Larrazabal Completed his 7 Continents Marathon in Antarctic Ice Marathon 2019

Cebuano ophthalmologist Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III earned his seven continents marathon medal after he managed to overcome the extreme sub-zero temperatures and finished the 26.2-mile Antarctic Ice Marathon 2019 last December 13 at the Union Glacier, Antarctica.

He became the first Cebuano to have completed a seven continents marathon and the second Filipino at that.

Larrazabal, the CebuDoc Group chairman and President, was able to secure the 23rd spot after surviving the icy, tough race in 6 hours and 16 minutes.

The men’s division was topped by William Hafferty of the United States of America (USA) with 3 hours and 34 minutes, while the distaff side was dominated by Lenka Frycova of the Czech Republic in 4 hours and 40 minutes.

“This is the first time that I have run over five to six hours. The experience was different because whenever I stepped on the ground, my foot would sink as if running in ice,” said Larrazabal during the CebuDoc Group Media Appreciation Night Dinner at Circa 1900 last December 16, 2019 together with his wife, Donna Cruz-Larrazabal.

It was Larrazabal’s 60th marathon distance race and the seventh continent which automatically qualified him to become an official member of the 7 Continents Marathon Club, a club that recognizes athletes who have completed a marathon distance on all 7 continents and exemplify the spirit of adventure marathon running.

“I am a very goal-oriented person; my life is full of goals. Every part of my life, whether it’s my family, career like in the hospital, in which I have a different set of goals in each hospital. For running, my goal was to complete the 7 continents marathon,” said Larrazabal.

Larrazabal’s inaugural race for the 7 continent marathon quest was the Sao Paolo Marathon (South America), followed by the International Marathon of Marrakech (Africa), Brighton Marathon (Europe), Tokyo Marathon (Asia), Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon (North America), Mountains to Surf Marathon in New Zealand (Oceanic) and recently, the Antarctic Ice Marathon (Antarctica).

Completing the 7 continent marathon is another feather added on his cap. For Larrazabal, achieving all these involves great sacrifices and dedication.

“Before I race, I see to it that I have proper training especially if it involves extreme weather conditions like in Antarctica,” said Larrazabal.

Larrazabal’s next big international races will be the Prague Marathon next year and the North Pole Marathon in 2021.