Category Archives: Race Announcements

Let it be known that on the 24th of October in the year 2009, a major running event shall take place (as whispered to me by Coach Rio.)  What it is, where it shall be, and who will be present cannot be disclosed as of the moment.

TO RUNNERS:  Mark the date on your running journals.  Make sure you are 1) in town, 2) injure-free, and 3) in peak performance.

TO RACE ORGANIZERS: Please avoid scheduling a race on this day to ensure that the running community can participate as one, and not be forced to choose between two events yet again.  

Feel free to guess what this event will be.  But, whether you get it right or not, I’m not telling…er…unless you deliver Skins compression tights to my door 🙂

Word is going around that the much-awaited Philippine Marathon targeted for March 8 will be postponed to November.  No confirmation yet from the organizers but the source is pretty credible.

The news has left many Pinoy runners in confusion and frustration.  Quite a large number of runners have raked in the miles feeling ready for the ultimate performance on March 8.  Suddenly, there’s no goal to work for.  

With the postponement of the only scheduled local marathon for the 1st half of the year, what’s a Pinoy runner to do?  Here are my suggestions:

1. Run Hong Kong, Feb 8.  There’s onsite registration for foreigners.  Read Ronnie’s comment here.
2. Run Sundown in Singapore, May 30.
3. Run Phuket, June 14.  
4. Focus training for a strong Condura Skyway Half Marathon while deciding on the next marathon goal.
5. Continue to build mileage with 4Q 2009 Marathon in mind: QC in Oct, Phil. Marathon in Nov., or Clark in Dec.  Click here for race scheds.

If you haven’t heard about Drew Arellano’s Happy Run, then you must’ve been hiding under a rock.  This run, I think, is one of those that you just don’t want to miss. 

Why?

1) It’s for a good cause.  ALL proceeds will go to building the annex of the Bagong Tanyag Elementary School in Taguig.  Anything for kids and education!

2) There’s a 15k.  They sure know how to make runners happy.  Woohoo!  (I hope I can run this by then.)  Click here for race route.  Time to get ’em legs ready for another McKinley Hill ascent!

3) It’s going to be well-organized.  If it’s organized by Coach Rio, then runners can be confident about the race.  When a runner/triathlete, such as Drew Arellano, is behind the event, even better.

4) It’s all about passion and spreading the love (peace, man!)  This is a welcome change to the usual serious and competitive races we’re all accustomed to (although, of course, you can go all out and race to win too.)  I can already picture the fun and festive atmosphere of this race. (Drew mentioned to me last year that he planned on having dancers and bands at certain points. Is this pushing through?  I hope so!)

See you there!

WHEN: January 25 (Drew’s birthday)
WHERE: Near NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City
DISTANCE: 3k (costume jog/ family walk), 5k and 15k 
ORGANIZER: Rio Dela Cruz (703.1736/ 0906.314.3807) 
REGISTRATION: P250 early reg at ROX, BHS; P500 onsite (includes DRI-FIT singlet)
PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 2,500

Click here to visit their cool site!

If you’re confused with the changes in full marathon schedules, you are not alone.  Here is the updated marathon schedules for 2009:

• Philippine Marathon: moved from Feb 22 to March 8
• Quezon City Marathon: moved from Feb to October 18
• Clark Marathon: initially planned for Feb, but now set for December 5 (tentative)

Will Milo Marathon be in August?  Will there still be a Subic Marathon?  Is there any other marathon that you know of that’s not listed above?

For now, that’s the list of marathons for next year.  Take your pick and start training…uhm, maybe after Noche Buena.

I do!  

Running on the Skyway—it’s wide, paved, elevated roads overlooking the metro and just a touch away from the clouds—has been my dream for the longest time.  No one is ever allowed to walk on this road, much less run on it.  But, thanks to Condura, we’ll all have the chance to do so!

Get ready for CONDURA RACE on March 22, 2009, where the Half Marathon route will partially pass the South Luzon Skyway coming from Bonifacio Global City.  Woohoo!  There will also be a 3k/ 5k/ 10k race.

– Patrick Concepcion, Ton Concepcion, Mr. Borromeo (President – Skyway), Mr. Nepomuceno (Skyway – VP for Operations) at the MOA signing for Condura Skyway Run last night –

Thank you in advance to Condura Durables, Inc. headed by running brothers, Patrick and Ton Concepcion, for raising the bar when it comes to local races!

Further details on early registration for Condura Skyway Run will be available soon.  I’ll keep you posted.

Visit Patrick’s blog here.