ITOGON, Benguet – A veteran trail runner who won a number of medals in prestigious running events worldwide expressed his gratitude to Apex Mining and its subsidiary, Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI), for their unwavering support that allowed him to actively participate in the 2023 World Police and Fire Games held last August 26-28, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Police Staff Sergeant Miguelito Caranza of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Cordillera Regional Field Unit won the gold medal in the 10-kilometer cross-country run and bronze medal in the 10,000-meter track and field of the said competition.
He disclosed that he encountered several issues prior to attending the said competition such as the inadequate finances to cover his expenses in joining the competition, the delayed processing of his visa and striking a balance in his training, schooling and his obligation to his family although he was able to hurdle these with proper time management and with the support of individuals and companies like ISRI and Apex.
Caranza narrated that he was already an athlete in his elementary days and was a baseball player during his college days that allowed him to complete his higher level of education and eventually became a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Further, the police officer claimed that he was able to garner the strong man recognition in his basic and advanced trainings when he joined the PNP that allowed him to pursue his career in running.
Caranza first joined the international trail running competition when he participated in the 172-kilometer trail run that crossed the countries of France, Italy and Switzerland and back to France in 2017 where he was a finisher when he registered a clocking of more than 37 hours.
Last year, he also joined the World Police and Fire Games held in the Netherlands where he also joined the 10-kilometer cross country run and 10-meter track and field that allowed him to snare the silver in the 10,000-meter track and field and gold in the team event of the said competition.
He said that he was lucky to have met a former employee of ISRI who told him that he had a former classmate that was currently employed by the company who helped him bring to the attention of the mining firm his need for assistance to allow him to actively participate in this competition considering that not all the expenses that will be incurred will be shouldered by the PNP.
Caranza admitted that it is really difficult to strike a balance among work, schooling, participation in various running events and attending to the needs of his family but he is able to do so because of time management which he learned in the course of his working with the PNP and joining local, national and international trail running events.
He urges upcoming athletes to always strive for the best and ensure that they are always ready to participate in competitions by undergoing rigid trainings that will help them achieve their dreams of winning for the honor and pride of not only their families but also their places of origin.
