Archive for March, 2011

Congratulations to our new marathoners: The Bull Runner Dream Marathon Batch 2011! 311 marathon dreams were fulfilled and conquered on March 20, 2011 at NUVALI…and we know that hundreds of other lives will be changed.

For now, I shall leave you with images of the race that was blessed with everything we could ever ask for: a super moon that shed extra light on the road, a safe and accident-free event, perfectly cool and cloudy morning weather with just a brief shower, the most selfless Dream Chasers and pacers we could ever work with, supportive sponsors that went the extra mile, an efficient and fast-moving team of organizers, and last but not the least, a batch of first- and second-time marathoners who dreamed big and ran strong.

NEXT: Part 2: More Photos

To our TBR Dream Marathoners: Each one of you have your own stories to tell about your own journey towards your 42km.  By sharing your story, you inspire others to dream big and achieve the impossible in their own lives.  Now, it is your turn to pay it forward.  If you wish to share your own marathon story, feel free to email thebullrunner(at)gmail.com.  Place in the subject line: TBRDM 2011 STORY.  Selected stories will be featured in this blog.  Congratulations again!  You are now a marathoner!

– Christine Jacob-Sandejas –

– Sweet victory –

– My dearest friend Banggi is now a marathoner! –

– Couple runs to the finish with their daughter –

– Champion weight lifter Ruby Gan supported by Dream Chaser Peter Ros (my trainer) and Mitch Felipe-Mendoza, head of our TBR DM Weight Management Program and writer for TBR Magazine –

– The last meters to the finish –

More photos to follow…

2 Days to Go to our TBR Dream Marathon at NUVALI!

Do you want the good or the bad news first? Let’s go with the bad because it’s much shorter than all the good…

BAD NEWS

We regret to inform you that HAMMER GELS will not be available during the race. Unfortunately, Hammer’s shipment of stocks was delayed and all parties were only informed this noon.  Apologies for the mishap.

The good news is that, when the stocks arrive, you will still receive the 3 Hammer Gels that we promised. We will be providing another brand of gel at Key Stations. Limited supply only.

MORE GOOD NEWS

We’re highlighting below what you can expect from TBR Dream Marathon this Sunday:

1. Kinesio Taping. Certified Kinesio tapers will be available at the start and during the race to apply Kinesio Tex on runners.
2. Entertainment. After 21km, we’ll have a band playing at Solenad to keep you energized throughout each kilometer. We’ll also have a mobile playing at the major turnaround.
3. Hydration Stations. We’ll have water stations every 1.5-2 km. Gatorade stations every 1.5-2 km too.
4. Aid stations won’t just have band aid. We’ll have Aid Stations at every 3-4km (beside Hydration Stations) which will provide the following: Basic first aid kit, Petroleum jelly, Tiger Tail Foam Rollers sponsored by Chris Sports to loosen up tight muscles, and Bodivance for increase blood flow to be applied by Bodivance therapists in selected Aid Stations
5. Key Stations. There will be Key Stations along the route which will provide the following: Bananas, Cadbury Zip chocolates, Sponges and Ice
6. Dream Chasers. We have Dream Chasers—volunteer runners to support and encourage you along the route. We will have 3 stations with 10-14 runners in each tent. This year, Dream Chasers will be decorating their own tents to make it fun, unique, and special for all of you. One tent will photograph runners and upload the images real time unto Facebook!  Click HERE to be a member of the newly created Facebook Page.
7. Dream Mobile. Families and friends can hop on a van that will take them around the course and cheer for you!
8. Flags and Poster-making. We’ve got art materials ready for your families and friends, especially the kiddos, to create flags and banners especially for you.
9. Free Starbucks for all. Starbucks VIA™ ready brew coffee will be served for free. You can also get free samples sticks of VIA™.  Both for spectators and runners.
10. Free post-race massage. Omron will provide massage therapists after the race to soothe sore and tired muscles.
11. Loot, loot and more loot. Each finisher will receive a loot bag loaded with food, mineral water, P&G, Gatorade, and Milo 3-in-1, Nutribar products, and other items.
12. Cold towel and Gatorade. Once you cross the finish line, a matador (no Bull!) will provide you with a cold towel and chilled Gatorade to cool you down.
13. Free Photovendo Pics. Photovendo will shoot photos of you during the race.  They will also have a booth where you can show off your medals and ham it up with friends and family.  All photos will be available for download for free after the race.
14. Free showers. Don’t go home sticky and sweaty.  There will be showers available if you want to freshen up before your drive home.
15. Finisher’s Shirt. You will receive a high-quality New Balance branded Finisher’s Shirt.
16. Finisher’s Medal. Get your hands on the first unique and colored TBR Dream Marathon medal. Now where have you seen a medal like that locally?  And last but not the least…
17. Positive atmosphere and vibe. You’ll be surrounded by happiness, good cheer, and support from everyone around you.  We are all here to support our runners whether you come in first or last, you run fast or slow, or you are looking exhausted at 35km or smiling all the way until the end.  At TBR Dream, everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner.

