BEATING AGE IN NEW CLARK CITY

By Richard C. Vargas

Age is just a number for those who choose to chase their dreams. This is true for athlete Almario Gonzales, who literally runs to surpass his personal best, race after race, at age 72.

Gonzales was among the 300 athletes who vied for a podium finish during the first Sundown Duathlon in New Clark City on May 6.

Unlike other timed races he had participated in, he considered the duathlon special being his very first, more so in a world-class sports complex. “It was a beautiful race. I love the course. I love everything. This is my first time and I think I will have another one,” Gonzales enthused.

Gonzales recalled he avidly joined marathons when he was working as a mail carrier in the United States postal service in California. As he advanced with age, he realized he had to prioritize his health and fitness. He made running part of his lifestyle.

“I actually started running at age 55. I thought I was late. I mean, who runs at 55? Maybe a few people can. I started running in 2005 and, since then, I never stopped running,” he shared. He added he even qualified thrice in the prestigious Boston Marathon, which he described as “every runner’s dream.”

Coming from retirement in January, this balikbayan decided to spend the following months in his home province of Pampanga. There, he thought of embarking on a new life goal: to become a professional triathlete.

With sheer determination to be physically active and formally engage in the sport, Gonzales took swimming lessons and studied biking. He made use his experience as a marathoner in running longer distances in his daily training at the Clark Global City. Alternatively, he practiced with his new bike, maintaining the discipline to rigorously train to get these sports in his system.

“As I have said, I am a marathoner and I have never done cycling before. Now is my chance to bike and I love doing this in Clark. There is nothing like this place. I have never seen something like this in the [United] States… Also, there are endless bike lanes here. They are beautiful. I love Clark,” he declared.

On April 16, Gonzales participated in the Clark Triathlon Classic at the Fontana Leisure Park, his first attempt at a triathlon competition. Just two weeks after the Sundown Duathlon, he registered for the New Clark City Duathlon. Both sporting activities were organized by GoClark Sports and Events.

'Super Mario'

Gonzales' participation in the local racing scene has earned him the moniker, “Super Mario,” a character from a popular gaming platform. Not only does Gonzales sport a flashy mustache; he and the fictional character share these personality traits: headstrong, passionate, and cheerful. At the race course, he seemed to give his all. He even remarked, “[Running] is my passion. I love it…As long as I can, I will run.”

Gonzales finished second in the 60-yearold-and-above category of Sundown Duathlon under two hours, one minute and 19 seconds. He placed third in the short distance event under the same age category during New Clark City Duathlon, clocking in at two hours, 33 minutes, and 42 seconds.

With his racing achievements unlocked, Gonzales is more determined to push his training to the next level as he prepares for an open water swimming in a triathlon event happening soon in Subic.

With delight