Posts Tagged with: "Unilab"

Event: Run United 2
Date: 17 June 2012
Venue: SM Mall of Asia/ Bonifacio Global City
Race Organizer: Runrio

TBR Rating:

Run United events are one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. It is always expected to draw large crowds and yesterday’s race, Run United 2, despite the onslaught of Typhoon Butchoy, was no exception. Over 14,000 runners gathered at SM Mall of Asia for the 3k, 5k, and 10k events and at Bonifacio High Street for 21k. The half marathon event alone could have been a race in itself with over 5,000 runners participating and subsequently released in various waves to control the traffic.

The organization of the race was almost flawless, as expected from Runrio events. Considering that the organizers struggled with the challenges of the pouring rain, the race went on with the safety and comfort of runners prioritized.

The 21k race course starting at Bonifacio Global City and ending in SM Mall of Asia was unique and fun. While it could’ve been a logistical problem for some runners, organizers provided shuttles for the runners thus making the minor hassles insignificant if only to run a more interesting course.

Hydration was overflowing; water was cold while Powerade was provided (it could’ve been colder though and, sorry, but Gatorade just really tastes a lot better for me.) Bananas and sponges were also provided in several stations. Medical aid was offered at various stations. Considering the number of runners, the traffic was controlled and release of runners, done in waves, was a practical move. Marshals efficiently manned intersections, especially when vehicles were honking or worse, attempting to break through the course. Kilometer markers were accurate, but there were a number of missing kilometer markers by the end of the 21k. I was told these were pulled out due to the strong winds.

Turns out that the weather was a blessing in disguise. The strong rains weakened, and later on, completely dissipated to provide runners with a cool and windy run and an enjoyable post-race atmosphere with live bands and activities prepared by Unilab Active Health.

Congrats again to Unilab Active Health and Runrio, two companies that pull out all the stops to provide runners with a great event! See you at Run United 3.

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I was supposed to race the 21k at Run United 2, but since I was just recovering from my week-long bout with intestinal flu and I biked my longest ever ride the day before, I thought I’d just run at a good effort and enjoy the half marathon.

Wow, the weather was perfect! Ton and I arrived at the assembly area to find over 5,000 runners braving the rain. When the race started, it was just a slight drizzle; just enough to keep you cool without soaking those shoes and causing blisters!

Almost everyone in running were there. Most of us were catching up and chatting that, before we knew it, we were at the last wave (actually at the very end) of the 21k runners. Soon, we were off. Ton and I ran together at an easy pace.

By 8k, at Buendia, we decided to part ways. I turned my iPod on and enjoyed every minute of the run. I can honestly tell you that time flew from then on. I lost myself in the rhythm of my footsteps, enjoyed the breeze at Roxas Boulevard, and savored every moment I was out there. I didn’t push too hard but neither did I take it too slow. It was just right. Just perfect, in fact.

– Wore my old Nike Frees for the first time in a 21k! Loved it. Photo courtesy of Jobert de la Victoria –

I didn’t even get my time when I ended. I must’ve gotten in at around 2:15 to 2:20. Who really cared? What mattered was that it was so much fun!

– Posing with the medal but really just thinking about breakfast. Photo courtesy of Tina Zamora –

Registration is now open for one of the most anticipated races of the year, RUN UNITED 2. I’m joining this. Hope to see you guys!

Details for Registration:

Details for Registration Fees:

Assembly and Gun Time:

PRESS RELEASE

In Unilab ActiveHealth’s continuing efforts to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among families, 2012 Run United will have its second leg on June 17, 2012 at SM Mall of Asia.

Kids from age 5 to 12 years old can join the Ceelin 500-meter dash to jumpstart their journey to fitness. Moms, dads and older siblings can choose from the different race categories like 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km.

Registered participants of 500-meter dash, 3km, 5km, and 10km will receive their singlet upon registration. The Active Health race belt bag, bib with timing chip, and Riovana 10% discount stub can be claimed during the 1st ever Run United race expo scheduled on June 13-16, 2012 at BGC Grounds Riovana from 2pm to 8pm on June 13 and 10am to 8pm on June 14-16.

The participants of the 21k category will have a different singlet color design which makes the runners extra special, aside from the freebies that they will get during the race expo in BGC and the 2nd piece of the collectible medal and finisher shirt. A personalized RunRio Timing Card will be exclusively given to them they just need to present their old IPICO timing chip during the registration to get the replacement.

21km runners will also get to enjoy running the Bonifacio Global City to Mall of Asia race route, giving them a chance to improve their PR for Run United 1. Shuttle service will be provided from MOA as pick-up point for 21km runners.

“Active Health delivers Unilab’s vision of providing active health solutions for Filipino families,” Unilab Active Health Head Alex Panlilio said. “We encourage families to start or continue leading active lives through our events like Run United.

