Where’s Cesar?
A few months back, I reported on the exploits of ultrarunner Cesar Guarin, who was on a mission halfway around the world. Dubbed The Global Run: Alay sa Pilipino at Sa Buong Mundo, it is Cesar's quest to run around the world as a personal tribute to Filipino OFW's around the world.
The sixth stage of his global run took place from May to July 2012. He covered 1,820 kilometers from Finland to England, their arrival in London coinciding with the opening week of the 2012 Olympic Games.
He spent hundreds of hours on the road in solitude, except for a back-up vehicle driven by his son and handler, Gati Guarin along with his one-man PR and project head, Joon Malicse.
Cesar's goal is to run 42,000 kilometers across 47 countries and visit Filipino communities along the way. His stop at the end of each leg culminates with a gathering of Filipinos that is half meet-and-greet and half social event. Throughout the Europe leg of the Global Run, Cesar had this to say, "Without the help and support of our kababayans abroad, I don't think I would be able finish or even start my run in each country. As I run across the world and visit fascinating places, our kababayans 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."
The Global Run is far from done. Cesar and his team have already begun preparing for Stage 7 which will see them take on the unpredictable weather conditions and rough terrain of the Middle East from January to March 2013. Once this 1,265-kilometer stage is completed, the team will only be nearing the halfway point of their global run quest.
Even if we're halfway around the world, we can still help make the Global Run a success. How? It's easy. Here are a few ways for you to chip in, and you don't even have to spend a dime.
1. Share news about the run with family, friends or co-workers based in the Middle East. Ask them to join thewelcome and the 5 -10k "Fun Run" with global runner in major stops to take part in his epic run in the Middle East:
Al Manama, Bahrain Jan. 18, 2013
Dubai, UAE Jan. 25, 2013
Abu Dhabi, UAE Feb. 01, 2013
Fujairah, UAE Feb. 08, 2013
Doha, Qatar Feb. 15, 2013
Ar Rayyan, Qatar Feb. 22, 2013
Kuwait City, Kuwait Feb. 25, 2013
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Mar. 01, 2013
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Mar. 08, 2013
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Mar. 15, 2013
2. The Global Run is also a fundraiser for Batang Pangarap, a sports program for local street children. OFW's and their families have the chance to make participate in this worthwhile cause through monetary donations or pledges.
3. Like and share the Global Run Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Cesar.J.Guarin
The Global Run may be a solo run but it can only succeed with the participation of thousands of others--that means us.
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.
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