IT was definitely a challenge.

In fact, it was the first ever sand dunes races held in the country, venue was in La Paz in Laoag City where I ended up staying five days with my wife and son.

City Mayor Mike Keon extended an invitation not just to cover the event but to visit the different tourist destinations for a separate travel feature I will do.

And on top of it, the opportunity to do one on one sessions with someone as controversial as this guy was in the past during his Gintong Alay days, though more mellowed as he says now that he is older, is too good to pass up.

But let me talk of the first Laoag City Sand Dunes 5K and 10K races, with close to 300 runners responding to the challenge of running a race on loose sand, hilly up and down terrain, and with strong early morning winds , though the latter helped cool down what could have been a hot run.

Ask any of the runners, and I did, intervewing the top finishers, all of whom were brought to Laoag by PATAFA National Training Director Renato Unso, upon the invitation of Mike.

And how can Nonoy, as he is called, say no to Mike who made him what he was, a legendary figure among local track and field athletes.

As expected, the elite runners brought by Nonoy topped their respective categories led by SEA Games gold and silver medalist Christine Hallasgo in the 10K run, returning home with sizeable cash prizes for themselves.

Richard Solano, 7-11 national champion, ruled the men’s side, national team member Sonny Wagdas and SEA Games 2019 gold medalist Joida Gagnao won the 5K race.
Also met Josh Buenavista, son of legendary marathoner Ed Buenavista whom I have interviewed a lot during his heydays.

Now I am interviewing his 21 year old son, current UAAP record holder inthe 5000m.and 10,000m. distances. Says he will follow his father’s footsteps and eventually do marathons.

Then Nonoy introduced me to his wife April Sacro and I recognized her as someone I interviewed and featured in Sports World when she was playing basketball for UP in the late 70’s, and she is now a senior citizen like me, and working with her hubby in PATAFA.

Small world indeed,wait for my piece when I relate the story of Nonoy and April’s lovelife, it is worth one whole piece.

That night, Mike again invited us , together with Nonoy and April, and some relatives to his house for a small but lively dinner, followed by lunch the following morning in Paoay.

The participants in the races also got free rides in the 4×4 WD challenge , where one experiences the thrill of a 7K long up and down drive sandy dunes, guaranteed to raise adrenaline levels.

I also accepted this challenge and did it with my wife and son as we returned to La Paz the same morning, my wife was reluctant to ride but in the end, enjoyed it so much she also gave an additional tip to our driver.

We all passed up on the sand boarding experience, exciting as it looked.

Mike and his partner Monette did it earlier to the delight of the crowd. Monette also joined the 5K run while the previous day, Mike told me he now does treadmill exercises with occasional road running in answer to my question if he was running in the sand dune races as I saw his name in the list of entries.

By the way, there are two sand dunes in Ilocos Norte, aside from the one in La Paz, there is a smaller and more known one in Paoay.

But now, with Mike promoting Laoag’s, expect it to be more popular Fernando Poe shot some scenes of his Ang Panday movie here in La Paz.

LOOSE CHANGE: heard the sad news that champion marathoners and former Gintong Alay athletes Irving Gallardo and Justo Tabunda Jr. both have cancer, stage 4….

Mike says the sand dunes challenge races will be an annual event and is looking at doubling the entries in 2024….I was at the inauguration of the renovated Marcos

Stadium, now renamed Ferdinand Marcos Memorial Stadium, a 20,000 seater track and field and football venue. Impressive I would say, President Bongbong Marcos was the special guest at the event.

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