New York-based Filipino ultrarunner completes ninth Badwater 135, the world's toughest footrace
Tabios, 55, crossed the finish line in 42 hours, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds, conquering scorching heat, brutal climbs, and relentless terrain with the support of his wife Donna and dedicated Team 81 crew: Tess Leono, Joseph Winwood, Kenneth Elliot, and Don Flauta. From the depths of Badwater Basin at 280 feet below sea level to the high-altitude finish at Whitney Portal at 8,300 feet, Tabios endured 14,600 feet of cumulative ascent and 6,100 feet of descent through three mountain ranges—nonstop.
Based in New York but originally from Bukidnon, Philippines, Tabios has completed over 200 races, including ultramarathons in 12 U.S. states. Despite all his achievements, he considers Badwater unmatched in its difficulty.
'This race was my ninth, hoping to do my 10th someday. As a road runner, I consider Badwater the most challenging race I've done,' Tabios shared. 'It's not just the hills or the distance—you have to train specifically for the extreme heat.' Tabios at Panamint Springs at 72.7 miles. To complete, he ran across Death Valley and three mountain ranges. Photo courtesy: Jay Lee
More than physical preparation, he credits mental discipline for pushing through.
'Quitting is never an option for me. The mind will always try to convince you to stop. But once you go beyond your comfort zone, that's where the real race begins. One step at a time,' Tabios said.
This season, Tabios has been in top form, securing 2nd overall at the Sri Chinmoy 12-Hour Ultramarathon in New York (63.08 miles), 2nd at the Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour Race in New Jersey (38.28 miles), and earning a podium finish in his category at the Sri Chinmoy Half Marathon in January.
Held on July 6–7, this year's Badwater 135 featured 100 elite runners from 24 countries. Norway's Simen Holvik won the men's division in 21:47:45, while Marisa Lizak of the U.S. led the women's race in 25:07:31.
With one more finish to reach the milestone 10, Gerard Tabios isn't done yet. His journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries. (Alona Cochon)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
06-08-2025
- Filipino Times
Team Liquid Philippines spotted playing with Saudi Royal after MLBB Mid-Season Cup win
Following their win at the 2025 Esports World Cup, Team Liquid Philippines was seen casually playing Mobile Legends with Saudi royal Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud over a meal. The Filipino esports team defeated defending champion SRG of Malaysia with a 4-1 score to claim the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid-Season Cup title held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their win secured Team Liquid PH a historic milestone as the first organization in a single country to complete all MLBB trophies, including the World Championship, Southeast Asia Cup, and Super League. His Royal Highness, who also serves as Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation and the Arab Esports Federation, met with the team shortly after their championship match. 'His Royal Highness casually playing MLBB with the boys was not in my MSC25 bingo card,' Team Liquid PH posted on Facebook. The Esports World Cup, hosted in Saudi Arabia, is one of the world's largest esports tournaments, drawing elite teams from across the globe to compete in multiple game titles.
Filipino Times
03-08-2025
- Filipino Times
DMW, OWWA, DFA Strengthen Coordination in Dubai to Better Serve OFWs
Top officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gathered in Dubai to reinforce their joint commitment to the One-Country Team Approach, a strategy designed to streamline government services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The delegation, led by DMW Undersecretaries Jainal Rasul and Dominique Rubia-Tutay, Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi, and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, met with Consul General Marford Angeles on August 2, 2025, at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. Discussions focused on enhancing digital services, increasing support for the Migrant Workers Office, and expanding welfare initiatives in both the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One of the key programs to be rolled out is the expansion of the 'Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan,' which aims to deliver frontline government services directly to OFWs in various UAE locations. This aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s mandate to bring services closer to Filipino communities abroad. The initiative also highlights holistic community involvement. Plans include OFW sports competitions like basketball and volleyball, E-sports tournaments, cultural events, and the revival of Friendship Day—first launched by former OWWA head Marianito Roque. These programs aim to boost morale and celebrate the resilience of Filipinos working overseas.
Filipino Times
28-07-2025
- Filipino Times
New York-based Filipino ultrarunner completes ninth Badwater 135, the world's toughest footrace
Filipino ultrarunner Gerard Tabios has once again proven his grit and endurance, completing his ninth Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, a brutal 135-mile (217-kilometer) race across California's Death Valley—widely hailed as the most extreme footrace on Earth. Tabios, 55, crossed the finish line in 42 hours, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds, conquering scorching heat, brutal climbs, and relentless terrain with the support of his wife Donna and dedicated Team 81 crew: Tess Leono, Joseph Winwood, Kenneth Elliot, and Don Flauta. From the depths of Badwater Basin at 280 feet below sea level to the high-altitude finish at Whitney Portal at 8,300 feet, Tabios endured 14,600 feet of cumulative ascent and 6,100 feet of descent through three mountain ranges—nonstop. Based in New York but originally from Bukidnon, Philippines, Tabios has completed over 200 races, including ultramarathons in 12 U.S. states. Despite all his achievements, he considers Badwater unmatched in its difficulty. 'This race was my ninth, hoping to do my 10th someday. As a road runner, I consider Badwater the most challenging race I've done,' Tabios shared. 'It's not just the hills or the distance—you have to train specifically for the extreme heat.' Tabios at Panamint Springs at 72.7 miles. To complete, he ran across Death Valley and three mountain ranges. Photo courtesy: Jay Lee More than physical preparation, he credits mental discipline for pushing through. 'Quitting is never an option for me. The mind will always try to convince you to stop. But once you go beyond your comfort zone, that's where the real race begins. One step at a time,' Tabios said. This season, Tabios has been in top form, securing 2nd overall at the Sri Chinmoy 12-Hour Ultramarathon in New York (63.08 miles), 2nd at the Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour Race in New Jersey (38.28 miles), and earning a podium finish in his category at the Sri Chinmoy Half Marathon in January. Held on July 6–7, this year's Badwater 135 featured 100 elite runners from 24 countries. Norway's Simen Holvik won the men's division in 21:47:45, while Marisa Lizak of the U.S. led the women's race in 25:07:31. With one more finish to reach the milestone 10, Gerard Tabios isn't done yet. His journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries. (Alona Cochon)
