MANILA, Philippines – When it comes to sports, the saying “start them young” comes to mind. But Ernesto “Ernie” Adaya’s journey proves otherwise.
Known as “Tatay Erning,” the 74-year-old engineer from Digos City became the oldest finisher of a recent ultramarathon, impressing not only fellow racers but also social media users as his feat made the rounds online.
“Siyempre very proud ako. Nakakawala ng pagod. Happy ako. Yung mga kaibigan ko naman, sinasabihan ako ‘andami mong fans,’ kaya natutuwa ako,” Adaya told Rappler.
(Of course, I’m very proud. It lessens my fatigue. My friends tell me ‘you have a lot of fans.’ It makes me happy.)
Adaya conquered 60 kilometers — a race more grueling than the standard 42K marathon distance — in the Davao City to Digos City (DC2DC) Ultramarathon with a time of 11 hours and 24 minutes on September 8.
His stamina was impressive, so it’s quite a surprise that Adaya only started running at the age of 59, even sharing that he was not a sporty kid in elementary and high school.
Adaya first dabbled with chess as a student in Mapua University, and went on to be a chess tournament champion in the ‘70s. He then found opportunities to play various sports like table tennis, bowling, and golf while he worked as a chemical engineer.
But the pride of Davao ended up focusing on running, saying that contrary to other sports like golf, it was more affordable.
“‘Yung running talaga ang paborito ko. Kasi unang-una, hindi gaanong magastos. Puwedeng ukay-ukay na sapatos… ‘Yung golf kasi mahal. ‘Tsaka hindi naman lahat ng lugar may golf course. Running, kahit saang kalye ka tumakbo okay,” Adaya said.
(Running is really my favorite. First of all, it’s not that expensive, thrifted shoes will do. Golf is expensive, and not every place has a golf course. Any street will do when it comes to running.)
Prior to the 24 running medals he has to date, Adaya first became curious about running when he saw runners while doing his morning walks at his local park.
“Sabi ko, subukan ko tumakbo, kaya ko siguro yung ginagawa nila. So ayun, tumatakbo na ako. Talagang pursigido ako maging runner… Hanggang ngayon hindi ako huminto,” he shared.
(I said, I will try running, maybe I can also do what they’re doing. So I did. I was really persistent to be a runner. Up to now, I haven’t stopped.)
Adaya’s usual training consists of 7K running every morning from Monday to Saturday, and 3K walking from Monday to Sunday evening. But when he has a marathon coming up, he runs a 10K, 15K, or 20K to practice.
This year’s edition of DC2DC was his second time participating in the ultramarathon. Last year, even when it rained hard, Adaya noted that marathoners continued on.
“Na-cha-challenge ako pero determined ako na matapos yung race,” he shared. “Hindi ako yung nagigi-give up. Parang ano, lalo akong pursigido. Kapag yung medyo pagod na ako, sabi ko hindi puwede ito dahil kailangan ko makarating. Nakakahiya baka sabihin nila matanda ka na, sali ka nang sali, hindi mo pala kaya… Kaya talagang ano, tinototoo ko yung takbo.“
(It is challenging but I am determined to finish the race. I will not give up. I am determined. When I’m a bit fatigued, I tell myself that I can’t not finish it. It will be embarrassing, they might question why I even joined when I can’t do it in the first place.)
So no matter how tough, Adaya said giving up in the middle of a race has yet to come to mind.
“Never. Talagang nagpupursige ako (I really strive hard),” he said, sharing he would even run faster when he sees that the finish line is already near.
Bringing people together
For Adaya, one great thing about running is that you get to meet other runners even from different parts of the country.
“Isa yun sa mga magandang dinudulot ng running. Hindi lang physically, but emotionally, socially, maganda,” he shared.
(That’s one of the good effects of running — not just physically, but also emotionally and socially.)
Adaya also gets support from his daughter, Therese Grace, who encourages him: “Sige Da, pagtakbo mo, ‘andun ako, bibidyuhan kita (Okay daddy, when you run, I will take a video of you).”
He invites his daughter to join some races, taking her on father-daughter runs.
Not only is Adaya seen as an inspiration by younger people, he is also a testament to older generations, that no matter the age, they can still try running.
“Yung mga senior, ang advice ko sa kanila, ‘wag kayo matakot sumubok tumakbo,” he said. “Kasi yung worry nila, sabi raw ng mga doktor, yung kanilang tuhod baka sumakit… Yung advice raw sa kanila walking na lang. Sabi ko, mas alam niyo sarili niyo kaysa doktor. Subukan niyo.”
(For senior citizens, my advice to them is that they shouldn’t be afraid to try running. They’re worried because doctors say that their knees may hurt, they should just try walking. But I say that they know themselves more. Try it.)
Future goals
What’s next for our super lolo?
Having climbed Mount Apo in 2022 and finished the World River Run last June, Adaya wants to try even longer ultramarathons.
“Naka-60K na ako. Gusto kong mag-try ng 80K, 100K…. Ang gusto ko gawin tumakbo mula rito sa city, papunta sa bukid, ‘tsaka umakyat sa bundok,” he said.
(I’m done with 60K. I want to try 80K, 100K…. I also want to run from here in the city, to the field, and then climb the mountain.)
There’s clearly no stopping Adaya yet. Through his journey, he hopes to be an inspiration for people to try sports at any age.
“Sana marami akong na-inspire na kabataan, mga senior, na subukan tumakbo (I hope I inspired a lot of young people and senior citizens to try running).”
– Rappler.com
Felise Calza is a Digital Communications volunteer at Rappler. A caffeinated writing major, she is a Communication Arts student at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. She also enjoys getting involved in collective zines, thrifting, and assembling melodramatic song playlists.
