Sixty and loving it

During our last reunion in Iloilo and Bacolod, I could hardly recognize my classmates. Some could hardly walk while several are now settled Downunder, no I don't mean Australia, but six feet below the ground. Sometimes, I forget that I'm a senior citizen. I could still run a marathon or maybe an ultra? I could probably pace my partner Noy Jopson in the Camsur Ironman in the first 50 meters of the run segment, but no doubt about it I could outlast any 60-year-old Elvis impersonator in the stage, if using arthritis medicines are violations. Yes, I'm 62 and loving it. While I could still do most hectic physical activities, I'm given special treatment as a senior. I don't have to line while paying my bills and of course I'm enjoying my 20 percent discount, este… make it 32, after the new decree on VAT. But sometimes I get into trouble too, like on one occasion while getting my airline ticket, I squeezed myself between the guy who was just served and the next guy. The next person told me it was his turn since he was holding the next priority card. I just came from a 10-kilometer jog and was still in my running gears when I went to the ticket office. Of course the guy was irked and said "nano man, senior ka diay?" When I moved in front of him, the teller asked the guy to take a seat as she attends to a senior citizen. The guy probably thought I was conniving with the ticket clerk and kept on throwing dagger looks at me. When I got my ticket, I told the clerk, please tell that guy I'm challenging him to a run up to Danao City and that I'm giving him a 5-kilometer handicap or headway. But by the looks of it, he won't last 3 kilometers and should ask St. Peters Funeral Homes to be his sponsor. Now whoever said "looy ang tigulang?"

Baston Marathon

Speaking of oldies, I'm thinking of organizing the first-ever seniors' run. Make no mistake of it, some senior runners are still potent. In the CERC for instance, 61-year-old Jon Consunji, Dr. Abe Manlawe (66), Joven Villamor (62) and Relly Mercado (68) could put to shame runners young enough to be their grandsons. Rening Ylaya is one of the oldest - fastest runner at 74, until a few months ago, when a motorcycle hit him in Colon Street. That makes Raul Cepeda 77, the oldest runner to watch during the Aboitiz Race to Reduce Challenge on August 22. Petite but terrible Abby Ponce, who's aiming for her first Ultra Marathon this November asked me what's the title of the seniors' run. I said it's going to be called "Baston Marathon". Runners with canes will not be disqualified.

All Systems Go

If the Aboitiz Race to Reduce Challenge were the space shuttle Endeavor, then it's all systems go. Yes, the countdown is on with two weeks to lift off. But the organizers are ready. Race numbers together with the timing chips and singlets will be available starting August 17 at the Persimmon Plus in Mabolo. But where's Persimmon Plus? It's Aboitizland's latest condo units located at the old Coaco area, that's between the Mabolo church and the access road to Ayala Center. With the 21K slots almost filled up, runners are advised to hurry as we will have only 500 for the 21K while the 10K is limited to 1,000, that's the numbers of our chips. Registration is now in full swing at Columbia Sportswear in SM City Northwing, Runnr in Ayala Center, Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Place and at the PSC Office at Cebu City Sports Center.