Ornithologist and naturalist Dr. Robert Kennedy completed the 102-kilometer Solidarity Run for Peace, Health and the Philippine Eagle in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Sunday, August 7.
The event marked the celebration of Kennedy’s 50th return to the Philippines and completes the Death March Solidarity Run and the Philippine Eagle Run.
Kennedy, 74, is a triathlete, marathon/ultra-marathon runner, swimmer, and biker and has recently started snowshoe racing.
He was welcomed at Kilometer (KM) 102 at the old San Fernando Railway Station by City of San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag, New York Consul General Elmer Cato, Guinness Book of World Records holder ultra-marathon runner JC Sta. Teresa, Philippine Eagle Foundation Development Manager Andi Baldonado and other participants.
The Philippine Consulate General in New York is indebted to Bob Kennedy not only for his efforts to help protect the Philippine Eagle but also for helping people remember the gallantry of Filipino and American forces in Bataan during the Second World War. Sadly, many Americans have forgotten or do not know at all.
Kennedy helped launch the Monkey-Eating Eagle Conservation Program which grew into the Philippine Eagle Foundation, one of the premiere wildlife conservation efforts in Asia; produced several award-winning documentary films on the Philippine Eagle with the Films & Research for an Endangered Environment, Ltd. (FREE, Ltd).
He also helped found The Haribon Society, now known as The Haribon Foundation, a leading conservation organization in the Philippines and Asia; co-Led over 25 major biodiversity expeditions for the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History from the Batanes Islands in the north to Tawi-Tawi Island in the south, most with the Philippine National Museum.
Kennedy also published articles about the Philippine Eagle and Philippine Biodiversity, including “Saving the Philippine Eagle” in the June 1981 issue of the National Geographic Magazine and the discovery of three new bird species and one new mammal species.
He is also senior co-author of A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines published in 2000 by the Oxford University Press, a book that helped fuel a conservation revolution in the Philippines.
Since 2000, Bob has become an avid runner specializing in long distance running. He has completed over 250 marathon races (42.195 kilometers) or longer (up to 160.9 kms.) and holds New Hampshire State Records in marathon and half marathon.
Since turning 65 in 2013, he stressed the importance of running and exercise among “youngsters” over 65 years old.
Photo: CSFP Tourism/Ching Pangilinan
