MANILA, Philippines?I?ve been trying to figure out how anybody could enjoy putting one foot in front of another for 42 kilometers.

Famed marathon coach Hal Higdon tried to explain what he called the ?marathon mystique? in his book, ?Marathon.? But after diligently reading that chapter, I still found myself scratching my head and asking, why?

So far, the most accurate explanation I?ve gotten was that I was ?crazy.? For some strange reason, though I would have wanted a more sophisticated explanation such as ?the endorphins released during a long run produces an intoxicating high that leads you to relish the excruciating experience of a marathon coupled with the aerobic effects and an uplifting sense of personal accomplishment.? I would have to say, my friend was right. The reason why I like running long distance was because I was crazy.

Crazy enough to train day in and day out, rain, shine or summer heat. Crazy enough to endure pain, injuries, and self-inflicted torture. Crazy enough to wake up at 3:30 a.m. to get ready for a 5:00 a.m. race. And crazy enough to put my middle aged body through punishment, when I can just go to the spa, relax, watch a movie, read a book, or hang out on the beach.

But if I?m crazy, then so must the millions of others who run marathons including the members of our running group, ?Runners for Others? (R4O) who have found a reason to love the sport and have used it to help each other and help others too.

?Runners for Others? started when a handful of runners (who could barely finish 5 km) decided to get together every Sunday to run while training for the Singapore marathon. From three people it grew to five, then seven and now has over 20 people in the group. It?s quite interesting to note that most members of our group not only run, but run businesses as well. ?Runners For Others? include Lance Gokongwei, Fernando Zobel De Ayala, Nina Herrera-Huang, Jajo Quintos, Mike Bangayan, Chris Po, Ana Constantino, Matthew Westfall, Manny Minana, Jun Jun and Lala Calma, Jael Wenceslao, Max Kienle, Art Tan, Ton Concepcion, Ana and Jayjay de Ocampo, and coach Ige Lopez.

While each member has his own individual reason to run, we have one reason that binds us. It?s found in the word, ?others.? We run with each other, for each other and for others.

In a world where the norm is the ?survival of the fittest,? R4O members have a different mentality. The strongest runners try to help the new runners get up to speed. Whether it is through pacing, teaching, coaching or even just encouraging the new runner, R4O members find great fulfillment in not just finishing their own race or improving their own records, but helping other members attain theirs.

R4O has an unspoken rule that ?no runner should get left behind.? While some runners may be racing a specific event, there is always an R4O runner checking on the other members who may not be as fast or may be running injured. Whether it is just a long weekend run or an international marathon event, there is concern for each other to make sure they are all right and that everyone crosses the finish line.

The members of R4O come from different backgrounds, but when everyone meets for a run, the field is leveled?we all just love to run. Each member does his bit to help the group in whatever way he or she can. From helping a new runner take his first step en-route to a half marathon, to providing drinks for the group, to picking up race packs in international events, to lending gear that some may need but not have, to simply texting instructions and reminders, and so much more.

Running with each other has made the lonely and punishing sport of long distance running much more fun. But running for others has made it more meaningful. R4O is championing a cause that will raise enough money to provide 10,000 underprivileged children with rubber shoes nationwide.

We have incorporated a way to get support for this cause by asking individuals or even corporations to pledge an amount to Team R4O if we all cross the finish line. We have also gotten our children involved by signing them up for shorter races like a 3k or 5k and pledging shoes if they accomplish the task.

We all realize how important sports has been to our lives. More so in the lives of young children who are just starting their journey through life.

While there are a thousand different sports young kids can engage in, none can be simpler than running. You don?t need much equipment or infrastructure to start. All kids need is a pair of feet and they are good to go. But those very feet need to be protected, and many underprivileged kids don?t even have slippers much less rubber shoes to even start. So R4O has started various initiatives among its members to raise money for these kids: 10,000 shoes for 10,000 kids. That?s the goal for 2008. And as the group runs, we will make sure each step counts and brings us closer to attaining that goal.

We therefore may have found the reason why we love running so much past the fact that we are all crazy. It?s because through ?Runners for Others,? we know that somehow and in some way, we can all help make a difference, to each other and to others, one stride at a time.