Senate adopts reso lauding Uychiat for World Marathon Challenge win

The Senate on Tuesday, March 7 adopted a resolution commending Julie Uychiat for being the first Filipino to finish the World Marathon Challenge and win four of the seven marathon in its 2023 edition.
 
Uychiat, a Filipino nurse, came up as the “Top Finisher,” Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said during his sponsorship speech on Senate Resolution No. 471. 
 
“What better way to celebrate National Women’s Month than honoring the Pinay nurse who made history as she bagged 4 out of the 7 intercontinental marathons in the 2023 World Marathon Challenge Women’s Category,” Villanueva said in his privilege speeech.
 
“Today, we are honoring our kababayan, Julie Uychiat, a Negros-born nurse and marathoner as she raced her way through the freezing Antarctica down to the lowlands of Miami!” he stressed.
 
Uychiat, Villanueva pointed out, triumphantly reached every finish line for seven consecutive times, the itinerary commencing on the 31st of January and ending on the 6th of February covering the following places: Novo in Antarctica; Cape Town in Africa; Perth in Australia; Dubai in Asia; Madrid in Europe; Brazil in South America; and lastly, Miami in North America.
In each destination, all participants are expected to run for 42.2 kilometers seven times in a row. 
 
He said participants spent 45 hours in the air via charter plane going from and to these seven destinations.
 
“It goes to show what Nurse Julie must have gone through to conquer all seven marathons to bring the Top Finisher Title in the Women’s Category, having to run a total of 295 kilometers to complete the entire race,” he said.
 
“Julie ruled the marathons in Asia, Europe, South America, and North America. Hindi din po siya nagpahuli sa tatlo pang marathons as she placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the Australia, Africa, and Antarctica marathons, respectively,” Villanueva boasted.
 
“As we celebrate National Women’s Month, it is high time that we recognize how Filipino women embody the pinnacle of excellence in every field of endeavor while, at the same time, being our mothers, sisters, wives, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, and friends. We give particular appreciation to women OFWs for heroically offering their precious time and talents to foreign lands at the expense of leaving their families and loved ones,” the Senate Majority leader added.
 
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, and co-sponsorship of the resolution, likewise, congratulated Uychiat on her success. 
 
Go noted it was a “grueling competition where participants run seven marathons in seven different countries.” 
 
“Your journey inspires us to believe that we can achieve our goals and dreams through hard work and dedication. Further, your efforts to generate awareness for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, which aids mistreated and disadvantaged children in the province of Negros (Occidental), serves as an example of how we can use our talents and skills to positively impact the lives of others,” Go said in his co-sponsorship speech.
 
“As chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, let me reiterate my steadfast commitment to our Filipino athletes in always ensuring that their rights and welfare are always at the forefront of my priorities,” he reiterated. 
 
Sen. Pia Cayetano, also a co-sponsor of the resolution, and a triathlete, also commended Uychiat describing her success is a “story of perseverance.”
 
“So I hope that Julie will continue to break expectations, break down barriers,” Cayetano stressed.