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Here’s the Philippine’s own version of popular relays in the U.S.A.: Epic Relay 250!

I learned about the Epic Relay 250 last year when Chris Sports invited me to design the race collaterals for them. As I sat there listening to their ambitious plans for the race, I realized that two of us in the table had participated in the more popular relays in the U.S.A.  Chris Sports head, Gilbert Tang, was a finisher of the famous Ragnar Relay Series, while I had been fortunate enough to be sent by Nike to the Nike Hood to Coast in Oregon.  We both agreed that these relays were unforgettable adventures that just had to be experienced by Pinoy runners.

What is the Epic Relay 250? (as explained by Chris Sports)

The Epic Relay is a 250 kilometer, 10-member team run through some of the most beautiful scenery and historical landmarks of North Luzon.  Beginning in Subic Bay to the small communities of Zambales to the hilly terrain of historical Bataan (death march) highway to the breathtaking uphill climb of Mt. Samat and back. Non-stop running day and night – relay style.

It’s basically a 40 hours running party with friends where sleeping is a luxury. All you need is You, 9 of your friends and the desire to run through the most beautiful countryside in North Luzon, sample local foods, and a  passion for adventure.

Details:

• June 12 & 13, 2010
• 10 teammates
• Subic base to Zambales towns to Bataan Mt. Samat, 250 km in total
• more or less 
two days and one night in a van
• run through 
World War 2 landmarks, gorgeous countryside and a fantastic coastline, the monuments of Mt. Samat
• organizer: Chris Sports and ExTribe

How much is the registration fee?

Race fee is Php 1,200 per head. Participant gets:

Rules:

• Teams are self supporting – teams are responsible to stocking their vans with their own water, food, first aid supplies, etc. 
• While directional arrows are placed on the course, the responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant. Please always print, study and understand the leg maps in the Race Bible (available for print soon).
• Hazards are not marked – runners should proceed with caution
• As the route is rural and isolated, medical attention could take a while. Cell phone coverage is spotty, so if the injury is serious enough, it may be better to transport the injured person to the closest medical facility (locations and maps in the Race bible)
• The route is not closed to traffic – runners are running on the side of the road. Therefore, appropriate rules (for safety and for consideration to the people who live there) apply. These rules are similar to USA Triathlon sanctioned events as their races are usually on open courses. Failure to follow these rules will result in the entire team being disqualified:
  • No headsets, radio and/or headphones/ MP3 Players are allowed
  • Use the portable toilets that are available at the exchanges to relieve yourself. You will be disqualified if you are seen relieving yourself on the ground.
  • No littering – trash receptacles will be available at each exchange

So, are you ready to experience an Epic Adventure?!

Click HERE for more info.  Click HERE for FAQ’s.

Aaaah Cebu!  We had a blast running in Cebu during the Cebu Marathon last January.  And, by the end of this week, we get to return for The Great Lapu Lapu Run.  Yahoo!

Race organizer, triathlete Nonoy Jopson, told me that the route will take us around Mactan landmarks by the beach and near the resort hotels around the area.  Top finishers will win trips to Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon 2011 (not that there’s any chance of me winning!)  They expect 5,000 runners and they’ll be providing timing chips from Finishline.

Hubby and I are registered for the half marathon.  Hubby will use this as a training run for TBR Dream Marathon and I’ll probably run with him and enjoy the scenery.

Aside from the race, we’re also looking forward to our stay at Imperial Palace Waterpark.  I hadn’t heard about this hotel until Nonoy told me to google it.  One glance at the website and my kids looked like they had won the lottery. Only “ooohs” and “aaaahs” were rolling out of their tongues.  Imperial Palace has got 5 different themed pools plus 3 water slides within the hotel.  It’s going to be a hectic weekend with swims and runs, but hey I’m not complaining!

Registration for The Great Lapu Lapu Run is ongoing and will close on Thursday, April 15, 2010.  For more info, click HERE.

And we just keep on growing!

Last Wednesday, April 7, 2010, runners packed the corner of R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street for the 3rd Bull Circle Talk.  This time, we were delighted to have the largest attendance so far with 170 runners arriving for the talk on Gear and Gels.

John of Oakley, our co-presentor for TBR Dream Marathon, treated runners to a product presentation before the Bull Circle talk began…

Harvie de Baron of Hammer Nutrition explained the importance of proper nutrition not just on race day but also prior to the race and post-race. Harvie said that our body has a natural “fuel tank” that should last for 90 mins. if we run at 75 to 80% of maximum heart rate. After this point, we should refuel using gels or sportsdrinks…

Hector Yuzon of Secondwind Running Store discussed running shoes. He gave runners important and practical tips on choosing the right shoe for their foot types and answered all shoe and foot queries…

Thank you to Harvie and Hector for your informative talks and for your support for our TBR Dream Marathoners!

– Harvie, myself, Neville, and Hector –

Thank you to all the sponsors of THE BULL RUNNER DREAM MARATHON at NUVALI! Co-presenters: Nike Park and Oakley. Venue Sponsor: Nuvali. Major sponsors: Nuvali, Secondwind Running Store, Nature Valley, Phiten, Cecon, Finishline, Gatorade, PhotoVendo. Regular sponsors: Timex, Hammer Nutrition, Dole.  With support from: ROX, ResToeRun. Media partner: Run Radio, The Bull Runner Magazine. Logistics partner: Creative Juice.

I’ve registered for the Greenfield City Sunset Run! Finally, I get to run this race as I went last year only to watch the hubby while I was sidelined by injury. If you’re still thinking about it, I suggest you decide by tonight as early registration ends tomorrow. See you there!

Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

When: Saturday, 24 April 2010
Where: Greenfield City, Sta. Rosa Laguna
Distance: 500m, 3k, 5k, 10k, and 21k

10 Reasons Why You Should Join Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

1. Race starts in the evening, which differs from the traditional early morning-scheduled runs.
2. Out-of-town run will take the runners around Greenfield City. The race will pass through wide tree-lined avenues through Pramana, Greenfield City’s exclusive residential development, as well as through the Greenfield Auto Park and the Santa Rosa Business Park.
3. Race starts and ends in the Paseo, the City’s lifestyle center, the Paseo.
4. Booths will be set-up, such as: Cool Down Zone where runners can avail of free massages, yoga and pilates sessions and Kid’s Zone with inflatable fun like the bounce house and giant slide
5. Throughout the mall, participating merchants will be holding sales and giving special discounts.
6. Various restaurants and outlets will have their best on offer, and a wide selection of food choices will be available
7. Several after-run concerts featuring Manila’s premier performers.
8. All registered participants get 20% off New Balance items and Runners Only discounts at Paseo Stores.
9. Shuttle bus service is available for participants on race day. Departure from Greenfield District (Mandaluyong) to Greenfield City (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) is 2:00 PM. Departure from Greenfield City (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) to Greenfield District (Mandaluyong) starts at 10:00 PM.
10. Organized by Finishline and running coach Rio de la Cruz

(more…)

Previous Post: Baguio Day One: Camp John Hay

DAY TWO: SLOW AND EASY | 2 hours, 30 min around Baguio

Based on Coach Jim’s TBR Dream Marathoners training program, which hubby is following, he was to run 2 hours and 30 min. over the weekend. He was to do a 9 min. run and 1 min. walk interval. I promised to run with him.

The night before, I set my Garmin 310XT to a 9:1 interval program with 15 reps. Just 15 reps?! It sounded so short and manageable.  (Later on, we realized it was easier said and done, especially with the undulating hills of Baguio!)

We started our run at 5:30 a.m. with the roads enshrouded by a wonderfully thick fog. The weather was slightly chilly, just the way I liked it.

– Map of our 20km Run around Baguio from Garmin 310XT –

First 5k: Mines View

From Baguio Country Club, we made a right on Country Club Road. Upon reaching Park Road, we made another right climbing up a steep Ignacio Villamor St. that made me yell no less than 5 minutes into the run: Is this our warm up?!

– This was our marker on Park Road –

Every now and then, we had to deal with crap (not figuratively but literally horse manure) but that was about the only problem I had. Our slow pace, combined with the walks, allowed us to enjoy the cool weather and wonderful view that Baguio had to offer.

There were a handful of runners we passed along the way. A couple of them were obviously veterans, clad in Milo singlets and conquering ascents as if they were flats. The one that stood out was a boy, probably below 10 years old, who ran solo at a pace that was reserved only for the elite.

– Up, up and away! –

When we reached Mines View Park, the park and the stores were still closed. It was unfortunate as I looked forward to even just dropping by the Mines View viewdeck to catch a glimpse of Baguio’s landscape or to ran past the quaint stores with souvenir items. Still, we felt like tourists seeing the place with new eyes as we surveyed the area on foot even before the crowds came in.

We ran downhill (finally got to rest those quads!) through Gibraltar Road reaching the rotunda passing Pacdal Church. We hit 5k at Park Road, near Baguio Country Club, where we started earlier. This gave us a perfect 5k loop.

– Pacdal Church along the rotunda –

2nd 5k: The Mansion & Wright Park

Eager to hit more tourist spots, we took the same route earlier (yes, another round of those hills on I. Villamor!) but, instead of entering Mines View, we took a left turn on Leonard Wood and ran towards the Mansion, the official summer residence of the President. As soon as we reached the Mansion gates, I slapped myself in the head for leaving my camera behind.

– I took this photo when we returned in the afternoon by car –

Across The Mansion was Wright Park where hubby and I ran around the Pool of Pines along with other runners doing their rounds. It was the first time I visited this side of Wright Park, even if I had spent every summer visiting the horses on the other side.

– The Pool of Pines was filled with runners early in the morning. I took this in the afternoon too –

We made our way back to Baguio Country Club for a quick toilet break and we were off again.

3rd 5k: Teacher’s Camp

After Baguio Country Club, we ran through South Drive, a road which I found more enjoyable to run on; there were less hills, the road was a bit wider, and, most of the time, we could run on the sidewalk without worrying about vehicles.

We passed the old location of Hyatt Hotel, one of the worst hit by the 1990’s earthquake killing over 50 people. Hubby was running at a steady pace, but I quickened the pace at this point as my imagination went wild over ghosts and spirits.

When we reached Teacher’s Camp, we screeched to a halt thinking if we should enter the area to pay the Track Oval a visit. Almost on cue, hubby and I shook our heads at the same time since we both knew the uphill climb heading out of Teacher’s Camp from the track oval would be pure torture.

We attempted to run in Loakan, but after almost getting sideswiped by oncoming vehicles, we decided against it. We made a u-turn and ran towards the gas station (forget if it was Petron or Shell) where we refueled with Gatorade, Hammer gels, and—I couldn’t resist—a tiny chocolate bar. We then headed back towards Baguio Country Club again.

Last 5k: Camp John Hay

Our last 5k was at Camp John Hay. We covered almost the same route we ran the day before but at a much slower pace.

By the last 15 minutes, hubby felt knee pain. He stopped to rest and a good samaritan—in the form of a National team boxer—helped stretch the tight muscles with my hubby squinting in pain. It was a funny sight, really.

I advised hubby to walk it out. After all, he had covered around 2 hours 20 mins already. I went ahead to finish an exact 20km. To date, that was the most memorable tour of Baguio I’ve ever had. Highly recommended!