New Balance Power Run on Sept. 27

I attended the press conference of the New Balance Power Run – Raising Hope slated for Sept. 27, 2009 at California Pizza Kitchen yesterday.  The upcoming race will be staged at Bonifacio Global City with eXtribe as race organizer.  Distance will be 3k/ 5k/ 10k/ 21k.

While I look forward to joining the upcoming race, I could help but wish that it was 1) at Clark, Pampanga like last year, and 2) 25k instead of 21k again like 2008.  Needless to say, I thought the New Balance 25k Power Race last year was amazing and I simply wanted to go through the same exact experience all over again.  That’s how satisfied I was with that race!  

When I expressed that sentiment to Bing Buenaventura, New Balance brand manager, and later on to Anton Gonzalez, President of Planet Sports, they both assured me that they had a few surprises for the runners sometime in November.  We shall wait with bated breath.

As for September 27, I’ll definitely see you there.  Here are more details from the PRESS RELEASE:

Any runner will tell you, running is addictive.  It gives one pleasure beyond words.  It just leaves the runner the energy and thrill of doing the activity repeatedly.  

This same passion for running has been the venue to make a statement and raise funds for different causes. As the brand known to foster great love for running, New Balance moves into encouraging individuals to have “a new balance in life.” A lifestyle that simply balances self and others, work and play, health and leisure. This “new balance in life” attitude becomes evident as New Balance turns its premier running event, New Balance Power Race, as a venue to raise funds that will support important programs related to cancer. 

Dubbed as the 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE, is set to happen on September 27, 2009 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The proceeds of the 2009 New Blance Power Run… Raising HOPE will benefit Carewell (Cancer Resource and Wellness Community), Philippine Cancer Society, and ICanServe Foundation.   

These three organizations have been at the forefront of providing support to help improve the lives of men and women diagnosed with cancer. These organizations work with business groups and individuals to spread the advocacy on cancer awareness. But still, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to let individuals and their families challenged with cancer know that there can be hope and there is a better way to cope with cancer.

The community’s generosity plays an important role in helping these organizations fulfill their goals. As the number one running footwear, New Balance is encouraging all running enthusiasts to participate and be counted in this benefit run and channel their energies and spirit to a positive endeavor.  The activity can be a venue for them to reach out and help through doing what they love.  The 2009 New Balance Power Run…  Raising HOPE will feature 21K, 10K, 5K, and 3K with registration fees of Php 500.00 for the 21K, Php 350.00 for the 10K, Php 300 for the 5K and Php 250.00 for the 3K category.  

“As an organization, we wanted to create a positive impact in our community.  And, as a brand that embraces the love for running, we decided to do something about it,” Anton Gonzalez, president of Planet Sports Inc. said.  “From the past events, we saw the runners’ passion, especially during the New Balance Power Race.  With their help, we aim to lead the way to direct this passion to something that is more valuable and they can be more proud of.” 

Proceeds of the New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE will support Philippine Cancer Society’s endeavor to reach 25,000 participants for the Lecture Series, about 15,000 women for breast and cervical examinations and schools for youth anti-smoking campaign in 2010. The Power Run will support Carewell Community’s program to help people with cancer and their families cope more effectively with cancer by providing support groups and counseling, medical consult and referrals, wellness talks and fun activities. For ICanServe, the Power Run will aid the “Ating Dibdibin” project, a community-based screening program that promotes breast cancer awareness, early detection and support for of breast cancer patients.

Now is the best time to put on those running shoes and drive that passion for a cause.  From August 8 until September 20, interested participants to the 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE may visit the following New Balance outlets in Glorietta, Shangri-la Mall, Festival Mall, Planet Sports Rockwell, Planet Sports Trinoma, Planet Sports V-Mall, Secondwind UP Diliman and Runner Bonifacio High Street to register. Registration form is also available here. The first 500 to register for the 3K run will get a NB Power Run- Dole T-shirt while finisher medals await participants of the 5K, 10K and 21K.

The 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE is supported by Smart, Rider, 100Plus, Planet Sports, Businessworld, Solar Sports, Ipanema, The Athletes Foot, Summit Mineral Water, Phiten, Department of Tourism, Dole, California Pizza Kitchen, Alaska, K2 Interactive, Bridges, Cyrus Logistics Inc., The Philippine Star, Action&Fitness Magazine, Wave 89.1, Yehey.com and Audiowav. 

More information on the New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE is available here.