Running bug

CEBU, Philippines – The running bug has bitten so many people that you see them all over the sports pages of the local newspapers and on Facebook.

This reminds me of how a few years ago, everyone wanted to try their hand at badminton and so many places opened up for the sport. Although badminton seems to have experienced a flat growth lately, many continue to play it.

Running is not new to many of us. In fact, at one point in our lives we probably jogged a few kilometers on a regular basis, but then not really taken part in competitions.

This is not the same now. The running enthusiasts are joining races and working to beat their personal marks. I see many friends who I never thought would get hooked, but are now big running buffs.

In our office alone, it used to be only Raffy ‘Marathon Man’ Uytiepo, who was hooked into running, but now I see more donning their running shoes and pounding the streets or the severely depreciated track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center.

What’s with running that makes it tick?

It is probably the fact that you can set your own goals and your own pace. It could also be because running is a sport that doesn’t entail much special equipment and the cost is not prohibitive.

It could also be because running can be done with friends and family and you get to enjoy each other’s company.

Running is also a great way to keep in shape and those who’d like to lose the flab and those bulges around the middle can take up running and look better.

I believe it helps that there are many organizers, who are holding races like the very active group of Dr. Yong Larrazabal and Dr. Peter Mancao. 

There are also many organizations that have hold running events that encourage participation of people from all ages and all walks of life. 

When I was a very new sportswriter, I used to cover the running competitions and there was a time when the winners were almost the same people.

Now, with more categories and special groupings, there are a lot more people who get to take home an extra honor after the races.

But nothing beats improving on your personal record for certain distances.

Due to my bad knees, running is an activity that I can only wish, I can do again. But thanks to Facebook, I know what my friends who are hooked into running are doing and what events they are taking part in.

To be very honest, many of them are actually running for their lives. Yes they are running to stay fit to have a better quality of life.

Keep on running my friends!

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Milestones: Congratulations to my good friend Chester C. Cokaliong and the Cokaliong Shipping Company for the inauguration of the newest vessel of their fleet -- MV Filipinas Ozamis.

Birthday greetings go to Mae Blanco and to my classmate Dr. Ernest Cabrera, who both turn a year older today.

Advanced greetings go to Mark Lester Guanzon, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow.

More power to all of you!