Wacky Runs

Several runners lamented that races nowadays have lost the real meaning of competition.  It has become a circus disguised as a fun run.  If you recall,  several races held here recently were  called “color runs” where race officials wet you before spraying you with color dust.  Ertswhile Cebu “Lord of the Roads,”  Tirso Pamaybay said, he feels sad with what’s happening to the races. “Mahal na ang entry fees, gamay pa ang premyo, lawgaw na jud ang mga dagan ron.”  Another runner said “nahugawan  ang akong mahalon nga singlet ug sapatos.”  Well, I don’t  think we can do anything with these races.  But one thing certain is it really  affects our sports development.  Fun runs have become non- competitive unlike the serious runs where we try to bring out the best of us.  If you noticed, marathon clockings are nowhere the near the standards during  the late 80’s or 90’s.  Two  runners I developed became Olympians.  Herman Suizo of Ilo-IIo City, held the National Marathon record of 2:19:50 for 10 years and was the best-placed Filipino runner in the Olympics Marathon, wounding 51st place in a field of 116 of the world’s best in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. On the other hand, my other ward Roy Vence (2:20:00) represented the country in the Atlanta Olympics while winning the crown in the Milo Marathon, six times.  Today,  the best our runners could muster is  2:30,  a case of too much competition in the weekly races that either burned out or injured the runners.  So the clamor is let’s bring back the classic runs like the Cebu Tri City Marathon, Don Sergio Osmeña Run and Nike-Pharmaton circuit.  Another long-time runner Rodrigo Ababat shared the same sentiments, bring back the serious  runs.  Well, I told Rodrigo I’ve been yanked out from semi-retirement to direct the  Run  for the Rivers on June 22.  If he wants a technical run devoid of gimmicks, join the race as you will also be supporting an advocacy of rejuvinating our murky rivers.  By the way, Tirso also said another “lawgaw” race is the Zombie run where zombies try to block your way.  So how can you clock a respectable time?.

Forgotten Heroes

Fernando “Ito” Rama,  elder brother of Mayor Mike is not happy with what’s happening  with our former sports heroes who gave  honor to the country.  Ito was refering to the fate suffered by boxer Anthony Villanueva who gave the Philippines a silver medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.  Anthony died 2 weeks ago, a virtual pauper who even attempted to sell his Olympic medal just to sustain his medicine. It was only after his death that support came pouring in but too late. “Anuhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.”  He won’t even know if you placed him  in a golden coffin.  He should have recieved support while he was alive and ailing.  I told Ito, Anthony is not alone, some of our  sports treasures are currently  ailing too while some could hardly eat.  Asia’s former sprint queen Mona Sulaiman is now confined in a wheelchair while Herman Suizo, Barcelona Olympian  and Sea Games champion is now driving a tricycle in Ilo-Ilo just  to make a living.  Very sad indeed. Ito’s parting words.  “Let’s carve the name of Anthony Villanueva with honor and pride”.  Well said Ito.