In a running event as prestigious as the Milo Marathon, the competitive crop races for a spot in history, aiming to be named marathon King or Queen, while others try to shatter their personal bests each year.
But for some, joining the largest marathon in the Philippines is a grand medium for self-expression they could not simply showcase elsewhere, a platform free from discrimination.
“Sobrang sakit kasi ‘yung hindi ka tanggap ng family at relatives mo,” said Fritz Labastida during the 42nd Milo Marathon-Manila leg at the SM Mall of Asia grounds recently. “Dito, tanggap ako ng lahat.”
Fondly called Fritzie in his circle of running friends, Labastida has been a running enthusiast since 2009. He first joined the Milo Marathon during its 40th edition three years ago.
He says everytime he runs is a form of escape.
“Nawawala kasi ang mga problems sa isip ko kahit sandali kapag tumatakbo ako,” said the 34-year-old participant, who finished the 42KM centerpiece event with a sub-5 time of 04:47:15.
What had people taking notice during the event wasn’t Labastida’s blistering pace. In fact, he was ranked no. 530 among all 42K runners.
But it was the eye-catching “kavouge” costume he wore while running barefoot through challenging thoroughfares made harder by the monsoon rains all race long that had heads turning.
“Nag-start ako mag-run barefoot when I joined a benefit run. From there tuluy-tuloy na ang pagtakbo ko barefoot,” said the audit management officer, who recalled wearing adult diapers during the said fund-raising run for Baby Shaila, who had Biliary Atresia and underwent a liver transplant a year ago and is now in stable condition.
“Wala lang talaga ako pambili ng sapatos noon,” Labastida said, laughing. “Hindi naman kasi hadlang na walang running shoes katulad ko, kasi puwede naman tumakbo ng hindi kamahalan. As long as you have trust in yourself to be fit.”
While participants train for the Milo race on the track, he goes the extra mile by also preparing what to wear.
“Until now I always prepare my costumes in my races because dito ako naging masaya at nakakapagpasaya ng iba,” said Labastida, adding that during his days’ off, he tries to find interesting costumes in thrift shops.
He is now a regular in marathons, ultramarathons and even duathlons and triathlons.
His family’s breadwinner, Labastida lives alone in Taguig, but he still supports his family back in Leyte. For him, running is also a way to fight homesickness, especially when he shares his joy to his co-runners.
“Sobrang hirap na hirap na ako sa buhay pero ‘pag sa takbuhan, doon ko na lang binubuhos lahat. It’s also hard to run barefoot, but I will never stop and I’ll promise to continue to inspire people. Until they realize that running is great,” he said. “Dahil ang buhay parang marathon ‘yan. No one will finish the race for you. You have to have discipline sa pagtakbo, at confidence sa ginagawa mo and kailangan paghusayan mo every step of the way.”
So the next time you see Labastida, think of the many personal battles he won running with no shoes, but with lots of heart.