Fast Racers Up Front, Recreational Racers Behind

At the recent 2009 Globe Run For Home run-for-charity event one guy stood out at the starting line as we watched the countdown to the 10K race. In my humble opinion, he could not be a "runner" runner for he was wearing a pair of basketball shorts. A sure dead giveaway. I've heard it said that as part of racing etiquette, slower recreational runners must stay behind the fast and technical runners at the front.

So my thought was, "What's this guy doing at the front of the pack?!?"

He was all fired up and raring to go, wearing a grin from ear to ear and bouncing happily in his front-row spot as the emcees counted down for the 10K race to take off. Then, as the emcees announced the final countdown, he moved his arm in a semi-sweeping motion to a woman with a video camera for her to move to the sideline as the race was about to start.

Copyright 2009 Speedbagal.blogspot.com

5-4-3-2-1-go! He took off like he was on a cocktail of Red Bull and Cobra. With his basketball shorts flapping around his legs, he launched himself across the viewing area of the camera his gal buddy was operating. I thought, ahh, so he must be some sort of tourist, an Am-boy most likely. At least that was the impression I got.

If my guess was close, then he was probably feeling quite the intense opposites of gleeful, happy, and energetic during and after ten long kilometers of running. Ah, may pagka-psychic ka din pala? Well, I could be wrong, of course. Judging by his choice of running apparel, he might play a lot of basketball and could be suitably fit for the race.