Bohol’s 75-year-old marathoner runs for breast cancer awareness

GOING THE DISTANCE Queruben Abella, 75, joins the 21-kilometer category of the Oct. 5 Pink Run in Tagbilaran City. Well-wishers noticed his old running shoes—and later did something about them in a visit to his Dagohoy town residence. Right photo shows him holding his medals from earlier marathons. —PHOTOS FROMALTURAS GROUP OF COMPANIES, LEO UDTOHAN

TAGBILARAN CITY—A 75-year-old farmer has become the oldest Boholano to finish a marathon in the province.

Queruben Abella of Barangay Candelaria in Dagohoy town, Bohol, completed the 3rd Alturas Pink Run on Oct. 5. He took part in the 21-kilometer category, where he clocked one hour and 56 minutes.

As he attracted well-wishers upon crossing the finish line, many in the crowd also noticed Abella’s running shoes, all worn-out and seemingly just held together by the laces.

While he had other pairs, Abella said he preferred to wear the old one in the race for being light and comfortable—and because it had “brought me to distant places.”

Queruben was only 14 when he started joining marathons not only in the province but also in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City and other areas.

Despite his age, he still took part in last Sunday’s Pink Run to support the campaign for breast cancer awareness.

“It is amazing to see everyone so happy and passionate to join Pink Run. It is such a worthy cause. And I would love to continue supporting it in the future,” he said.

Tokens of appreciation

When not running long distances, Abella, who is also a former boxing trainer, can be seen at his 20-hectare farm in Candelaria, where he grows bananas.

He and his wife, Pilar, 66, have five children—Ruben, 42; Rubelyn, 40; Rodel, 36; Rissa, 34; and Rhea, 33.

Mary Grace Ido Bernaldez, the organizer of the Alturas Pink Run, said Abella had been joining the marathon since 2022. The annual event held in October is part of the local observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“At 75, he is not just a runner; he is an inspiration to all of us. Tatay Ruben’s persistence teaches us that there are no limits to what we can do,” Bernaldez said.

On Thursday, four days after the race, Bernaldez and her team visited Abella in his village to express their appreciation by giving him some groceries and new pairs of shoes.

Many others have also extended assistance, like social media personality and fellow marathoner Al Moralde who came all the way from Cagayan de Oro City to personally hand over two pairs of shoes to Abella.

This year’s Pink Run drew about 3,000 participants in three categories: 5K, 10K and 21K. (A foreigner older than Abella by three years participated in the 10K category, according to Bernaldez.)

What keeps him going

Collecting P800 per runner as registration fee, the fundraiser was held for the benefit of 30 cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy sessions in different medical facilities in Bohol.

But organizers decided to again waive the fee for Abella who, the first time he showed interest two years ago, confided that he almost backed out because of it.

The septuagenarian said he would be back next year, noting that that the prospect of competing—and the very thought of contributing to a worthy cause—seem to do wonders for his health.

“I’ll keep running as long as I can,” Abella said. “I’m part of the community.”

Free checkups, ultrasound

Also in line with Breast Cancer Awareness month, a Pink Zumba was held on Oct. 12 and a symposium is scheduled for Oct. 19 at ICM Activity Center at the government-run Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City.

Free checkups and ultrasound tests will be available during the symposium.