Nenikekamen
words and pictures by rick olivares
What’s in an event? The timing is not lost on me. The 2nd Great Lapu Lapu Run in Lapu Lapu City in Cebu was held on April 19, nine days ahead of the 489th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan that was fought on April 27, 1521.
And speaking of battles, what’s in the word “marathon”? The long distance race is actually based on the story of Pheidippides who ran all the way from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to spread word that the unified Greek army defeated the Persians in 490 B.C.
So it is most fitting that a long distance run is being held in a city that is known for being the first in Asia to repel foreign aggression. That however, isn’t the only thing Cebu would like to be known for. The city would love to be known as a top sporting destination and a runner’s paradise much like the manner that Camarines Sur has become synonymous with water sports. And for Ironman winner Noy Jopson, the organizer of the race, it’s about giving back to his hometown. “Hopefully, the Great Lapu Lapu Run will become one of the most prestigious races in the Philippines,” he proudly exclaimed as close to 4,000 runners signed up.
But how do you write about a run? The simplest way would be to cite the names of the winners. Except that I feel there’s more to a tepid list that says less than Pheidippides’ terse ”Nenikekamen” to anxious Athenians who were awaiting world on their country’s fate. That one word meant: “We have achieved victory!”
Pheidippides, who expired out of exhaustion of his run over a distance of 42k (the standard of the long distance run) captivated the entire Greece that had spit in the eye once more the world’s superpower.
So I figured the best way to write about it was to participate while lugging a camera and a videocam in a backpack. Talk about multi-tasking lunacy! I used to walk/run regularly around the entire Ateneo campus circling it at an average of five times in one outing but those were better days and with stronger knees.
I got up at four in the morning, Sunday, washed up, and stretched those lazy old muscles that have not been pushed for some time. I’ve never had a problem stretching because of my long arms. But the paunch in my stomach was like a speed bump and the effort left me winded. So I said a short prayer for good measure. It wasn’t going to be an easy feat considering how badly out of shape I was.
I arrived at the Mactan Shrine at 5pm still unsure of how to cover the event. The night before, we drove through the entire route with one of the race sponsors and I felt a lump form in my throat. This is far, I thought to myself. I was in for a world of hurt. Nevertheless, I had to do this or I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I figured it would be best to join the 21K that would get the jump on the succeeding races and put me in prime position to take photos.
I was at the tail end of the runners and instead of running, I did brisk walking. At the 1K mark, I began to flagellate myself for such a hair-brained idea. The cameras slowed me down and I began to feel uncomfortable. I thought about quitting and just hitch a ride with one the various media groups covering the run. Just then I caught up with the straggler from the 21K group who despite being younger and better built than me was all tuckered out. I theorized that maybe he wasn’t ready for the run and that he wasn’t properly hydrated. Most people think that taking in a sports energy drink during athletic activity will help them get through. The truth is, one has to ingest the drink even before the activity starts!
And the Gatorade station was still several klicks away. As the disoriented runner sat down by the side of the road apparently out of it, I decided to finish my 5K walkathon come hell or high water. So I continued and pushed myself… until the street sign, until the waiting shed, until the police station, until the panaderia, until where this pretty photographer with her hair tied into a ponytail stood, until the pacers from the 10K batch caught up with me, until I felt a wave of panic shooting up my spine, until I finally reached the 5K mark and I heaved a sigh of relief.
I didn’t wear a singlet and instead chose to wear a basketball jersey that was flaming red (I wore the jersey of former Chicago Bull Andres Nocioni). It turned out that I wasn’t the only one. There were four runners dressed incredibly like Lapu Lapu from the fake armor to a shield and a sword. One lady dressed in a semi-super hero garb. I later found out that every time she participates in a race, she always dressed up for the occasion. Flash fact: they always finish the race!
Drenched in sweat, I massaged my aching calf muscles while figuring how to catch up to the head of the pack. That’s when an ABS CBN mobile unit passed by and I gave them the hitch sign. Problem solved. I was able to cover the route and took a whole lot of pictures.
After the race, I spoke with many of the runners. Gerard Montejo has only been into running for under a year and he felt that the race was good overall despite some glitches. Simon Wosiaboi, a missionary from Kenya, won his 12th consecutive race finishing at 1:12:47. His fellow Kenyan Brian Kipketer, who is studying Pharmacy at the University of San Carlos finished sixth. But by virtue of tournament rules, the top Filipino finisher, Eric Panique who finished second at 1:13:24, will be the one sent to compete in the Hong Kong Standard Chartered next year.
I asked Edward Salac, who won the best Lapu Lapu costume award how difficult it was to run the race. In the vernacular, he said, “It’s all about properly representing his hometown’s hero and finishing. Not everything is about winning. It’s about finishing what you started.”
Somewhere Pheidippides is proud.
Thanks: I would like to thank Noy Jopson, Gerard Montejo, ABS CBN Cebu, and the people of the Waterfront Hotel Mactan for their help and hospitality. Cheers!
Picture below: With Edward Salac and Cesar Dilmar who both ran while dressed as Lapu Lapu. Salac won an award for Best Costume for the race.
No comments:
Post a Comment