Event: RUNEW 2012
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time: 4:30am to 9:00am
Distance/ Fee:

• 3k – P500
• 5k – P550
• 10k – P650
• 21k – P750

Venue: Filinvest Corporate City
Registration: Jan. 16 to Feb. 19, 2012

I’ll definitely be running this one. I do hope to see you there! 100% goes to Sendong victims and baby Rafael.

TODO RESPONDE Run 2012
January 14, 2012 @ 5AM
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
3K/5K/10K

Registration Fees:
3K – P300
5K – P300
10K – P350
Bib numbers will be issued to participants

Gun Start:
3K – 6:00am
5K – 6:15am
10K – 6:25am

Registration Venues:
- ROX at Bonifacio Highstreet, BGC
- ARC (A Running Circle) Unit H, Aloha Hotel, 2150 Roxas Boulevard, Cor. Quirino Ave. Malate, Manila. Contact Numberphone: 567.iRun
- RUNNR – ATC, Alabang

Race: Run for Pinoy Glory
Date: 7 January 2012
Location: Bonifacio Global City
Distances: 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K (with special categories for Executives and Participants in wheelchairs )
Contact details: 0927 8082594 / 560 8813 / shadowfax_events@yahoo.com

The race is organized by Shadowfax Events in co-operation with the British Embassy, UK Trade & Investment and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

I’m in a McHappy mood, so I’ll be giving away four (4) race kits for the 5k distance.  To win, answer this question:

WHICH MCDONALD’S MEAL MAKES YOU HAPPIEST?

Contest Rules:

1. Post your answer in the comments section below.
2. The first four commenters who post a McDonald’s food or meal will win the prize.
3. Runner may only submit 1 entry. Submitting more than 1 entry leads to automatic disqualification.
4. Contest ends today, November 14, 2011 at 11:59 AM.
5. All answers will NOT be published until after the contest period.
6. Four winners will be chosen. Each winner will win one (1) 5k race pack each to the race.
7. Winners will be notified via email and will be requested to claim complimentary registration pack. Please present an ID to claim your prize.

Click HERE to visit the McHappy Day Fun Run website.

I joined in 2007, 2008, and 2009.  Here’s a photo of me way back in 2007.  Rebel me, I refused to wear the singlet only to blend in with the sea of red runners so I intentionally wore all blue…and the competing brand at that! Hah!  I blushed—or more like hid under the table in complete shame—when the people from Adidas (specifically Ms. Odette Velarde) emailed me this photo happily saying they spotted me in the crowd of thousands:

- adidas King of the Road 2007: I’m in blue with best running buddy Annie to my right. (Miss you Annie!) -

adidas King of the Road will be held in Manila this coming October 23, 2011 at the Bonifacio Global City.  adidas expects 4,000 runners for this event.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?

What makes this adidas King of the Road different is that it will be held in five countries across the region - Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines. Each country is a qualifying leg towards the finals with the winner and runner-up of each country’s 16.8km category winning an all-expenses paid trip to the Philippines (do our Pinoy winners get a trip to all 4 other countries? hmmm) to compete with the best of the best in Southeast Asia.

WHY 16.8KM?

What makes the 16.8km distance special and why this distance?  adidas says: “You’ll be able to complete 2 marathons (84km) over five (5) countries with adidas KOTR 2011.”  Meaning, 16.8 km x 5 countries = 84 km which is equivalent to 2 marathons.

Hmm…With all due respect to adidas folks, but I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around this whole concept since the adidas KOTR press conference a few months back and I still don’t get it!  After all, we runners don’t add up all our races in one year and say: “I’ve run 20 half marathons this year so I’ve technically ran 10 marathons.”  I got so confused about this that I just registered for my tried, tested, and highly favored 21km.  (If any of you can clearly explain the 16.8 distance to me I’ll treat you to a frap after the race!)

“COLOURED” THEME

KOTR features a different theme each year, and this year’s theme is entitled ‘Colours’. This is represented through the variety of different coloured adidas singlets participants will don. The multi-colour showcase is meant to demonstrate the vibrancy of the sports scene across Southeast Asia.

- adidas KOTR 2011 race bibs -

- adidas KOTR 2011 medals -

Registration is still open!  To register, visit the adidas King of the Road website for online credit card payment or drop by adidas stores for cash payments.

Event categories and race fees: P1,050 – 5km, P1,300 – 16.8km, P1,050 – 21k

Click HERE to download race FAQs.

Website: www.adidaskingoftheroad.com

adobo Run After Dark 2011 is a fantasy-themed run for an estimated 5,000 runners. This electrifying, one-of-a-kind event kicks off the Halloween-All Saints’-All Souls’ Day long weekend. After last year’s initial adobo Run After Dark, the organizers are ready to mount the 2nd edition with more pizzazz and surprises. There will be an after-run party with live music, free flowing beer, a sideline bazaar, spectacular performers (samba percussionists, poi dancers, fire breathers, carnival queens), fireworks display, dazzling lights show, and fantasy costumes.

