TOUR-DE-AMERICA VIRTUAL RUN: From Sea to Shining Sea

 

"From sea to shining sea."

The last line from America the Beautiful, one of the most popular patriotic  songs of the United States of America.  It is an American idiom meaning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, or vise versa.  It gives you a fairly good idea of the wide expanse of land that is the USA.  Approximately 3,527 miles is the distance from the East Coast to the West Coast, covering six time zones.  Add another 5,800 miles. which is the distance of Guam west of California, and we are staring at almost 10,000 miles. Huge country. 

In a peculiar kind of runner's way , it is this vastness that the Tour-De-America Virtual Run aims to cover. Before we start having ideas of a Forrest Gump style of jaunt in the whole of Continental America, it is best to explain the mechanics.    

To celebrate PINOY RUNNERS USA 3rd Year Anniversary, there is an invite to join a FREE virtual run or walk as the group inaugurates the "Tour-de-America"  of the 18 existing PR_USA barangays. Sign up for one event or up to 18 events. PR-USA encourages all to complete the "Tour-de-America" experience in the itinerary as shown in the map. All runners  have 1 month to participate in this anniversary celebration starting on October 1 until Oct 31, 2020. 

Old and New logo of Pinoy Runners USA. 

Simply sign up https://runsignup.com/profile. The use of RunSignUp is an innovation for PR-USA.  RunSignUp is the leading all-in-one platform for endurance and fundraising events, with tech professionals at its helm with the dedicated purpose of using advanced technology to make races simple.

So, this Tour De America is to celebrate the 3 years of the Pinoy Runners USA (PR-USA).  To get a better understanding of how this dynamic running community was formed, the Bicolano Penguin got to interview the "motherator" and one of the founders - Rona Janowitz.  This is her sharing of the provenance of PR-USA.

"We build Pinoy Runners USA  page in Oct 16, 2017.  Then decided to make a facebook group page (private) in Oct 17. Told a lot of my friends and shared the vision of uniting all 50 states of Filipino runners residing in the United States of America as one running community. Explained to them that it will not be hierarchical group because they will still have their own group. 

I started with my support friends , four of them: Michael Ferrera, Joyce Bussen, Sharon Peligrino and Apple Singson.  Then I met Jen Evangelista in 2018.  We thought of celebrating PR-USA  1 year anniversary by giving 50 singlet  uniform as a thank you for supporting the group. Texas did made the biggest introduction, led by Jen. I did not give a thought of a doubt having Jen as co-founder and we did it so well. The singlet uniform spread all over Facebook and many were asking where they could get those. The people from Dallas made good of being showcase by always wearing the shirt.  My BFF in Florida, Marissa Maravillo, with Jacq Rita, were always promoting it too. 

Then in 2019, we explore Pinoy Runners USA everywhere. We recruited leaders to be moderators and coordinators. We had a lot of chat thru Facebook messenger. The beauty of communication."

One of the founding members of Pinoy Runners USA - Rona Janowitz in the heart of the Big Apple. 

Rona with her four friends. 

Jen with runners in Dallas wearing proudly the singlet of Pinoy Runners USA 

The story of the origin of  Pinoy Runners USA highlights the importance  of the collaborative effort by passionate and like-minded individuals. As clearly stated by Rona at the start, the approach will not be a centralized hierarchy of one emperor lording over an empire. Pinoy Runners USA will be more of a federation of various barangays in  America . The organizational set up will be kind of like mirroring the federal states of the host country. To make it work, the set up needed independent leaders who are imbibed  with team spirit.

One such independent-minded team player is Ray Javier.  He is actually listed as the Team Captain of 2 barangays.  And with this Tour de America undertaking of Pinoy Runners USA, he has been entrusted with a key task.  Ray elaborates:

"I joined PR-USA group about 10 months ago, but I've been a member of  Pinoy Runners Global since 2017.  Early this year I began to be more active in the group and was added as a Moderator late May.  And just recently, I got promoted to the Admin role.  So, for my first project (a Race Director), I was asked by Nay Rona if I can set up a race using RunSignUp as an alternative since the Pinoy Portal is booked for the whole month of October. I'm sure Nay Rona and/or Kap Jen already explained how the Tour-de-America got started. We just have to connect the dots between the barangays. 

