Following Cesar

A few days ago, I received an email about Filipino runner Cesar Guarin. The name may ring a bell, especially among old-school runners. Cesar is the man behind the original Filipino running brand, Botak. As a kid growing up in Baguio, I used to frequent the Pugad Lawin shop on Kisad Road as it was here that I got my first taste of proper running gear (singlets, side slit shorts and Saucony's were the norm back then).

While I didn't meet the man himself, he left a lasting impression on me through his cool running gear.

Nowadays, Cesar Guarin is out to make a lasting impression on millions of Overseas Filipino Workers by embarking on an enormous project: Global Run, Alay sa Pilipino. Part tribute to OFW's, part tourism campaign for the Philippines, the run will cover 43,000 kilometers in 15 stages, 42 countries and will take at least 4 more years to finish. Cesar started this epic run in 1983 by completing the Trans Pilipinas Run in 1983 after his dream of making it to the Philippine Olympic Team was cut short by an injury sustained while racing. Instead of moping around, he picked himself up and decided to go even farther.

The Global Run is a gigantic endeavor that Cesar and his team aim to complete by 2016. This year, Cesar will tackle Stages 6 and 7 of his Global Run for a total of 4,484 kilometers. Stage 6 takes Cesar from Finland to England in 45 days. He started in Helsinki, Finland last May 28 and as of this writing, is already in Norway which is his last Scandinavian stop before he heads for Great Britain. Stage 7 will be held later this year in the Middle East.

I've completed a few ultramarathons but none longer than 57 kilometers, so I couldn't even begin to imagine what 4,000 kilometers is like. Heck, I've never even driven that distance! Just to put things in a running perspective, Cesar's European and Middle East legs this year will cover the equivalent of 106 full marathons in just 90 days! Dean Karnazes, by comparison, ran 50 consecutive marathons over 50 days back in 2006.

So what made Cesar decide to do this? One marathon a month is punishing enough, why would anyone want to put himself through this ordeal?

Cesar had this to say: "My global run serves as a tribute and token of my gratitude to all Filipinos abroad for inspiring me to not give up and take courage in fulfilling my dream of running across the globe and also for their valuable contribution in helping our country's economy and for enriching our cultural heritage. As I meet Filipinos around the world, they always make me feel home is never thousands of miles away. Once you hear their stories and their triumph over challenges in life you will learn to love and respect them more. That's why I'm always excited to hear their stories. Though they all come from different family backgrounds, various professions and diverse beliefs, you can sense and feel that love for our country is what unites us as one. And it is for this reason that I'm running across the world."

While programs to acknowledge OFW's through road shows are nothing new, a road show on foot definitely is. Aside from being a personal mission to acknowledge the millions of OFW's abroad, the Global Run is also a tourism and investment road show of sorts. Part of the team's program at each stop is a series of videos that promote the best of what the Philippines has to offer--for leisure and business.

Filipinos in Norway can catch Cesar Guarin and his team until the 27th of June. He then flies to Edinburgh on the 28th where he resumes his European leg that ends in London on July 27. You can follow his progress on www.facebook.com/The-Global-Run and through the team's Twitter Account: #TheGlobalRun.

We will be featuring Cesar through this column as he makes his way around the world.

In the meantime, Run Cesar, Run!

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.