"Nakakamiss."Succintly put by ultramarathoner and blogger Atty. Jonnifer Lacanlale when asked for the reason he decided to revive the Fat Ass Run in the Philippines. There is a saying that lawyers always know what to say and in this case, it is right on target.
Indeed, many in the local running community, particularly among those who regularly run ultra marathons in Luzon, have missed soooo much the annual Fat Ass Run at the Clark Parade Grounds which Atty Jon and his motley crew organized every January, right after the Christmas holidays. First organized in the Philippines by the good lawyer and his buddy Don Ubaldo in 2010, the Fat Ass Run was a sort of annual pilgrimage by hard core runners and leisure runners. The Fat Ass Run have many appeals. For one, it is an early opportunity to burn away excess fats and calories accumulated from all that holiday partying in December. In addition, it is an ideal training event for those preparing for their first marathon in the TBR Dream Marathon which happens on mid-February and for those getting to get jiggy with the Bataan Death March ultra which occurs March or May. Plus, it has no registration fee. The Bicolano Penguin (BP) first ran in the Fat Ass in the year 2014 and since then, the BP has joined several times with running friends.
 |
| Group photo with Atty. Jon Lacanlale (in dark blue shirt), the Race Director of Fat Ass Run. |
But the Fat Ass Run in Clark stopped happening with the onset of Wuhan Virus (COVID) in 2020 and there was a famine until this year 2025 when Atty Jon revived it. Ang Pagbabalik ng Fat Ass Run. Thank God for that!
The 2025 Fat Ass Run was set for the weekend of Jan. 11-12 with the usual categories of 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs. Its mecca is still the Clark Parade Grounds with its 2.2 kilometer long and 2 meter wide jogging path.
Upon knowing late this work week of the return of the Fat Ass Run, the BP lost no time in inviting running friends from row5runnin, running 83neans and the First Balfour Marathon Club. Given the short notice, only a handful were able to respond positively to the invite. But then again, in the stoic words of the Roman philosopher Lucius Seneca, it is quality that matters rather than quantity.
Joining me among my running friends are Ateneo de Naga high school classmate Bob Castilla, fellow row5runners Naomi Mabasa and Mark Hernandez, and officemate Jhem Odon who is training for her first full mary. All five of us signed up for the 6 hours category which started at 6am of Jan 11 and ended at 12 noon on the same day. Happy to have them join me in the 2025 Fat Ass Run and even making me more happy is the fact that my son Marcel was with me in the trip to Clark to provide support.
 |
| The Mangrove Loving Penguin gang: Mark, Naomi, Jhem, BP and Bob. |
 |
| Marcel (in light blue hoodie) manning our hydration/food station which has a picnic vibe to it. |
There were many eager participants at this year's Fat Ass Run, ranging from grizzled ultramarathon veterans to teeager runners. Among them were many participants wearing shirts that have the names "Judiciary" and/or "BJMP" printed.
 |
| 2025 Fat Ass Run participants included long distance running afficionados of both the max cushioned and barefoot kind. |
 |
| Bob trying to keep up with a 24-hr runner. Her name is Tin and she is targetting to finish 200kmsin 24 hours (6am Jan 11 to 6am Jan 12). |
 |
| The "Judiciary" contingent to the 2025 Fat Ass Run. |
 |
| BJMP team (Angeles City) in full force, including the medical team. |
Turns out Fat Ass 2025 (Philippines) is supporting and has partnered with
Angeles City Justice Zone (ACJZ) for a good cause. Found out about it when the BP and Bob got to walk half a loop with one of the lead organizers, Judge Eda Dizon and her staff. According to Judge Dizon, the ACJZ has collaborated with Fat Ass to raise funds dedicated to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Angeles City District Jail which is administered by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The Judiciary and BJMP in Angeles City are cooperating to help fund the "College Behind Bars" program. It is inspiring to hear the ACJZ living up to the ideals articulated by then Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin when Angeles City became the
4th Justice Zone back in April 2019.
 |
| Walk and Talk with ACJZ convenor Judge Eda Dizon. |
 |
| Exhibit showcasing livelihood products of the Angeles District Jail Male Dormitory. |
 |
| Got me some colorful products made by PDLs. |
After my 6-hr run at the 2025 Fat Ass Run, the BP visited the exhibit booth of the BJMP showcasing the livelihood products of the Angeles District Jail Male Dormitory. There the BJMP staff proudly showed me the nice products. I learned from the BJMP staff that the course which a local state college teaches the PDLs of Angeles City is entrepreurship. The products, which included bags and woodcrafts, were much appealing to the eyes. I ended up buying a handful of products. The BP's way of showing support for the PDLs reformation. A worthy cause indeed. Run for the PDLs' future diploma.
Kudos to Atty. Jon, Judge Eda, ACJZ, BJMP and the race volunteers for making the 2025 Fat Ass Run even more special. After some reflection, it can be argued that a fun run without a cause is like a human without a sole, este a soul. Definitely, the 2025 Fat Ass Run is the soul food for the runner in me this weekend
Excited already for 2026 Fat Ass Run.
No comments:
Post a Comment