1 week ago
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MANILA, Philippines — With time slipping away in a grueling Ultraman mission, Jennifer Aimee Uy tapped into every ounce of strength and determination she had left. Overcoming challenges, setbacks and moment of doubt, she pushed her body and spirit to the brink — crossing the finish line in a dramatic, unforgettable moment.
“I struggled on Day 3, and it all came down to an epic finish,” Uy recalled of her recent Ultraman Florida race. “I had less than two minutes to spare, and the entire crowd was waiting for me, pacing me through the final mile and cheering me on.”
A three-day ultra-endurance event reserved for the strongest and most resilient, Ultraman tests not just physical stamina but also mental fortitude. Uy braved and conquered the first two demanding days — a relentless 10km swim followed by a 145km bike ride (both with a 12-hour cutoff) on Day 1; and an even more punishing 278km bike segment (also with a 12-hour limit) on Day 2.
Each day was a battle against time, as failing to meet the cutoff meant elimination from the race. With the odds stacked against her, Uy powered through, driven by sheer will and an insatiable hunger to push her limits.
Then came the final reckoning — an arduous 84km run with yet another 12-hour cutoff. Of the 30 participants — Uy being one of only two women — she was among those who finished. Two competitors did not make it.
“I placed 27th out of 30, but two didn’t finish,” she noted, proving that crossing the finish line in Ultraman is as much about perseverance as it is about speed.
She completed Day 1 in 10:36:56 — covering a 6.2-mile (10km) swim in 4:35:54, followed by a 90-mile (145km) bike ride in 6:01:02. On Day 2, she powered through a 171.4-mile (278km) bike leg in 11:47:56, and on Day 3, she conquered the 52.4-mile (84km) run in 11:58:21. Her total event time across all three days was an impressive 34:23:13.
Jennifer Uy beams with pride after conquering the opening swim leg of Ultraman Florida.
Not about being first
Unlike conventional races, Ultraman isn’t about who finishes first. Every athlete receives the same medal, because the essence of Ultraman is personal conquest — it is a battle against oneself.
“The beauty of Ultraman is that they actually have a special award or moment for the last finisher each day because they want to highlight and celebrate the fact that we never gave up until we crossed the finish line,” said Uy.
As the final finisher on Day 3, Lee’s inspiring grit was immortalized in a special video created by Ultraman Florida. But for her, this feat is just the beginning.
Despite the relentless suffering endured in Florida, Uy is already setting her sights on an even greater challenge — the Ultraman World Championship in Hawaii. Modeled after the same grueling three-day, 515km format, the Hawaii course is notorious for its brutally hilly bike route.
“I would like to do the World Championships this November. And having qualified, I hope to become the first Filipino to successfully complete the Ultraman World Championship,” said Uy, her ambition unwavering.
Although the race distances remain unchanged, Uy recognizes the need for better preparation.
“I've learned a lot from my first Ultraman experience. I realized that my recovery was not good — I wasn't able to get enough sleep, and my calorie intake wasn’t enough,” she admitted. “I will make sure that this won’t happen again. I’m getting a nutritionist to help address these mistakes, and I will train more on my bike with high elevation since Hawaii is a very hilly course.”
Uy triumphantly holds up the Philippine flag, celebrating her endurance and determination in Ultraman Florida.
Extraordinary journey
Uy was initially slated to compete in the Manila-Baguio Ultramarathon late last year but opted out to focus on Ultraman Florida. The choice proved wise, propelling her to the next stage of her extraordinary journey.
A senior supervisor in the Corporate Treasury Department of Energy Development Corp., Uy’s professional life is a stark contrast to her grueling endurance pursuits. Her foray into ultra-endurance sports came relatively late — only in 2016 did she start training for triathlons. However, her background in long-distance running had already cemented her as a formidable ultramarathoner.
Her debut 50km ultramarathon from Tagaytay to Maragondon in 2016 saw her claim the female champion title. Since then, she has collected numerous accolades, competing in races across Singapore and Malaysia. Her longest race — a staggering 264km trek from Baguio to Luneta in 2019 — earned her the title of female champion and second overall runner-up.
Her most recent ultramarathon, the 102km Bataan Death March in 2023, ended with yet another female championship victory.
Her transition to triathlons was born out of a thirst for even greater challenges. She completed her first full IRONMAN in Western Australia in December 2017 and has since competed in seven full-distance events, including the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in October 2023.
Her journey has not been without obstacles. Prior to her historic third-place finish in IRONMAN Philippines 2024, she suffered a left ankle injury from playing pickleball, disrupting her run training. Yet, she powered through, proving that her indomitable spirit far outweighs any setback.
Uy’s training regimen is as demanding as her races. She engages in solo bike and run sessions while swimming with her NewBaundTri teammates. Despite the grueling schedule, she maintains a delicate balance between work, training and personal life.
Empowering female triathletes
Inspired by elite English triathlete Lucy Charles-Barclay, Uy is determined to pave the way for more women in endurance sports. She champions confidence and self-belief, advocating for female empowerment in a domain traditionally dominated by men.
Uy’s journey is not merely about personal achievement — it is about redefining what is possible. Her story is one of resilience, of breaking barriers, of setting new standards for female endurance athletes.
As she prepares for the Ultraman World Championship, her mission extends beyond crossing another finish line. She runs, bikes and swims not just for herself but for every woman daring to dream of the impossible.
And if her journey has shown anything, it’s that no barrier is insurmountable when met with relentless courage and an unbreakable will.
