10 yrs on the road: The long run of para-athlete Renson Embradura

Left foot. Right foot.That is the rhythm of a half-marathon.

For 35-year-old para-athlete runner Renson B. Embradura of Sariaya, Quezon, the rhythm is different. Every stride depends on a single leg, a crutch and the determination to keep moving forward.

Still, that never stopped him from taking on one of distance running’s toughest challenges. At the “Elorde the Flash Run 2026: Run Like a Champ” at Central Park, Filinvest City, Alabang, Embradura signed up for the 21-kilometer half-marathon with one goal in mind.

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“I chose the 21-kilometer race because I wanted to show my fellow runners that despite having a disability, I can still finish this kind of distance,” Embradura shared in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

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That determination did not begin on a race course. Before he became an athlete, Embradura worked as a farmer in his hometown to help support his family.

“I planted vegetables, took care of our coconut grove, helped during coconut harvests, and collected wood for charcoal-making to earn extra income,” he said.

Life outside the fields brought another kind of challenge. Growing up with a physical disability, Embradura experienced years of bullying that affected his confidence.

At 23, he sought a way to rebuild his confidence through physical activity. That search led him to the Sariaya Runners, a local running community that welcomed him without hesitation.

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For the first time, he felt that the road belonged to him as much as it did to any other runner.

His parents, however, were understandably worried that competitive running could put him at risk. Through careful preparation and years of consistent training, Embradura gradually eased their concerns and eventually earned their approval.

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Still, some battles proved harder to outrun.

“It also became a challenge in my running because there are times when I feel self-conscious, especially when I fall behind in the race or when there are people laughing at me,” he said.

But rather than letting those moments define him, Embradura chose to keep running. That same determination carried him through the recent half-marathon in Alabang.

As he worked his way through the course, fellow runners slowed their pace to encourage him. Their cheers became louder than the doubts he had carried since childhood.

“It was so heartwarming to hear what they told me back then, saying, ‘Kuya, you are amazing. Even with just one leg, you can still manage to run,’” he recalled.

Support has also come from people who believed in his journey. Race organizer Ruel Regine Cruz invited him to participate in the event and provided him with a complimentary race kit for the 21-kilometer category. Embradura also credits the ElviEros Running Club, AltraRunningPH, and Atlas Endurance Mix for their continuous support throughout his years of racing.

“They are the reasons why I continue to fight in every race,” he said.

After a decade on the road, Embradura hopes his journey will encourage not only his fellow runners but also members of the PWD community to believe in themselves.

“Let us not be ashamed of our condition. It may be difficult, but we can turn it into strength and inspiration,” he said.

Every race asks a lot from the body, and for Embradura, it asks even more. Still, he shows up at the starting line, ready to take it one step, one crutch, one kilometer forward. — Felicia Xharaya V. Caparas, INQUIRER.net trainee

/ra

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