The Emergency Run

RU1: first leg on the road to the big race

by Bro J and Swthrt

The Runrio Team in partnership with Unilab Philippines once again set another first in race organization by setting a record of four thousand runners participating in the 21k category.  With the number of runners in this distance category, everything is possible to happen. Comments like congested roads from runners at certain part of the route, shortage of cups filled with water or powerade (though there were a lot of supplies), irate motorists, and other logistics problems were only part of organizing a big event like this. Even crowd control personnel especially those located at the finishers’ kits distribution area could be a nightmare to event organizers. But despite all of these, Run United 1 was undoubtedly a well thought, well organized race that can only be organized by a man who understands, feel and live as a passionate runner. With all the minor lapses in organization and inconveniences to runners, Coach Rio humbly accepted all responsibility which is truly a mark of a good man.

Our race

With the announcement of shuttle buses available from MOA to BGC, we decided to park our car at BGC so as not to wake up too early for the race. We arrived at the starting area at around 4:00am just in time to squeeze in the huge crowd of 21k runners opting to be in the first wave of runners to be released. The point to point route was great for runners who would easily get bored in going back the same route to the finish. Swthrt and I had a great time with this route. We also decided to bring our ipods to inspire us with music while running (we usually run without it). Our playlist includes fast worship songs up to other running inspired beats. Swthrt and I have no problems all the way to Roxas Boulevard except at last 5K where Swthrt felt the onset of cramps on her calf. The early start was also a good decision on the part of the race organizers because we only experienced the heat from the sun at about the last 3K of the route along Macapagal Boulevard. The reward of receiving the finisher’s medal was more than enough to compensate the effort given in this race. We thanked and praised the Lord for a wonderful race he gave us.

Run United 1 is the first of the 3 leg series of three great races (expected of a Runrio- organized races) that would lead to one major goal…. The Run United Philippine Marathon.

Congratulations to Runrio Team and Unilab!

Before I tell you about the wonderful race we had last Sunday, I would like you to take a peek on what we had before and after. It was a full weekend but every single activity done was so fulfilling and enjoyable. We really had great times with the family in doing all the errands for the day. We also had a spur-of-the-moment merienda with close friends last Saturday. It was brief but truly sweet bonding times with friends. Saturday night was capped with worship meeting in our friends’ house. Our Sunday was so packed as well. It started early with a very good race, the Run United Leg 1 for 2012, another fulfilling race for both of us.  We weren’t able to stay in the race area a little longer because we needed to be home to prepare for the Church Service. Right after running for more than two hours, we headed home for a hearty breakfast and soothing showers.

            As our body had been nourished and rehydrated, we allowed our spirit to be nourished as well. We’ve been served with an awe-inspiring message in Church Service, followed by an encouraging Women’s fellowship. The day was concluded with a very relaxing and much-needed foot massage courtesy of our BFFs. It was indeed a good treat for our very tired feet and leg muscles after pinning down a good 21 kilometers race that morning. Our bodies were so flat-tired but our spirits were so up and about! Everything was so special and so good! God’s love is so sweet!  He indeed blessed each and every activity done, no matter how simple it was or trivial it had been. God showers us with His Love…and we are so amazed and grateful!  

What about the Good Race…

            Yes, about the race. It was the first leg of The RUN United 2012 Series… and of course, one of RunRio races! You can expect that everything will go well. And so it was! This series is one of the much-awaited races which most runners are really up to. For the last Sunday’s event, a record four thousand runners registered and ran the 21K category in the newest route devised by the brilliant minds of RunRio. It was from Global City to MOA route via Kalayaan and Roxas Blvd and then finally through Macapagal Ave. We really enjoyed the new route although the roads we treaded were not that new to us anymore. But the good thing about this is we were spared with the agony of seeing other runners were already heading back to the finish line while we were still trying to reach the turn-around point… well, this is for us and not necessarily common to all runners. But for us who are usually in the mid pack, sometimes in the back pack of the race, and who hate doing things over and over again except running… the route was perfect for us! I am sure most of the runners would agree.  

            The race is superb. It was not only the route that made us happy, but also the extra effort to transport runners back and forth from MOA to BGC. Of course the usual high level of performance in terms of marshals, water stations, starting line and finish line. All is well. It is very caring for Coach Rio to personally greet and see runners through, to allow runners take pictures with him, and ensure that everything is okay. And that is his usual self in every race he organized.  Well done, RunRio! More races for you to organize and for us to run.

Join Fox International Channels’ Fun Run

Four Channels, Four Lifestyles, Four Races….

  Choose One and Join Fox International Channels’

 Fun Run On March 25, 2012*

Fox International Channels (FIC) provides a bit of each TV channel’s flavor and a whole lot of fun in the FIC Fun Run on March 25, 2012 at the Bonifacio Global City.  Participants can play dress up, hobnob with celebrities and support a worthy cause. 

The event gives runners the opportunity to choose and participate in any of the four races organized by FIC featuring different lifestyle themes representing its four key channels. It will have four race categories that include an advocacy marathon aimed at raising funds to support the various projects of partner non-government organizations (NGOs).

Participants may register in the 500m Fox Costume Run, 3K Star Movies Blockbuster Run, 5K Star World Lifestyle and the 10K Nat Geo Run For a Cause. Those who are interested to join may register either via online or phone, at RunRio stores (BHS and Katipunan) and event partner stores. Participants may choose their singlet according to the channel and label they wish to run with.

Come dressed in your favorite character and run alongside fellow enthusiasts and sponsor mascots in the 500m Fox Costume Run. Fifty runners in costume will compete and make a dash for the finish line. Limited edition Fox DVD will be raffled off after the race.

