Still running at 25

It’s been 25 years since one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez and yours truly embarked on 102-km Sara town to Iloilo City odyssey to raise funds for the PWDs of Iloilo. Since then, we were into countless runs, we couldn’t keep track anymore. Of course we remember some, like Rudy swimming the Guimaras Strait to Bacolod City (26 km) in 8 hours. Who could forget the 240-km cycling from Iloilo City to Camp Peralta in Capiz to raise funds for Ilonggo army men killed or wounded in Mindanao. We could not also forget the international runs we did in Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore where we drew the loudest applause owing to Rudy’s running with an artificial leg. We also remember our stints in the Subic International Triathlon and several duathlons were we ran as a relay team. We haven’t ran for quite some time but last Saturday we were special guests in the Iloilo Halloween Night Run held at the city’s newest mall, The Plazuela. As usual, we had to stop several times either to shake hands or pose for a photo shot with the spectators along the route. It was like old times but this could also be the start of a series of runs next year which we will call “The Elvis and Rudy Run”. Several sponsors have already signified their support that will also include a photo exhibit in the official mall of the run. Elvis will be running in his signature white jumpsuit and will perform in a mini-concert right after the race. Rudy on the other hand will perform his dance routine “Pinoy Ako”. Rudy of course was “The Ironman of Asia” during the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition a few years back.

All Set for Century Ultra

It’s all systems go for the Century Properties 100-km Ultramarathon that fires off at midnight of Nov. 19 in Bogo City. Several runners already ran the route and came up with the same observation, bad roads and poor lighting. We are thinking of taking the Tabogon stretch instead to avoid the “M” at Sogod but organizer Jonel Mendoza said the roads in the Bataan Death March ultra are even worse and also dark. He said it’s some sort of a challenge. I’ll be surveying the course again as soon as I get back from Iloilo and we will make the final decision. I’m also set to meet Mayor Junie Martinez of Bogo City who said he will be supporting the race, thanks Tito Junie! Some of the runners who already confirmed their participation are Kenyans Eluid Kering and Abraham Missus, lawyer Olive Dimaano, Kenji Yosioka and 66-year old Abe Manlawe who is also assisting Haide Acuña plot the course. Participants are advised to have a back-up so it could help lighten the route. Head lamps are a must. Registration is still ongoing until Nov. 6 at Runnr Ayala.