A Cebuano soldier who is based in Catbalogan, Samar has won the longest foot race in the Philippines - the Mindanao 700K ultramarathon.

MSgt. Virgilio Undaloc, Jr. logged 171 hours, 15 minutes, and four seconds in a span of seven days to finish the race.

Representing Team Catbalogan Runner Cares and an adopted member of Toledo Adik ug Dagan team, Undaloc outran Arnel Andilab of Team Quezon Runners Club and Antonio Anino of Team Kapalong, who finished second and third, respectively.

Andilab finished the race at 174:16:12 while Anino clocked 178:06:08.

The 700-kilometer race kicked off in Davao City and passed through Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Claveria, Gingoog, Butuan City, Montevista, Mawab, Tagum City, and Panabo City before returning to the starting point.

“Aside lang dun sa may mga area na napakadilim lalo na pag napakalalim na ng gabi, napakataas yung akyatin lalo na yung Claveria… more or less 30 kilometers puro akyatin then bihira lang yung mga bahay-bahay, dalawa o tatlo lang kayong tumatakbo, medyo mahirap din at aside from that, medyo tag-ulan pa,” he said.

Undaloc told GMA Regional TV News that he would just take 10 to 20-minute power naps or sleep an hour or two, the most, to rest. When he got hungry or thirsty, he would just signal the supporting team that transported the food and beverage.

“Minimal lang, kumbaga mina-manage ko lang at alam mo naman at may humahabol din sakin,” he added.

To endure the rigorous race, Undaloc said he prepared mentally and physically in the toughest way possible.

“Nung one month na lang siya bago ang event, tanghaling tapat, yung tag-init talaga, pinapahirapan ko talaga yung sarili ko nang sa ganon ma-prepare ko nang husto talaga yung sarili,” Undaloc said.

He said the right combination of optimism, skill, spirit, stamina, and attitude was key in surviving his races since 2013, something that he learned to develop in the Army.

“Sa ganon balanse siya kasi mahirap kung wala tayong attitude, negatibo rin tayo, masugat lang ng konti, su-surrender na,” he said.