Old school

In one running symposium, a newbie race organizer who probably was still learning  to walk while I was piling trophies and medals in races, branded me as one coming from the “old school”.  Meaning, my style of organizing races and coaching new runners are extinct  just like the dinosaurs.  So I shot back at him and asked what the “new school” has accomplished.  I told him that my “old style” has resulted to the discovery of Herman Suizo and Roy Vence.  Suizo was a “no read, no write” runner  I plucked  from Iloilo who later established the National marathon record of 2:19:50 and went on to represent the country in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.  My other protégé is Vence, who won six Milo Marathon National  titles and saw action in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Marathon.  I was also coach and team captain of the Nike Running Club, that won 12 consecutive team crowns in the PAL Manila Marathon.  My other ward, Vertek Buenavista still holds the national marathon record of  2:18:44, still unbroken to this day.  In the new school sad to say, it would be great news if a runner clocks 2:30 that’s how bad we have deteriorated.  Speaking of “oldies” several veteran runners made waves in the ongoing Ayala Philippine National Open in Ilagan City.  Cristabel Martes who started competing  in the 10K distance of in my Nike Pharmaton 10K circuit in Baguio, served notice that she could still be a force to reckon with when she ruled the 5,000m and 10,000m runs.  Cristabal still holds the 5,000m national record.  Ilonggo Julius Sermona now 38 years old, won the men’s 10,000 meters.  But one of the biggest surprise was Jose Jerry Belibestre of  Bacolod City who leaped 7:43 meters to erased his “kababayan’s Joebert Delicano’s record set in 1999 in Darwin, Australia.

Did you know?

Rocky Marciano, undefeated world champion, had to hitch hiked from his hometown of Brockton, Massachusets to New York City for a boxing trial at Madison Square Garden.  Famous matchmaker Al Weill said, Marciano has no  future in boxing as he was too small (five  feet ten) and lacked style while his fists were small for a heavyweight.  Of course, Weill ate his words as Marciano who’s real name is Rocco Marchegiano became one of the greatest boxers  in history,  winning all if  his 49  fights.  One controversial  fight was with Arcie Moore.  In that September 21,1955 bout, referee Kessler helped Marciano to survive by forgetting that the  mandatory standing count had been waived for this fight. When Marciano rose to his feet after kissing the canvas in the second round, the extra seconds Kessler gave him, kept Moore in his corner, just long enough to allow Marciano  to shake the “cobwebs” from his head.  Marciano knocked out Moore in the ninth round and retired after this fight

Ali  versus Rocky

Rocky Marciano’s final fight was a farcial computer contest against Muhammad Ali.  The machine reckoned that Marciano was the better boxer, knocking out Ali in the tenth round.