National Geographic Earth Day Run 2012

National Geographic Channel invites everyone to join Earth Day Run 2012, now on its 3rd year.

WHAT: Earth Day Run 2012
WHEN: April 22, 2012 (Sunday)
WHERE: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

REGISTRATION PERIOD: March 12, 2012 to April 15, 2012
ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://www.natgeorun.com/2012/
ONSITE REGISTRATION: Greenbelt 3, Ground Floor, Left Wing

All participants will receive a limited edition NatGeo EDR Technical Shirt (colors depending on race category).

Race Categories, Registration Fees, Shirt Colors, Assembly and Gun Times

Race Maps

My Running Team's Anniversary Run at RUNew 2012

FLASHBACK FEBRUARY 27, 2011
PDI 5-man 25k relay event at BGC - a new running team emerged; Team Alpha1 donning their red tops made their first road appearance. (I'm not yet an active member this time as I was on business trip and just joined the team on running events beginning July 2011.)

PDI 5-man relay TA1 team (from L-R): Rocknrolly, Sprintingswine, FFS, Eugenator, Bandit

FEBRUARY 26, 2012
A year later, the team has grown to 17 members. What I like most about being part of TA1 is the "barkada" feel of the group. We just don't see each other on races. We normally hang-out - dinner-outs, coffee treats, movie-watching and our favorite, partying! We've even leveled-up with a couple of out-of-town trips and an out-of-the-country trip.

Team Alpha1: Achilles, Rocknrolly, Pandesal Runner, FFS, Rocky, Coyote, Martian, Barefootdaves, Armbanded, Eugenator, Deemen, Speedygiant, Sprintingswine, Belgian Banana, Bandit, Chad, Wallen

As a celebration of our first year, we joined RUNew - A Runrio event held at Alabang. Too bad only a few members joined this time (most probably the race is down south), but it was a great get-together nonetheless. It's just a funny coincidence that there are also 5 team members racing on our anniversary run - Me, Bry, Jesy, Martin and Marvin. Bit disappointed that Bry and Jesy were not wearing their TA1 tops. Hehe!

We joined different categories - Jesy, Martin and I were doing 21k, Bry is doing 10k and Marvin doing a 5k. I chose 21k since it's a new race route for me, having to run inside Ayala Alabang Village. This is a rare opportunity.

My thoughts on the race:

• The route was so challenging with the rolling hills. I never knew running in AAV will be this hard, but with zero mileage for 2 weeks, I got surprised I didn't walk the entire race. The scenery inside AAV probably helped a lot here - I enjoyed appreciating the architecture of those BIG houses. Lots of trees inside the village also helped protect us runners from the early heat of the sun.
  
• There were parts of the route during the start of the race that we're so dark. There were generator-powered lighting but they were placed in such a way that it blinded the runners instead of helping them see the path.
• More than ample hydration (water and Powerade) was provided as expected from a Runrio-organized race.
• Kilometer markers are placed accurately on designated points - every kilometer I check on my GPS watch matched well with the markers.
• I didn't like the finisher medal design, which could probably be an improvement area on the next RUNew.
  
• Parking is free on the race venue! Yay!
• Overall, it was an intimate, high-quality running event. I'll definitely join RUNew 2013!
  

Now on to the pictures:

New PR for Bry (10k at 46 minutes using VFF!) and Marvin (5k at 19 minutes). Idols!

Marvin eying Martin's chips LOL!

Group Shot. Weird shadows from the trees. Hehe!

Post-race meal at the original Conti's at BF Paranaque. Spot Edward Cullen.

The race results were posted 2 days later. I clocked in at 2:03:26. I was aiming for sub-2 but what the heck, I deserve this for the 2-week zero mileage. Placing 73 out of 443 21k finishers ain't bad. And as Bry FFS put it, I did not do a pussy pace. Haha!

Long downhill at KM12. Go figure.

Happy Anniversary Team Alpha1! More years of running!

Rogin-E's LAST MAN RUNNING: Can You Go Another Round?

Last year, a very unique race was introduced by Rogin-E - Last Man Running - a true test of strength and endurance as participants run 7 hours straight, with the runner registering the longest distance as the declared winner. This 2012, the sequel's tagline is aptly coined: "Can you go another round?"

