Posts Tagged with: "New Balance"

New Balance has officially announced the postponement of its New Balance Power Run slated for tomorrow to November 29 instead due to bad weather and flooding.  I got this message from Bing Buenaventura at 12:30pm:

We wish to inform you that the New Balance Power Run Raising Hope is postponed due to weather conditions making it impossible (flooding) to set up and stage it properly tomorrow morning. The new date of the NB Power Run is November 29, 2009, Sunday.  Same venue.  Weekends in between are fully booked.  Please mark your calendars and keep your race kits for additional perks.  

Kindly check your favorite running blogs, radio, and other media announcements.  For any questions, call New Balance stores and Planet Sports registration stores ONLY.* 

Thank you very much for your understanding.

* According to NB, there is an anonymous texter sending false New Balance advisory and confusing runners regarding race packets.  Please make sure you get your race information from a credible source.

Great job to ExTribe and New Balance who managed this situation very well.  They decided promptly (and wisely) and they didn’t leave us all to wake up in the wee hours of race day morning to wonder if the race was pushing through.

Now, I need to run 21km tomorrow.  It’s in my program and I told myself when I committed to this that there would be no excuse for skipping a run.  So, I’m left with two choices: 1) run and die of boredom on a treadmill, or 2) run under the rain and have a grand time (aah, fond memories of EcoDash are getting me all teary eyed.)  If the wind isn’t too strong (and I don’t have to swim my way through the floods), I’ll probably run with friends in Makati or the Fort.  

To all the crazy runners out there who will do the same, I’ll see you on the road!  As Sen. Pia and Coach Ani said on Run Radio, it’s rain or rain!

All Systems Go for New Balance Power Race – Sept 27, 2009

– 6,000 runners have registered for the race
– Only 3k slots are open. All other race distances are closed.  (Sorry guys, but NB said they will strictly implement this. It’s a lesson for all of us runners to register as early as possible and respect the race organizers’ decision to limit the number of participants to ensure a safe and well-organized event.)
– Anton Gonzales, President of New Balance/ Planet Sports, says “It should be lots of fun and we hope and pray for sunshine that day.” If I may say so, Anton, I’ll be there to run—rain or shine, but I’m hoping for rain!

Introducing: New Balance Premiere Run – Sept. 26, 2010

As early as now, New Balance has announced and is, in fact, already planning for their premiere race next year. Needless to say, they want to make this race a spectacular one. I think it’s perfect that Standard Chartered races abroad will be sponsored by New Balance (e.g. Singapore), hence they’ll be picking up a thing or two from those. (They should have the same singlets as SC Singapore Marathon where you can jot down your race time at the back of the shirt! Ehem ehem)

NB recently told us their plans for the NB Premiere Run. Remember: these are all plans. If you have violent reactions or helpful suggestions, speak out now:
– 15k and 25k
– Out of town
– RFID High Definition Timing Chip from Australia
– NB Lightning Dry technical tees from abroad as singlets
– finisher medals and recovery kit available for all finishers
– sales promotions with free invitations
– promotions for the new NB 1906 model
– expo the day before, Sept. 25, 2010

I dropped by Runnr this afternoon to register for New Balance Power Race on Sept. 27 and I was shocked to discover registration at Runnr was closed.  In panic, I asked Bing of New Balance where I could still register for the race.  She replied that, as of today, runners can still register only at the following stores:

• Planet Sports Rockwell
• Planet Sports Trinoma
• New Balance Festival Mall
• New Balance Glorietta
• New Balance Shangrila
• Runnr – starting tomorrow Sept. 11, Friday

Lesson learned:  With running at a boom nowadays, register as early as possible.  The early bird catches the race bib at the cheapest fee.

I attended the press conference of the New Balance Power Run – Raising Hope slated for Sept. 27, 2009 at California Pizza Kitchen yesterday.  The upcoming race will be staged at Bonifacio Global City with eXtribe as race organizer.  Distance will be 3k/ 5k/ 10k/ 21k.

While I look forward to joining the upcoming race, I could help but wish that it was 1) at Clark, Pampanga like last year, and 2) 25k instead of 21k again like 2008.  Needless to say, I thought the New Balance 25k Power Race last year was amazing and I simply wanted to go through the same exact experience all over again.  That’s how satisfied I was with that race!  

When I expressed that sentiment to Bing Buenaventura, New Balance brand manager, and later on to Anton Gonzalez, President of Planet Sports, they both assured me that they had a few surprises for the runners sometime in November.  We shall wait with bated breath.

