Inspiring Pinoy Runner attempts Global Run

To most runners, a marathon marks the very summit of achievement after months of hard training and blister plasters. To Cesar Guarin, it’s merely a light warm-up for the rigors to come.

The University of the Philippines alumnus, entrepreneur and father of 4 children is the first Filipino global runner: one of the few individuals who positively savor the thought of running around the world. With running experience covering some thirty years, spanning 6 presidencies, Cesar is poised to continue his toughest - ever run: The Global Run. This one-of-a-kind ultramarathon has been partitioned into 14 stages, with stage typically requiring Cesar to run 50 - 70 kilometers per day, for each of the 30 - 90 days per stage. The Global Run will continue this October 2011 and will end in 2016. The remaining Global Run stages will cover a total distance of approx. 17,993 kilometers!

Global Run is an endurance sport more than anything. He has been training his body to run for more than 8 hours a day for at least 1 to 3 months. He also trains to endure months of continuous running given unpredictable weather, no stopping, no looking back, no matter what happens.

Cesar didn't wake up one morning thinking "I am going to run around the world". He thought about it for a long time, carefully considering and planning every phase. Several runners had tried, but only three on official record have completed an ultramarathon of this magnitude. At first, he started running longer distance to get the frustration out of his system. And that’s how he found his obsession. He had no doubt that he can accomplish it. What started out as a way to cope with disappointment soon became one of his passions in life. By 1983, he ran the first Trans - Pilipinas ultramarathon running from Zamboanga up to Baguio City. After that, what's left? He asked himself. Well, how about running around the world? Over the past few years several runners had attempted to run around the world, but all of them either failed or were caught cheating, like the guy who took a train, thinking he could fool the public.

He was thrilled by the prospect of becoming the first Asian (and Filipino) to run around the world and he knew it was the right time for him to do it. He feels that now is the time to finish all the remaining stages of the Global Run. He said, “I don’t see myself stopping from running because I enjoy the meditative part of it. I do long distance running not only for physical fitness but also in order to meditate. So kahit may edad na tayo, I believe I will still run. Wala naman pinipiling edad ang pagtakbo.”

With 10 stages or phases left in his Global Run, he is more than eager and excited to run again starting with Global Run Australia this October to November 2011. Only three months after that, he will run a more challenging stage of the Global Run which is Middle East run this March to April 2012.

For Cesar Guarin, Global Run is more than just about fulfilling a deep passion for running. It is his way of honoring and thanking OFWs and migrants. In many ways, Cesar’s triumph over hardships, pains, and failures that he encounters in each Global Run is symbolic of overseas Filipino workers and migrants’ journey in life.

Each year, more than a million Filipinos leave to work abroad through overseas employment agencies and other programs, including government sponsored ones. Others emigrate and become permanent residents of other countries. These brave Filipinos leave loved ones behind, missing important events hoping to give their families a better future. As they embark on a pursuit of a better life with firm hope of “winning” the prize at the end of the finish line, their journey often becomes difficult, lonely, and at times, it would seem pointless or hopeless.

But despite of all these, many of our fellow Filipinos have risen above the challenges and had become successful in their own way. These are qualities that personify the Filipino character of being resilient, dedicated, passionate and selfless. Though they all come from different backgrounds, various professions and diverse beliefs, they all possess these traits that helped them endure hardships, homesickness, and even failures while being away from families and country that they deeply love.

Global Run also gives him the chance to personally thank them and share what connects them as one: We are Filipino and We are Proud of It. Just like Manny Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Paeng Nepumoceno, Lea Salonga, Charice Pempengco, just to name a few, Cesar Guarin will give honor to Filipinos all over the world. This is his way of showing the world what Filipinos can do.

In a recent study, there are about 16 million overseas Filipinos worldwide, equivalent to about 14% of the total population of the Philippines. The Global Run has a goal also of connecting and reaching out to most, if not all, of the Filipinos during and even after the Global Run has ended.

This is one of the reasons why Global Run is charted along countries with most number of Filipinos present. As Cesar runs in key cities in those countries, he and his team make it a point to contact local Filipino communities’ way ahead of time to inform them and encourage them to take part or support the Global Run effort. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, gather to meet Cesar.

In every country he did his Global Run, a welcome party is always present. All major cities make it a point to welcome Cesar as he reaches each stop. His run begins with a send off often characterized with vigor and enthusiasm. Send off is organized with honorary ambassadors, representatives from consulate and local town officials present. He then gives a short talk before running. And for safety and luck, he is sent-off with 2 motorcycles accompanying him until he reaches 5 kilometers. During his run, he will have stopovers in each key city, where Filipinos working or residing in that region will gather to meet with him as a show of their support.

Around 5 kilometers away from the finish line, well wishers gather to witness Cesar as he completes one destination at a time, sometimes even preparing motorcade and small fellowship afterwards to socialize with each other. During which, he talks about his experiences throughout the run and at the same time, is honored and appreciated by the community, saying he is truly an inspiration. But to Cesar, it is them - our fellow Filipinos - who truly inspire him to run around the world.

Cesar said of his role in Global Run, “The Global Run is not all about achieving my personal dream of running around the world or about my personal triumph in being able to set a record and put myself in high esteem. Global Run is also about uniting our fellow Filipinos in countries where we will do Global Run to work together to fulfill its advocacy. As we meet with them in person during the run, we will communicate with them our desire to fulfill the mission of Global Run with their help: That is, to give hope and a chance for a better life to our poor children living in dire poverty by working together to raise funds for the “Batang Pangarap” sports development programs.