Pinoy ultramarathoner Cesar Guarin back from Middle East leg of Global Run

The "Father of Philippine Ultramarathon" Cesar Guarin is now back in the Philippines for a well-deserved break after finishing the 7th stage of his Global Run, making him closer to becoming the first Filipino and Asian to run around the world.

On Micaela Papa's report Tuesday on GMA Network's "24 Oras" newscast, Guarin said beating the heat was the biggest challenge in his run's Middle East leg.

In the end, his fellow kababayans propelled him to finish.

Upon arriving in Bahrain in mid-April, Guarin made his way to Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and, finally, the United Arab Emirates.

In Dubai, UAE, Guarin's Middle East run culminated with a "unity run," where almost 200 people participated.

"Marami ngang sumabay sa takbo ko sa final day, over 100 runners talaga yung sumabay sa akin, napakaganda ng finish," Guarin recounted in the "24 Oras" report.

"They really feel proud of what we're doing," he continued.

His journey in the Gulf region is documented on his run's Facebook page.

Guarin's "Global Run: Alay sa Pilipino at sa Buong Mundo" began all the way back in 1983, when he crossed the Philippines, going from Baguio to Zamboanga City.

Since then, Guarin has sprinted across the United States, Europe, and Australia, with more stages planned for the Middle East, an Alaska to California trek, several more European and Asian nations, before wrapping up with a Brunei to Philippines trek in 2017.

Guarin will now rest for four months before beginning his 70-day run in Northern America, this time faced with colder climate.

From Anchorage, Alaska in the United States, Guarin will run to Vancouver in Canada, before finishing his run in San Francisco in the US.

"Mahilig ako sa malamig and it's easier to adapt if you just wear the proper attire," Guarin said.

In the report, he reiterated anew that his run is dedicated to Filipinos worldwide.

"This is a tribute run for the global filipino, especially sa mga (overseas Filipino workers) and migrants," Guarin said.

"Para sa kanila, para sa Pilipino tatakbuhin ko ang mundo," he continued. - Gian C. Geronimo/VVP, GMA News