Running in RP is booming, and not just in politics

Filipinos are running, and not just for public office. The enthusiastic participation of over 5,000 runners in Sunday’s “Eleksyon 2010 na, Tatakbo Ka Ba?" fun run is a testament is to the current boom in Philippine running. According to Ed Paez, vice president of the Runners Confederation Philippines, Inc. (RunCPI), running is on a major upswing now. RunCPI is a group of 78 running clubs nationwide. “Pangalawang boom na actually ito after the 1980s, when two major marathons, the PAL International Marathon and the Pilipinas International Marathon were regularly held," said Paez, who’s into running for over 20 years now. “Medyo bumaba ang interest in the 1990s pero sa ngayon, marami na uling running events, at maraming sumasali sa 3K, 5K at 10 K runs, aside from 21K and 42K for the more serious runners," he added.

Paez took notice of the fact that last Sunday, four other running events were simultaneously held in Metro Manila, aside from the “Tatakbo Ka Ba?" Seven, if you included the two regional legs that the National MILO Marathon staged in the provinces that day. “Mas malakas pa nga ngayon ang running dahil before, every week lang may patakbo; ngayon, nagtatapatan na ang karera sa isang date," said Paez, who organizes the "Bataan Death March Run," an annual 114-km marathon that retraces the roots of the infamous wartime march from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando and eventually to Capas, Tarlac. A big-time running event could easily draw as many as 10,000 to 17,000 participants, according to Paez. Even big names in the business sector like Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Lance Gokongwei, and also politicians like Senator Pia Cayetano, a known fitness buff, are also regularly participating in running events. As do families who use the fun runs for their family bonding/ fitness activities. So what keeps the Filipinos running? Paez and fellow runner Ramil Cruz, PRO of the group Runners Link, explained that the sport’s low maintenance has a lot to do with it. “Sa running, may shorts ka lang, kumportableng shirt at running shoes, kahit hindi mamahalin, pwede na, " Paez said. This is cheaper, he offered, compared to badminton, which requires one to rent a playing venue, buy a racket and even take coaching lessons. In addition, the health benefits of running are surely invaluable, Cruz added. “Malaki ang tulong nito para mapaganda ang ating pangangatawan," he said. Runner Jujet de Asis, who won the men’s 5K race of the “Tatakbo Ka Ba?" races, said running “makes him relax and feel physically strong." At the same time, the Sultan Kudarat-born runner said his chosen sport has enabled him to “tour different places" as he's being invited to running events everywhere. For “Tatakbo Ka Ba?" De Asis had a bonus: Seeing politicians and celebrities. Runners like De Asis, perceived presidential aspirants, concerned citizens, GMA Network’s Eleksyon partners, celebrities and VIPs gathered together for the historic event, which advocated clean, honest elections and good governance for 2010. - GMANews.TV