We are still building the barangays, but this event is a good start. We see a lot of Pinoy runners on our trails and races nearby but no established group at the moment.  That is one of the main objectives or vision of PR-USA is to build a Pinoy running community in every City or States we live in."

Ray Javier at the Marine Corps Marathon. 

Assuring to know that the leadership of PR-USA is broad and there is a deep bench.  There are currently 18 barangays with their Team Captain(s). These Team Captains that BP tried to communicate with to get a sense of the running scene in their respective part of the USA.  A favorite question for the BP is to ask what is the favorite running place of Pinoy runners in their barangays.  In response, the various Team Captains  shared answers that all the more enriched our knowledge of the Pinoy running scene in America.      

             

The PR-USA Leadership Team 

TOUR LAP 1:

1. BRGY GUAM 10K

The Team Captains of Brgy Guam are Elcid Pogi Garcia and...

...Aileen Hornado. 

The favorite running place of Brgy Guam runners is  Two Lovers Point .  The road leading to this well-visited tourist location in Guam is a regular staple for runners on the island. 

Running up Two Lovers Point rewards the runners a great view. Two Lovers Point rises from Tumon Bay at a height of 368 feet and being centrally located in Guam, from here you can enjoy spectacular views of all sides of the island: the shores of the Philippine Sea to the West and the Pacific Ocean to the East, the volcanic mountains up North and the limestone plateaus down South.      

2. BRGY BAY AREA 10K

The Team Captain of Brgy Bay Area is Badette Cornejo

According to Kap Badette, the favorite running place is downtown  San Franscisco  which includes the Embarcadero. From AT&T Park to the end of Fisherman's Wharf is 3.4 miles away and somewhere in the middle is Rincon Park with its Bow & Arrow art structure called "Cupid's Span." 

And if you are empowered by the cool weather  in the Bay Area to run some more, from the Fisherman's Wharf, you can reach the iconic Golden Gate Bridge thru Crissy Field.  So many awe-inspiring running routes in this city  you could fall in love with  that one would expect the songwriter of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" to be a runner. 

3. BRGY LAS VEGAS 10K

Team Captain of Brgy Las Vegas is Maner Puyawan. 

A favorite running place in Las Vegas is the Strip as it offers a unique experience. Where else can you find the rock and rollin Elvis.  

Only 17 miles from the Strip, the Red Rock Canyon offers an extraordinary running experience in the Mojave Desert. The light hitting the rocks, especially early or late in the day, is a sight to see.    

4. BRGY AUSTIN 21K

The Team Captain of Brgy Austin is Wayne Sembrano.

One of the favorite running places of Brgy Austin runners is downtown Austin. A great way to get a sense of Austin is to combine a run through downtown, up wide Congress St.  to the Texas State Capitol which is the background for the start and finish of the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon held every February. 

Another view of the Texas State Capitol. Constructed from 1882 to  1888, it was recognized as National Historic Landmark in 1983.  It is the largest state capitol in the US.  They sure make them big in Texas.  

5. BRGY HOUSTON 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy Houston is Ellen Zam-Cabahug

The common running ground of the members of Brgy Houston is the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. The 80-acre preserve features Marshall Lake, fishing piers, a canoe launch and paved trails.  

The paved path around Marshall Lake is 1.7 miles. Most of the paved path is among the trees. In this secluded place among nature, a pleasant run could be had plus an extra dose of meditation. 

6.  BRGY DALLAS 5K

The Team Captains of Brgy Dallas is Jen Evangelista...

...and Maribel Yu. 

The favorite running place of Brgy Dallas runners is the White Rock Lake Trail. According to running websites, it is probably "the" destination run in the Dallas-Fort Worth  area. The perimeter trail follows about 9.6 miles around the 1,200 acre reservoir.  

 

It is a local favorite in Dallas for running. During the summer months, running in Dallas can literally be a hot form of exercise.However, runners at White Rock Lake are able to enjoy the cool breeze coming off of the water. Plus, the trail is made of asphalt which is a softer surface than concrete.   

