MHU2013: Most Challenging Race to Date

*** Press Release ***

Men’s Health Urbanathlon 2013:

Most Challenging Race to Date!

The country’s first obstacle laden course is back, and this time, with bigger and more challenging obstacles! Men’s Health Urbanathlon 2013 saw around 3,000 participants who took on the challenge and conquered Men’s Health Philippines’ toughest race. This unique event combines the rigors of a run with the tough nature of traversing numerous obstacles in an urban setting.

“We always want to take things a step further. And the 2013 Men’s Health Urbanathlon is a prime example. We have new obstacles and have improved the classic ones,” says Men’s Health Philippines editor-in-chief Peejo Pilar.

Now on its 7th year, Men’s Health Urbanathlon challenged Urbanathletes with its staples such as the scaffolding maze, the 8x40 container van, and “The Wall”, wherein you need all your upper and lower body strength to conquer this 8-foot beast; as well as, with the new obstacles this year, “The Network” a net challenge going over a bus and “The Tower”, a 12-foot high rope climb to the bell on top.

The SM Mall of Asia Grounds turned into a race venue and fitness camp combined as Urbanathletes aimed to conquer every challenge along the way and make it to the finish line.

“We hope that first-timers and hardcore runners enjoyed this year’s Men’s Health Urbanathlon. And of course, we’re excited to learn, upgrade, and make the 2014 Men’s Health Urbanathlon even bigger and better!,” exclaims Peejo.

The Men’s Health Urbanathlon and Festival is co-presented by Century Tuna, Gatorade, Bo Athletics, with major sponsors Bridgestone, Emperador Light, and Schick, with minor sponsors Havaianas, The Athlete’s Foot, Nivea Men, and special thanks to Merrell.

Men’s Heath Philippines features Joseph Marco on its October issue cover, which is available in all leading bookstores and newsstands nationwide. You can also like Men’s Health Philippines on Facebook via www.facebook.com/menshealthphilippines, or follow us on Twitter at @menshealthph. You may also visit Summit Newsstand (www.summitnewsstand.com.ph/mens-health) to subscribe.

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 on September 29

The Men's Health URBANATHLON is a one-of-a-kind competition that combines traditional road race elements with rigorous obstacles and puts them against a backdrop of the Philippine urban setting.

It is the international signature event of Men's Health.

Post-race, the excitement continues at the Men's Health URBANATHLON Festival, with DJ sets, food and drink, and tons of stuff from sponsors to demo, sample and take home.

The 2013 URBANATHLON is going to be bigger, tougher and more demanding.

ARE YOU READY?

WHAT: Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 (MHU2013)
WHEN: September 29, 2013 (Sunday)
WHERE: SM Mall of Asia
RACE CATEGORIES: 5KM | 10KM | 21KM (all with obstacles)
TARGET PARTICIPANTS: 2500

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Assembly and Gun Times

REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Registration Period: August 1 to September 25

Registration Venues:
- R.O.X. BGC
- 360 Fitness Makati
- 360 Fitness Ortigas
- 360 Fitness QC
- Gold's Gym Alabang

Registration Fees:
- 5KM: Php 850
- 10KM: Php 900
- 21KM: Php 950

Race Kit Inclusions:
- Singlet
- Race Bib
- IPICO Timing Chip (which needs to be returned after the race)
- Buff/Bandana

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Singlet Design

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Bandana/Buff Design

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Actual Singlet and Bandana/Buff

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Sample Race Bibs

Post-Race Finisher Items:
- Snacks from Century Tuna
- Hydration from Gatorade
- Finisher Shirt from Bo Athletics
- Finisher Medal
- Certificate of Completion
- Urbanathlon Finisher Cap (Exclusive for 21k only)

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Finisher Shirt Design

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 21k Finisher Cap Design

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Actual 21k Finisher Cap

Men's Health URBANATHLON Boot Camp:
- August 7 and 14 at Mercato Centrale BGC (Target: 50 participants)
- Train the right way with the official coaches and race director
- Try out the obstacles before the race day
- Answer all of your race questions

RACE ROUTES:

 

 

RACE OBSTACLES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be running 21k again! This is gonna be fun! (See my MHU2012 blog post by clicking this LINK.) Let's start training for this!

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 Media Launch at 100 Miles Cafe BGC last July 31 (Photo courtesy of KB of Photo-Ops)

Certified Urbanathlete!

With two weeks to go before my next full marathon at RUPM, I did something crazy - I joined the half-marathon category of the Men's Health Urbanathlon, risking potential injury as this is no ordinary road race. The race organizers promised more challenging obstacles along the route this year and woah, they did deliver! I'm a proud survivor (yes, I'm wearing my Survivor buff) and now a certified urbanathlete!

Some race observations:
- Race started on time and there were just enough runners per category (which is a good thing since the organizers had to control the number of participants or there'd be disaster queues on obstacles)
- Hydration was ok. I like certain hydration stations wherein marshals were arranging used cups in piles. Runners passing by were then just putting their used cups on top of these piles - a simple idea which triggered a bit of discipline on runners.
- Early in the race, there was one hydration station which had no water to offer already. Later in the race, I passed by a hydration station where runners had to drink on the container lids since they ran out of cups.
- There were directional signs but no kilometer markers (I don't remember seeing one).
- There were lots of turns and u-turns along the route, but hey I'm not complaining! This is MHU!
- Tires obstacle was initially planned but never materialized on the actual race. I was looking forward to that; it seems fun!
- 21k route seems short by 200 to 300 meters.
- Distribution of finishers' items was organized.
- Medals were the same for all categories. I would have preferred the distance inked or engraved on the finisher medals. Surviving 21k with obstacles is no joke. But there were dog tags exclusively for 21k finishers so I'm happy!
- The best part: photographers everywhere! Thanks to the Running Photographers group!

And with that, I can now share my MHU experience through these photos:

1. STAIRS - after a kilometer warm-up run, our quads were given the stairs treatment.

2. 12-FT CONTAINER VAN - I had some bruises on my knees climbing this part.

3. PARALLEL BARS + MODIFIED MONKEY BARS - It's the test to carry your own body weight. 

4. STEEPLE CHASE - Midway through the race, it's time to jump on a number of bars. Took it easy here as forced impact might injure me.

5. MILITARY HURDLES - This was located 2 kilometers away from the finish line. Quite a long queue. I witnessed a number of runners cheating on this part, passing below the hurdles. Oh well.

6. SCAFFOLDING MAZE - Up and under, up and under, on these metal bars.

7. Lastly, the dreaded WALL CLIMB - Loooooong queue here!  I waited for about 20 minutes before my turn. And then it was a few meters of running to the finish!

Almost at the finish - with the MOA Eye in the background

Urbanathlete approaching the finish line!

Me and Arvin - I paced him in the first half of the race

Me and Team Alpha1 teammates Bryan and Romp

MHU Performance - Finished in 2:29! Negative split! Long queue at wall climb affected KM21 time.

The Men's Health Urbanathlon dog tag

Looking forward to next year's MHU!