Pinoy global runner completes 7-emirates run for Yolanda victims

Filipino global runner Cesar Guarin over the weekend completed a seven-Emirates run in the United Arab Emirates that he dedicated to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Guarin, 58, the first Asian global runner, left Dubai Sunday night after his run, according to a report on UAE news site Khaleej Times early last week.

He ended his run last Dec. 13, after covering 580 km in 18 running days, the report added.

“As I run globally until I finish the 42,000-km run in 48 countries, which I have divided into 18 stages, I want to remind everyone to take this global run as an inspiration to everyone. We have to give our best in whatever we are doing to do the impossible,” the report quoted him as saying in a press conference.

Earlier, Guarin said he was dedicating his run to the Filipino supporters in the UAE and to the UAE because of its $10-million aid to Yolanda victims.

Yolanda tore through Visayas and parts of Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 6,000 dead in its wake.

The Khaleej Times report quoted Guarin as saying he found no major obstacles during his run.

He said his most difficult stage was the seventh leg of his 48-country global run in May 2013, "along the desert areas and roads of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE."

"I considered that leg one of the hardest runs I had ever done. It was summer and I needed to be wet all the time as I ran,” he said.

But since Nov. 22, he said he found the run relatively easy, watching out for fast cars when he ran on the highway.

In 2014, Guarin will do the North America stage of his run from April to May, and the Japan-Korea-China stage from September to October.

He reiterated he is dedicating his run to Filipinos around the world.

“As always, this global run is a tribute to the global Filipinos. This is my way of expressing my message of gratitude to them for their sacrifice and for their families who are left behind. They are my inspiration, too,” he said. — LBG, GMA News