TOUR LAP 2 

7. BRGY ARKANSAS 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy Arkansas is Alma Dolor.  

Alma'a favorite running place in Arkansas is West Mountain. It is a 3.1 mile  loop trail located in Hot Springs National Park.  Small gravel and packed dirt make the trail a favorite for locals that like to do a bit of running. 

According to Alma, the West Mountain Trail is hilly for sure but it offers beautiful view, especially during the fall. Definitely a great place to run. 

8.  BRGY MINNEAPOLIS 21K

The Team Captain of Brgy Minneapolis is Kate Mancao. 

A favorite running place in Minneapolis area  is the Lake Phalen loop. It has a 3-mile paved path around the perimeter of the lake.  Minneapolis is in the state of Minnesota which is known as the Land of 10000 Lakes.  

Every year, the Philippine Nurses Association (Minnesota) have a 5K and 10K fundraiser run in Lake Phalen. 

9.  BRGY CHICAGO 10K

The Team Captain of Brgy Chicago is Odette Sulit.

A favorite running place of Brgy Chicago runners is Busse Woods.  Near O'Hare Airport, Busse Woods has 3,700 acres featuring forests, lakes and meadows. It has an 8-mile loop trail.   

Named after Cook County Commissioner William Busse in 1949, Busse Woods is a mature Great Lakes Hardwood forest. Lots of green in this forest preserve with the tree species including red maple, black ash and white oak,  the latter being the state tree of Illinois.   

10.  BRGY MICHIGAN 5K

Team Captain of Brgy Michigan is Julma Mayores. 

One of the favorite running places of Brgy Michigan runners is Stony Creek Metropark which is located in the outskirts of metro Detroit. The park has forests, hills and prairies.   

Stony Creek Metropark covers 4,461 acres with Stony Creek Lake at its center.  The park is host to the Stony Creek Marathon which races on paved roads and paved multi-use trail.    

11.  BRGY NASHVILLE 10K

Team Captain of Brgy Nashville is Anne Goodknife Cichetti 

Anne loves to run at Crockett Park in Brentwood which is a suburb of Nashville. Encompassing over 164 acres, it also serves as the home for Brentwood's yearly Fourth of July fireworks celebration.   

Another popular running place for Brgy Nashville is Centennial Park which occupies 132 acres in the heart of the city. It is  arguably the most scenic run in Nashville. The one-mile loop takes runners around the Parthenon (full scale replica of the real thing in Athens) and Lake Watauga.      

12.  BRGY ALABAMA 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy Alabama is Romy Requijo

A favorite running place in  Alabama is Westgate Park Trail. It is a 5.6 kilometer loop trail located near Dothan, Alabama. that features beautiful wild flowers and a dirt track. The dirt path was designed and made with soil cement, which holds up well for walkers and runners.        

The Westgate Park Trail often hosts fun runs which attract runners from the area.  

TOUR LAP 3

13.  BRGY FLORIDA 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy Florida are Marissa Maravillo...

...and  Rose Russel.

One of the favorite running places of the members of Brgy Florida is the North Bay Trail/North Shore in downtown St. Petersburg. The route features water fountains and fitness stations, and there are markers in mile, half mile and kilometer.  

It is scenic with a perfect sunrise view for early risers.  And  the luckier ones might even spot some local marine wildlife like manatees in the shallow water of the bay.  

14.  BRGY VIRGINIA 10K

The Team Captain of Brgy Virginia is Ray Javier. 

Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park is a favorite spot for runners in Northern Virginia. It is built on the roadbed of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad which closed in 1968.  

Often called the skinniest park in Virginia,the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is a paved trail that runs through Pulcellville in Loudoun County to Shirlington in Arlington County. The Park is 44.8 miles long and only about 100 feet wide.   Asphalt-surfaced and an ultra marathon distance long, runners love this trail. Virginia is for Lovers.  

15.  BRGY CHESAPEAKE 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy Chesapeake is Bernadette Marti. 

Favorite running place of Brgy Chesapeake runners is the Boardwalk in Chesapeake Beach. It is an elevated boardwalk path above scenic tidal marsh.  

