Abbott world marathon majors

It’s no joke to complete six major marathons in one calendar year. Hundreds of marathon runners of all abilities have accepted that challenge and claimed the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors six star medal after completing each of the six Abbott WMM. The races are staged in Tokyo (February), Boston (April) London (April), Berlin (September), Chicago (October) and New York (November). One runner who was impressive was Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA who completed all six races, averaging in the 2:30s. In 2017, Wardian won the World Marathon Challenge, a series covering seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days.

Doc Yong

But wait a minute, did you know that our very own Doc Yong Larrazabal also did what Wardian accomplished?  In 2018, Doc Yong recieved a Six Star finisher medal from the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Then in February 2020, Yong became the first Filipino marathoner to conquer The World Marathon Challenge.  Then in December 2019, Yong finished the Antarctic Ice Marathon in Union Glacier, Antarctica in 6 hours and 16 minutes.  Yong has already completed 69 marathons (excluding the 40th 2020 Virtual London Marathon).  When Yong was just starting, he said he plans to run 100 marathons in his lifetime. I recalled giving tips to Yong when he joined the doctors category of the Pharmaton 10K Run in UP Diliman, years back. Yong won the gold. The Antarctica Ice Marathon is one, if not the coldest marathons in the world with the temperature at minus 20 degrees Celsius while the field is limited to less than 30 runners.

Win some, lose some

While my “paisano” the gorgeous Rabiya Mateo, of Iloilo City failed to land in the Top 10 of this year’s Miss Universe contest, Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz made up for the frustrations by bagging the NBA’s Sixth Man Award.  It’s the first time that a Jazz player has won the award.  It’s also the first time that another Jazz player Joe Ingles (no reaction to Judge Gabby Ingles), landed second.  Clarkson who played for Gilas Filipinas in the 2018 FIBA Asia Championship, averaged a career high 18.4 points this season coming off the bench. New York Knicks’ Derrick Rose wound up third.

Not over the hill

How many days have you run in the last 10 years? or what about 50 years? 1964 Boston Marathon champion Ron Hill, has been running at least one mile every single day from 1964 through January of 2017.  Hill concluded his running streak at 52 years and 39 days, or a total  of 19,033 straight (“walay sipyat”) days of running.  At 78 years old, he decided to take one Sunday from running, citing chest pains, thus ending one of the most applauding running streaks in history.

Did you know?

JOHN KELLY, father of Princess Grace of Monaco, who would go on to win three Olympic rowing gold medals, was refused entry to the 1920 Diamond Sculls at Henley, England, because as a bricklayer, he had an unfair advantage in developing bigger muscles than his gentlemen competitors.

Jack Johnson

When heavyweight champion Jack Johnson returned to his dressing room on October 16, 1909, after pummeling Stanley Ketchel in a 12 round knockout to retain his title, found two of Ketchel’s teeth lodged in his glove.

Clarence “buster” Crabbe

1932 Olympic swimming gold medalist, gained great recognition playing Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rodgers in the movies.  Three other Olympic medalists, also played Tarzan.  Swimmer Johnny Weissmuler (the most renowned), shot putter Bruce Benette, real name Herman Brix) and marathoner Glenn Morris.  Weissmuler won 3 gold medals in the 1924 Paris Olympics, breaking the one-minute barrier for the 100m freestyle.