2011's Last Woman Running Olive Dimaano (63.5km in 7 hours) and Last Man Running Alquin Bolivar (83km in 7 hours)

WHAT: Last Man Running
WHEN: March 24, 2012 (Saturday)
WHEN: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
RACE CATEGORIES, REGISTRATION FEES & GUN START:
5 + 2k - 600 pesos - 6:00am
10 + 4k - 800 pesos - 5:30am
Last Man Running (7 hour run) - 1200 pesos - 2am

Online registration can be done at their official site - http://roginelmr.com/

REGISTRATION CENTERS:
Olympic Village Trinoma
Olympic Village ATC
Olympic Village Robinsons Pioneer
Olympic Village Robinsons Ermita
R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street

SINGLET DESIGNS:
RACE ROUTES:
RACE RULES/MECHANICS:

5+ 2k and 10 + 4k Races
1. These categories will have separate race courses, several convergent points with LMR, particularly near the finishing stretch. Furthermore, these two races will end at the finish arch.
2. Runners can stop at the 5k/10k mark, but they can also take on the challenge of a further 2k or 4k.
3. The top male and female finishers per race will receive cash prizes as follows:
5+2k Race- P5,000.00 each
10+4K Race – P10,000 each

LMR
1. Rogin- E’s Last Man Running will be capped at about 7 hours. One lap is approximately 10km.
2. Those who wish to register for LMR must submit (in addition to the other requirements) proof of participation in a full marathon (42.195km or longer) within 6 months prior to LMR, OR a medical certificate from a physician indicating participant’s fitness to participate in such a competition.
3. Participants must check in 30 minutes before gun start. Those who fail to check in will be disqualified.
4. All LMR participants will be given two race bibs with identical numbers. These must be pinned at the front and back of the runner’s singlet.
5. The male and female runners who sustain the nominated pace throughout the marathon and run the furthest distance will be declared as the Last Man and Woman Running.
6. In case there are no more runners during the 7th hour, the male and female runners who stopped running last will be declared as the LMR and LWR. Runners should sustain the nominated pace throughout the race to be qualified.
7. There will be markers every 100m along the perimeter of the route to help runners determine the distance they’ve ran.
8. All LMR participants will be handed colored strings for every hour they successfully complete.
9. ALL LMR participants must maintain the nominated pace:
10. LMR runners must maintain the nominated pace per hour, as guided by the Rogin-E pacers. Runners who fail to maintain the minimum pace will be swept off the course by roving or stationed race marshals.
11. At no time during the run are LMR runners allowed to stop, except for the following cases: lavatory break, to hydrate at hydration stations, to eat at carboloading stations, sponge bath, or to fix running gear. They MUST rejoin the RUNNING GROUP and maintain the current nominated pace. Any other reason for stopping will subject the LMR contender to disqualification.
12. LMR Runners may withdraw from the race at any time during the 7-hour period. Upon withdrawal, all colored strings given during his/her participation in the run will be collected by the nearest race marshal. Likewise, all runners who were swept off by race marshals must surrender their strings.
13. The organizers of LMR and its appointed race officials reserve the right to declare any LMR contender unfit to continue with the run upon recommendation of the race medical team.
14. There will be water aid stations every 2kms. along the race route.
Sports drink (if any) will be made available to runners every 5kms. along the race route.
Carboloading stations, located 5kms. apart will open after the third hour of the race.
Cold sponge stations will be available after the fifth hour.
Portalets will be stationed along the race course.
15. At exactly 7 hours after gun start, all race marshals will simultaneously blow their whistles to signal the end of the endurance race. All participants of LMR who are still in competition will be assisted right away by the most proximate race marshal. His/her race bib number and exact location (from the nearest distance marker) will then be recorded and subsequently submitted to the chief race judge to determine LMR and LWR winners.
16. The Last Man Running will be awarded a trip to Beijing, China and entry to the Great Wall Marathon worth P150,000. The Last Woman Running will receive a cash award of P20,000.
Do you have what it takes to be the LAST MAN RUNNING?

ER: The Emergency Run on March 11, 2012

The UP Pre-Medical Honor Society, in partnership with The Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation, Inc., is holding a charity fun run to help raise funds to aid PGH's daily operational expenses.

WHAT: ER: The Emergency Run
WHEN: March 11, 2012 (Sunday) 5am
WHERE: Frontera Verde (Tiendesitas) Pasig City
RACE CATEGORIES: 3k, 5k and 10k
REGISTRATION FEE: 500 pesos for all categories / 450 pesos for UP students (with valid ID) or groups of 8 (for non-UP students)
RACE KIT INCLUSIONS: Singlet and race bib

Singlet Design and Size Chart

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
Option 1: Website Registration + Bank Deposit
1. Fill up the registration form available at http://emergencyrun.tk
2. Pay the Php 500 registration fee in any Philippine National Bank Branch under the account name “UP Pre-Medical Honor Society” and account number 393578000016
3. Email the transaction/trace number or a scanned image of the deposit slip to er.emergencyrun@gmail.com
a. For UP Students – also e-mail a scanned copy of your valid UP ID
b. For groups of 8 – also e-mail the names of those who you are registering with

Option 2: Registration Centers
Chris Sports – SM North EDSA (starting February 26), Glorietta, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia (starting March 3)
Fun Ranch (Frontera Verde, Pasig City) – weekend booth on February 25 and 26, and March 3, 4, 9, and 10
UP Diliman – c/o UP Pre-Medical Honor Society; 2nd Floor Llamas Science Hall, Palma Hall Pavillion 4 - Contact Ruffa (0916 5140308)
UP Manila – c/o Health Sciences and Pre-Medicine Society; 2nd Floor Medical Students Union Building, College of Medicine - Contact Maki (0915 2989087) or Jason (0917 9809674)

Last day of registration with applicable discounts is on March 9, 2012

Release of race kits will be on March 5 onwards at UP Diliman, UP Manila, and Fun Ranch.

