Galvin “Dr. G” Deleon Guerrero and James Abuy head for the finish line of the mile-long Run from 2023 race hosted by Run Saipan on Sunday at Smiling Cove Marina.
GALVIN “Dr. G” Deleon Guerrero closed in on the coveted “comma” in the realm of running after completing two years or 730 days of nonstop running on Sunday by participating in the mile-long Run from 2023 race at Smiling Cove Marina.
“730 days and over 1,000 miles — I haven’t missed a day,” he said.
As part of his duties as president of Northern Marianas College, he sometimes have to travel, but that has not prevented him from running.
“You’re dealing with not only time zone differences, but traveling 24 hours in some cases, so I run in the airport,” he said. This included completing a mile jog at the Los Angeles and Narita airports.
“At first it was a little embarrassing, but now I don’t care,” he said, chuckling.
Deleon Guerrero usually runs two or three miles a day. He and his family live in northern Saipan so his route includes the Last Command Post, and Banzai or Suicide cliffs.
Compared to his first year, Deleon Guerrero said running every day has gotten a lot easier. “My first year, I ran around 600 miles. This year is now over a thousand miles. I’m healthier. I have more energy, and I lost some weight — it’s overall better for my health.”
Deleon Guerrero said he was inspired by Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. and Saipan International School Headmaster Dr. Ron Snyder, another educator who is also an avid runner.
Dr. G also wants to inspire others to take on the streak challenge. “It’s great to see other people be inspired to live healthy,” he said. Besides, he added, “running is just a perfect way to start the day.”
His goal now is to reach 1,000 days — the “comma” — of running.
“Next year I will hit a thousand, but even if I reach it, I probably won’t stop,” he said.
He plans to compete in this year’s Saipan Marathon, which will be held in March. Training for a marathon while maintaining his running streak may not be easy as rest days are usually needed by those preparing for a marathon. But it will also be Deleon Guerrero’s third time competing in a marathon.
His advice for anyone taking on the streak challenge: “Take care of yourself. Watch where you are running because you don’t want to injure yourself. That’s how some people stop their running streak.”
