WeKenRun head coach Ken Mendola and Run with Pat founder Patrick Rubin championed the importance and benefits of running in the 2024 Watsons Health Expo at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall in Pasig City on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Mendola, a renowned mentor, talked about how running can help improve a person's physical and mental health, particularly when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Philippines and halted all face-to-face activities.

“Malaki actually, especially no’ng pandemic we become more health conscious,” Mendola stressed.

“But basically when you do runs mas magaan ‘yong pakiramdam mo, kumbaga anything na pinagdadaanan mo temporarily makakalimutan mo sya, but it really helps,” he added.

Alongside fitness enthusiast Migs Bustos, Rubin, a triathlete, attested how marathon shouldered him through tough times and where he found his true self as well.

“No’ng nagsimula akong tumakbo unti-unti kong nakikilala ‘yong sarili ko. Grabe ‘yong bagsak ng katawan at utak ko no’ng lockdown tapos running help me to find who really I am,” Rubin said. 

As the health protocols were removed, the coaches are glad to witness the participants returning on the track and also getting bigger in the present.

“Bumabalik na sya ngayon, full swing naman mga races ngayon talaga mas dumadami na rin ‘yong mga running groups na mas mainam kasi mas marami nang masasalihan yung mga gustong magsimula,” Rubin continued.

“Ngayon running is very mainstream, so talagang lumalaki na talaga sya,” he added.

They believed Filipinos are world-class runners and could keep up against global rivals, noting that height doesn’t affect the speed on track – a great example is Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge who collected numerous accolades and triumphs in marathon history.

“Nakita ko naman na kaya natin makipagsabayan talaga, talent wise, pero I think yung opportunity and break ang dapat mabigyan sila, kasi marami tayong talent eh,”

“Hindi importante ang height, and I believe sa mga provinces marami tayong talent kung mabibigyan lang ng atensyon sila malayo mararating natin sa pagtakbo, ulitin ko, even si Eliud Kipchoge 5’5 lang sya,” he ended.