RACE MAPS:

3k race route

5k and 10k race route

Skyathon Boracay Beach Run 2012

It's Skyathon's 3rd year! I was able to join the event on its first year amidst an ankle injury. On its 2nd year, I was out of the country on a business trip so I failed to redeem my abysmal performance. I've waited long enough and I think 2012 is my year to finally enjoy this annual beach run.

Imagine running on the white sands of Boracay...

WHAT: Skyathon Boracay Beach Run 2012
WHEN: April 21, 2012 (Saturday)
WHERE: Epic's Beachfront, Station 2, Boracay

REGISTRATION CENTERS:
GOLD'S GYM Glorietta
CHRIS SPORTS Glorietta 3 / Mall of Asia / SM Megamall / SM City North Annex
R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street (weekends only from 1pm to 8pm)

CATEGORIES & REGISTRATION FEES:
5k - 600 pesos
10k - 700 pesos
Couple's Relay (each member will run 5k at a time) - 1000 pesos

Online Registration available via their official website: http://skyathon.com

RACE KIT CLAIMING:
Skyathon Sounds of Sundown
April 20, 2012 (Friday) 3pm-7pm at the Epic Beachfront
Free massages and henna-inking

POST-RACE PARTY:
Skyathon Gold Rush
April 21, 2012 (Saturday) 10pm onwards at the Juice Bar
Party all night!

Event Poster

Skyathon 2012 Singlet Design

Race Map

PROMO: Register on or before March 15 and be qualified for the AMERICAN TOURISTER raffle!

Matteo Guidicelli running at Skyathon 2012:

___________________________________________

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is SKYATHON?
A: SKYATHON is a 5K and 10K running event that will be held in Boracay Island on April 21, 2012 (Saturday). It's on its 3rd year and is one of SKYCABLE's signature events. It's an eco-friendly race where Finishline's Green Chips will be used, and part of the registration fees will go to the clean-up programs of Boracay Foundation, Inc.

Q: Who can join SKYATHON?
A: Anyone is entitled to join. All they have to do is register.

Q: How much is the registration fee?
A: For 5K, it's Php 600. For 10k, it's Php 700. This year, we've decided to add another category – the couple's relay (romantic and platonic couples are all welcome). Two runners will team up and run 5K one at a time using the same Green Chip. Registration fee for the relay is Php 1,000.

Q: What does the race kit include?
A: All race kits will have a race bib and singlet. For the timing chip, participants who already have the MYLAPS Championship Green Chip (used at the Finishline-organized AXN Runs) can use that as their timing device. Non-owners may choose to buy their personal Green Chip with ankle strap at Php400 or rent a timing chip at Php250. All finishers will receive finishers' medals.

Q: How do I register?
A: You can register at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street in Makati Saturdays and Sundays only, from February 4 to April 1, 2012. Online registration is also available on www.skyathon.com where you can also get great airfare and hotel packages at 0% installment.

Q: What do I need to bring at the registration site?
A: You will need to bring a valid ID, and cash to pay for the registration fee.

Q: Do I have to personally register, or can a friend register for me?
A: For interested participants who cannot personally register at the registration sites, they may download the entry form at www.skyathon.com, fill out and sign the waiver. They can have it delivered to the registration sites, together with the payment and photocopy of a valid ID.

Q: Will I get the race kit upon registration?
A: No. All race kits will be released on April 20, 2012 (Friday), the day before the race, at SKYCABLE's Sounds of Sundown event. It will be held at the beachfront of Epic at Station 2 of Boracay, and you can claim your race kit anytime from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.

Q: What are the sizes of the singlets available?
A: Singlets are available in 6 sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and 2XL. These will be available until supplies last.

Q: What time is the actual race?
A: Gun start is at 6:00am. But we encourage you to be there for assembly time, which is 5:00am.

Q: Where is the assembly area?
A: Assembly and start and finish is at Epic's beachfront at Station 2 of Boracay. It's the beach fronting D'Mall.

Q: Can minors join the race?
A: Minors aged 17 and below can join the race. As long as their parent or legal guardian signs their waiver/release form.

