Tabios is indeed a rare pinoy athlete who craves the thrill of competition in ultra-long distance races that test the limits of one's endurance and mental strength. -Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, August 15, 2015
February 28, 2025
A Milestone for Escape from Comfort
LCCN: 2025900842
Today marks a significant moment in my writing journey. I received my official certificate of copyright for Escape from Comfort: Lessons from the Road and Death Valley!
This isn’t just a legal formality; it’s a milestone that cements my work as part of the Library of Congress collection. Knowing that my words are now officially recorded gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. This book, which captures my journey through ultramarathons, the pursuit of dreams, and the lessons learned along the road, is no longer just a personal project—it’s a contribution to the world of storytelling and endurance.
For every runner, writer, and dreamer out there, this is a reminder that every step forward—whether on the pavement or the page—brings us closer to something lasting.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. The road continues, but today, I pause to celebrate this moment!
November 6, 2024
NEW YORK CITY MARATHON, YOU'RE THE FIRST, MY 19TH, MY EVERYTHING
“These streets will make you feel brand new, Big lights will inspire you, Let's hear it for New York.” - Alicia Keys
Since 2004, I've crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon nineteen consecutive times. This race has become more than just a marathon; it’s an ongoing journey that began decades ago with a simple fascination with the sport.
My first glimpse of the marathon world was in college, flipping through old issues of Runner's World and Running Times magazines. I used to buy them at a “PX” store, short for “Post Exchange,” where U.S. military bases in the Philippines sold American goods. I’ll never forget reading about Oprah Winfrey’s marathon finish in 1994, which led me to discover the New York Road Runners organization.
In 2001, when my wife and I first visited Central Park, I made a point of stopping by the historic New York Road Runners Club headquarters on East 89th Street, also known as Fred Lebow Way. I picked up a pamphlet detailing the club’s race schedule, and it wasn’t long before I signed up for my first NYRR race, the Dash and Splash 5K, on July 29, 2001. I finished that race in 48 minutes and 23 seconds, and though it was a modest start, it fueled my drive to eventually run the New York City Marathon.
In 2003, I secured a spot in the New York Marathon through the lottery, but as I worked as a live-in houseman in Connecticut at the time, the demands of training were overwhelming. I realized my preparation wouldn’t be adequate, so I postponed my entry to the 2004 race.
Arthur Ashe’s words come to mind whenever I think of that time: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Those words echoed in my head as I stood at the start line on November 7, 2004, ready to take on my first marathon. Five hours, one minute, and seven seconds later, I crossed my first finish line.
From that day forward, the New York City Marathon has been an unbreakable tradition for me. Year after year, I return with new goals, renewed motivation, and an unshakeable love for this city. Less than 200 runners hold streaks as long as mine, and New York Road Runners honors the commitment of those who have completed 15 or more NYC Marathons in a row. I feel lucky to be among them and to have earned the “marathon streaker” designation, as we’re known by NYRR.
“I love New York,” I often say, calling this city my second home. Since my first marathon, there have only been two years when the race didn’t go forward—2012, due to Hurricane Sandy, and 2020, due to the pandemic. I’m grateful I’ve never missed a year since I began my streak.
Running the New York City Marathon has shaped me, building my discipline and resilience. It’s a challenge I embrace no matter the conditions—whether it’s sweltering heat, biting cold, pouring rain, or even the occasional snow. And year after year, I find new goals to chase as I grow older, grateful for each mile.
Injuries and setbacks are part of every runner’s journey, and the line between staying healthy and getting hurt is thin. So far, I’ve been fortunate, and I know this streak can only last as long as my body holds up. But until the day comes when I can no longer race, I’ll keep showing up for the New York City Marathon simply because I can.
Next year, on November 2, 2025, I’ll be back for my 20th New York City Marathon. This race has been my everything, and I’m committed to keeping my streak alive as long as possible. One day, I’ll reach a point where I can’t run, but until then, I’ll be grateful for every mile of this extraordinary journey.
June 22, 2024
A Dozen Times Around the City That Never Sleeps: My Journey Through The Great New York 100 Mile Race.
(2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024)
After a grueling 28 hours, 42 minutes, and 55 seconds, I crossed the finish line of The Great New York 100 Mile Race (TGNY 100) for the twelfth time. This journey through New York City marked yet another milestone, a testament to the beauty, grit, and endurance that define this race and its participants. From my first TGNY 100 in 2012 to this most recent finish, every mile has left a mark on me.
TGNY 100 is no ordinary ultramarathon; it’s a 100-mile adventure through the streets, parks, and pathways of New York City, from the bustling Times Square to hidden gems that tourists and even locals seldom see. The race begins at the iconic pedestrian plaza at Broadway and 47th Street, right by the TKTS booth, and leads us to the finish line a few blocks away on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd. Every step is a new snapshot of the city I call home, and every year, the race feels both familiar and brand new.
Looking back, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey. A huge thank you to Race Director Phil McCarthy and the countless volunteers who make this event possible. The dedication, energy, and endless hours they invest truly keep the wheels turning, ensuring each runner has the support they need to go the distance.
My deepest thanks go to my wife, Donna Sajulga-Tabios, whose unwavering support has been my strength year after year. She has been at my side every step of the way—from seeing me off at the start to cheering along the route and welcoming me at the finish. Her love and belief in me fuel my drive to keep going, mile after mile.
As I reflect on these twelve finishes, each one is a story in itself. TGNY 100 has been a journey not only across New York City but also a journey of personal growth, a constant reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of community. Here’s to many more miles, more memories, and many more TGNY 100 finishes in the years to come.
Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. The Great New York 100 Mile Race has been an irreplaceable part of my life for over a decade, and I’m beyond grateful to be able to keep running, exploring, and discovering all that this city has to offer, one mile at a time.
My Finishes Over the Years
Date Finish Time
June 22, 2024 28:42:55
June 17, 2023 25:39:31
June 20, 2022 23:39:58
June 19, 2021 28:21:38
June 22, 2019 28:08:21
June 23, 2018 28:56:48
June 17, 2017 25:46:34
June 18, 2016 21:58:20
June 20, 2015 22:26:23
June 21, 2014 21:22:34
June 29, 2013 26:18:45
June 23, 2012 26:55:25
Badwater 135 Miles
8 x Finisher
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024
“The World’s Toughest Foot Race”
Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater® 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet, as well as the 135-Mile World Championship. The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m), which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. Competitors travel through places or landmarks with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, and the Sierra Nevada.
Badwater Cape Fear 51 miles
Bald Head Island, N.C
11 x Finisher
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
On March 21, 2024, I achieved a significant milestone: completing my 10th consecutive 51.4 mile Badwater® Cape Fear race in Bald Head Island, North Carolina. This accomplishment spans from 2014, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Over the past decade, my wife, running friends, and I have made this race an annual pilgrimage, traveling 633 miles one way by driving to Southport, NC, and then taking a ferry ride to the island.
The race itself is a breathtaking experience, set along the Atlantic Seaboard, offering stunning vistas of the Frying Pan Shoals to the east and the untamed Cape Fear River marshlands to the west. I'm immensely grateful to the organizers and hosts of this event for their efforts in creating such a memorable race.
The Badwater Cape Fear race features a unique course, beginning with a twelve-mile warm-up on car-free, one-lane-wide roads and maritime forest trails of Bald Head Island. This serene prelude is followed by either 19.5 or 39 miles of running along the wild and secluded sandy beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher.
As I reflect on this accomplishment, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such an extraordinary event. Looking ahead, I hope to continue this tradition and participate in the race again next year, embracing the challenges and beauty it offers with each step.
March 21, 2024
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