What: adobo Run After Dark 2011
When: 29 October 2011
Where: Aseana Business Park, Bay City, Pasay-Paranaque (near MOA)
Race Categories: 15k, 5k, 3k Costume Run
Event Organizer: Crush Communications

Assembly Time: 7:00pm
Gunstart: 15K → 8:10pm | 5K → 8:20pm | 3K → 8:30pm

Registration:

• Click HERE to download registration form
• Registration fee: P750 (all categories)
• Registration Period: (may end earlier depending on availability)
• Manual registration – Oct. 3 to 23, 2011 – Runnr Trinoma, Toby’s Megamall, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street
• On-line registration – Sep 1 to Oct 23, 2011 (delivery of race kits starts on Oct 3, 2011) – www.adoborun.runningmate.ph
• Race Registration Inclusions: Race singlet, Runningmate Timing Chip, Bib Number, Finisher’s Certificate, Loot Bag, Party Stub, Finisher’s Medal (for top 500 15k & 5k runners, respectively)

- adobo run singlet design -

- adobo run lootbag -

- adobo run medal -

- 3k route -

- 5k route -

- 15k route -

Contact details:

Here’s Avon’s Press Release for its race:

Join Avon’s Race to 125,000 Kisses for Breast Cancer
Early registration for the Manila Run Event begins on July 16

With thousands of women succumbing to breast cancer every year, it is no surprise that the condition remains to be the top killer of Filipino women. Anyone can easily fall prey to this deadly disease—making it every individual’s responsibility to support the fight against breast cancer.

Avon, the foremost corporate advocate of this disease, continues to invite everyone to be a positive part of the fight to save women’s lives with its annual Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) fundraising event. Since its Philippine launch in 2002, it has been Avon KGBC’s mission to help provide access to care and support to medically under-served women.

In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the company for women brings more excitement to its annual walk and run events with its campaign Race to 125,000 Kisses. For 2011, Avon is inviting everyone to work together to build the giant pink ribbon through their “Kisses of Support”.

Participation in the annual event translates into a Kiss donation for all breast cancer victims. Your Kiss via a Kiss Card, which will be included in the race kit for the run participants, will be numbered and counted to fulfill the 125,000 target.

The Race to 125,000 Kisses Run, consisting of the 5K and 10K events, encourages the growing community of runners in the Philippines to actively show their commitment for the cause. For a registration fee of P500.00 and P650.00 respectively, individuals will receive the Avon KGBC Race Kit, which already includes a singlet, race number and giveaway. Proceeds from the event, which will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds, will go to PGH Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals.

Registration begins July 16, 2011 (except R.O.X) via Avon KGBC’s official website www.avonkgbcphilippines.com.

Individuals may also sign up for the run event at participating Avon locations: Taft (contact 516-8005), Shaw (contact 571-8930), and Avon Makati Head Office (contact 864-2954). Participants can also sign up at the following establishments: Reebok Megamall (U/G Floor, 914-0344), The Shoe Shop Rockwell (2nd Level, Power Plant Mall, 898-1297), and R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street (856-4639) starting September 4-26, 2011 only.

Get on your mark, and get ready to Race to 125,000 Kisses. Through your participation, you can make a significant contribution to the fight against breast cancer.

1. The beneficiary of this race is the HERO FOUNDATION which was also the beneficiary of TBR Dream Marathon 2011. It’s one that is very close to my heart because it helps orphaned children of soldiers who died in battle.  NOW, here’s the thing: Yamaha president, Mr. Yano-san, promised to donate a total of P1 Million pesos if the race can generate a total of 10,000 runners as participants.  Imagine that?!  So, I’m going to hardsell you on this: Just sign up and join and tap yourself on the back for running for a higher purpose on that day.
2. I’m expecting this race to be very well organized as Runrio is the organizer. I’m happy to see 21k event starts much earlier now.  Now we have hope to PR again without the sun beating down on us! Heehee
3. One can actually win a Yamaha Mio Fino!  Okay, I gotta admit.  Before this race, I would’ve thought that a Mio Fino was a fine way to end a meal (think fine wine), but now I know it’s a motorcycle and hey, I have dreams of winning one! I’m serious. Don’t laugh. It’s not as huge as the big bikes my brothers used to tour me around the village in, but I won’t complain.
4. This should be my last longish run before CDO-Dahilayan 55k Ultra on July 9 assuming I’ll be well enough to run by then. (Insert nervous laughter here)

Here’s a video from Runrio…

And, here are more race details…

Yamaha Run for Heroes Race Singlet

Yamaha Run for Heroes Finishers’ Shirts

Yamaha Run for Heroes Finishers’ Medal

Yamaha Run for Heroes Finishers’ Certificate

Rating:

Good Job:
- very attractive and high quality singlet (I vote for the Brooks singlet as the Best Singlet of the Year—so far!)
- good number of participants
- ample water (although this could’ve been colder)
- directional signs for 15k
- post-race booths and activities
- unique medal

Needs Improvement:
- clueless race staff upon redemption of race kit (they didn’t know gun start nor assembly area)
- late gun start. 5:30AM for 15k is late considering the heat. Even worse, race started 15 minutes late at 5:45AM
- no kilometer markers
- no sports drinks
- no ice nor sponges
- lack of marshals
- no mats nor ribbons in the race course. How did organizer ensure that there were no cheaters?

