It was one wacky and fun atmosphere at last Sunday’s Philippine International Marathon (Run For The Pasig River) where thousands of runners, joggers and walkers invaded Roxas Boulevard, getting together for one noble cause–the clean-up of the Pasig River to bring it back to life.

I had registered for the 10k about 2 weeks ago at a Van Heusen Store in Gateway Mall, Cubao but was told to pick up my race kit one day before the race (Saturday evening) at the ABS-CBN Foundation offices in Quezon City. Earlier that Saturday morning, i was asked by Runnex Chair Art Disini to get from the office of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte about 50 complimentary PIM race packets and to give it to those who might be interested to run in any of the race categories (3k,5k,10k or 42k). Having already registered myself beforehand, i called up friends who may be interested in joining.

To my dismay (and that of the others) who were with me waiting at Q.C. Hall for the race packets to arrive, we discovered that the packets had no race numbers on it and instead, a generic bib with just the words, “Kapit Bisig Para Sa Pasig” written on it. Although the packets contained the free singlets, the runners were therefore not going to be officially registered for this race and therefore will run as “fun runners!” Embarrassed, i apologized to those who were expecting to be registered, specially those running the 42k marathon.

The race was reminiscent of previous Milo elimination races held every year in Manila wherein students from the different schools in Metro Manila and elsewhere were asked to participate as fun runners thereby flooding the race to about 12,000 to 15,000 participants. It’s the ballyhooed “Biscocho Magic” of race director Rudy Biscocho in getting hordes of participants to join his events.

The 42k run started at exactly 4:30am, just as when we were about to reach Rizal Park. Saw running friends like James, Doc T, Mar, Gab, Roselle and a host of others.

The 10k run started at 6:00am with former President Fidel V. Ramos firing the starting gun. I thought it was the largest 10k run i had participated in as running buddy June Santiago and myself started to push with the crowd at a moderate pace of 7:00mins/km. The crowd started to thin out only when we ran up the Buendia Flyover at the 4 km mark. We reach the turn-around halfway mark at about 32 mins.

While the first half of our run was continuously flowing, our way back was chaotic as we tried to sidestep on the 5k and 3k runners, weaving and zigzagging our way out to avoid bumping into these students who were walking and mostly in groups! Before reaching the U.S. Embassy, we were able to get out of the maze when we saw an opening and transferred into the other lane but we still had to maneuver ourselves up to the finish line. June and i were laughing when we try to sprint towards the finish. Our time was 1:06 and we had to contend with a surly middle-aged lady who seemed uncomfortable in dealing with the large crowd as she got the cut-out bottom of my race bib.

The early morning crowd

TJ Manotoc and Nina Corpuz doing the hosting chores for TV

Early risers woke up to find the race "live" on tv

At the start

June, wearing the "improvised" fun run 10k bib

A week early for Piolo

The lady above was ready to run and asking where Piolo was. When we told her that Piolo won’t be running until next week, she wouldn’t believe us. She said that she had registered already with some friends and they will be running with him during the first 2 kilometers. Only when we told her that this race was the Run for Pasig and that Piolo’s run would be held next week at The Fort did she realize her mistake. When we proposed that she run with Rio instead who might be running this race, her terse reply was, “Who’s he?”

With 4th place finisher, Cris Sabal

With Ailene Tolentino

with Jhun Bautista, Mr. Meekrunner

With the Rexona Ladies

Over-all the conduct of the 10k race was satisfactory, with adequate drinking water and a host of marching bands playing along the route. But what’s more significant is the running community’s contributing role in helping raise funds to rehabilitate and transform the Pasig River into a scenic spot where people can play, engage in water sports, cultivate aquatic life and unclog it of garbage and other toxic wastes and restore it to its former glory.

Carlo Serrano (drumandrun) begs the question:  “If those were real legs, I wonder what his pace will be?” The runner on stilts who measured up to 9 feet tall ran the 5k race.

Photo by Carlo–Thanks, Carl!

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(If you have other interesting/unusual running photos you would like featured, you can e-mail them to the jazzrunner at runnerjazz@yahoo.com and leave a comment with the details.)

Thanks!

The online registration for the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run is already available at: www.runningmate.ph/del_monte

REGISTRATION MECHANICS :
1. Registration will be from October 21 to November 16, 2009.

2. To join the Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009, visit any of the listed registration sites below:

• Del Monte Phils., Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Global City
• CEMG, 3A Vernida 1 Building, 120 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Makati City
• SM Hypermarket branches: Mall of Asia, North EDSA, Pasig and Sucat

3. After successful registration, tear off and keep the RUNNER’S COPY of the form. You will find your Runner’s Copy with two (2) stubs: RAFFLE TICKET and Race Packet CLAIM STUB.