Star Movies rolls out the red carpet for movie aficionados in the 3K Star Movies Lifestyle Run where writers, film producers and movie directors are expected to show their support to the event. For a bit of a movie trivia and a tad of inspiration, popular quotes from movie characters will be setup along the course. A home entertainment system is up for grabs in the raffle draw.

Run with panache – this is the battle cry of lovers of fashion and fitness when they run the 5K Star World Lifestyle Run featuring a red carpet along the route to mimic the paparazzi scene. Brush elbows with models, celebrities and other prominent personalities expected to show up in their running shoes. If you’re feeling lucky, you might just bring home gift certificates for a shopping spree at the end of the race.

Have fun while reaching out to others in the 10K National Geographic Run for a Cause. The race is in partnership with 10 select non-government organizations and seeks to raise awareness for their respective advocacies. Among the partner NGOs are Physicians for Peace, ICANSERVE Foundation, Virlanie, Greenpeace, Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision and Gawad Kalinga. The first 500 registrants will compete in the name of their advocacy.        

*Press Release

            

FIC Run - Register now and represent your channel

Fox International Channel and Runrio Inc. launched last night the FIC RUN at the Skye Lounge at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The fun run had four distance categories representing four channels of Fox International namely, Fox, Star Movies, Star World, and National Geographic Channel. Each channel provides a bit of its flavor in their respective categories.FIC Run, will be held on March 25, 2012 at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) with 500m (Fox – Costume Run), 3k ( Star Movies Blockbuster Run), 5k (Star World Lifestyle Run, 10k (National Geographic Advocacy Run)Channel  race categories.

 Register now and represent your channel!

Limited slots only!

REGISTRATION VENUES

ONLINE Registration: Opening Soon!

In-Store REGULAR Registration: February 22, to March 21, 2012

RIOVANA

• BGC - 9th Ave corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City - Mon-Thurs : 11am to 9pm; Fri-Sun : 10am to 10pm

• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor Regis Center, Katipunan, QC (infront of Ateneo de Manila University) - Mon-Sun : 10am to 8pm

Athelete’s Foot

•Robinsons Galleria - Mon-Sun, 12nn to 8pm

TOBY’S

•SM Mall of Asia - Mon-Sun, 12nn to 8pm

2012 RUN United 1 offers a number of firsts

A Running Start for Unilab Active Health 

Run United 1 on March 4 offers a number of firsts 

The 2012 Unilab ActiveHealth calendar is off to a raring start, as the registration for its first event this year—Run United 1 on March 4—picks up pace. On its sixth offing, Run United 1 continues to reinvent itself. It is set to once again offer runners a number of firsts.

“This is our first hurrah this year and we very pleased with the enthusiastic response so far from the running community. Registration, both online and in selected stores, is rapidly picking up. We are looking forward to another active year,” said Alex Panlilio, Head of Unilab Active Health. Run United 1 will still feature five race categories: Ceelin 500m dash for kids, 3k, 5K, Enervon 10K, and Enervon HP 21K.

Organizers Unilab Active Health and RunRio Inc. are introducing several new features to give participants a better running experience. These include new race routes, better hydration stations, improved security, safety marshals, new freebies, more exciting ActiveHealth village, among others.

Starting this year, the RunRio Trilogy/Run United Series of races will have different registration or pre-race giveaways. For Run United 1, it will be a race belt or bib holder. Even the medals for 21K finishers are made more special. It will be a collectible medal, thus those who will participate all of the three Run United races during the year, can put together all their finisher medals and form a big Run United medal.

“The joint Run United medals will serve as a true testament of the runners’ commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle. It is a good souvenir of all their 2012 Run United races combined,” said Lester Castillo, brand manager of Active Health.

Besides the new medals, half marathoners will have their gun start at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig and finish off at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

“We are very excited about the Run United races this year because we have so much in store for the runners. We are introducing a number of new features to give them even better quality runs because that is what Run United is all about,” said Rio dela Cruz of RunRio Inc.

Children also get to have their own singlet, too. After all, Run United prides itself for having the first to introduce a 500-meter dash in its races. “We really like to get the children get started in running young. So besides the other unique giveaways for them, the singlet is another come-on for them,” cited Dela Cruz.

Interested runners can register at these stores: Riovana at Bonifacio Global City and Katipunan, Quezon City; Toby’s at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City; and The Athlete’s Foot at Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas. For online registration, check details at www.runrio.com. Registration is until February 26, but race kits may run out before then, so the organizers urge everyone to register early to secure slots.

Run United is for the benefit of Gawad Kalusugan (the health program of Gawad Kalinga) and Hero Foundation. “Run United is part of Unilab’s advocacy through Unilab Active Health to promote an active lifestyle among Filipino families. Each event has been carefully designed and scheduled with the help of the race organizers and experts to allow each participant to sustain their active lifestyles throughout the year. We would like to thank all those who continue to support the Active Health programs” said Alex Panlilio, Head of Unilab Active Health.

Run United 1 is only the first of the Run United series. Run United 2 is set for June 17 and Run United 3 on September 16. Run United’s very own full marathon or 42K race, the Run United Philippine Marathon, is also slated for October 28.

The following are the other events of Unilab Active Health lined up for this year: The Bull Runner Dream Marathon, March 18; Tri United 1, April 14-15; Tri United 2, June 30-July 1; Tri United 3, November 10-11 as well as running and triathlon clinics all year round.

For more inquiries on Run United and Active Health, check out these websites: www.unilabactivehealth.com and www.runrio.com as well as their respective fan pages on Facebook and Twitter. ###

Photos during the Run United 1 Launch: