Construction worker cementsway to road running success

CEBU, Philippines - Status in life and age are not a hindrance in reaching one’s goal to succeed especially in the realm of sports.

That's what Desederio Engbino has proven after his stellar performance in the recently-concluded 37th National Milo Marathon-Cebu leg that has somehow provided others a meaningful lesson in life that anyone can always rise above any daunting challenge and eventually catapult themselves to glory no matter who they are and where they come from.

For someone who makes a living out of hard labor being a construction worker, excelling in the athletic field that requires a rigid training regimen is really an inspiring story. And his feat was truly exceptional because at 43 years old, Engbino bravely endured the rigors of the nature of his job to swiftly make a name for himself in the Cebu running circuit.

Engbino, a relatively nondescript runner, caught everyone by surprise as he placed eighth out of the 2, 124 elite runners that competed in the premeire men's 21-kilometer division of the Nestle Philippines-bankrolled event that drew a record field of 24, 067 entries last Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

And to think that it's only the first time he joined a highly competitive race of such prestige and magtitude is truly amazing.

“This is the first time that I joined in the Milo race and I am glad that it turned out to be a good one for me,” said Engbino, who completed the lung-busting contest in one hour, 26 minutes and 14 seconds that earned him a berth to the National Finals slated on December 8 at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

Some say running isn’t for everyone, but Engbino said he has a love affair with the sport and it happened to him naturally.

No doubt that even though his work is very strenuous, energy-sapping and a tiring one, Engbino still managed to lock up a special place for running in his heart. Given his busy schedule, he showed his great passion for the sport by finding time to train with or without a competition to join.

“If I am assigned to work in the evening, then I have to train and run in the morning and vice versa,” Engbino said. “They say what I am doing sounds tiring but I feel energized doing my daily routine.”

 Coming from a poor family in Bohol, Engbino first started to run when he was a teenager. Unfortunately, he was not given a chance to continue his dream to be an athlete because poverty forced him to transfer and seek job here in Cebu.

“I really love this sport. I was running during my high school years, but I was forced to stop to find a job,” he said.

But even if he is past his age, Engbino did not lose hope as he decided to continue his dream to be a successful runner.

“I am now married with two children but I think it is never too late to continue what I was once started,” said the vibrant and dynamic Engbino. “Since I became a member of a running club (North Road Runners Club), I had my  first fun run only last month in Casili, Consolacion. That fun run made me realize that I still have what it takes to succeed in this sport.”

For those who want to mirror his accomplishment, Engbino revealed the secret to his youthful strength and stamina that made him defy "Father Time" at this stage of his life - proper nutrition and stay away from vices.

 â€œI don’t smoke. I rarely drink alcoholic beverages and I always make sure that I eat only healthy foods that will not ruin my cardio and conditioning,” said Engbino.

Sandra Soliano, Engbino’s teammate and an ultramarathoner, has nothing but words of respect and admiration to his clubmate whom he describes as "a very hardworking and passionate runner".

“Being young is big factor in winning in this sport, but I can say that handwork and dedication in training is the key factor in being a successful runner,” said Soliano, the third-place finisher in the women's 21K category.

Obviously a late bloomer in the sport, Engbino humbly admitted that his journey has just started and that he still has a long way to go. But he looks forward with great sense of optimism that someday he will find a place in the hallowed portals of Cebu running greats.

“Stopping from this sport is a far from my mind right now. I just want to run until the time that I can’t do it anymore,” said Engbino.  (FREEMAN)