A 70-year-old runner who placed third in the first Milo Marathon national finals in 1978 stole the show from civilian and military entries in the grueling Cobra Lakas Karera Pilipinas Commandant’s Cup obstacle run inside the Gregorio Lim Marine Barracks in Ternate, Cavite last weekend.
Pablo Francisco bested some participants less than half his age in the 10-kilometer run capped by a taxing two-kilometer obstacle course that the Philippine Marine Corps uses in whipping their soldiers into fighting shape.
Francisco, who was third to Numeriano Titong in the 1978 inaugural edition of the Milo Marathon, gamely tackled the demanding, obstacle-laden course that included crawling under barbed wire, narrow tubes, scaling walls and running up a 45-degree dirt trail dubbed 'Spartan Hill' until he reached the finish line.
“Kung alam ko lang na may obstacles baka hindi na ako sumali,” quipped the spry septuagenarian, who looked none the worse after the ordeal, although one of the soles of his worn running shoes tore off as he emerged from a muddy swamp that was part of the obstacle challenges.
A supporter of the Cobra-sponsored event celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the Philippine Marines, Merrell provided Francisco a pair of new shoes to replace his old pair before he headed back home in Tanza, Cavite.
Delighted by Francisco’s feat, Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, personally paid for the old man’s entry fee after learning that he jogged four more kilometers from the foot of of Marine Base Ternate overlooking the West Philippine Sea just to take part in the race.
“The accomplishment of Tatay Pablo and the rest of the runners in the Commandant’s Cup captures the ideals Cobra’s ‘Lakas Pinas’ slogan of pushing oneself to the limit and beyond,” said assistant brand manager Karlene Sebastian. “We just witnessed the triumph of the Filipino spirit in this event.”
“We would like to thank Cobra in staging this event that allows the Marines to mingle with civilians as part of the military’s ‘Bayanihan’ program,” Tanalgo said. “This event also allowed our civilian runners a taste of being a warrior. I am happy that we were able to hold this activity.”
Ultra marathoner Geronimo Landayan topped the men’s 10K Astig (civilian) run in a time of 55 minutes and two seconds while accountant and nature lover Daisy Enfantes ruled the distaff side by finishing first with a clocking of 1:40:12.
Criminology student Leonard Dacanay captured the men’s Astig 5K run (49.50) while accounting clerk Maan Marigmen took top honors in the women’s 5K division in 1:02.57 in the event also backed by R.O.X., RUNNR, Toby’s, Residencia Boracay, Rudy Project, Fenix Corp, Absolute Fitness, Olive Juice Concepts, PaymentPassage, Goofy Foot Media and SJF.
In the men’s Bagsik (military) 10K race, Pfc. Leonardo Doloso made his elite Force Recon Battalion proud in capturing first place in 51:51, besting fellow Marine enlisted men Accel Daeyan (52:07) and Lawrence Duran (58.80), who came in second and third, respectively.
Cpl. Randy Alimayo (35:25) and Pfc. Maria Lour Babon (54:20) were the men’s and women’s 5K Bagsik champions, respectively.
Marissa Monsanto Falvo of organizing Lakas Pinas said that part of the proceeds of the race, which drew 350 civilian runners, will go to the recovery and reintegration program of the Marines wounded in battle.
Gia Estrella, an ultramarathon runner and a first-time participant said, "I expected it would be hard but after we finished the race we proved to ourselves that whatever the Marines could do, we could too."
Another finisher, Zaldy Santillan, a veteran ultra trail runner from the Ayala Triads running group, said he looked forward to the unique challenges posed by the military-style obstacles that would make one think twice but believes the tough course builds one's confidence.
"It's a good race, especially for runners since it's a nice change from road racing."
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