4. As a registered runner, you may claim your Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009 Race Packet on November 16-20, 2009.
Those who register after November 16, 2009 can claim their race packets on November 20, 2009.
An additional P100 will be charged for late registrants.

5. The Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009 Race Day:

• November 22, 2009, SM Mall of Asia, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City
• Official Assembly Time: 4:00am. GUN START: 10k: 6:00am 5k: 6:05am 3k: 6:10am
• Along the course of the race, there will be hydration stations serving drinks in cups to all runners.
• Enjoy with your supporters the booths, freebies and entertainment at the site available during the race until 8:30 am.

6. Prizes:

• 1st place: P10,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First
• 2nd place: P5,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First
• 3rd place: P3,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First

7. Prizes will be awarded after all runners have crossed the finish line during the Awarding Ceremonies.

RULES AND REGULATION

A. Participants below 18 years old must have their entry forms signed by a parent/guardian.

B. Race bib numbers must be worn at all times during the race. It should be pinned in front of the running shirt.

C. All protests related to the results must be made in writing and submitted to the Race Organizer within 30 minutes after the official announcement of winners. A PROTEST FEE of P500 will be collected for every written protest made.

CLAIMING OF RACE PACKETS
Race packets can be claimed from November 16-20, 2009 at Del Monte Phils., Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Global City or at CEMG, 3A Vernida 1 Building, 120 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Those who register after November 16, 2009 can claim their race packets on November 20, 2009 at CEMG.

WATER AND FIRST AID STATIONS
Drinking water will be provided for at selected points along the route. Medical aid will be available at certain points via roving representatives.

TOILET AREA
Toilet cubicles will be available at the site during the race.

PARKING AREA
All participants and other spectators are required to park their vehicles at the allocated parking area. Please refer to the Map provided. The title sponsor and race organizer are not liable for any losses or damages that may occur at the parking area. Regular parking fees shall apply.

BAGGAGE AREA
Baggage deposit service is available near the stage from 4:00am to 9:00am only.

For the second time in two weeks, i had a chance to bond again with my group from the Takbo.ph runners, this time, a post race Carbo-Loading Party (CLP) at The Old Sphagetti House, along Valero Street in Makati where i got to hear more first-hand accounts of their horrific experiences at the SIM; the recent Adidas KOTR race and a potpourri of everything on running.  The biggest issue is still the lack of water or the absence of water stations, whichever you want to put it. If the absence of drinking water was bad enough inside the La Mesa Dam Nature Reserve (how ironic) and beyond during the recent QCIM, the situation at the Subic International Marathon was 5 times worse, among other things, according to those who ran the 42k course.

As one blogger asks time and again, “When Shall We Learn?”. It’s the most crucial issue i think any race organizer have to devote himself to! If he thinks, that water has been adequately addressed and is more than enough to meet the runners needs, he should think twice and not be complacent about it. The race organizer should be able to double or triple the supply and EXAGGERATE the need to have more than what is needed! In my experience of running these recent races, water and water stations have never been enough to satisfy these runners so additional tables should be purchased, marshals manning these water stations should be added and water sponsors should provide piles and piles of these drinking water (and cups, too) to assure a continuous supply!

Back to our CLP. On a lighter (or heavier) note, the inaugural “Biggest Loser Contest (BLC)” was launched at this get together affair. The BLC is a spin off from the famous reality TV contest wherein contestants who sheds off the biggest percentage loss in terms of body weight, wins! The idea, hatched by Rico Villanueva and those who belong to the “heavyset” group are out to redefine that running may not be enough to stimulate weight loss. In this 6-week contest, sheer will, determination and discipline play an important part, as well. Here are the mechanics:

– Any runner male or female can join and has to join a participation fee of P1,000.00 payable until November 8.

– Contest duration is from October 30 (weight-in) until December 13 (final weigh-in)

– Initial weights of candidates and their progress in terms of weight loss/calorie control shall be posted in Blogs/Facebooks/Multiply accounts of participants.

– Total pot money from participation fees are to be split among the sole winner and two runners-up.

Non-participants may bet on who they think will be the biggest loser. Mechanics will be announced within the week after the launch. As of official weigh-in, 16 runners have joined the battle of the bulge. I would have loved to join the contest and at 180 lbs, i would have benefited a lot if i could only lower my weight still. However, i think i already reached a plateau wherein i have been stucked at my minimum of 170-180 lbs. From 217 last year, i had gone down to 170lbs last August of this year and have been steadily increasing up to 180lbs as of last Friday. No way i’ll ever win or be even near the top 10 losers! So, good luck to those entered. May the biggest loser win!

