CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Ornithologist and conservation champion Dr. Bob Kennedy will run 102 kilometers of the Bataan Death March route to help promote and generate support for the Philippine Eagle conservation from August 6 to 7, 2022.
Dubbed the “Solidarity Run for Peace, Health, and the Philippine Eagle,” Kennedy will don his running shoes in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his conservation work in the Philippines, which coincides the 80th year of the infamous Death March.
Kennedy arrived in the Philippines in 1972 as a Peace Corps volunteer who was assigned to study and develop a conservation program for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. His work helped launch the “Monkey-eating Eagle Conservation Program,” which later on grew into the Philippine Eagle Foundation known today.
Kennedy was also one of conservationists who lobbied for the Office of the President to change the name of the endemic species from “Monkey-eating Eagle” to “Philippine eagle.”
He traveled to the Philippines 31 times in preparation for his book: “A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines,” working with Pedro Gonzales, Edwards Dickinson, Timothy Fisher, and former PEF Science Director Hector Miranda.
The book aims to showcase over 60 years of research that aims to shed light on the numerous endemic bird species that are endangered due to continuous loss of habitat.
During the Death March trace, Kennedy will run with Filipino-American marathoner JC Santa Teresa, holder of the Guinness Book of World Records for the most ultra-marathons run in consecutive days, until reaching the City of San Fernando.
On August 7, 2022, the city government of San Fernando headed by Mayor Vilma B. Caluag and Consul General To New York Elmer Cato will welcome the two runners during the historic run at the train Station in Barangay Sto. Niño where worn-out soldiers were dumped to train carts for transportation to Capas, Tarlac in 1942.
A wreath-laying ceremony will be followed by a book signing activity and press conference at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga at 2:00 pm.
“Solidarity Run for peace, health and the Philippine Eagle” is supported by the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office of Pampanga, Bale Capampangan, Megaworld, Microtel by Wyndham Pampanga, Robinsons Starmills, and The Orchids Garden.