FORMER President Joseph Estrada proved his detractors wrong about his health condition when he did a ceremonial run at the inauguration of the University of Makati (Umak) track and field oval Sunday morning.

He even challenged everyone present during the event for another round as he went past the designated distance of 1.5 kilometers and instead ran the entire Umak track and field oval.

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"Bitin pa. Gusto ko pa sana mga three rounds pa," the 72-year-old Estrada said.

Arriving at 6:45 a.m., even before the program started, Estrada showed that he is in fighting form not only psychologically or emotionally but also physically.

This, when he said to the organizers that the 50-meter distance where he was supposed to do his ceremonial run for the track's opening was "too short."

After the run started, organizers and the 200 Umak students running behind him were surprised when the former President went past the designated marker and started running the entire distance of the oval.

Joining Estrada were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, his running mate in the 2010 elections under the banner of the United Opposition (UNO), Umak President Tomas Lopez, and NBN-ZTE whistle-blower Joey De Venecia.

After the run, Binay said: "After this, we can no longer doubt that President Erap is indeed really very healthy."

Earlier, Estrada traded verbal barbs with former President Fidel Ramos after the latter questioned his presidential bid in next year's election.

Estrada then called his predecessor "amoy lupa," a statement he denied later, saying he has great respect for elders with Ramos retaliating and challenging him to a marathon run from Malacanang to Tanay in Rizal.

Tanay is where Estrada was detained under house arrest while on trial for plunder charges.

Ramos had a surgery for a blocked carotid artery while Estrada has a kneecap replaced with titanium.

While Ramos was known for his healthy lifestyle and jogs daily when he was still a president, Estrada was known for his drinking sprees with friends while still a president.

In his remarks after the ceremonial run, Estrada said he was very impressed with the Umak because the facilities are world class and the students are all considered scholars because their tuition fee is only around P1000 per month.

He also gave his observation that the new track and oval at Umak meets international standards and is very soft and pleasant to run on.

"Ganito kayo sa Makati, sana ganito din sana sa buong bansa," Estrada said, quoting Binay's infomercial slogan.

Estrada and Binay are set to file their certificate of candidacies on November 30, Bonifacio Day. (AH/Sunnex)