CEBU, Philippines — Mary Obayan, the oldest participant in the Irongirl 5-kilometer fun run, proved that age is just a number.
Turning 68 on August 16, Nanay Mary was all smiles and in high spirits as she crossed the finish line on Friday at Shangri-La Mactan.
The race ended late afternoon but it looked like she's just getting started. Nanay Mary granted a couple of interviews to the media and even danced a bit to the upbeat songs being played on the background.
“Kaya ko, masaya ako kapag tumatakbo ako,” she told SPIN Life. “Wala akong nararamdaman na sakit kapag tumatakbo ako.
“Hindi ko ma-describe ang feelings ko kapag tumatakbo ako basta masaya ako lalo na kapag naka-finish na ako. May mga mas bata sa akin na nauunahan ko pa makatapos ng race. Oo, nakakabata [ang feeling].”
Although her family was at first a bit worried about her taking up running for a hobby, Nanay Mary's children eventually gave in and became more supportive of her.
“Kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko na tumatakbo,” she said. “Medyo nag-worry lang ‘yung mga anak ko pero sabi ko naman sa kanila na kaya ko. Bilin lang nila na ingat lang daw sa pagtakbo. ‘Yung apo ko tatakbo sa Sunday [sa Ironman 70.3].”
The lovable grandmother is proud to share that she has already joined four fun runs in Cebu this year — and she's not done yet.
“Tatakbo ako hanggang kaya,” she said.
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