BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: After completing 16,636km for 346 running days in 18 countries, Filipino ultramarathon runner Cesar Guarin is in Qatar as part of the seventh leg of his quest to be the first Asian to run around the world.
When he attains his aim to run more than 42,000km in 47 countries in 16 legs, Guarin would be the first Asian and the fourth person to run around the world. At the end of his journey, he plans to write a book to inspire the youth to aim high.
The 57-year-old runner started his journey around the world 30 years ago with a dream to be the first Filipino Olympic marathon gold medallist, and when he failed to reach it, he took it farther through the Global Run.
He targets 2016 to finish his mission to circle the globe as a tribute to millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) scattered across the world.
“This is for all the OFWs who help our country to progress. I’m also inspired by their heroism, they are all my inspiration,” he told the local media at the courtesy call yesterday at the Philippine Embassy.
The Middle East leg of his journey started in Bahrain and Qatar is the second of all six GCC countries he would cover in the coming days. In Qatar he said he would run 230km in the span of five days.
With regard to his Middle East run, he said his concern was adapting to the region’s unique culture. He said apart from interacting with Filipinos here, he also enjoyed the Middle East’s unique landscape different from other regions of the world he had visited.
Going for the record is just secondary to his goal, most important is connecting with Filipinos on the road.
“For the Filipinos, I’ll run all over the world,” he said.
Charge d’Affaires Melvin C Almonguera said Guarin would be an inspiration to all OFWs here on accomplishing goals and overcoming obstacles as in other countries where the ‘Father of Ultramarathon in the Philippines’ has reached.
Almonguera called on all Filipinos to participate at a Fun Run with Guarin tomorrow at 6am at the Oryx Roundabout near the Corniche.
The Peninsula
