Dr. Yong takes up running to promote Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Well-known Cebuano eye doctor, Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III has used his participation in international races as a chance to help promote Cebu to other members of the worldwide community of runners.

Larrazabal was recently honored in the 28th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery All-Cebu Sports Awards for his valuable contribution to local running, which is one of the reasons for the popularity of the sport.

Aside from organizing mostly run-for-a-cause events, Larrazabal made it a personal challenge to finish 33 marathons in his lifetime.

So far, the man behind the Run for Sight Foundation has already done 11 marathons. The latest was the 81st Seoul Marathon where he also clocked his personal best time.

Of the 11 marathons accomplished, seven are international including the New York, Big Sur, and the Chicago Marathon in the U.S plus the Macau Marathon, the Robinhood Marathon in U.K, and Hong Kong Marathon.

Larrazabal has not repeated a marathon event for the purpose of studying styles of organizing races, new routes and environment and most especially to learn about different cultures and tradition of other countries as well as expanding to others their knowledge about Cebu and the Philippines.

Aside from participating in events, he also invites fellow competitors to come to the Philippines to join races here.

He also links them up with the local running clubs.

Last year, Yong said, a runner from U.K. joined one of the races he organized and he is expecting more to do so in the near future.

Larrazabal also wants to reciprocate the kindness that the people in international races had extended him.

He cited an experience in Seoul where a Korean invited him into their tent and gave him porridge seeing that he was out in the cold weather.

When asked of the secret for his success in running, Larrazabal said, “You have to run for yourself, not for anybody nor to impress anybody”.

While he may be running for himself, Larrazabal has also been doing much for Cebu as his participation in international events is also putting Cebu and the Philippines in the spotlight. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (FREEMAN NEWS)