With less than two minutes to spare, Jennifer Aimee Uy pushed herself to the limit, crossing the Ultraman Florida finish line in a dramatic and hard-fought moment.
The grueling three-day ultra-endurance race—held from Feb. 14-16 in central Florida—included a 10-kilometer swim, 423 kilometers of cycling, and an 84-kilometer double marathon. It tested not only her physical stamina but also her mental resilience.
“I struggled on Day 3, and it all came down to an epic finish,” Uy said. “The entire crowd was waiting for me, pacing me through the final mile and cheering me on.”
Unlike traditional races, Ultraman focuses on perseverance, endurance, and self-conquest rather than who finishes first. Every athlete receives the same medal, but special recognition is given to the final finisher for their determination.
Uy, one of only two women in the 30-athlete field, placed 27th, with two competitors unable to finish.
She completed Day 1 in 10 hours, 36 minutes, and 56 seconds, covering a 10-kilometer swim in 4:35:54, followed by a 145-kilometer bike ride in 6:01:02.
On Day 2, she powered through a 278-kilometer bike leg in 11:47:56.
On Day 3, she conquered the 84-kilometer double marathon in 11:58:21.
Her total event time across all three days was an impressive 34:23:13.
Now, Uy is setting her sights on an even greater challenge—the Ultraman World Championship in Hawaii this November.
The event, known for its hilly bike course and grueling three-day format, will demand even more from competitors.
Uy is determined to become the first Filipino to successfully complete the race.
“I’ve learned a lot from my first Ultraman experience,” she said. “I realized my recovery was lacking—I wasn’t getting enough sleep, and my calorie intake wasn’t sufficient. This time, I’ll work with a nutritionist and train harder on high-elevation cycling to prepare for Hawaii’s tough terrain.”
Uy, a seasoned endurance athlete, began her ultra-endurance journey in 2016, winning her first 50-kilometer ultramarathon.
Since then, she has achieved numerous titles, including victories in the 264-kilometer Baguio-to-Luneta race and the 102-kilometer Bataan Death March in 2023.
Seeking greater challenges, she transitioned to triathlons and completed her first full IRONMAN in 2017.
In 2023, she competed in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona and became the first Filipina to finish a full IRONMAN Philippines, securing third place in the women’s division.
Outside of competition, Uy balances her role as a senior treasury supervisor with rigorous training, often starting her day with solo bike and run sessions.
Despite her busy schedule, she enjoys walking her dogs, playing pickleball, and trail running.
Inspired by elite triathlete Lucy Charles-Barclay, Uy is passionate about empowering women in endurance sports and breaking gender barriers through perseverance and determination.
As she prepares for the Ultraman World Championship, Uy’s journey has become more than just a personal achievement.
She runs, bikes, and swims not only for herself but for every woman daring to dream beyond limits.
Her story proves that no goal is too ambitious and no challenge too great when faced with relentless courage and an unbreakable will.