Brooks Run Happy was a relatively small race with 4,000 runners braving the intense heat of the summer sun at Bonifacio Global City. The bright yellow Brooks race singlet brightened up the road and stood out as the best feature of the race. Basic amenities for a race were provided such as water, directional signs, and road closure, but this was not enough for a summer race where organizers should go the extra mile to ensure runners’ safety and comfort. Gun start was a late 5:30AM and, worse, it failed to start on time. On the route, there were no kilometers markers, an obvious lack of marshals to supervise runners, and quite curiously no mats nor ribbons at any point in the course to monitor potential cheaters. In a race under such harsh conditions, the tepid water at hydration stations helped little to cool down runners when ice cold water, sports drinks, sponges or ice could’ve been provided. We hope that next year, Brooks will stage a much “happier” run.

———————————–

PRE-RACE: 7K

32K. Phew.

I had to do 32K today in preparation for Phuket Marathon on June 12. I must’ve told more than a handful of runner friends the past week that I was running my longest run over the weekend. So, you could’ve imagined my shock when Lit, my running buddy and sort-of-coach who has my Phuket Marathon Training Program locked up in his brain, informed me that: No, this was not my longest run because I had to run more next week; 35K to be exact.

Okay, one at a time. I focused on 32K this morning.

Jun, Lit, Ton, and I agreed to meet at 4:15AM in Bonifacio High Street to cover some distance before dawn and before Brooks Run Happy 15K which we all signed up for.  We ran happily throughout Bonifacio Global City along with some easy chit chat to cover almost 7k. Then, we headed for the race.

BROOKS RUN HAPPY: 15.7 K

We stood there in the assembly area drenched in sweat while all the other runners looked clean and fresh in their yellow singlets. When you have to do 32k in this hot weather, every early morning minute counts so you can get the mileage in before it gets excruciatingly hot. When over 10 minutes had passed after the announced gun start, we decided to squeeze some kilometers in and run around the area while waiting. We got 700m in then the race finally started.  Thank God!

The four of us ran side-by-side in the first few kilometers. Lit and Ton agreed early on to practice the Galloway Run-Walk method of 9 min run and 1 min walk. Jun and I first agreed to run at 5:45 min pace, then after a few seconds before heading out to Buendia, I asked Jun: If we go at this pace, don’t you think we might not have anything left to cover the 10k distance after the race. He nodded. And, with that, we slowed to a stop and decided to pace with Ton and Lit. All for one and one for all!

After Buendia Flyover, we found shelter under the shade of the buildings on that road. So, ruining our chances of hitting a PR (as if!), we ran loops along the flat and shaded roads there. Pretty soon, we found ourselves at the end of the 15k runners line. We even spotted Toby Claudio acting as sweeper for the race.  Talk about hands on!

We made a lot of stopovers along the course to wash up, rest, replenish our water bottles, and go on bathroom breaks. We also took detours at our favorite Starbucks branches where they generously provided us with ice.

We crossed the finish line and we didn’t even stop. We went on to run around Bonifacio Global City, straight to the parking lot to our cars where there were ice cold towels, chilled Gatorade, bananas, raisins, and gels waiting for us.

POST RACE: LAST 10K
The sun was beating down on us and it was a mental struggle to plod on forward.  By this time, Ton was off to breakfast, so we were down to three.  Good thing that Jun, Lit, and I find humor in our pain and over all the crazy things we put ourselves through for running.  So, while we were hoping that all the struggling would be over ASAP, we also enjoyed every minute of our long run together.

– Bumped into the Caliraya Runners in the last few meters of our 30k run. Nice meeting you all! Photo courtesy of Timo -

We ran towards any shaded area of BGC. And, we ran those areas over and over and over again. Sadly, around during the last 5k, I started feeling knee pain. I was compelled to alternate between running and walking and stop to stretch a lot. I knew that the right thing to do was to quit and rest it so I wouldn’t aggravate the problem. The boys were kind enough to agree to stop at 30K. We were happy with this. After all, we still have 35K next week!

Registration has been extended to May 4, 2011 – online at www.runrio.com and in-store at the following sites:

• CCF, 5th Floor St. Francis Square (Sundays only)
• Runnr, Bonifacio High Street
• ROX, Bonifacio High Street
• The Athlete’s Foot, Robinsons Galleria & Alabang Town Center
• Toby’s, MOA
• Planet Sports, Glorietta & Trinoma

For more info, click on this file: RTB Information