It has been saddening for our Fort Strider’s family for the passing of our good friend kuya Larry from a motorcycle accident in Bicol. I remember meeting kuya Larry at the Mizuno run clinic 3 years ago and he was the one who invited me to join the Fort Striders club. He was also there at my first running event during the first Run for Hope at Rockwell Powerplant. I’m sure some of you may have already bumped into him a couple of times since he is one who readily volunteers as a pacer.

Kuya Larry has been an inspiration to me. He once said that running is the best investment one can have. You’ll never miss him every time you meet him during your runs because he’s the type of person who would practically greet everyone he passes by.

Kuya Larry, you will always be remembered. And for everything, thank you.

The Story of the 1968 Olympic Last Place Marathoner

With all the olympic hype this month, I'd like to share a story of the 1968 Olympic last place marathon finisher.

In the year 1968 (I wasn't alive yet), as the Olympic awarding has just finished and everybody was about to pack their things and leave, the announcer began asking everyone to remain as the last runner, bloodied and limpingly entered the stadium. He was welcomed with a standing ovation. His name is John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania. It was early on the race when John Stephen Akhwari had a terrible fall were he hit his head and broke his knee. Amidst all the circumstance, he never stopped running and limping to the finish line.

When asked why he never stopped. He said this famous line "My country did not sent me over 11,000KM to start the race, but to finish it".

This man was not the fastest nor the strongest runner, but many remembers his name until today because of his perseverance. Very few could even remember the first place finisher.

Here is a youtube link of his run: 1968 Last Place Marathoner