Rico explaining the mechanics of the Biggest Loser contest

The early runners at TOSH

Runners occupying another table

Doc T playing around, as usual

Lovey-dovey pair: Bryan and Doc Erin

Taking a break

Running ladies

Bodies to die for?

Rico gets to win this one

Squeezed-in (Pix by Ace B)

Ryshel, Doc Pinx, James, me (Pix by Ace B)

Ryshel and Pinky

Beer pa?

Some of the participants of the Biggest Loser contest

By some twist of fate, we were transported into a very different environment as MUSIC would be the focus of interest. Doc Topher and a host of others left ahead to catch some concert he said he had tickets to and we just wondered what concert they would be attending. Turns out that they would be watching the annual NU Rock awards at the World Trade Center near MOA and called us to say that he had 19 more complimentary tickets.

So off we went to listen to some Rock music! Not really my cup of tea but i was really interested to see and hear what the new and upcoming Pinoy bands had to offer:

The "Itchyworms" on stage

Inside the concert hall

Rakista Runners?

Peace to you too, Pepsi!

Hmm, this is better than listening to rock!

Are we listening yet?

Hitting the wall too early?

Marga, at left--my bet for the biggest loser!

In one of the booths inside

While rock music was blaring inside the concert hall, typhoon Santi was beginning to wreck havoc outside, its cold winds and continuous rains alternating with the drum solos and shrieks from fans inside. Had to rush home and put on some Miles Davis and Dave Holland on my CD player to soothe me a bit.

The Marathon Man

A woman was having a daytime affair while her husband was at work. One rainy day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband’s car pull into the driveway.

“Oh my God – Hurry! Grab your clothes and jump out the window. My husband’s home early!”

“I can’t jump out the window. It’s raining out there!”

“If my husband catches us in here, he’ll kill us both!” she replied.

“He’s got a hot temper and a gun, so the rain is the least of your problems!”

So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window!

As he ran down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town’s annual marathon, so he started running along beside the others, about 300 of them.

Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to blend in as best he could. After a little while a small group of runners who had been watching him with some curiosity, jogged closer.

“Do you always run in the nude?” one asked.

“Oh yes!’ he replied, gasping in air. “It feels so wonderfully free!”

Another runner moved a long side. “Do you always run carrying your clothes with you under your arm?”

“Oh, yes’ our friend answered breathlessly. “That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!”

Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and asked, “Do you always wear a condom when you run?”

“Nope…only when it’s raining.”

It was one of the grandest Bloggers/Press launch i ever attended as Del Monte’s Fit ‘n Right launched its newest campaign, Dare to be Fit ‘N Right in Taste Asia Restaurant at the SM Mall of Asia. The launch featured noted sports scientist and coach Jim Saret who gave lectures on Fast Intense Training (FIT), a workout strategy that is touted as the most effective way to burn fat. The FIT workout was demonstrated by fast bursts of intensive exercise that enables one to burn at least 400 calories in a span of only four minutes.

Co-blogger and Takbo.ph runner Rodel ( argonaut ) was hand-picked by Coach Jim to be one of the demonstrators of the FIT workout and gamely showed his wares for all the audience to see first hand the four-minute workout that makes you burn at least 400 calories and continues to burn even when you’re done with the workout!

Coach Jim went further by saying that you don’t have to be a gym buff to enjoy the workout and doesn’t require much space and equipment. It’s scientific, very visual, designed for non-athletes, with measurable results and it’s easy!

Corollary to this, Del Monte Fit ‘N Right also launched its Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. The 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, among others, through the SM Foundation.

Details on their press release are as follows together with some pictures taken during the press launch:

Running is arguably one of the most popular sport these days. Every week, marathons and fun runs are organized with thousands of loyal runners joining. Some do it for the run-induced high, some for charity, others for a social cause they support but ultimately runners do it because it’s fun and a good total body workout!

Del Monte Fit ‘N Right continues its commitment in promoting a healthy lifestyle with the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. Whether you are a regular runner who’s out to improve your PR (that’s Personal Record) or just wanting to join the running trend for a healthier you, Fit ‘n Right has something for you with its 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open divisions. Official race call time is at 4 am in front of SM MOA Music Hall.

Who says you can’t have fun while shedding off those unwanted fats and extra calories?For a registration fee of P300, runners can get their race packet with the Dare to Fit ‘n Right Fun Run singlet, race bib, Fit ‘N Right products,etc. Registration can be in the offices of Del Monte Philippines at the Bonifacio High Street, Taguig or race organizer CEMG at 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City or Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run registration booths in SM Hypermarket in Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA or in Fitness First branches on November 16.

