Run like the wind and beat them

Inquirer sports reporter Cedelf Tupas had an intriguing report last Monday that said Filipino runners are getting “turned off” by the participation of Africans in local races.
Keep in mind that these races are the source of livelihood for many Filipino road warriors and their finishes determine the amount of cash they will bring home.
We see many of these racers every morning on our way to work or school, running in jerseys from previous races, braving the early heat. Many are hobbyists or enthusiasts but there are of course those who derive income from the prize money offered by most races.
The truly passionate ones have lithe frames and skin tones baked by the sun and the heat of the pavement.
With the current racing boom, you would think that there are more opportunities for Filipinos who run for a living. But true enough, many of their chances to win or even finish with better places are limited when the talented Africans, who are also trying to make a living, join the fray.
Should this prompt races that offer prize money to limit participation to Filipinos? Or at best restrict the number of foreign participants?
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Tupas quoted elite runner Eric Panique who said they welcome the challenge but expressed concern that their chances of finishing better have been hampered.
Rather than simply wave the flag here or raise labor issues, let’s view this predicament from a sporting perspective. This is because a similar concern was raised years ago when too many foreign musical performers were competing against Filipino acts on big concert days like Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
Sure feels like a similar chord but it’s really quite different.
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Foreign competition should prompt Filipinos to excel and hone their games to high standards. This is what has happened in sports like billiards, boxing and bowling.
In billiards, the prize money and the skill of the Filipinos lure the foreigners to come here. We all know that aside from tournament play there are so many other duels and challenges that happen in other venues when the foreigners are around.
This makes for keener competition and brings about the best in our cue artists. When there’s money on the line, one just seems to play better.
In boxing, there’s more money to be made usually when there’s a foreign opponent and there’s a championship at stake. What’s more, the paying crowd seems to be more willing to part with precious pesos if there’s a Filipino going up against a foreigner in a fight.
A Filipino champion fighting a Filipino challenger will really not be as hot at the tills compared with a Pinoy facing a foreign opponent.
Organizers can opt to be more generous by creating a Filipino-only category and an open one in races. But that will cut up the money way too many ways. I’m sure the Pinoy runners can rise up to the foreign challenge and improve their game as well.
Worrying about too many foreign competitors will not win you races and money but beating them will.