John Pages
Match point

SIX years ago, he started running. “I was getting older and noticed I wasn’t getting any healthier,” he said. “So, one day, I had a ‘Forrest Gump’ moment!”

Jim Abilla started walking. Then jogging. Then sprinting. Since 2003, he hasn’t stopped.

Last Sunday, Nov. 1, while many of us lazed around and visited the cemetery, he stood at the starting line of the biggest marathon on earth. Here’s his story...

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“The NY Marathon Class of ‘09 of 43,475 set out in three waves from both decks and lanes of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. It was windy during the ascent and cold (50-degrees), but the atmosphere was festive. People were climbing the middle barriers and snapping pictures of the sea of people coming up the bridge!

“Every block of the course was lined with spectators. Except for the bridges, the entire course was filled with people holding signs, ringing cow bells, playing drums, encouraging runners. It made the option of walking disappear from my thoughts!

“Around mile 9, a woman next to me passed out and fell into the crowd. Medical personnel quickly attended to her, as did the crowd. There was no shortage of Gatorade and water. Medical stations were clearly marked and numerous, and there were police officers at every intersection, which included either an ambulance, fire truck or aid station.

“GU gels were given at mile 16 and there were plenty of bananas, oranges, candy bars, pretzels and other goodies handed out. I felt the wall coming at mile 19 and was extremely hungry. Luckily, some people in the crowd handed me Snickers bars and a banana! After washing it down with Gatorade, I regained my strength and was able to continue without ever walking any part of the course.

“One of the most inspirational sights I saw was passing groups called “Achilles Guides.” They are groups of pacers and medically trained runners who surround a special needs runner or someone who is running with an artificial limb. I passed at least four Achilles groups—at least two of them had a runner without legs and was running with spring metal limbs. I gave them a heartfelt “thumbs up.” Inspirational!

“Another runner had “HEART TRANSPLANT” printed on the back of his shirt. Yes, he was running with a transplanted heart. I’m curious to ask Dr. Peter Mancao what he thinks about that! Boy, what an inspiration!

“Anyway, I managed to come down the home stretch inside Central Park, at mile 23, too late to give up or walk. By this time, the crowd was at critical mass, yelling “JIMMEEE” or “GO JIMBO!” How can you give up with that kind of welcome? So I found myself picking up the pace and continuing to ignore the knotted pain in my legs and calves.”

Jim finished with a personal record (PR) of 4:18:47. That’s speedy. So was the time of his wife, Margaret, who clocked 4:34.

Prior to NYC, James, now 46, had finished six marathons. When I asked which was his favorite, the reply bounced back fast.

“New York is hands-down the best road race in the world. It was better than Chicago. The people of NY love the marathon, and New Yorkers are a splendid crowd. A large part of long-distance running is training, but it is the support of those who watch that eventually makes a world of difference when you have a little self-doubt. When several hundred thousand people are egging you on to continue and not give up, you feel that you must not let them down. Contrast that to a crowd that does not cheer and encourage - and you will know what I mean. Our local spectators could learn a lot from the welcoming spirit New Yorkers have. It is an unabashed quality of participation and gives the ‘spirit’ in the whole event. And yes, they yell your name. That’s why people write their names on their shirts!”

When I asked Jim, who owns the Cebu-based bottled water company “St. James,” what his next goals were, he had everything planned out.

“Now it’s time to recover for a few months before the next marathon in Ireland in April 2010, then to the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC in Oct. 2010. Then, 2011 Berlin, 2012 London and 2013 Boston for my 50th birthday!”

(Photos and more: www.pages.ph)