Category Archives: Race Announcements

I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait for RUNNR, a new cutting edge running specialty store, to open at Bonifacio High Street.  The store will carry big name brands such as Adidas, Asics, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, Hammer, Nathan and Polar. Plus, it’s going to be filled with some of the running items we could only drool over online: CW-X and Fuelbelt.  It will also be the first to launch the revolutionary line of Newton Running Shoes in the country. 

RUNNR will also feature an exclusive Footworx Fitting process that leads customers thru a comprehensive series of tests such as their Footprint Scan and High-Speed Video Gait Analysis.  And, even better news for flat-footed people like me, they will be the first to offer Custom Insole Moulding in the store, while-you-wait. Woohoo!  

RUNNR is set to open by the 2nd week of June.

Presently, Runnr is looking for people to join their sales, operations, and marketing/events team.  The number one criteria: You have to be a passionate runner.  So far, they only have 4 out of the 7 people they need for the store as they’ve been very picky.  If you are interested, you can email hrd@runnr.com.ph.  By the way, running and trying out the gear is definitely part of the job!

This cycling event, the Tour of Hope, has found its way to this running blog because 1) I support the fight against cervical cancer, 2) some of these cyclists are runners, and lastly, 3) my big sister requested me to promote it; she is the event organizer.

I initially wanted to join this until I realized that it coincided with TNF at Clark and…uhm…I haven’t biked that far in my entire life.  Maybe next year.  At least I can help by making a pledge.  You can too!

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Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths reported each year. Over 80% of cases occur in developing countries including the Philippines, where it is ranked as the second most common cancer afflicting Filipino women.

The Tour of Hope is a cycling event that is held all over the world and is now on its second year in the Philippines. This year’s tour will cover approximately 500 kilometers spreading the cervical cancer advocacy through out Southern Luzon, kicking off at Muntinlupa on May 24, 2009 and ends in Camarines Sur on May 28, 2009.    

The event is a joint project of Bravehearts, CECAP, CIF (Cancer Inst. Foundation Inc) supported by GlaxoSmithKline Philippines, Campaigns PR Inc., Team David’s Salon, Gold’s Gym, Crocs, Maldita,, Gatorade, Wings Photography Inc., Personifi, Philam Life Insurance, Destiny Cable, Metro Magazine, Action and Fitness Magazine, Health Today, Manila Bulletin, Business World, Mabolo Flowers, Nikon, and Creative Juice.

We invite you to support Cervical Cancer awareness and screenings across the Philippines by donating any amount to the cause or by pledging an amount for every kilometer completed by any Tour of Hope biker (Click here to visit the website.)

For more information and for details about  how to pledge or how to join the bike tour, call 7138144.

A letter of apology from Botak management…

BOTAK would like to give its apologies for our last racing event, the Paa-tibayan 42K Marathon. We admit our short-comings to the participants and as way to get back to the support you have given to us we will be coming out with a much better race this coming June 28, 2009. It will be held at the Parking lot of the UP Swimming Pool in the UP Diliman Campus. 

BOTAK Paa-Tibayan 100K will be handled by a different race organizer with which there will be three race directors to manage the races. The event shall highlight the Ultra-distances; 50K Solo, 100K Relay and 100K Team Relay, a 10 Miler, and 5 Miler Race and the first Street Mile Competition.

We hope that you will support us again in this next endeavor.

Sincerely yours,

BOTAK

I was among the 50 plus runners who attended the The North Face 100 briefing last night at R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street. The brief focused on the TNF 100km race but I was intent on getting more info about the 10k race to convince hubby—as I had been doing for the past few days—to join the event with me. Since it’ll be an out-of-town race, there was no way that I could register for this on my own.

By the time I arrived, Jundel Llagas of TNF, along with race organizers, Coach Rio de la Cruz and Vince Mendoza of Finish Line, were already discussing the prizes for the 100km winners. While the ultra runners listened, I stayed in the sidelines doing my own informal research with the race’s technical consultant Neville Manaois, and Dr. Paolo Punsalan, another experienced trail runner.

– with Marga (the Changeling Child), Mark (Mark’s VO2), Mariel and Jun (Sole Mates) –

My takeout: the race was going to be tough mainly due to the water and sand inevitably seeping into the shoes and making it difficult for anyone to run. But, it was going to be a different and exciting adventure for runners used to the road.

What outfit should one wear? I was told not to wear my Skins as they may be ripped apart. Hmm, I would rather get a cut in those compression pants rather than my own skin. I haven’t decided yet on this one.

Does one need to carry a hydration belt? Vince of Finish Line assured us about adequate water and Gatorade and more than enough water stations. When it’s Finish Line who says this, one has no reason to doubt. I’m definitely leaving my amphipod behind for this race.

What shoe should one wear? Of course, TNF trail shoes if one can afford. We discussed wearing Vibrams or sandals when passing through rivers, but Doc Pao said he tried this last year and sand went into the sandals making it difficult and uncomfortable. Jokingly, he said trash bags would probably work for a few minutes but rocks would probably rip them off too.

– Celebrity runners, Coach Rio and Sir Jovie (Bald Runner), and Vince Mendoza of Finish Line –

By the end of the night, I got confirmation from hubby via a brief phone call that he was in. Just this morning, I booked the hotel at Clark. Woohoo, TNF here we come! Am I the only one experiencing butterflies in my tummy?

Who’s running the Botak Marathon on May 10? You may want to drop by Paul Calvin’s Deli on the Thursday before the race to eat to your heart’s delight along with other marathoners. Just make sure you do show up for the race on Sunday to burn all that rice and pasta away!