Active Health Sport Events Executive Lester Castillo said, “As we have always done in the past, we continuously improve Run United series to give runners a better experience and encourage them to keep running. Through our partnership with Coach Rio dela Cruz, Run United has become one, if not the best, running event in the country.”

As a testament to the level of commitment that Active Health brings to the runners, it has brought in the Team Bike Boutique, the official merchandise partner of Ironman races worldwide, to organize the Run United Race Expo happening on June 13-16, 2012 at the BGC Grounds near Mercato.

The race expo completes the active health experience by gathering runners, sports enthusiasts and their families in this four-day event. Runners can hang out with their friends while checking out the coolest and latest sports apparel. Fitness and athletic brands also present their latest products and services, including gadgets, running gear, among others.

Coach Rio dela Cruz said the race expo brings Run United to a whole new level. “Major international marathons like the ING New York Marathon and Chicago Marathon hold their own expos days before the event. Together with UNILAB Active Health, we look at some of the best practices from international races, and apply them to the Run United Series to further enhance the race experience of the Filipino running community.”

Registration for 2012 Run United 2 is ongoing at the following stores
• Riovana at Bonifacio Global City and Katipunan, Quezon City
• Toby’s at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City and SM North The Block, Quezon City

For online registration, check details at www.unilabactivehealth.com or www.runrio.com. Registration is until June 3, 2012 on a first come first serve basis.

2012 Run United 2 is for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga and Children’s Hour. For more inquiries, check out www.unilabactivehealth.com and www.facebook.com/unilabactivehealth.

Route Maps:

– 21k route map as of April 30 –

Oh boy, tomorrow’s Bull Session 5 is turning out to be a huge event in itself.

As mentioned, we’ll be having the TBR DM Gatorade Drinking Guide talk at 4:00am before we run at 4:30am.  For our long run of 3.5 hours, we’ll have our two coaches, Jim Lafferty and Lit Onrubia, running with us.  Gatorade will have three stations while Unilab is providing us with a water station (but we still recommend you bring your own hydration belts.)  Lastly, after our long run, we’ll have a Run United registration booth (for TBR DM runners you can use the 10k as a training run) plus free sampling of Enervon.

Sleep early for our long run tomorrow!  See ya!

Hubby and I didn’t register for Unilab’s Run United for Wellness, but the kids did. My, how the tables have turned!

– My little runners –

TBR Jr. was well-prepared for this one. The night before, we broke the good news to him: Since the race was only 500m, we would allow him to sprint until the end. There would be absolutely no talk of pacing or slowing down.  “I can run fast?!” he asked with glee. “Yup!” we answered.  And, with that one reply, his eyes were beaming with excitement.

As for the little one, she was quite anxious about Kuya leaving her behind. So, we told her that we would just show up for the race and she would decide there if she would run or not.

We arrived at Bonifacio High Street a little after 6:30 a.m. for the kids’ 500m dash of the race. We parked at the far end of BHS not knowing we had parked at the opposite side of the kids’ race.

We saw the 21km runners coming in and wondered where our race would start.  By that time, it was around 6:50 a.m.  Then, we spotted the kids in the orange helmets and realized we only had a few minutes to spare before the race started.

– High tech start/finish line for United Run –

TBR Jr. and I ran towards the race start while Hubby and Little Miss TBR, who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and had a monster attitude that morning, strolled along behind.

– Uh oh! –

TBR Jr. and I ran, and ran, and ran. In between breaths, TBR Jr. said he was getting tired.  Uh oh, we hadn’t even reached the race yet!

Thankfully, we made it in time.  And, hubby and daughter who just walked…made it just in time, too.

– Super athletes joined in on the kiddie fun run: Monsour del Rosario, Norman Black and Alvin Patrimonio –

– with TBR Jr. and Trey, the future runner son of RG who I met before the race –

When the gun went off, TBR Jr. waited for me as if to ask if he could run already.  I said to him: “Go, I’ll follow.  No need to look back. I’ll be behind you all the way.” And so he ran…

Still, he would look behind again and again, checking if I was still there. Again, I told him: “Just go as fast as you can. I’m running behind you.” It was in the last few meters, just after we turned towards the end, that he went full speed ahead, confident that his mom got his back all the way to the finish.

– No sweat…literally! –

After a few minutes, we caught sight of Hubby and Little Miss TBR walking towards the finish. She was still in an awful mood even if Kuya had ran back into the race to encourage her.  Well, no one can really force Little Miss TBR to do anything she doesn’t want to.  (Wonder where she got that!)

– Little Miss TBR manages a teeny weeny smile –

This was TBR Jr.’s first race that he ran all the way; no stops nor breaks. Wooohoo!  It was a good lesson on self-confidence for my boy.  And, the first lesson on letting go for Mommy.

– Congratulations to my little runner! –

– Unilab’s play area for the kids. Fun fun fun! –