First VITA PLUS POWERun 2013

The First Vita Plus Powerun 2013 will be held on February 24, 2013 at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The run is open to all individuals, with categories of 3KM, 5KM, and 10KM distances. A special 500 meter dash is prepared for kids 6-10 years old.

BENEFICIARIES

•Share and Care Foundation

•Child House Foundation

•UP/PGH Children Cancer Ward

RACE CATEGORIES
500m Kid’s Dash – Kids 6 – 10 years old
3KM
5KM
10KM

REGISTRATION SITES

•Chris Sports Outlets

–Festival Mall

–Glorietta

–SM MOA

–SM Megamall

–SM North EDSA

•Fitness and Athletics in BGC

•First Vita Plus Head Office
2F Suntree Bldg.
Meralco Avenue
Ortigas

GUN START TIME

REGISTRATION FEES

Registration will be from November 18, 2012 to February 20, 2013. Register early and avail the discounted race fees with the Early Bird Rate.

Run BGC 2012 Race Route

Updated race route maps for the upcoming Run BGC race on Sunday, Nov. 25.

Registration for this race is

extended until Friday, Nov. 23.

See you on Sunday at Run BGC!

At Run United 3 2012

Few days prior to the staging of the last leg of the Run United Trilogy, forecasts of a rainy weekend were flashed in all weather reports. Thus, last Sunday was a wet and wild spectacle for the Run United 3 staged at SM MOA in Pasay City with 21K and 32K runners starting at BGC in Taguig City. In this 3^rd of a series, the 32K Afroman distance was ran. It was a fitting distance for those who wanted to level up in running going to full marathon. For those first time Afroman runners who finished the race, it only showed that it can be done, and finishing a full marathon is not too far to reach.

Team JRunning @ the race

Swthrt and I have run the RU1 and RU2 and running the 3^rd leg is quite inevitable, as we really wanted to complete the much coveted RU 3-piece puzzle medal. Preparation was not as good as we wanted, thus fear is a factor coming into this race. We arrived at the BGC at around 2:00 am, with enough time to move around as the early morning race will certainly be cold because of an all-night rainy weather. We were released at 3:00am amidst the rain. A longer distance was covered in the route around BGC before we finally approached the Kalayaan flyover. To a certain extent, I was disoriented in our location for some time because of the many turns we made around BGC. Credits have to be given to the marshals who stood their ground and patiently directed runners under the rain. We had a good start, until I slowly succumbed to tiredness even at the early part of the race. Swthrt patiently paced me and tried to encourage me to run. She is certainly in a better condition. At some point, I knew she was frustrated. She even burst with a phrase “hilahin na lang kaya kita”. Though I felt better (from my acid reflux condition) this time rather than our RU2 race. I still can’t push myself harder than before. When we reached half-way at Buendia, cramps on my left calf started to set in. This made me walk more than run. I tried to urge Swthrt to go ahead so that she can hit our 4-hr target but she opted to stay with me. As we go along, we managed walk and run or should I say walk-walk and run as walking took most of our time. We survived the race and finally completed the pie medal.

Thanks to Running Atom for the picture

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The pain and frustration

Lessons have been learned from the past. Running longer distances such as half marathon to full marathon requires sincere dedication in training. Since the start of the year, training was kept in the sideline. Cramming on logging more running time and mileage was more of the practice. Though we hit the gym, it was not on a regular basis. Thus, pain during and after the race is expected. Nevertheless, we tried hard to make it a fun run as possible, but frustrations overshadow the feeling.  Running the Run United Philippine Marathon is now a big question.

The challenge

With a few more big races lined-up before the year ends, a greater challenge it has become. Team JRunning will surely take it on. Hopefully, work schedules, kids’ school agenda, and other home chores will fall in its right places so that we can fully maximize any free time we have for the love of running. Team JRunning is here to stay and continue to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

Congratulations Unilab and Runrio Team for a great series of Run United!

Another Running Spree at Run United 3*

Another Running Spree at Run United 3

All set for the third leg of the Runrio Trilogy 2012 on September 16

        

Run United is back, after a nearly three-month break. And as the cliché goes, ‘the third time is a charm’. Last year, in fact, a record number of runners estimated at over 14,000 participated in Run United 3.

        

Run United 3, the third leg of the Run Rio Trilogy, has always been much anticipated because it offers what is dubbed as the ‘Afroman distance’ or 32k category—not usually included in other run races. Of course, on top of the other race categories: the Ceelin 500m dash, 3k, 5k, 10k, and 21k.

       

“The 32k Afroman Distance in RU3 can be a preparatory race for the full 42.195km category in the upcoming 1^st ever Run United Philippine Marathon slated on October 28. RUPM will still have the shorter categories: 500m dash, 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K.” said Alex Panlilio, Head of Unilab Active Health (ULAH).

        

Meanwhile, according to premiere race organizer Coach Rio dela Cruz, the runners’ anticipation over Run United 3 will be all worth it as new features and surprises await them on September 16. For one, there will be new routes as well as different starting and finish lines again for Run United 3 in the 21K and 32K categories, like in the previous two races for 21K.

        

The 32K runners will have a gun start at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) starting at 3am, an hour ahead of the 21k runners. They will be led from BGC to take their first 10k in University Parkway area, then move up to Kalayaan Flyover. Then, they will go all the way down to Buendia, take left at Roxas Boulevard, turnaround taking the roads of Vicente Sotto, Diosdado Macapagal and on to EDSA before finally turning left at Seaside Boulevard for the finish at the Mall of Asia (MOA).

       

The 21k will have an earlier gun start at 4am compared to Run United 2’s 430am. They will have the same route as the 32k runners, but instead of going to EDSA they will turn right after Macapagal Avenue, turning right at Seaside Boulevard and then all the way to the finish line in MOA.

        

“Run United 3 runners will get to run across three cities— Taguig, Makati and Pasay. Based from the feedback we got from them, they really enjoyed the experience and the new routes. The earlier gun start of both race categories will give runners a safer route as well,” said Dela Cruz of RunRio Inc., the race organizer.

        

Online registration for Run United 3 started on August 6 and will continue until September 2, 2012. In-store registration will start on August 13 and will be up to September 9, 2012. Registration venues include Riovana in BGC and Katipunan, Quezon City; and Toby’s at SM Mall of Asia and Trinoma.

        

The runners will receive their complete race kits upon registration (Active Health Sun Visor, Singlet, Bib with B-Tag and wrist tag for 500m dash runners). The wrist tag for 500m dash kid’s runner which is usually given on race day will now be included in their race kits upon registration.

        

Run United 3, which is for the benefit of Gawad Kalusugan and Children’s Hour, is part of the ULAH running series. Run United started with only 8,000 runners when it was launched in March 2010 and the numbers have steadily grown in succeeding events. An estimated 14,000 runners participated during its last offering— at 2012 Run United 2.

       

Run United 1 on March 4 started off this year’s RunRio Trilogy, followed by Run United 2 last June 17. Runners who completed all the longest distances (21k-21k-32k) in all of the three Run United races will be recognized at the RunRio Trilogy Awards Night. 

       

 Fun and exciting activities await runners and their family at the Active Health Village, new and bigger Active Kids Zone, Runners’ Lounge, I-Connect Zone, The Food Pavilion and Health, Sports, & Leisure Zones.

        

For further information or inquiries on race details, results, photos and discussions, please visit the following websites:  www.unilabactivehealth.com or www.runrio.com. 

* Press Release from Unilab Active Health

2012 Run United 3 all set

All set for the third leg of the long-awaited running trilogy in the country, the Unilab Run United 3. The last leg also takes pride in bringing the uniquely Afroman distance category, the 32K. 

To runners who have ran the first two legs of the series, running this race will complete the whole 3-piece medal of the Unilab Run United Series.  And for those who still fret of doing the 32K distance category, 21K runners will also receive a medal and will still complete the pie medal.

 The RU3 which was launched last August 21 at the Old Swiss Inn Restaurant, Coach Rio presented to the bloggers the race details as well as some minor changes in the race routes and gun time.

The 21K and 32K runners will be released at earlier time than usual. The part of the route going to Luneta will not be used, instead routes within the BGC will compensate to complete the distance.

For more details  please visit  http://runrio.com/2012/07/2012-run-united-3/.

2012 Run United 2 Race Recap

This blog post is not to justify my dismal performance in the recently concluded Run United 2-2012 but to log my experience and learn from whatever lessons it may bring. Run Rio Trilogy of Unilab is undoubtedly one of the most awaited running events in the country today. The second leg of this series held last Sunday, June 17 was again a success with a record 5,000+ runners registered for the 21K alone. More runners were registered in the other distance categories. Swthrt and I ran the 21K hoping to bring home the second slice of the pie medal.

Having experienced the Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or simply acid reflux, this hampers my training for the RU2. There were few short runs and gym workouts prior to the race but this does not bring back the fitness level we aim for a race. Running countless 21k races, we decided to push through and be prepared for any eventualities the race may bring.

Race day
We arrived at the starting venue at the BGC at around 4:00am. With the big crowd eagerly awaiting the start of the race we luckily bumped into our running friends near the Riovana store. The runners were released on time with our group joining in the 3rd wave. Swthrt and I started on a very comfortable pace. I was trying to assess myself if I could go on with the race. Thankfully, I did not experience acid reflux. I was able to sustain a run up to the Kalayaan Flyover approach. What was bothering me was that I was already gasping for air. It was a clear sign of lack of training. Swthrt was constantly checking on my condition and I was always assuring her that I ‘m fine and will go on with the race. At the Kalayaan Flyover, I was already doing a run-walk mode keeping my walk as fast as possible. I was trying to apply the run-race walk method which was introduced to me by coach Edsel Vengco of Gold’s Gym in Libis. The difference between the two methods was in the walk part in the run-walk method or known as Galloway method, it was a short walk between runs while in the latter method you can extend the walk part by doing a race walk style and have longer time for leg muscles to rest. As we reached the 5K marker along Buendia Ave., Swthrt told me that it was a 40 min lap time. As we moved on, I was spending more time walking than running. Reaching Roxas Blvd was a relief for me as I exclaimed to Swthrt that I survived Buendia! With 11K to go, I kept on egging Swthrt to continue on her run for her to finish in sub-3hrs. I assured her that I’ll be fine and will finish the race. The running and walking along Roxas Blvd was a welcome treat although I started to feel pain in every part of my body (again because of lack of training). It was cold and windy and less pressure at crossing road intersections. The saga continued as I approached the final 2Km and the last 1Km of the race route. As I near the finish line and saw the clock nearing 3:10:00, I summoned all my remaining strength to run the last 500m to be able to beat the 3:10 clock time*. Swthrt was happy to see me at the finish line!

We immediately proceeded to the 21k finisher’s booth and to the bus pick up point for our way back to BGC. It was really a race worth joining. Race route was fully manned by marshals, long table of water and power drink with enough supply and well-planned route for all categories.

The partnership of Runrio and Unilab did it again, a very well organized race! Congratulations!

*according to Runrio Inc. there was a discrepancy in the finish line timer clock and the actual time. Official time will be release soon.

Athletes in Action - "Schools Run for School Rooms"

Last June 11, I received a message on our fb page regarding a fund raising event/run dubbed as "Schools Run for School Rooms". It was also an invitation for a bloggers meet to be held June 20, 2012. Unfortunately, it falls on a Wednesday in which we host a regular bible study at home. Since this is an advocacy run, i will be very much willing to share some of the details i have received on this event. Here is an excerpt of the letter i have received:

"Iligan City was among the places in Northeastern Mindanao that were worst-hit by typhoon Sendong. The typhoon, which ravaged the region with its heavy rainfall from December 15 to 18, left a total of PhP 1,033,131,515,100. 00 worth of damages in infrastructures, agricultural crops, and school buildings. Six months after the disaster, the situation in Iligan City remains bleak. Many people are still living in so-called tent cities and living off relief goods. As the school year starts, the children would have to make do with makeshift classrooms, as 12 schools and 136 classrooms in Iligan City were among Sendong's casualties.

Athletes in Action (AIA) believes in making positive changes in people’s lives through sports. That is why the international humanitarian organization of athletes is organizing an advocacy run on July, which proceeds will fund the rebuilding of the classrooms in Iligan City.

Titled "Schools Run for School Rooms" (SRSR), the advocacy run will gather student-runners from major colleges and universities in Metro Manila to compete in distances of 3K, 5K, and 10K on the urban environment of the Bonifacio Global City early morning of July 7th. Besides college students, groups from government agencies, churches, and private corporations have also expressed their interest in joining the SRSR."


Athletes in Action is an organization of athletes, coaches, and trainers that has presence in 94 countries, including the Philippines. Its members include Michael Chang, David Robinson, Avery Johnson, Kevin Durant, Tim Tebow, Chris Paul, Michael Redd, and Coaches Tony Dungy, Lorenzo Romar, and the late John Wooden. In the Philippines, Chris Tiu, Alvin Patrimonio, Danny Ildefonso, Coach Tim Cone, Akiko Thompson, and many other athletes from the national, professional, amateur, and collegiate teams also support AIA.

This event is co-presented by the preferred sportswear brand FILA, the run is also in partnership with the Department of Education, for the benefit of the Kapuso Foundation and iCARE Foundation and supported by Gardenia, Pocarri, Pascual Lab, Cherifer, Mentos, Milcu, and Sony.

Let's support this advocacy run and help the children of Iligan City!

My GERD and running

In my previous post, I mentioned about me having Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. 

I have tried to run several times around our village and have continued to experience chest pain that hinders me to run continuously. The burning sensation on my chest even radiates to my back and shoulders. I also felt some numbness on my head. It was really frustrating that I cannot even sustain a 500m continuous run. I just have to be contented in doing a brisk walk. In this manner I reduced the tightness that I felt in my chest. Have anyone of you experienced the same?

Last Saturday, 12 May 2012, I finally consulted a Gastroenterologist for medical intervention. I am now on my third day of taking Omeprazole daily 30 min to an hour before breakfast to control the acid reflux from my stomach. I will be taking this for at least a month before going back to my doctor. And as the doctor says, if symptoms persist endoscopy will be needed.  There’s also some diet restriction which includes tomato based foods, citrus fruits, chocolates and most especially coffee.  Eating small frequent meals is also suggested.

Hopefully, my conditions will be better in time for the Unilab Run United 2 which will be held on June 17 at SM Mall of Asia. Swthrt and I will run the 21K category which starts at the Bonofacio Global City and ends in SM MOA.

See you guys this coming June for the 2^nd leg of the Run United Series!

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.

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

Race Against Raze

The Unilab Run United Series 2012: The First Leg

The first leg of the Unilab Run United Series for 2012 is now open for registration. The race will be held on March 4, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Race details are as follows:

Singlets for kids will also be available.

Also, an attractive and unique 3 piece puzzle medal to those who will complete the three longest categories for each race are up for grab.

Functional running accessories will also be part of the loot bags. For this leg, a race bib belt will be given.

The 21K runners will be running to a new route. It will start at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and will finish at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. 

 Race route for the other categories