BIKIK Besavilla was the last runner to cross the finish line during the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Run on June 13. But she was one of the biggest winners that day, completing her first 15-kilometer race barely a year from lacing up, despite the challenge.
The sun was already up that day when Bikik neared the University of the Philippines-Visayas Cebu College. The heat was stifling for Bikik, who runs in long sleeves and jogging pants to shield her fair skin. She was no longer running on the street, but on the sidewalk. By the time Bikik was near UP, the race route had long been open to traffic.
HER FIRST 15K. Bikik Besavilla runs the last 100 meters to the finish line of the 15-kilometer Kapamilya Run accompanied and cheered on by friends. Shown in photo is Superbalita editor-in-chief and Ungo Runners muse Michelle So telling the technical staff to let her finish and not to remove the finishline arch just yet. (PHOTO TAKEN FROM BIKIK BESAVILLA’S FACEBOOK PAGE)I’ll complete this race no matter how long it will take me to reach the finish line, Bikik told me then. I had gone back the route to check on friends and decided to accompany her in the last few kilometers.
Anyway, I had people weld the finish line arc to make sure organizers can’t remove it before I cross the line, she deadpanned.
The photo of her finishing the race is classic—in it, you could see fellow runners signaling the guard to remove the railings. Bikik crossed the finish line amid loud applause and her usual scream of joy.
Bikik finds such joy in running saying the sport has allowed her to gain confidence, make new friends and lose “a lot of weight.”
