While I was running at Ayala Alabang for the Hope In Motion 3 yesterday morning, elite runners being supported by Bald Runner’s Events were competing also at ULTRA, Montalban, and Cebu City. However, the TAKBO! BREAST FRIENDS Road Race which was held at PhilSports Complex (ULTRA) by Soroptimist-Ortigas was something to talk about or worth mentioning in this blog. I want my readers to express their comments as the following story deals with values in competitive sports.
Two of my runners, Elmer Sabal and Reynaldo De Los Reyes, competed in the 10K Race. Elmer Sabal finished 1st Place with a time of 35:08 minutes while Rey De Los Reyes finished 3rd Place with a time of 36:14 minutes. My runners could not get what they deserved to be awarded because, allegedly, three (3) runners from the Philippine National Police (PNP) finished the race in 27:00 + minutes without being escorted by the PNP Motorcycle Escort. In order to settle the problem, the PNP Motorcycle Escort was called to identify the runner whom he escorted from start to the finish line. The Motorcycle Cop identified Elmer Sabal as the one whom he escorted. Despite such testimony, an unidentified PNP Officer (maybe, the head/coach of the PNP Runners) still forced the issue that his 3 runners were the ones who reached the finish line first and they should receive the cash awards. The race organizer, a certain Baby Doble, could not make a firm decision as to who won in the 10K race.
I could not believe this thing is happening here. A PNP Officer trying to argue the testimony of a Motorcycle Escort Cop who positively identified my runner as the winner! I also don’t believe that these PNP runners had a time of 27:00 + minutes for a 10K (one of these runners have a big stomach!). They must be better and faster than “Vertek” Buenavista who holds the national record of 30:20 minutes for the said distance or these 3 PNP runners should had been sent to the 2008 Beijing Olympics to compete in the 10,000-meter run! For a 1st Place cash prize of P 5,000.00, this PNP Officer is betting his service reputation on the line!
To my readers, you will be the judge. Only in the Philippines.
Bald Runner 
this is really sickening.just when we have a new pnp chief and this happens.i hope this police officer involved will come out and be brave enough to erase all the doubts.those are world record standard times that they submitted.more so, these 3 pnp runners( i hope not policemen even) must not allow themselves to be used for such dishonorable actions.otherwise,they should be recruited for the next olympic team and i am willingly presenting myself to be their sponsor for their training for the next 4 years to have them prepared for london.but they must show us first that they could walk the talk and put their money where their mouth is.in particular,i am interested with that runner with bulging belly.maybe he has some running techniques that he can share for the betterment of all bonafide runners with bulging bellies.all the more,i couldn’t believe that the organizer will not take as gospel truth the EYEWITNESS testimony of the mobile police escort of runner sabal.what better proof do they want?
this takes the cake,just when you think things are at its low,this thing happens and it is worst.
all these for 5,000 pesos.how low can one get.saang mundo ba kayo nanggaling?
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Better advise the PNP to notify the IAAF, their runner probably broke Kenenisa Bekele’s world record, ha ha, or at least the fastest 10,000 metres result for this year. The Ethiopian only managed a 27:01.17 at the Beijing Olympics.
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Lakay,
This is revolting and it sucks! Perhaps the PNP officer should go to Sam Tucay’s reform school and if he does not reform, be shipped back as cargo!
27 minutes for a 10k! No way! If they ran a 27 minute 10k then they should have qualified for the Olympics.
I know that Mr. Sabal can really run but the PNP people are virtual unknowns.
It reminds me about the 2nd Hope in Motion event. I was forced to join the walk because of a bout with laryngitis. I was the marshal for the walk and was in the lead pack. I listed those who walked the entire route and I informed my co-workers about the winners. I also took video clip of those who ran.
Out of nowhere comes 2 pot bellied gentleman who claim that they won. My staff did not know how to deal with them but I bluntly told them that they were among the ones who ran. Hence disqualified. I told them that I was in the lead pack and showed them a video clip of their running. They just disappeared.
Eto mahirap sa Pinoy. Kung makakalusot; lulusot. I just hope that this attitude will change.
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Sir, curious lang ako. What was the final decision of the race organizer? I hope they honored the word of the PNP Motorcycle Escort, not that of the PNP Officer. Obvious namang nandaya sila. The question is, pinalusot ba ng organizer ang pandaraya nila?
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