Ireland-based endurance athlete Rex Brillantes has achieved what many deemed impossible, setting a record of sorts in the Mount to Coast GOMU EMU World Championship held in Balatonfüred, Hungary.
On an 898.88-meter loop course, the 48-year-old from Calatrava, Negros Occidental, covered an impressive 346.457 miles (557.568 kilometers), marking the farthest distance ever run by a Filipino in an endurance race.
Competing in a grueling nonstop race that lasted 144 hours—through sweltering heat exceeding 35°C (95°F) and cold nights—Brillantes defied the odds.
The race began at noon on Sept. 5 and concluded at noon on Sept. 11.
“I came into this six-day event without a set plan. I wanted to experience it, as I hadn’t done something of this magnitude before,” said Brillantes.
Balancing a demanding job as a healthcare assistant with his training and family responsibilities is no small feat. However, with unwavering support from his wife, Jen, and their two children—both of whom are pursuing careers in medicine and psychology—Brillantes has managed to pursue his passion for running.
While many athletes rely on a support crew, Brillantes is accustomed to running solo, as his wife stays home to care for their children.
Despite this, he has consistently proven his mettle in long-distance events. In June 2024, he clinched the title in the 12-Hour Category at the Ultramarathon National Championship in Belfast, Ireland.
Brillantes’ accolades also include winning the 2022 Wexford Festival Ultra Marathon and earning a silver medal at the 303-kilometer Italian Ultra Marathon Festival in Policoro, Italy.
Looking ahead, Brillantes has more endurance races planned for October and November this year.
Filipino ultramarathoners are increasingly making their mark in Europe.
Recently, three Filipino athletes—Rolando Espina, Bren Kevin Cabasa, and Eugene Evangelista—successfully completed the 222KM Ultr’Ardèche International Competition in Ardèche, France.
Out of hundreds of applicants, only 61 qualified, and just 37 finished the demanding race within a 37-hour limit. The course included a challenging trek to the Gerbier de Jonc summit, reaching an altitude of 3,500 meters, with participants enduring extreme temperatures.
Among the trio, Rolando Espina delivered the best finish with a time of 30 hours, 47 minutes, and 38 seconds. Espina, a seasoned ultramarathoner, previously achieved a 3rd place overall finish at the Ultramarathon Milan-Sanremo, completing the race in 36 hours and 40 minutes.
These achievements underscore the growing prominence of Filipino endurance athletes on the international stage.
