can't even check a box (myself included) but that's none of my business. Chardee is probably the best example of an RD who has been there and done that. Check his CV and I'll hold your jaw. He has done trail races with distances ranging from marathon distance to 100K. This includes last year's Mt. Apo Vertical race 100K, Cordillera Mountain Ultra in 2017, TNF 50K, Mt. Pack Ultra, Rizal Mountain Run in 2017, Mt. Talinis Ultra, MusPo 50K, TMMT 100K and the TMBT 100K in Malaysia and many more. Oh and we can't just skip CM50 which he completed five times, making him one of only a handful of "Baddest Ass" awardees. It's pretty obvious this is his favorite race. Well, he also told me CM50 is not just an ordinary 50-miler because it always brings out the grit you knew you had in you but could not quite reach it easily in any other races. Whatever that means.
But it isn't just his resume that makes him an awesome RD. Chardee's hands-on approach to his races and his seemingly unending search for "something new" adds to his mojo. And nobody hates him. True story.
Fun facts:
Chardee...
- is an Ahon athlete... and he sell Ahon mercs too.
- is a chapsuey runner... Salomoon vests, Hoka shoes, T8 shorts and underwear, Petzl headlamp
- is not big on structured nutritional plan. As long as rice is available, he'll survive.
- already set his crosshairs on KOTM H1, but Covid...
- already set his crosshairs on KOTM H1, but Covid...
- idolizes Kilian, Walmsley, Meux and the 50 Miles expert himself, Jacob Ong
Well that is all I can squeeze from this lanky race director. I'm not sure why he is reluctant to share more, but I respect that. I should probably start a podcast so I can get you all to open up. Heh!
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