HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUN along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City? Tough you would say because of the hellish drivers -- bus, jeep, cars - who race through as if there's no tomorrow. But on December 5, the avenue will be clear of all vehicles. Why because the 2nd QC International Marathon will be held covering the Quezon Memorial Circle, Kalayaan, UP, La Mesa Dam, and Commonwealth Avenue.

I have never thought of running before, just jogging in place considering my paranoia about leaving all my important belongings in one place and losing them to thieves both at home and outside. But after hearing about this marathon, I am now thinking of how I can keep all of them in one place safely and join, never mind if I belong to the senior citizens' club.

The Marathon, sponsored by the QC City Hall, and the Runnex, will be participated in by foreigners as well. Last year, the winners were Kenyans, who did not look they perspired at all in reaching the finish line.

What makes marathon running a nice sport? Well being with 15000 people all eager to hit the road could be very exhilarating. Not only is the sport a kind of rebellion against gravity and time, it is also a way of hitting the wind with your body. It's a very natural activity, sans any gadgets save your body and your almost bare costume of shorts and shirt. How I wish I had the running in the 60's when I had greater stamina to finish miles and miles.

However, during the 60's I was covering as much Philippine soil as possible, going to Samar, Sagada, Banawe, and as far as Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. Then in the 70's I reached the islands of Mindanao and Iloilo, Leyte, Marinduque, and even Pantabangan where a dam submerged an old Philippine Spanish era town. (You could see the cross of the church above the sea level then.) Unfortunately when 5-day rains came, the town broke loose and even the tombs in the relocated cemetery slid down the dam rivers. Thanks to the National Irrigation Administration then which handled the lousy project.

Then in the 80's I began climbing the mountains of the Cordilleras (Chico River Dam issue), Abra (Cellophil Resources issue) and Lake Sebu to reach out to the indigenous groups whose ancestral lands were being threatened with extinction by government dam projects.

So, Folks, if you plan to join the marathon, read these records: "The world record time for men over the distance is 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds, set in the Berlin Marathon by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia on September 28, 2008, an improvement of 51 minutes and 19 seconds since Johnny Hayes' gold medal performance at the 1908 Summer Olympics. Gebrselassie's world record represents an average pace of under 2:57 per kilometre (4:44 per mile), average speed of over 20.4 km/h (12.6 mph).[29] The world record for women was set by Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain in the London Marathon on April 13, 2003, in 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds. This time was set using male pacesetters; the fastest time by a woman without using a male pacesetter ("woman-only") was also set by Paula Radcliffe, again during the London Marathon, with a time of 2 hours 17 minutes and 42 seconds, on April 17, 2005."

We need to train hard though before joining the marathon. But what streets here in MetroManila would be safe for walking? I think to date, only UP and some exclusive subdivisions have them, with clean air to boot. UP only has one side of the main avenue free from vehicles; hence runners will still smell the soot from the Ikot jeeps, among others.

The exclusive subdivisions are exclusive, period. I don't really know if the owners would allow outsiders to practice there. Luneta would be a good place, and all other sports complexes like the former Ultra, Rizal now Aquino stadium. But I think what would be a good place for training is Mount Makiling. Running up the mountain could really strengthen the lungs and legs all at the same time.

Well, that's four months to go till December, Folks. Happy training.