I consider Wayne aka SFrunner as the No. 1 foreign visitor/reader and “commentor” of this blog from the day it was created. We had an understanding to meet each other during the Expo Fair for the San Francisco Marathon and on the day of the race itself for him to personally give me his brand-new ASICS Gel Landreth running shoes for my Project Donate A Shoe. Due to some unavoidable circumstances and commitments to relatives living in San Francisco, our meeting did not materialize, however, we continued communicating with each other through this blog.

Finally, after the VSO Run last Sunday, Wayne dropped by at the Projects’s booth to formally turn-over the shoes which he brought all the way from San Francisco, USA. It was my first time to see and talk to him in person. His effort to support my project became an “eye-opener” for him to see the “realities” in running in the country, most especially, when he saw the runner/recipient and the old shoes to be replaced by the shoes he was donating. “Yes, Wayne, we still have good and competitive runners who could not afford to buy a brand-new running shoes. And I am not ashame to tell you and let your eyes see the truth and reality”

From the moment I saw the eyes of Wayne when the runner/recipient was wearing his donated shoes, I saw fulfillment and happiness in his eyes and immediately concluded that this runner from San Francisco is serious in his pronouncements to help my project or in any way he could help the less-fortunate runners. We had a brief conversation, photo-ops and introduced him to more of the “runner-bloggers” who were visiting the booth before he joined the Happy Feet Runners for a breakfast at Chowking at The Fort.

Last Wednesday morning, I tried to contact him in his hotel with a “good news and special scheduled itinerary” for him to make his stay in the country more memorable. However, for the whole day, my staff was not able to contact or locate him. I knew that he was busy with the other “runner-bloggers” invitation to go around Metro Manila. My staff was able to contact him on the evening of Wednesday and the “special scheduled itinerary” for him had to be cancelled because of limited time and change of schedule. Anyway, if “Plan A” is not successful, there is always “Plan B” as fallback position or option!

“Plan B” was to invite Wayne for a lunch yesterday (Thursday) with the members of Team Bald Runner at Dampa, Paranaque. I was glad I was able to get a “window of opportunity” for the tight schedule and limited numbers of days of Wayne’s stay in the country. We picked up Wayne in his hotel at 11:15 AM and we arrived at the place after 30 minutes. After introducing the members of the Team Bald Runner and their coaches, it was time for the lunch proper. I explained to him the marketing concept at Dampa where customers had to buy fresh foods from the “wet” market nearby and have the foods cooked and served in any of the restaurants.

During lunch, Wayne was able to get a lot information and feedbacks from the elite runners ranging from their social, geographical, and educational background up to the “realities” in sports management in the country, most especially in Athletics, and reasons why a country which is considered as the No. 15 most populated nation entire the world could not produce a single “Gold Medal” from the past Summer Olympic Games. Well, I guess, Wayne was “overloaded” with staggering “realities” in Philippine Sports and of course, with the Filipino foods and fruits prepared for lunch. On the lighter side, I told Wayne how my staff were trying to locate him the whole day of Wednesday and explained to him about the “special scheduled itinerary” for him which we had to cancel before business hours closed for the day. Anyway, I told Wayne that such “invitation” is still open and available on his next trip to the country.

After lunch, I gave him a “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt and a runner’s “button pin” from Jinoe/takbo.ph. We had more photo-ops inside and outside of the restaurant where we had our lunch.

“Gout-free” lunch at Dampa (Paranaque) with Wayne, Capt Espejo & Team Bald Runner

The lady runners of Team Bald Runner were absent due to official schedule & commitments

A “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt and Jinoe’s runner’s “button pin” were given to Wayne after lunch.

From left: Isidro, Mike, Wayne, BR, Capt Espejo, Coach Salazar, Elmer Sabal, & Rey de los Reyes at the Dampa Parking Area.

Wayne, see you on Sunday at Clark and Happy trip back to San Francisco!