RIVERSIDE RUN: #DatiSana

 

15km race participants firing on all cylinders at the start. 

Dec 30.  Second to the last day of the glorious year 2022 witness the running of the Riverside Run  in the blooming City of Iriga.  Hundreds of runners participated the 3kms, 8kms and 15kms race(s), the last of which Bicolano Penguin joined. 

Race details

But this article is not about the BP. It is more about the organizing entity of Riverside Run. LACO Batch 1998 organized this running event. LACO stands for La Consolacion College Iriga City  and 1998 refers to the year that the batch graduated from high school.  A bunch of eager batchmates and they did pretty well.  It helped that a handful of members of LACO Batch 1998 are active members of the local running club RUNconada.  

But more than that, the key to success for LACO Batch 1998 is their camaraderie as embodied by their tagline "#DatiSana." A catchy one given that it is simple and yet requires a double take. To hear Batch President Tintin Medina explains it: 

"#DatiSana.  Tagline na po ng batch yan everytime na nagkakataragpuan kami...Dati Sana meaning walang nagbago sa samahan.  Against all odds of life, naiba man po ung estado, same same pa din po kami."

Well said.  The high level of camaraderie and youthful enthusiasm remains among batch members  of Batch 1998 even though almost 25 years have passed since their graduation from high school.  The camaraderie was in full display to us during race day where we could see the can do attitude of LACO Batch 1998. Roughly 40 members of LACO Batch 1998 were present to lend a hand in the Riverside Run. This is evidenced by the photos:

Early Dawn. LACO Batch 1998 hard at work. 

 

Setting up the Podium

    

No electricity. No problem.  

   

Teaching the young one how to lead the National Anthem

 

Race Marshalls ready to be deployed. Volunteers all. 

Preparing the snacks and hydration. 

3km podium finishers with LACO Batch 1998

8km podium finishers with LACO Batch 1998

Indeed, this esprit de corps of LACO Batch 1998 will be needed as this batch is the silver jubilarian host of the LCC Grand Alumni Homecoming scheduled for Dec 2023. A lot of organizing will be needed. A lot of fund raising will need to happen. But no doubt, this batch (all of 160+ members)  is willing  and able. It is not easy to organize a fun run or a race. It is quite rare for a high school batch to sponsor one. And yet, LACO Batch 1998 did it. 

Handover from LACO Batch 1997 to LACO Batch 1998.  Pres. Tintin Medina of 1998 and Pres Deli Espiritu-Orbon of 1997.  

Speaking of the race, had a chance to interview the defacto Race Director - Rogelio Pante:

Bicolano Penguin (BP):  What is the reason for Batch 1998 to organize the Riverside Run?

Race Director (RD):  For the common interest of some runners from Batch 1998 to sponsor a race. Plus we want to involve the whole batch in preparation for LACO alumni this 2023 as we will be the sponsoring batch.   

BP:  Did you raise funds thru the Riverside Run?

RD:  Yes. Less all the expenses, we generated fund from sponsorship pledges and registration. 

BP:  Who or what charity is the beneficiary?

RD:  We have target beneficiaries but this is still being finalized. But most likely our target beneficiaries are outreach community activities starting 3rd quarter of 2023.  Riverside Run is just the start of many other activities that Batch 1998 will sponsor. 

BP:  What is the reasoning behind the route?  Why 15kms and not 21kms?

RD:  Normally, race is being conducted in the upland or northern part of Iriga City. We would like to do it differently and expose the beauty of Riverside unit.  Also, the 15kms is the exact distance covering the main road for Riverside Unit.  Hopefully in the next Riverside Run will cover almost all Riverside barangays and will target 21 kms. 

15km route

Race Director Rogelio Pante with wife Liezl.  Both members of LACO 1998. 

From the Bicolano Penguin's viewpoint, the Riverside Run was handled quite well, except for the minor fact that my GPS showed 12kms and not 15kms. Could be a glitch with my Garmin. Who's complaining? I'm not.    The 15km race featured some elite runners including a Philippine National Team aspirant plus local running legend Marino Lagyap. Likewise, the 8km race had another National Team aspirant.  And it was encouraging to see a good number of young kids joining the 3km race.

The Bicolano Penguin being shadowed by the race sweeper ambulance

   

The BP at the finish line with LACO Batch 1998 leaders. An honor to be in the company of achievers.

Row5runners at the podium. For a photo op. 

Of course, true to my row5runnin DNA, the BP was the last runner in the 15km race to cross the finish line.  But the point of  my joining the race is to enjoy the view of the rural countryside and to finish the race safely.  Plus there is the added benefit of meeting the active leaders of LACO Batch 1998. A Ruby meeting Silver Jubilarians. My LACO Batch 1983 will be celebrating our 40th (Ruby) this 2023.

Well done LACO Batch 1998.  #DatiSana

Photo credit:  Riverside Run facebook page