"Him" being the recently departed ultra marathoner Johnny G. Jimenez for whom the benefit run that early morning of April 14 was organized. And it is probably safe to assume that many (but not majority) of the 100+ runners gathered in front of the CCP Complex on that blessed morning this Saturday did not know personally Johnny. But it is one defining attribute of runners, particularly those who engaged in long distance runs, to be always ready to lend a helping hand to a fellow runner, even to a stranger.
The running group called Mt. CCP Runners (
MCR) did an admirable job in organizing a benefit run the objective of which was to raise funds from the voluntary registration fees and hand the amount to the family of the recently departed ultra marathoner who was a regular member of MCR. Johnny died last Sunday (April 8) morning after collapsing at the finish line of the Iskolar Run. He was the first runner to cross the finish line of the 5km race at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. Sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency room of the nearby Ospital ng Maynila on that fateful day.
 |
| In happier times, Johnny with Eric, Remy, John Nathan. |
A couple of days after Johnny's untimely demise, a handful of concerned MCR leaders, notably Eric, Ed and Mikka swung into action. Using social media and the vast network of the Mt. CCP Runners and Johnny's running friends, invites and info were sent out to the local running community to come together and run for a good purpose. In the case of the Bicolano Penguin, I was tagged in a facebook post by fellow Bicolano John Nathan. This modus of communication was replicated countless times to generate some buzz for the April 14 event.
So it came about that by the time it was 4am Saturday morning, the lighted part of the ASEAN Garden in the CCP Complex was teeming with hordes of runners of all shapes, sizes, color and dare I say, creed. All were lining up to sign manually on a registration sheet where one indicates the name, contact number and amount to be donated. After signing, each of the runner drops the donated cash in a box carried by one of the MCR members. As 4:30am approached, one of the MCR officers requested all to gather in a circle. With everybody assembled, Ed of MCR lead the prayer of safety and thanksgiving. After the prayer, all the benefit run participants were encouraged to group themselves into 10 runners. The run organizers intended to release the runners in waves.
 |
| Runners signing up, then dropping cash into the donation box. |
 |
| The words on the TeamCare running shirts say it all - "We run because we care." |
 |
| Some of the runners having a group photo before the start of the run. |
 |
| Photo with Orly to represent row5runnin in the Run for Johnny Jimenez. |
 |
| Photo with Mt. CCP Runners leaders Eric and Ed. |
 |
| Runners stretching before the start of the run. |
 |
| MCR's Ed leading the prayer at the start of the run. |
At exactly 4:30am, the first wave of runners were released by the MCR marshalls. Some waves were composed of 10 runners while other waves carried bigger numbers as they opted to run per their running club affiliations. Speaking of affiliations, Orly joined me as the row5runnin representatives and true to form, the two of us were among the last ones to leave the starting area.
 |
| Esprit de corps among runners in action. |
Truth be told, I walked more than I ran on the 4km route of the Benefit Run around the CCP Complex. As the stroke of faith would have it. our being one of the slowest participants allowed us to walk step by step with a couple of ladies who knew Johnny personally. Conversations I had with the 2 gave me a glimpse on the interesting persona that is Johnny Jimenez.
 |
| Bringing up the rear of the Run for Johnny, I got to walk with Johnny's sister Priscila and running friend Liezl. |
The first of the 2 ladies is Priscila who is the eldest sister of Johnny. They are 5 siblings and Johnny is the 3rd child. They come from Iligan City in Northern Mindanao. According to her, Johnny works as a celphone technician in downtown Quiapo. For quite some time already, Johnny single-handedly dutifully took care of his son who is now in grade school. Johnny's 80+ years old father also stays with Johnny. They live in a rented apartment a couple of blocks away from the CCP Complex. By the look and sound of it, Johnny was a dedicated and hard working family man.
The second of the 2 ladies is Liezl and she is a runner with Team Pinas Road Runners. She is a running friend of Johnny and she gave us an interesting perspective on Johnny as a runner. While running and walking the route in the CCP Complex this morning, Liezl was kind enough to point out to Priscila, Orly and me some of the significant places running-wise for Johnny. When we passed by the old Manila Film Center, she pointed out a spot where Johnny would regularly shoot videos of his training regimen. Apparently, Johnny liked to shoot training videos which he can share with his running friends.
Liezl talked about how Johnny would be very helpful to some of the slower runners in a race. Of how Johnny would pace some of those he sees struggling to finish the distance of the race. Leizl shared the story of how in one race, Johnnny provided some water to a runner who he saw not taking any hydration in the water stations. Of how this runner that he helped did not know his name and was only able to know Johnny's identity when he read about Johnny's demise on facebook.
Quite a dramatic story that Liezl shared was how Johnny would kid her by saying
"Mag-champion lang ako, puwede na ako mamatay." It was a joke that became cruelly true as prior to the Iskolar Run, Johnny never placed 1st in the races he joined but would at times be 2nd or 3rd. But on that fateful morning of April 8, Johnny had a strong run in the 5km race and finally became a champion. Sadly, he passed away on the morning he became a champion.
We were so engaged hearing the stories from Priscila and Liezl that we lost track of distance and were surprised that we were at the finish area in front of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. We were probably the last runners to finish the 4km route. but we were still able to join the group photos.
 |
| Still have a lot of energy after the run. |
 |
| All the runners of the Run for Johnny in a group photo in front of the Cultural Center of the Philippines |
 |
| Bicolano Penguin n a group photo with John Nathan and his fellow Beep Beep runners plus Bicolano Runner. |
 |
| Group photo of Mt. CCP Runners. This group deserves a lot of hugs for a great job. |
After the group photos, majority of the runners made their way to where the funeral wake was. We joined them and we walked for a couple of blocks away to reach it. At the funeral wake, we had a chance to view his coffin and pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
 |
| Runners walking towards... |
 |
| ...the funeral wake. |
There was a short program where a few more MCR members talked about how good and kind a runner Johnny was.
"Hindi siya madamot." More importantly, during the program, MCR leaders Eric and Mikka handed over the cash to the father and siblings of Johnny. In the words of Mikka, the amount raised was very much above their expectations.
 |
| A short program hosted by Ed where... |
 |
| ...Eric and Mikka handed over the cash to Johnny's father and siblings. |
Eric thanked and praised all the runners who participated and donated in the Benefit Run for Johnny. In Eric's words -
"Galing talaga ng runners. Kahit hindi niyo kilala si Johnny, kayo ay tumolung."
Truth to be told, I did not know him when I decided to join the Benefit Run . But thanks to the sharing of the runners closed to him, I have now a fairly good idea of what kind of a man and runner Johnny is.
Johnny is a dutiful family man. Johnny is a strong runner. Johnny is generous in helping others get better in running. Johnny is a good man who has touched the lives of many.
Johnny will surely be missed.
Photo credits: John Nathan Bajaro, Orly Jacob, and Bicolano Runner.
No comments:
Post a Comment