Pinoy runner to carry RP flag in Mt Fuji Marathon

MANILA, Philippines – Ronald Villafria is set to proudly wave the Philippine flag when he crosses the finish line of the Mt. Fuji Marathon on Friday. Villafria said that he plans to carry the Philippine flag, which was given by Philippine embassy officials from Japan, when he takes on one of his most challenging races in his more than two-decades-long running career. The 34-year old restaurant employee on Saipan is currently preparing for the 2008 Mt. Fuji Marathon on Friday in Japan. The race starts at 7am Japan time. Villafria, a native of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, is out to conquer the 26-kilometer long hike up Mt. Fuji, which is Japan’s highest peak standing at more than 3,700 feet. He arrived in Japan on July 14 and has been training ever since. “So far my training is okay. It’s only a little expensive since every time I run up the mountain to train I need new running shoes. I already used three pairs and I did not expect it would be that costly." “I don’t expect to win or to be a one of the top placers in the race," said Villafria in Filipino, who will run the Mt. Fuji Marathon for the first time. “My objective is to be able to finish the race since I have no idea of what to the race course looks like. The race will be hard but just to be able to carry the Philippine flag when I cross the finish line is worth it," Villafria added. “I know this will be one of the toughest races I have joined in. And since it is my first time to join I will just keep my pace and will not push myself to the limit." Before going to Japan, Villafria was part of the CNMI team that competed in the 2008 Oceania Athletics Championship on Saipan last month. The Mt. Fuji Marathon is a popular race that attracts the best runners around the world as they try to conquer the run up Japan’s famous volcano. The race starts with a 20-kilometer uphill run then slowly changes to a trail run where runners climb the final six kilometers. Fujio Miyachi, who will join Villafria in the race, aims to top this year’s edition after placing 34th overall in 2007 Mt. Fuji is located between the boundaries of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo. – GMANews.TV