By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Alexander Salundaguit is nearly halfway through a grueling 365-day running challenge, inspiring a wave of dedication among his peers.
Having launched his streak on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025, Salundaguit crossed Day 177 on June 26, 2026.
What began as a personal test of endurance has quickly transformed into a team movement, sparking a chain reaction of fitness and discipline within his community.
Driven by the mentorship of his coach, Angel San Nicolas, Salundaguit has maintained an unbroken streak through sheer adaptability. When Super Typhoon Sinlaku brought hazardous weather conditions, Alexander refused to let the elements break his commitment — instead, he adapted by logging his daily miles entirely inside his house.
Mindset over mileage
For Salundaguit, the true test of the 365-day challenge has not been physical exhaustion, but mental fortitude.
Rather than facing one defining crisis, he notes he has faced a series of difficult moments requiring constant mental resets. Balancing daily consistency with physical longevity has meant listening to his body and managing potential injuries before they could sideline his progress.
But the daily discipline is paying off exponentially. Salundaguit notes a profound personal benefit: he is simply becoming a faster, stronger, and better runner.
Salundaguit’s relentless consistency has not only benefited him but has also caught the attention of those around him. Inspired by his progress and the steady guidance of Coach San Nicolas, three of his friends have officially joined him on the journey.
Alexander extended a massive shout-out to Coach San Nicolas for laying the foundation, as well as a powerful thank you to the four fellow “365 Runners” pushing through the daily grind alongside him: Zian Andrie Sinday, Zian Gabriel Lavarias, Marq Reiner Hernandez, and Jon Banatlao.
“I would recommend this challenge to anyone who loves to run or is inspired by seeing others run,” Salundaguit said.
With over 180 days left to go, Alexander and his crew are proving that leadership does not have an age limit — it just requires showing up, day after day.
This series will shine a light on the rest of his team in upcoming editions of Variety.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