Q: How many winners will be awarded?
A: For the individual categories, the top 3 male and female will be awarded. For relay, the top 3 pairs will be awarded.

Q: What are the prizes for winners?
A: Aside from winner's medals, cash prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners:
5K – Php 3,000, Php 2,000, Php 1,000 respectively
10K – Php 4,000, Php 3,000, Php 1,500 respectively
Couple's Relay – Php 6,000, Php 4,000, Php 2,000

Q: Will there be a baggage area?
A: Yes. But valuables and big items will not be accepted.

Q: What time will the event finish?
A: Event is expected to finish between 8:00 to 9:00 am.

Q: How many water stations will there be?
A: There will be three water stations along the route and another water station at the finish.

___________________________________________

Happy Anniversary Team Alpha1!

Here's a collage I created and posted at the Team Alpha1 Facebook page. One year of great friendship! More years (and mileage) to come!

Celebrating Loyalty at the Runrio Trilogy Awards Night

I've been lucky enough to be invited to one of the year's major "running" events. No, it's not a race; it's the annual Runrio Trilogy Awards Night held at Decagon Ortigas last February 20th. I'm attending as a blogger, though I wish I could have attended as a trilogy awardee (ran and finished the three Unilab Run United legs of 2011 - Leg 1 21k, Leg 2 21k and Leg 3 32k). I was able to run the latter two legs only since I was on business trip in France during Leg 1 March last year.

Arriving at the venue, we were greeted by fellow bloggers at the registration area and were then escorted by lovely ushers to our dinner table.

Spot me!

Fellow Team Alpha1 teammates later arrived (they were all awardees by the way; I was green with envy). It was such fun seeing people not wearing their usual running attire like we're used to seeing during race weekends.

The reason why I didn't enjoy dinner. LOL!

Me, Kathy and the TA1 awardees

After dinner, the program commenced. Everyone was greeted by the hosts - Boy "Running Host" Ramos, Anthony Suntay and Tricia Chiongbian.
Coach Rio of course had a few words on stage, congratulating everyone for their loyal support to the Runrio Trilogy last 2011. 2012 will only get bigger, as the demand for the long distance category of the Run United races increase. Decagon will most probably no longer fit the awardees next year.
Each awardee was then called on stage, with Coach Rio giving out the medal (and a photo-op with him as well). There were performances in between each batch of awardees - a dance number from All Stars, a cheerdance, a "light" dance, and a surprise performance from the Riovana boys.

The medal girls

Team Alpha1 awardees (from top left) - Jesy, Daves, Bryan, Marvin, Romp

Marvin got to go on stage twice! He also bagged the "Juvenile Awardee" for the being the youngest (and fastest) Afroman finisher. Nice!

I'd also like to say kudos to Banjo aka Ulikblog Runner for being awarded Blogger of the Year! Well-deserved!

Blogger of the Year! (photo courtesy of Running Atom)

Congratulations to all awardees! Next year, I'd get my hands on that loyalty medal!

Updates: Unilab Run United 1 2012 Gun Start, Shuttle, Baggage Buses

Here are some important announcements for March 4's RU1 race event. (Other event details can be found at this link.)

Updated assembly time and gun start (21k moved from the old 5am gun start to the new 4:30am start):
Free Shuttle Service:

Free shuttle services are provided for all 21k runners from MOA to BGC starting at 230am. This service will be available at 15 minute intervals until the last trip scheduled at 330am. After 3:30am, the next shuttle service to BGC will only be available starting 630am, at 15 minute intervals, with last trip scheduled at 930am. No shuttle services will be provided after 930am.

Designated pick-up point: OCEAN DRIVE (in between ECOM Bldg and Blk12) at Mall of Asia complex

Drop off point: In front of RIOVANA STORE in Fort - BGC

Runners are are recommended to plan their transportation in advance given these developments.

Baggage Buses:

21k runners may leave their bags at any of the two designated Baggage Buses parked along the 9th Avenue near the Gun Start area in Fort BGC from 2:30am until 5am only. After the race,you may claim your items from the same bus at OCEAN DRIVE (in between ECOM Bldg and Blk 12) at Mall of Asia. Participants are strongly advised not to leave any valuables in their bags. The race organizer and any of its sponsors will not be held liable for any loss or damage to your personal items.

Key points to remember:

Starting line at BGC across RIOVANA

Baggage buses: 230am to 5am

Assembly time 330am

Starting gun 430am

Cutoff of start 500am

Finish line at MOA

Shuttle services*:

MOA to BGC**:230am to 330am in time for the 430am starting gun

MOA to BGC**:600am to 930am

*all shuttle services are exclusive to 21K participants only

**in 15minute intervals

Registration Updates:
21k slots are sold-out! Lower distance categories are still available. Registration has been extended until March 2, 2012 (Friday).