You're never too old to Run

Marathon man Alfredo Fototana is a bit disappointed he didn’t make it to the finals of this year’s 32nd National Milo Marathon.

He finished the preliminary race held last Aug. 3, but his running time was 4:06, six minutes in excess of the four-hour requirement to qualify for the finals. The time, however, is not bad for a man who turned 72 a month later.

Cramps, he says, was the reason he failed to meet the running time for finalists. “I may have had the attack due to lack of practice,” he adds.

But this is not to say he is not proud of his recent accomplishment.

“I think I was the only participant aged 70. Some others were 64 or 65, while most of the participants were 30 to 35,” says Alfredo.

He attributes his endurance to rigorous training – three and a half hours of practice at least three days a week.

Alfredo’s job as a butcher in their small family-owned meat shop in Kamuning market mostly requires his presence during the day – from 3 am to 10 am, which leaves his afternoons free for practice.

Alfredo’s heart is into his sport so much that he joins running events practically every week, both within his community, as well as with various organizations.

Recently, Alfredo joined a 10-kilometer run organized by the Philippine Maritime Institute, held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He finished in first place.

“In short-distance running events, I am often the first, second or third placer,” he shares.

His son Geoffrey and daughter-in-law Jocelyn add, “Tatay has become well-known in running events because he always leads the race.”

Alfredo is particularly proud of long-distance running events, though. The annual Milo marathon, for example, is dubbed as the country’s premier running event, covering 42.195 kilometers. It is participated in by thousands of delegates, including foreigners.

 The Pasig River International Marathon, on the other hand, covers all bridges spanning the Pasig River in Metro Manila.

Alfredo was also gearing up for a 21-kilometer run held on Oct. 12 sponsored by Adidas. Unfortunately, he was unable to participate because he had to man the family’s meat shop on that day.

It is not only time that Alfredo has devoted to his passion, but some amount of money as well.

His wife, Lourdes, shares that they normally have to shell out P250-P300 for the application fees in the running events.

And, even if Alfredo wins, more often than not he only gets medals or certificates as prizes.

“We just let him be because this is what makes him happy. So, even if the application fees are quite a burden, it’s okay,” she says, citing that their meat shop’s average daily profit is only around P600.

Alfredo shares his greatest dream is to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest marathoner.

“That is really my dream. People have been telling me that at my age, I may be one of the oldest marathoners,” he says.

Earlier this year, there were reports that Buster Martin of the United Kingdom may become the world’s oldest marathoner at 101 years old. He completed the Roding Valley half marathon in Essex in five hours and 13 minutes last March and is reportedly aiming for the London 2008 Marathon.

As he speaks enthusiastically of his love for the sport, it seems unimaginable that Alfredo only discovered his passion for running when he was in his 40s. At that time, he was starting to have strained relations with his children due to his being an alcoholic.

After work at the market, he would drink the entire afternoon.

“My children talked to me and told me I was ruining my life with alcohol. Instead of drinking, they encouraged me to join them in sports,” he says.

All his seven children were athletes in their respective schools, he shares. One son even participated in the Gintong Alay program, the flagship sports project created by former President Ferdinand Marcos for athletics development.

Aside from his regular practice at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, and a healthy diet of rice, bread fruits and Vitamin C, Alfredo attributes his strength and stamina to the Almighty.

“That is my secret,” he says. “I always pray to God because he fails no one. Strength and good health are what I ask from Him. In Him, nothing’s impossible.”

His advice to aspiring marathoners? “One has to have a healthy body. Perseverance is the key.”