Winners will receive cash and gifts from Del Monte Fit ‘n Right and its sponsors. The Dare to be Fit ‘N Right Fun Run is for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng through the SM Foundation.Look out for event posters and flyers or visit the Fit ‘n Right Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FitnRight.The Dare to be Fit ‘n Right is co-presented by SM.Dare to be fit and right with Del Monte Fit ‘N Right!

Bloggers busy doing their thing

Jinoe and Que of Takbo.ph

Over-all view of the bloggers' meet

Coach Jim Saret on his lecture on the 4-minute fitness test

Rodel (Argonaut) strains neck to get that perfect work-out

Sprinting for the finish line!

Que, El Kyoshi, Jinoe, Event Organizer, Marianne Tapales, JazzRunner, Rodel

Contents of loot bags each of us took home

Saturdays are fast gaining ground as the day of choice for staging a race. With Sundays becoming overly crowded with race schedules, race organizers are now concerned on how they can attract runners whenever one or two more races are scheduled on the same day. Runners now have the option in choosing which races to run while race organizers are now moving out of the crowded Sunday schedule and opting to move their races on a Saturday instead.

This means less competition from the other races and if the event has a good race record in the past, a good race director/organizer and a good value for money in terms of registration fees (lots of freebies too) then runners will take notice.

One such race held last Saturday (October 24)  was the “Race For Life Run ‘09″, a 3/5/10/15k race organized by the Real Life Foundation, a Christian Non Profit NGO with a vision of seeing thousands of marginalized Filipino youth educated, gainfully employed and uplifting their communities. This race was i think their second one to stage and has the venerable Rudy Biscocho as Race Director.

When i got text messages from my running buddies June and Darryl that they had a complimentary 10K race kit for me and asked it i was interested to run, i immediately said yes.  However, when i found out the the race would be on the 24th, a Saturday, i posed to think that i would be running a half marathon the following day, Sunday for the Adidas King of the Road race. That meant i was going to race on two consecutive days.

Going into Saturday’s race, i had no illusions of running for a PR or anything fast as i would just be treating this as a regular 10k practice run, a chill run. Yeah, right! Runners always remind this thing to themselves or to others but when the gun sounds off, you immediately shift to 3rd gear and bulldoze your way with the others in an adrenaline rush, forgetting what you had earlier planned to be just a training run.

Starting line

As expected, at the start of the race, i found myself in the familiar position of trying to rush out from the start, again getting carried away by the mad dash! Race started near the International School, traversing the whole stretch of 32nd street all the way to Kalayaan Bridge, down to Buendia Ave. and back. I felt good up to the 3km mark, running at about 6min/km pace before i felt my left hamstring twitch and tighten at 3.2kms. Same old injury acting up again, i thought.

At this point, Russell Pata, a pacer at the QCIM came to my side and wanted to pace but i had to slow down considerably to let the hamstring loosen up. Well, it didn’t, even if i had to slow down to a 7min/km pace. Russell decided to run at his own fast pace after 8kms so i was left to cruise alone until the finish line with a time of 1:07.

Overall, the race was OK, even if they didn’t have water stations for the first 4 kms. There were goodies galore (i got a nice tote bag, snacks with drinks plus 2 t-shirts). The race was well attended, considering that it was a low-key race and i’ll surely be back again next year! Let’s all support the advocacy of the Real Life Foundation, http://www.igivetolife.com/

Crowd after the race

MC Rica Paralejo gracing the occasion

With June

Rica with once-upon-a-time crush, Donita

Announcing the winners

June & running buddies

Darryl & June

More of Rica & Donita

Never mind her sometimes corny asides but she is cute!

Last Thursday, i was invited by Rhea Joaquin-Primavera of the Let It Shine Foundation for the Press Launching of their RACE & SHINE Run event on November 21, 2009 (Saturday) at Fort Bonifacio. This charity run will fund the vocational training and other work opportunities for adults with autism and support the creation of programs for small and medium sized companies to employ these individuals . The Let It Shine Foundation hopes to enhance this by developing vocational programs that give adults with autism equal opportunities to work.

The race will have four categories – 3, 5, 10, and 15km plus a special 3km relay best suited for beginners and families. Children as young as seven years old can participate. Individuals with Autism are also encouraged to join the event!

