Kenny’s Urbanite Run

Monday, 17 August 2009  |  Race Announcements

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

Urbanite1
– 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!

 Cover_DREW
– 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!

Crocs Prepair to Run on Sept. 13

Thursday, 13 August 2009  |  Race Announcements

It wasn’t too long ago that I was dreaming of a pair of Crocs Prepair for my birthday.  (Click here to read my Birthday Wishlist)  A couple of days after that post, I went to Crocs in Greenbelt 5 and tried all three models.  After minutes of switching between the three pairs, and as my hubby started fiddling with his cellphone and the kids began to whine, my finicky self decided to just hold off on the purchase until I could decide.  Now, much to my shock, four months have passed and I don’t have them on my feet.

Thanks to the race they are coming up with, I have a good reason to buy a pair.  Any purchase of Crocs footwear entitles you to free registration fee. (Hmm…I wonder if this will work with the hubby.)

Crocs Prepair to Run Poster 3

EVENT: Crocs Prepair…to run
Assembly Time: 5am
Start time: 10km 5:40 | 5km 5:50 | 3km 6:00
Venue: Music Hall, Mall Of Asia
Category: 3km, 5km and 10km
Reg fee: P300 pesos
Reg area: any Crocs concept store in metro manila, Free Registration for every purchase of Crocs footwear
Target participants: 1,000
Last day of Registration: September 10, 2009
Organizer: Eventking

Botak Street Mile Race Challenge on Aug. 23

Tuesday, 11 August 2009  |  Race Announcements

PRESS RELEASE

BOTAK: Street Mile Race Challenge
Date and Time: Aug 23, 2009, 10 AM
Venue: AS Parking Lot, UP Diliman

The event will be co-presented by Quezon City Ladies Foundation and shall support its cause, “Violence against Woman”. The Street Mile Challenge is the first Mile Race in the country, with its categories divided it aims to become a family affair. Such categories are; Kids Male and Female, Masters Men and Women, Open Men and Women, Corporate/ Celebrity Men and Women. The different categories will be run by heats to allow efficient tallying of time and results. As well as to give enough time for parents to pace their kids during their race or photo ops of their kids when they finish their respective race heats.

The Street Mile will be run by all its participants once, the time that will register during their heat will be their final time. The deadline for entries for the Street Mile will be on Aug. 19, 2009 so that we can still post the respective ETA per heat of every category online from Aug 20-22, 2009.

The event shall commence after our BOTAK Paa_tibayan Takbo 10 Miler and 5 Miler which shall start at 6am.

Each participant shall take home goody bags from Hershey’s chocolates. Hershey’s chocolate kisses and chocolate bar mascots will also grace the festivities, so don’t forget to bring in your cameras.

The BOTAK Paa-tibayan event is presented by BOTAK and co-presented by Quezon City Ladies Foundation in cooperation with; ROX, Gatorade, HP Computers, Hershey’s Chocolates, Paul Calvin’s Deli, Crocs Prepair, Derm Plus, Salonpas, EAJI Trio Snacks, Fit n’ Right Fruit Snacks, Restaurant of Choice, Guam Visitor’s Bureau, Nissan Navara and Philstar.com. Our media partners Business World, Takbo.ph and thebullrunner.com, Men’s Health Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, Auto Review, 92.3 XFM, 88.3 Wave and Run Radio. Our event partner, Run for Change and supported by the University of the Philippines, College of Human Kinetics.

Race Organized by: Ian Alacar, Project Director
Edmund Mangaser, – 10 Miler and 5 Miler Race
Ben Alacar, Race Director – Street Mile Challenge

Registration fee is at: (inclusive of Race Kit and Singlet)
300 php 10 and 5 Mile Race
250 php Street Mile Challenge
 
Registration Areas:
BOTAK Kamuning Store
ROX at Bonifacio High Street
Restaurant of Choice ROC in UP Bahay ng Alumni
Paul Calvins Deli at Forbestown
Second Wind Running Store at Maginhawa St. Teachers Village
Alterra Bike Cyclery at Club 650 Libis 

We will also be giving all this products from Hershey’s during the race. And for all those who will register before Aug 15 shall get 1 pack of Hershey’s dark chocolate on selected registration areas.

We will also be giving these beautiful gift packs to our winners during the race as well as Salonpas patches to all the finishers.

Register Now for Kenny’s Urbanite Run

Sunday, 9 August 2009  |  Race Announcements

It’s the last day of registration for Kenny’s Urbanite Run on August 11, 2009, Tuesday. According to Vince Mendoza of Finishline, the race organizer for Kenny’s Urbanite Run, they will not be able to accommodate any late registrants from Wednesday onwards.

Click here for race info.

If you’re planning to join, please register at the following Kenny Roger’s Roasters branches:

MANILA
Ever Grand Central (LG), Robinsons’ Manila (L1), SM City Manila (UG), SM City San Lazaro (UG), SM Mall of Asia (GF), Taft Avenue (near La Salle)

MAKATI AREA
Dela Rosa (Dela Rosa Carpark 1), Glorietta 3 (L2), Market Market (2F), Kenny’s Roast & Grill (LG, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell)

QUEZON CITY
Katipunan (303 Katipunan Rd.), Quezon Avenue (cor. Scout Albano St.), SM City Fairview (UG), SM City North Edsa (2F), SM City Annex (3F), SM Sta. Mesa (2F), Trinoma (Level M1)

MANDALUYONG/ PASIG AREA
Greenhills Shopping Center (Manila Arcade), Robinsons Galleria (L3), SM Megamall (UG Bldg. A)

SOUTH LUZON
Robinsons Imus (L1), SM City Bacoor (UG), SM Batangas (UG)

PASAY-PARAÑAQUE AREA
Duty Free (Foodcourt), Festival Supermall (3F), Roxas Boulevard (Cuneta Ave.), SM Southmall (UG)

CAINTA AREA
Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall (GF)

NORTH LUZON AREA
NLEX Caltex (Southbound), NLEX Shell (Northbound), Robinsons Starmills Pampanga (GF), SM City Clark (UG), SM City Marilao (GF), SM City Pampanga (UG)

VISAYAS AREA
Ayala Center Cebu (3F), SM Iloilo (UG)

Levi’s Fun Run on Aug. 23, 2009

Tuesday, 4 August 2009  |  Race Announcements

LEVI’S FUN RUN

Venue: Bonifacio Global City
Distance: 1.5k/ 3k/ 5k
Fee: P300
Registration: July 20 to Aug 18, 2009
Register at: Levi’s Kids Trinoma, Levis and Dockers in Gateway, Levi’s Greenbelt 5, Levi’s Market Market.
For info: Call LSPI HR at 889-9301 ext 2122 or 2123 or King Bernas 0908 692-8018

Why join:

  1. According to Ronnie C., a running friend and executive at Levi’s, “the novelty about this run is how to be in stylish Levi’s maong get-up while running a PR in 5K.  Either way, one can win with a sub 18 minutes 5K or can simply be in stylish Levi’s maong outfit and still win.  For those feeling executive, they can be in their Dockers long sleeves and tie with CW-X to match.”  There will also be stylish/cute category for the kids.  Of course, for those who wish to run in regular running apparel, that’s fine as well.
  2. For the benefit of children with HIV/AIDS

Hope to see you there!