Evidently, the Pinoy runners in Chesapeake enjoy the Boardwalk. Here they jump in the air like the herons and ospreys that can be seen from the Boardwalk.  

16.  BRGY BALTIMORE 5K

Team Captain of Brgy Baltimore is Ray Javier. 

Kap Ray ran the Baltimore Marathon 10 years ago. It was a good experience  for him to run around downtown Baltimore the so-called "Charm City."  The marathon begins at the Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles and   considered one of the best stadiums for baseball with its classic aesthetics. . 

Surrounded by water on three sides, a charming place to run in Baltimore is Fort McHenry. Considered the birthplace of the "Star-Spangled Banner, " its place in America's historic lore is greatly valued.  Once around the Fort's paved track is approximately one mile.  

17.  BRGY NEW JERSEY 5K

Team Captains of Brgy New Jersey are DV del Valle, ...

...Erenea Saludares...

...and Jay Layug.

For members of Brgy New Jersey, they rotate their group runs in 5 different venues for each of the regional chapters:  North Jersey;  Jersey City, Central Jersey; South Jersey/Cherry Hil; and Jersey Shore. PRNJ runners experience a wide array of running environ from waterfront paths to gorgeous parks to historic neighborhoods. Liberty to choose and Prosperity of choices of where to run. Just like the state motto.    

The running tribe of PRNJ is big one, coming from 5 regions in the Garden State. 

18.  BRGY NEW YORK 5K

The Team Captain of Brgy New York is Bel Molina. 

Central Park, located in the heart of Manhattan, is one of the most famous places to run in the world. It is the favorite running place of the members of Brgy Balut Patrol NYC. The group photo of the Pinoy runners is in front of Bethesda Fountain. The statue references the Gospel of John which describes an angel blessing the Pool of Bethesda and giving it healing powers.   

Central Park is a runner's paradise. The park attracts a huge number of runners along with  tourists,  dog walkers, bikers, cars and horses.  At 840 acres, it is a large park and there is a possibility that one can get lost while running.  No worries, lampposts can help.  Check  the four numbers on any lamppost base - the first two numbers indicate the nearest street ("60" would mean 60th Street) and the last two numbers designate whether you're in the west or east side (odd number means west, even number means east).    

Connecting the dots between barangays.  Sounds like a good idea.  Let's measure the physical distance   between barangays:  Guam to Bay Area (9,331 kms); Bay Area to Las Vegas (917 kms);  Las Vegas to Austin (2,043 kms); Austin to Houston (266 kms); Houston to Dallas (384 kms);  Dallas to Arkansas (474 kms); Arkansas to Minneapolis (1,368 kms); Minneapolis to Chicago (657 kms); Chicago to Michigan (453 kms); Michigan to Nashville (860 kms); Nashville to Alabama (624 kms); Alabama to Florida (641 kms); Florida to Northern Virginia (1,487 kms); Northern Virginia to Chesapeake Beach (174 kms); Chesapeake Beach to Baltimore (201 kms); Baltimore to New Jersey (303 kms); and New Jersey to New York City (13 kms).  

A staggering total distance of 20,195 kms.  Huge number. But there is a bigger number. 21,953 kms.  That is the total number of kilometers ran by all participants running (registered as of Oct 25)  the event distance(s) of all 18 barangays.  Just goes to show what can be accomplished when people come together for a common purpose. 

Indeed the power of the collective human spirit is greater than natural distances.  And the Bicolano Penguin is feeling blessed to have joined the hundreds of intrepid Pinoy runners who   participated in this huge undertaking of the PR-USA.

Happy to be part of Tour-de-America.  18 Virtual Runs for more than 3 week.  157 kms of focus and solidarity. 

To close this rather long blog article of an extraordinary Tour-de-America, we go back to the first words  on top - "From sea to shining sea." The Bicolano Penguin shares a photo of running in West Coast's San Francisco (2016) and in East Coast's Washington DC (2019).  

It's been a beautiful experience (real & virtual) in this America the Beautiful.