As for September 27, I’ll definitely see you there.  Here are more details from the PRESS RELEASE:

Any runner will tell you, running is addictive.  It gives one pleasure beyond words.  It just leaves the runner the energy and thrill of doing the activity repeatedly.  

This same passion for running has been the venue to make a statement and raise funds for different causes. As the brand known to foster great love for running, New Balance moves into encouraging individuals to have “a new balance in life.” A lifestyle that simply balances self and others, work and play, health and leisure. This “new balance in life” attitude becomes evident as New Balance turns its premier running event, New Balance Power Race, as a venue to raise funds that will support important programs related to cancer. 

Dubbed as the 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE, is set to happen on September 27, 2009 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The proceeds of the 2009 New Blance Power Run… Raising HOPE will benefit Carewell (Cancer Resource and Wellness Community), Philippine Cancer Society, and ICanServe Foundation.   

These three organizations have been at the forefront of providing support to help improve the lives of men and women diagnosed with cancer. These organizations work with business groups and individuals to spread the advocacy on cancer awareness. But still, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to let individuals and their families challenged with cancer know that there can be hope and there is a better way to cope with cancer.

The community’s generosity plays an important role in helping these organizations fulfill their goals. As the number one running footwear, New Balance is encouraging all running enthusiasts to participate and be counted in this benefit run and channel their energies and spirit to a positive endeavor.  The activity can be a venue for them to reach out and help through doing what they love.  The 2009 New Balance Power Run…  Raising HOPE will feature 21K, 10K, 5K, and 3K with registration fees of Php 500.00 for the 21K, Php 350.00 for the 10K, Php 300 for the 5K and Php 250.00 for the 3K category.  

“As an organization, we wanted to create a positive impact in our community.  And, as a brand that embraces the love for running, we decided to do something about it,” Anton Gonzalez, president of Planet Sports Inc. said.  “From the past events, we saw the runners’ passion, especially during the New Balance Power Race.  With their help, we aim to lead the way to direct this passion to something that is more valuable and they can be more proud of.” 

Proceeds of the New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE will support Philippine Cancer Society’s endeavor to reach 25,000 participants for the Lecture Series, about 15,000 women for breast and cervical examinations and schools for youth anti-smoking campaign in 2010. The Power Run will support Carewell Community’s program to help people with cancer and their families cope more effectively with cancer by providing support groups and counseling, medical consult and referrals, wellness talks and fun activities. For ICanServe, the Power Run will aid the “Ating Dibdibin” project, a community-based screening program that promotes breast cancer awareness, early detection and support for of breast cancer patients.

Now is the best time to put on those running shoes and drive that passion for a cause.  From August 8 until September 20, interested participants to the 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE may visit the following New Balance outlets in Glorietta, Shangri-la Mall, Festival Mall, Planet Sports Rockwell, Planet Sports Trinoma, Planet Sports V-Mall, Secondwind UP Diliman and Runner Bonifacio High Street to register. Registration form is also available here. The first 500 to register for the 3K run will get a NB Power Run- Dole T-shirt while finisher medals await participants of the 5K, 10K and 21K.

The 2009 New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE is supported by Smart, Rider, 100Plus, Planet Sports, Businessworld, Solar Sports, Ipanema, The Athletes Foot, Summit Mineral Water, Phiten, Department of Tourism, Dole, California Pizza Kitchen, Alaska, K2 Interactive, Bridges, Cyrus Logistics Inc., The Philippine Star, Action&Fitness Magazine, Wave 89.1, Yehey.com and Audiowav. 

More information on the New Balance Power Run… Raising HOPE is available here.  

TBR RACE REVIEW: NEW BALANCE POWER RACE 25K

Organizer: Extribe
Overall rating (5 highest): 4

WOOHOO, HIGH FIVE!:
– use of RFID timing chip for 25k runners
– challenging course
– portalet at 12.5k turnaround 
– medals for all finishers plus other goodies
– separate race days for kids/5k and 10k/25k 

GOOD JOB:
– ample supply of 100 Plus and mineral water bottles at water stations
– good number of race marshalls at certain areas
– accurate mile markers at every kilometer
– bananas and fluids at the finish
– NB recovery and photo booths
– pretty accurate measurement of distance (Garmin measured course at 25.14km)

AAW, BETTER JOB NEXT TIME:
– high traffic to check in at race start
– late starting time
– mistakes at awarding

– NB booth where runners lined up for extra loving care from therapists –

The New Balance 25km at Clark yesterday will be one of the more memorable races for me. It was the farthest I had ever run and, despite my fears and anxieties, it was, by far, the most fun I had ever had in a race. Excellent weather conditions (it was cool and cloudy all throughout with a bonus light drizzle at the start), fun and entertaining personalities among 25kers, a great job by race organizers, plus my better-than-expected performance (not that I had such high standards) contributed to making this race unforgettable for me.

