RUN ACROSS MAY RUNNER PROFILES: Francisco Balagtas
Francisco Balagtas
Francisco Balagtas has run every single day since 2017. No, I am not exaggerating-- every day. Running 200 miles for his Run Across May campaign this past year was an easy goal, so much so he surpassed it in the first two weeks of his campaign, running a total of 519 miles by the end of the month!
Francisco first got to know WORK through his position as Brand Ambassador for Ciele Athletics. After getting familiar with the organization through last year’s RAM and seeing some friends participate also, Francisco decided to run again this year.
To call Francisco an “avid runner” would be an understatement. Running is second nature to him, like breathing. His run blog, “Project: No Days Off” includes more than a thousand days (and counting) of running in various areas, mostly New York City, his home. On his Instagram account, Francisco has tracked his running every day over the past five years. So the question is, why run for WORK?
Francisco connected with the international focus WORK has. Born in the Philippines and raised in the US, he appreciates the work that we do internationally and resonates with our vision of ending world poverty. He mentioned how although he’s partnered up with a lot of charities to run for in the past, the miles mean something more when he feels connected to an organization in some way, like WORK.
“There’s a lot of charities involved with the running community and sometimes you need to find something that relates more to what you can do… I understand that the Philippines in some areas are a little bit impoverished, they have their sections as well as other countries... If my miles can draw a little bit of awareness to this, then I'm doing something in the right aspect... It's all about what I feel connected with, and that I know ‘hey, these miles mean something.’”
Putting a personal connection behind the miles ran for RAM allowed Francisco to easily relate and connect with WORK and our mission. Like many of our RAM participants that I’ve interviewed, Francisco wants people to understand how easy it is to commit and get involved with WORK. I hope Francisco’s story inspires someone to put a purpose behind a hobby or lifelong activity next May, and join the 2022 RAM!
Be sure to check out Francisco’s running blog, Project: No Days Off .