Thank you once again to our generous sponsors.  Our partner: NUVALI. Our Co-Presenters: New Balance and Cherifer Premium.  Our Major Sponsors: Secondwind, Gatorade, Runrio, Photovendo. Our Minor Sponsors: Timex, ROX, Nathan, P&G, Omron, Thermos, Hammer Nutrition, Robinsons Supermarket, Forward Lean Running, Nutribar, Milo 3-in-1, Chris Sports, Starbucks, Kinesio Tex, Cadbury Zip, Health Food, Tiger Biscuits.  Our Hotel Partners: El Cielito, Paseo Premiere.  Our Media Partners: Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and Runner’s World. Our Logistic Partner: Creative Juice.

The one huge improvement we made to TBR Dream Marathon this year was to hold a TBR Dream Send Off Party for all our registered participants, their guests, Dream Chasers, and Pacers.  This was held last Saturday, March 12, 2011, at Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City.  It was a full house, er, tent!  (Big big thank you to Mercato Centrale our Venue Partner for the TBR Dream Send Off Party. I shall be back there next week for the black paella.)

– Runners with Armand and Mitch Mendoza, our favorite nutritionist/coach couple who led our FREE TBR Dream Weight Management Program. They helped numerous TBR Dreamers reach their goal weight during our training –

It was also the first day of redemption of TBR Dream Race Packs!  Each race pack included information about the race, a Thermos Bottle, and a P100 discount coupon to be used at any of the vendors in Mercato Centrale.  (Yes, since they were in carboloading mode, we didn’t implement any dietary restrictions for that day.  Kidding!)

– Photo courtesy of Jordana Queddeng –

The talk started out with Anton Diaz, a TBR Dream Alumni from Batch 2010 and one of the organizers of Mercato Centrale along with RJ & Vanessa Ledesma and Gary & Janice Villanueva, welcoming all the runners to Mercato’s new venue (near Starbucks Drive Thru and MC Home Depot)

I shared the story of how TBR Dream Marathon was born and introduced TBR Dream Team composed of Jim Lafferty (represented by wife Susan that day), Neville Manaois (who briefed our runners on the course), Jun Cruz, Lit Onrubia, Miguel Pizarro and our legal counsel Atty. Raymund Martelino.

– Susan Lafferty reads Coach Jim’s letter –

– Lit wishes our runners the best before marathon day –

Last but not the least, we had the raffle with tons of gifts from our sponsors!

– with Ana Alfelor of New Balance –

– Nikko brings home an NB Backpack –

– with Mariel of Nathan –

– Gift bag from Milo 3-in-1 –

– Lucky winners of Timex watches –

It was a fun-filled day for our runners to eat, relax, and bond before the big day and for us organizers to wish them all the best on March 20, 2011!

– Some of us from TBR Dream Team: my hubby, Miguel, Jun Bisnar, GM of our partner NUVALI, Neville Manaois, Little Miss Bull Runner, myself, Lit Onrubia.  Missing in the photo: Jim Lafferty, Jun Cruz, and Raymund Martelino –

Thank you once again to our generous sponsors.  Our partner: NUVALI. Our Co-Presenters: New Balance and Cherifer Premium.  Our Major Sponsors: Secondwind, Gatorade, Runrio, Photovendo. Our Minor Sponsors: Timex, ROX, Nathan, P&G, Omron, Thermos, Hammer Nutrition, Robinsons Supermarket, Forward Lean Running, Nutribar, Milo 3-in-1, Chris Sports, Starbucks, Kinesio Tex, Cadbury Zip, Health Food, Tiger Biscuits.  Our Hotel Partners: El Cielito, Paseo Premiere.  Our Media Partners: Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and Runner’s World. Our Logistic Partner: Creative Juice.

MERCATO CENTRALE is now located at the corner of 8th and 34th street, Bonifacio Global City near Starbucks Drive Thru and MC Home Depot.

Thank you to the hubby for all photos.

As we mentioned, TBR Dream Marathon has chosen Hero Foundation as its beneficiary.  HERO foundation provides educational stipend support to children of soldiers who are killed-in-action or are permanently incapacitated while in combat duty.

Some runners who have raised funds for HERO are:

1. Jhun Oro : an employee of Integreon Managed Solutions. He finished the 42.2km Condura Skyway marathon for HERO Foundation and raised P7,460 just by collecting pledges from friends and family.

2. Garry Garcia : finished the Bataan Death March 102km last March 5-6 2011. He collected pledges P5/P10 for every km he ran and will donate this to HERO.

For TBR Dream Marathoners, we encourage you to run your first or second marathon for others!  Click HERE for more info.