According to my Garmin, I crossed the finish line at 2:33:10 with an average pace of 6:06 min/km, a great time for me because my training runs have all been at a much slower pace; actually, my only goal was to end the race without injury.  Here are the highlights of my race:

– Zen dinner: We shared an early pre-race dinner with JunC and Jay and the rest of our families at Zen, just across the hotel.  It’s nice to know that, as much as we love running, for this training group, family still comes first.

– Meeting other running bloggers: I met ibanrunner, high altitude, miraclecello, and run unlimited on race day. It’s always great to meet other runners, but even better to come across those who love it so much that they must tell everyone about it.

– Bonding with family: The weekend trip to Clark was enjoyable for the kids, but it was also a great bonding experience for hubby and I since it was the first out of town race we were running together.  Hubby ran his first 10k which, as I mentioned to Mark, was of his own free will (and passion); nope, I didn’t have to force or even subtly persuade him (hehe) to register. 

– The hubby was my photographer, sponsor, and (as seen in photo) support as I was about to stretch my quads –

– Running with JunC for the 1st half: Our plan was to run a 6 min/km pace. Jay decided the night before to run at a much faster pace while Dindo stayed close behind. During the 1st few kilometers, JunC and I managed to stay within our goal pace but, as soon as we reached the downhill portion, we upped the tempo to 5:30 for around 5km as buffer for the expected slow uphill climb on our way back. JunC and I make a lot of pre-race plans but part of the fun of running with him is agreeing mid-race that we should trash those plans and run faster…haha.

– That’s JunC and myself – 

– Potty Break: Before the race started, Ting had informed me that there would be a portalet that awaited female runners at the 12.5k mark. Thank God, I told her. All throughout the run, I (and perhaps other female runners) were tormented by the sight of numerous male runners having easy access to pee breaks anywhere on the road. Aaah, life is unfair. By 9k, I needed to go badly and I was praying Ting was right.  As we climbed the slight uphill in Fontana toward the turnaround, I caught sight of the portalet and did my business at world record time. Hallelujah!

– Running with Mark P. and Renz: I bumped into Mark and Renz shortly after my bathroom break. Time flew as I ran with them—almost like running with Tito, Vic and…errr…I am certainly not Joey so scrap that idea. There was a lot of laughter and nonsense talk to keep ourselves entertained. A bonus from Mark was the technical race tip he gave which I will never ever divulge to anyone. (Mark, I tried it in the last few kilometers, and yes it works!)

– with Mark and Renz –

– Running with Coach Rio and Dra. Doray: As luck would have it, I did find Coach Rio and his hair as I had initially planned. I ran with him and Councilor Doray during the last kilometers of the race, which included the 4km climb that all of us dreaded early on. Coach Rio was his usual funny and talkative self (even if I could barely respond), but he also checked in on us often asking how we were doing.  Thank you Coach and Doray!

– Last 2km: So, I ran this behind Coach Rio and Dra. Doray and, as they started speeding up, I wondered if I should (or could) do the same. There was barely enough time to think, so I just ran with my eyes practically closed. It was one of the toughest and longest runs for me—ever. Ack, I wanted to yell out and ask Coach Rio if the finish line was really “malapit na” as he had repeated over a hundred times, but I didn’t have the energy to talk. Soon enough, we crossed the finish with a large crowd cheering all finishers and it felt awesome; I couldn’t have been happier that I pushed myself to the limits.

– Our training group: Jay (Prometheus Cometh), Dindo (RunningDATcom), JunC, myself plus the hubby –

– with hubby, Annie who won 1st in her age category with a time of 2:05 accdg. to her Garmin, and JunC –

– Councilor Doray (Doralicious), Nina, Wayne (SFRunner), Coach Rio, hubby, myself, Vimz, Mayen, and friend –

– with the Cougcat Family of racers –

– with Missy, and super fast running partners, shirtless Ben and Joms –

Congrats to all the finishers! It was a fun race!  Congrats to race organizers as well!

Thank you to Jay (X59) and Jun, Mariel & Bea for some of the photos!