Runners lament

My friends in the running community reacted to yesterday's column citing that some race organizers are indeed trying to make a killing by charging higher entry fees.

One of my friends said that the entry fees for the races used to be only P150, but now, despite the increasing number of sponsors, the entry fees are at least P200.

Another friend, whose Facebook page is littered with pictures of her in running events around Cebu and other parts of the country, said that it is true that some runners are turned off by the high cost of registration fees.

Another runner, who has been taking part in the races and fun runs since long be-fore the running boom started, said that some organizers justify the entry fees by the singlets that are given to the participants. He added that one can only collect so many singlets, but those who are serious about running would prefer using their own.

Another friend, who is based in the United States, sent me a message through Facebook. 

He commented that when he was still actively involved in running events here, there were races where the entry fee was free.

He also noted that the number of running events is not exactly helping the runners improve as we haven't produced to athletes for the national team.

I would not want to cast judgment on the organizers as I am sure many are doing it for the love of running. There are, however, those whose interest is obvious, but our running enthusiasts cannot also easily be conned.

Despite these minor hitches, I am hopeful that the interest in running will not wane. 

One thing that the organizers must remember, "don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg."

While races will allow runners to compete with other and win medals or add to their collection of race numbers, the joy of running can still be accomplished when it is done with your friends, who share the same passion.

Having healthier people will definitely help make a better country for us Filipi-nos.

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The cigar guy, who became even more famous than Tiger Woods during the re-cent Ryder Cup, has been identified as Rupesh Shingadia.

The photo of Tiger hitting a shot straight towards the lens of a photographer would have been interesting with that blur alone, but Shingadia, who was seen among the gallery made it even more interesting.

Singadia is a 30-year-old investment analyst, who lives in South London and is a big golf fan.

You have probably seen his face over various sites on the web.

He said that he wore a wig that day as a tribute to Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez, who wears his hair long and often has a cigar.

Shingadia, who became an instant star, said that he never did anything like that before.

Well, he had his 15 minutes of fame with the get up. Thanks to Tiger.

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MILESTONES: Congratulations to Army Colonel Lope Dagoy, who was ad-judged winner of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award given by the Civil Service Commission. If the name sounds familiar, that is because he was the commander of the Philippine forces in Haiti when a devastating earthquake struck the Central American country.

Happy birthday greetings go to Atty. Joel M. Seno, Myles de Guzman, Jovy Ma-quiling, Shiryl Dulhao-Gatal, Cdr. Rommel John Mendoza of the Navy, Patricia Alix-Villa, and Victor Legaspina, who are all celebrating today.

Advance greetings go to Rey Bajenting, Banilad barangay captain Malou Ino-cando-Tabar, Rollen Alemdilla-Cajoles, and Lifestyle section assistant editor Quennie Sanchez-Bronce, who are turning a year older tomorrow.

More power to all of you!