Meet a Pinoy marathoner for all seasons

There’s a selfless Filipino sportsman engaged in a solo global marathon in honor of exploited and often maligned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), but whose dedication is hardly realized by his countrymen.

Cesar Guarin, 58, born in Malabon and now a resident of Quezon City, is currently home on a break from his mission to cover 42,000 kilometers around the world.

“He will leave on Nov. 21 for his three-week UAE 7 Emirates run and be back on Dec. 15,” says Carol Clavecilla, events and communication manager of the Global Run Project. “The next stage will be in April-June 2014, the North America run.”

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She ticks off more pertinent details:

Cesar Guarin, a proud Filipino with running experiences covering some 30 years, spanning six presidencies, has successfully run across the globe at a total distance of 17,377 kilometers which encompass GR1-Trans Pilipinas (2,251 kms); GR2-Trans USA (4,960 kms); GR3-Trans Europe (3,756 kms); GR4-US-Canada (1,272 kms); GR5-Trans Australia (2,053 kms); GR6-Finland-England (1,820 kms); GR7-Middle East (1,265 kms).

These stages typically require him to run up to 60 kilometers a day for up to 90 days per leg. The Global run continues up to the 18th stage and Guarin is determined to finish his solo run, to envelop the circumference of the earth,  with an estimated total distance of 42,000 kms across 47 countries in 920 days.

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Guarin will take on the challenge of running a marathon every day for 12 days crossing the seven (7) emirates in UAE from Nov. 22 to Dec. 15, 2013. There will be inspiring weekend “fun runs” and social events with Filipino communities in key cities that he will pass by. But more than just achieving a record run, Cesar takes on the challenge for a much more profound reason: To give thanks to our OFWs and to inspire Filipinos abroad to pursue their dreams—a motto that he makes whenever he meets and visits Filipino communities around the world.

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“Running has  become a lifetime adventure for me,” Ms Clavecilla quoted Guarin as saying. “Like an artist on the run, the globe is my canvass.”

As a Global runner, Guarin says his passion for running brings him closer to his countrymen around the world.

“I was encouraged to connect with every Filipino I meet along the way with their inspiring life stories. I endeavored myself to run 42,000 kms around the world to deliver my message of “thanks” on foot to all the global Filipinos. They are my inspiration, they made me feel better being connected with them and nature.”

Guarin calls the Global Run a masterpiece.

“My mind wanders and I think about anything and everything whenever I am out there,” he explains. “I focus on and enjoy the wonderful landscapes, the beauty of nature and seeing God’s amazing creation I feel so blessed and more spiritually connected with our Almighty Creator.”

After he has covered the 42,000-km challenge, Guarin will endeavor to paint mountains, open fields, and other landscape he will have covered with God’s blessing.

He has never been injured on the road.

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(BIG DAY: Sunday, Oct. 6 will be a big day in San Fernando, La Union when they inaugurate the MANNA MALL, a project whose motto is GLORY TO GOD (printed boldly on the welcome wall). Built and managed by philanthropist Kuya Pepe Tanyao of the All Christian Foundation (ACF), tenants include Puregold, McDonald’s, Chicboy, Banco de Oro, etc. It’s the first of its kind in the vast area.)