Leyteño runner guns for 2 Guinness records

Eddie Vega, a Filipino long-distance runner from Hilongos, Leyte, who has been known as the Barefoot Bandito, started his quest for two Guinness World Records.

Vega, who made waves when he ran a full marathon in Antarctica without footwear, will gun for ”Most Barefoot Marathons Run in one year” and “Most Barefoot Marathons Run on Consecutive Days” within a year period, from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

In a communication sent to The Freeman, Vega said Guinness gave the approval for him to pursue the two record categories, through a letter he received last December. “Nobody before me has ever attempted to set the records of these categories,” he said in his e-mail from the U.S. where he is currently based.

Guinness’ requirements for category 1 is for Vega to run at least 50 barefoot marathons within one year for him to be recognized with a new record, while for category 2, he is required to run a minimum of 10 barefoot marathons on consecutive days in order to be recognized as a new record.

The world record entity also required Vega to produce the following materials for every barefoot marathon for evaluation and verification purposes: 1) two independent witness’ statements; 2) video footage of his feet for the entire duration of each marathon; 3) photographs at the start of the race, during the race, and at the finish; and 4) specific evidence including log books, bib, finisher’s medal, website, published results.

Also, all of the marathons that he will participate must adhere to the following guidelines: 1) each marathon must be officially organized, open to the public and advertised (i.e. not organized specifically for the purposes of the record attempt); 2) letter from the race organizer or a website link to the official race results of every marathon must be included in the documentation confirming that he ran and completed the race barefoot. It must also include the race number and finishing time; 3) the full distance of every marathon must be completed without any form of footwear, including band aids, tape, etc. If a marathon is only partially run barefoot, then it will not count towards the final total; and 4) a marathon must have the full distance of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers), while an ultra is defined as any distance greater than the marathon distance.

For a non-certified course to count, the race organization must make a good faith effort to ensure that the course is at least of the marathon distance, and that Vega must traverse the entire race course as defined by the organizers.

Vega have already registered and scheduled to run 57 marathons from January 1 through July 31, this year, to set a new record for the most barefoot marathons run in one year. For the other category, his tentative plan is to participate in 11 barefoot marathons on consecutive days in December, 2014.

“I have lot of confidence in knowing I can complete all of the marathons,” he said, although he cited some concerns that might hinder his records bid, such as injury, funds and marathon cancellations, among others.

Vega said he was inspired to run in honor of his late parents Charlie and Rita Vega, as well as to raise funds for the 300 million children worldwide who lack basic footwear. He quoted Benjamin Franklin, as saying: “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing”’ 

The Barefoot Bandito’s goal is to generate enough donations for 300 pairs of shoes for every marathon he will run barefoot in each of the 50 states in the U.S., or a total of 15,000 pairs of shoes throughout the campaign. “Wish me luck because I’m going to need every bit of it,” he added. (FREEMAN)