Noteworthy to mention is that this race will be supervised by Mr. Paul Ylanan, Director of  the Elite Multi-Sport Resources,  the same race directors of the very successful and well-organized 3rd All Terra King of the Mountain Trail Run at the Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal and the Isuzu Shake, Rattle and Run.

Mr. Raul Ylanan of the Elite Multi-Sport Resources explaining the mechanics of the race

Ms. Rhea Joaquin-Primavera of the Let It Shine Foundation

 

The 15k Route

Registration for the Race and Shine Race can be made at R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) at Bonifacio High Street  (NOVEMBER 12-19, 2009)  and ongoing now at ALL TERRA, Club 650 along Libis (near Eastwood) until November 18. Registration Fee is  Php500.00 per runner.

Major sponsors NIKE PARK and MASSAGE BY US will be giving away prizes for the winners of the race. Prizes will also be provided by PLANET SPORTS, THE ATHLETE’s FOOT, TOBY’s, RUNNR, CPK, and CEBU PACIFIC. VITWATER will be the official drink of Race & Shine. This event is also brought to you by LBC, IPANEMA, RIDER, PAK PRIME and ORIENT FREIGHT.

NOVEMBER 21, 2009, SATURDAY
All distances : 3k, 5k, 10k, 15k– 530 AM / 3K relay – 7AM
Fort Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig City
Php 500/Runner
Php 1,000/Team (for 3k relay run only)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov. 18, 2009
REGISTRATION CENTER: ROX, High Street, Fort
Race kit includes shirt and breakfast meal.

 

The Takbo.ph runners has a knack for organizing get-together events, whether it’s a civic, a leisure or the endless socials that are almost always related to the sport we love, running.  The get-together sorties after a race is always a ritual, whether it’s held in the small confines of a McDonald’s branch or a nearby watering hole which transforms into one lively party! And there’s always a reason to celebrate.

Nothing connects these runners like a good week night of bonding and talks vary from their recent marathon finish or plans to run another one in the foreseeable future. Last Wednesday evening, the group decided to meet up once again for an early Carbo Loading Party (CLP),  to prepare those who were running the Subic International Marathon,  the North Face 100k relay in Singapore,  the Race for Life at the Fort, the Adidas King of the Road , an upcoming LSD and for whatever reasons.

Venue of the CLP was the Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, located in one isolate confines of the Fort, Global City. Aside from Pizza, JPP serves great pasta and for the amount of P150.00, you can have unlimited servings of their Carbonara, Spaghetti Festo or the meat-tomato sauce variety.

After having our tummies filled up with pasta, the group headed off to Pier One for some booze loading that knocked our brains off into oblivion, myself included.

Here are our pictures:

The place got easily filled up

Waiting for their orders

These guys just took a few minutes to down the first servings!

All smiles:-)

Preparing for a bigger war ahead

Aside from eating, Tim has other interests

We got the first table and the first stab of the food served. Waiting for the 3rd serving.

More poses, more smilies

I see red!

Doc Art and friend

No Coke, no rice!

Chelly’s request: Another round here, please…

Cute guys, noh?

Ryshel (L) and friend, Angge

With some of the pretty ladies

At the other side of the resto

Doc T, James and Tim

James and Cindy, pacing with their drinks

With Vic and Doc T

Ryshell and Doc Pinx reading the TBR Mag, kuno:-)

A toast to all drinking halimaws!

Lau, our official tang-gera and a look of concern from Pat who would be running half of the 100k relay 3 days later

Runner’s high?

Dennis gets ready for his turn

The Nike Human Race shirts for the finishers of the 21k and 42k in the recent QCIM are now available for pick up.

All runners who are entitled to these shirts should report to the Runnex office starting today, Wednesday,  Oct 21, 2009 at 1:30PM. The Runnex office is at Room 403 of the National Engineering Center Bldg,  UP Diliman campus.

There are different styles for both men and women.

NOTE: The sizes delivered yesterday afternoon were all SMALL (S) and EXTRA SMALL (XS) for both sexes. We have already asked Rio Dela Cruz for bigger sizes in exchange for these small ones so we shall know by Friday. Looking at the shirts myself, i think the Small size for men could fit both medium and large built males as they come in “American sizes”.

Those who would really like the Large or Extra Large sizes should wait until Friday, call us first at 920-4206  (c/o Leni) and confirm.  All those whose regular shirt sizes are XS, S or M could get it from the above office starting at 1:30PM. Don’t forget to bring your race bibs.

Here are the pics:

Men's style on left, Women's on right

Men's style. This is size "Small"but may fit "M" sized runners

Sleeves are shorter for the women's

Laying it out the Dri-Fit shirts

Look for Leni or me, if i’m around.