Rojas completes dream Trans-USA run

MANILA, Philippines - Magazine writer Joy Rojas, who calls herself just a stubborn runner, made history by becoming the first Southeast Asian woman to run across the United States, completing her 169-day journey last Nov. 22 in New York.

Rojas, 44, endured 10,000 feet of elevations, overcame extreme temperatures and bucked an injury as she went through the 3,000-mile trek covering 16 states from California to New York to show the “can do” spirit of the Filipinos.

The sponsoring Western Union gave the Filipina ultra runner a fitting welcome party at the Bahia of Intercon Hotel in Makati yesterday.

With the completion of Rojas’ Takbong Pangarap Trans-USA Run 2009, Western Union awarded the Filipina $5,000 in support of her endeavor.

Rojas, a former tuberculosis patient, ran for beneficiaries including the Social Services Division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City District 378.

Rojas was accompanied through her journey by trainer Mat Macabe, an open-heart surgery survivor.

“Takbong Pangarap was a dream effort. It wasn’t just Mat and I. It was all of us. Because whatever you did, be it sponsoring the project, saying a prayer for us, cheering us on, spreading the word or simply sending good thoughts, all of that contributed to the successful journey,” said Rojas.

“We are honored to be part of this great undertaking. As Joy exemplifies in her record-setting endeavor, there is no limit to what our countrymen can do,” said Western Union top official Patricia Riingen.

“Just as the yellow and black Western Union sign is recognized by OFWs as a symbol of support, the same sign became Joy’s comfort in her quest. Whenever she saw the Western Union logo, she knew that we were with her every step of the way, ready to open the doors of Western Union locations in the various stops of Takbong Pangarap,” Riingen also said.

Rojas set off from Eagle Rock Plaza in Los Angeles, California on May 10, a day shy of her 44th birthday.

Since then, she ran a marathon plus four miles every day, stopping only to eat and rest.

Suffering a stress fracture hitting Missouri, Rojas needed to take a six-week rest before pushing through the final leg of her journey, reaching Central Park in New York on Nov. 22.

Rojas passed through the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

“I never thought of quitting despite the injury. I thought it would be disservice to many who supported me if I didn’t finish it,” said Rojas, who with Macabe, appeared in the welcome party in their running uniforms.

They were given a standing ovation as they entered the packed room.

Rojas said the idea of the run across the USA came to her mind after completing the run across the Philippines in 2005.