Meet Larry Ronquillo, the Taong Grasa Runner
A lot of runners during the recently concluded Run United 1 were surprised to see a taong grasa running along with them. Top triathlon Coach Ani De Leon-Brown who’s also part of this photo was even impressed by his running form, and his photo was seen by thousands of Pinoy Fitness Facebook Followers.
Who is he anyway? Well, the truth is he’s actually 55 year old Larry Ronquillo – a proud Kagawad of Barangay 163, Zone 14, of the second district of the City of Manila.
It’s not the first time that this avid biker (he was among the cool kids riding BMX bikes in the CCP grounds in the 80s), duathlete, and runner wore a costume during races. He started doing it four years ago for fun, using costumes he has used during airsoft events – Larry’s also an avid airsoft player and has won Best in Costume awards for his efforts.
Here he is again, dressed up as a surfer dude for an Earth Hour ride.
Then he transformed into a gigolo, The Mask, and Peter Pan for Fil-Chi Federation cycling events.
Reminiscing on his gigolo costume, Larry says: “Inisip ko na kapag mas kaunti ang suot ko, mas bibilis akong makakapadyak.”
He was also Batman during the DC Comics All Star Run.
He decided to dress up as a taong grasa for Run United 1 as a social experiment. “Gusto kong malaman kung anong magiging reaction ng ibang runners kapag nakita nila ako,” he laughs.
His costume got mixed reactions. Marshals at the baggage counter were hesitant to give him back his belongings because thought these did not belong to him. Many runners looked at him curiously, and may have been surprised to discover that he actually smelled good.
“Ay, nag pabango talaga ako,” he said.
He sees himself wearing costumes for all his runs from now on (“Hindi lang siguro sa mga mahahabang distances katulad ng 21K, medyo mahirap,” he laughs).
Larry says wearing costumes during races makes him happy; he forgets whatever problems or worries he has. At the same time, he feels satisfaction knowing that he’s able to entertain a lot of people.
“Nakakataba ng puso,” he smiles.
He’s more than willing to have his picture taken with anyone, so feel free to approach him during races.
Little did he know that his costume would turn him into an advocate as well. Runners were able to take a photo of him properly disposing his drinking cup and other trash while he was in his taong grasa costume; the photo became viral and netizens started a discussion about littering during races and how it can be avoided.
Sir Larry Ronquillo
Rendel Lam haha
Ready na daw cya para sa sub1 challenge sunday….. kita kits
Proud to be a POLKITERO! Mabuhay ka…ka LARRY!
Sana maging Batman din sya.
Panalo ka talaga Sir Larry Ronquillo! :D From airsoft days till now, di nagbabago. Hahahaha!
Ano naman kya ang costume nia s PF SUB1 10k? Malalman nrin yan s Linggo mag kaibigan
kagawad pa autograph po.
The best kapolkit Larry!
Idol ko na papa mo be Karen U0001f44fU0001f44f
Larry Ronquillo pa idol ka na ng classmate ko hahahah!
Race marshal pwede habulin ulit si larry this sunday?! U0001f60a
you’re the best po…papa-autograph na ako pag nakita tayo kag ch Larry Ronquillo..uunahan ko na sila hahahah di ako nagbibiro hah!
Wow ok ah… Pro rgstrd runner po b sya… my bib no# nman sya SUB 1 10K CHALLENGE
Sana nasa brooks wave siya :D
Lets get it on!
for the win! ..go Kuya Larry Ronquillo! ..proud kami sa iyo! U0001f44dU0001f3fcU0001f44dU0001f3fc
Sir Larry Ronquillo ikaw na idol!…..Goodluck bukas!
Thanks Sir Larry Ronquillo aka “Taong Grasa”
Woot woot!! Captured with Sir Larry!!
So cool! :)
niceeeeeee Lauren Lim U0001f44fU0001f44fU0001f44f
NAIS 1 Sir Larry Ronquillo
Dale.. Di mo nakuha cap mo? Sayang di mo na claim.
Mark Andrew Rañeses Cocadiz Byron Pineda Emnaceno partida nangongolekta pa yan ng basura
Like dito mga Idol si Lauren
Like dito mga Idol si Larry
Iyah babe, ayan na naman ulit si beggar runner oh! Astig! U0001f44dU0001f44dU0001f44d
Hehe. :p grabe may ganyan.
Oo nga galing naman ni kuya
True! Nakakatuwa sya talaga.
So happy I met him yesterday! Haha U0001f601
Wow.. mga idol ko to…
Go sir larry
Go Sir Larry
Yun oh dalawang idol..sir larry and mam lauren..
Simple and humble triathlete yan si Sir Lauren. Congrats Idol. Keep it up.
Wow…. Ang galing mo idol…
Pareho kong idol nagsama. Wow na wow.