Kenny’s Urbanite Open Run
Overall Rating (10 highest): 8
Organizer: Finish Line
THUMBS UP:
• Unique night race
• Party atmosphere
• Disposable timing chip
• Well-organized race event
• Adequate drinking stations with ample supply of Powerade and water
• Presence of marshals all throughout the route
• Bag of goodies after the race
BETTER JOB NEXT TIME
• Disorganized race packet redemption
The concept of a major race event held under the night sky with a party atmosphere was a novel idea. With over 3,900 avid runners filling the streets of Bonifacio High Street, it was evident that the event was a success. The race itself was very well-organized with marshals guiding runners through the dark streets, ample water stations, and secure roads for runners to run safely. It was the pre-race events, specifically the redemption period, that needs improvement. Congratulations to Kenny Rogers and Finishline for a race to remember!
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KENNY URBAN MORNING
I’m a morning runner. So, when the Kenny’s Urbanite Run was announced, I wasn’t too keen on running 15k starting at 9:00p.m. My training program required 21k that Saturday, so plan was to run 15k Saturday morning, 5k during Kenny’s, plus 1k after the race.
Hubby and I lazily woke up at 5:30 a.m. Saturday forcing ourselves to get dressed for our run. We were to meet JunC in Makati. Shortly after we got up, the rain started to pour. Instantly, we used it as our excuse to creep back into bed again.
By 8 a.m., I started to feel pangs of guilt. How could I give up on a run so easily earlier that morning? Rain is never an excuse! One should fulfill the requirements of a training program to the letter, except for the following reasons: 1) sick children, 2) burning house, or 3) earthquake.
In 30 minutes, I was in my trisuit ready to drive off to the nearest olympic-sized pool. In between bites of his sinangag and crispy pusit, hubby called on me to wait for him as he wanted to swim too.
Driven by pure remorse, I swam the farthest distance ever for me: 1.5k. I felt awesome—and psyched. I told hubby I was going to run before the Kenny race too.
PRE-RACE URBAN RUN
Fast forward to that evening, by 6:30 p.m., we were at Bonifacio High Street ready for our pre-race run. Roads were heavily congested and parking lots filled to the brim as runners and shoppers converged in the area. One could spot runners everywhere—walking about, carbo-loading at restaurants (which was a bad idea before a race), or shopping for last minute race necessities—wearing their Kenny’s Urbanite singlets. I thought to myself: How far running has come! For a race to create this much noise (and traffic!), unlike the smaller races of the past, was an amazing sight. It was surreal!
We met JunC and Mariel at Runnr and proceeded to head out of Bonifacio High Street. We ran at an easy pace in one straight line to avoid any untoward incidents with oncoming cars. We ran towards Forbes Town, around the condominiums, crossed over to Medical City and Lexus showroom, and headed back to BHS. Mariel and hubby stopped earlier, while Jun and I ran two more loops to cover exactly 10k.
The run was truly an urban run as we weaved through the traffic in the night. It was a different experience from my serene and relaxing morning runs through quiet roads, but just as enjoyable.
THE RACE
– Francis, Pia, Jamike, Rapa, Jay, myself, Mariel, Mayi and Didi (photo courtesy of Enrique Quiason) –
30 minutes before race start, after downing a bottle of Gatorade, I met fellow iamNinoy runners near our booth, while the hubby met his colleagues from work. I walked over to the assembly area with the Lopas: Jamike and Mayi, Rapa, Didi and their daughter, Pia, and The Solemates Jun and Mariel. The crowd was enthusiastic, cheery, and loud. For a while there, I wondered if I was at a race or a concert!
The gun started and we were off. We ran at a slow, relaxed pace amidst all the other runners finding their spot on the road. For the first few kilometers, I ran alongside Jamike and Pia at an easy pace. No matter the other runners who were sprinting ahead. I told myself this was an extension of my 10k run.
A few minutes later, as we climbed up towards Lawton, I was getting itchy feet (figuratively speaking!) Jun was running beside me and I told him “How tempting to run faster!” not really as a statement but a subtle invitation for us to speed up. He replied “Easy lang!” Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. Upon entering McKinley Hill, I spotted iamNinoy members, Javy and Drew, who sped ahead. To hell with it, I thought. I increased my speed at McKinley Hill and so did JunC (hah!)
I didn’t get to check my pace anymore. I felt like we were running at 5:30 to 5:45 from McKinley until the end. Jun was way ahead of me and I honestly couldn’t keep up. The 10k before the race definitely sucked all my energy. Plus, I left all my Hammer gels in the car.
I finished the race at 31 minutes (unofficial). I didn’t bother to check my race or time as I wasn’t in full race mode. I was surprised to see my brother, Chappy, and his girlfriend, Budiday, (not their real names but my terms of endearment) and daughter, Zoe, near the finish. This was an obvious sign that the two will be jumping into the running bandwagon soon. Yahoo!
After chatting with running friends, hubby and I left race grounds and missed the post-race festivities. We had a late dinner at Friday’s, which ruined our running high with the most terrible service ever. I knew we should’ve just stayed at Kenny’s and enjoyed viewing Marc Nelson from afar. (Pathetic eh?)
I wasn’t able to check on my messenger anymore who distributed hundreds of The Bull Runner Magazines to runners at the Finish Line for free. I hope you were able to get a copy!
– The Bull Runner Magazine Issue 2 –
As for the missing 6k to reach the 21k in my training program, ack, I failed to run that. I’ve been trying to brush away the guilt, but it still gnawing at me. You think confession at Church will do? Or an extra 6k tonight to make up for my sins? Perhaps I’ll try both.
* Sorry for just one photo. Left the camera in the car as I was in long run mode!
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