Takbo.ph Runfest: From Roots To Routes

Many runners have their own favorite races. Some of them may be the big established races or megaraces such as Condura, Adidas King of the Road, QCIM, Globe Run or the Milo Marathon. With their sheer size, grand organization, opulent logistics and high energy, these races are eagerly anticipated by everyone because they generate so much excitement.

If only time and finances allow, i would love to run all these races.

But there’s another kind of favorite race–smaller in scope but no less special that captures the spirit of a particular community. These races are the heart and soul of Metro Manila’s road running scene. Without them, our sport wouldn’t have the foundation and breadth that it has now.

You probably have your own favorite small race. Mine would be the Takbo.ph Runfest!

Now on its third anniversary, the Runfest has become the focal point of Forumers of the Takbo.ph website and serves as a reunion run of sorts for old original members. It’s the brainchild of Takbo.ph owner Jinoe Gavan who later joined forces with Ian Alacar, Doc Lyndon and others which has now become known as Leadpack, Inc.

These individuals have contributed in shaping Takbo.ph Runfest into the tight community that it is today. The Runfest is a fun run for runners by runners and has molded into one big family that has maintained its friendship through the years.

Last year’s Runfest was one of the best organized races to be held at the BGC. It was a new route that took us to the vicinity of the British School for the first time with abundant water and sports drinks situated at every 1.2km intervals.

From last year's race

Most importantly, i knew why i was running this race. It was for the inspiration, camaraderie and the renewal of acquaintances that only a community run like the Takbo.ph Runfest can generate.

The original takbo.ph group

This years Runfest will be held on July 24.  You can check out details here ( here ).  See you there!

Photo Of The Week: The Most Efficient Runner!

Runner 1707 didn’t need to stop at water stations during the recent Takbo.ph runfest. All he had to do was pour his drink into his cup, tilt his head a little upwards and gulp the drink into his throat and voila, he gets hydrated without losing a step!

(Photo by Nadj Udjan)

Thanks to Lynn Ignacio for sending this photo.

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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!

Little Big Race

With more than 2,000 runners gathered on 28th Street at The Fort ready to run the 1st Takbo.ph 5k, 10k Runfest, much of the buzz among the runners was their personalized singlet which was proudly worn during the race. With runners’ names and monickers imbedded on their singlets and race-bibs, it sure was a sea of blue and black runners invading the arches of the Fort. Previously unknown but familiar faces finally had names that you could call out to! As always, i’m really having problems on this singlet sizing as i thought getting a XXL size would already fit my 180 lb frame. It would not be so. Anyway…

There’s a lot to be said for this well-organized race and i was totally satisfied how this run turned out with water stations turning up almost every 1.5kms that you wouldn’t need to worry how far your next drink would be.

I treated this as a fun race but you just never know how you could hold back when runners beside you keep jostling and sprinting past you that you get pulled forward by the fast flow. I felt a little wasted after the first 2 kilometers trying to maintain a 5:00-5:30 min pace that i had to ease off after the first water station.

I continued running to a more comfortable 6:00 min pace and maintained it all throughout except when i had to walk during stops at the water stations and enjoy a little of those ice-cold Powerade sports drink being offered. I knew that if i continue doing walking breaks at these stations, i wouldn’t hit the sub-one hour finish time i hoped to achieve. True enough, the verdict was not as favorable as i finished in 1:01:48. But that’s ok. I didn’t want to push myself too much as i was still in training mode for the upcoming marathons, anyway.

L-R: Neil, Marga, Pat, Me, Wilnar, Rachel, Noelle, Carina, Que, Doc T

 

L-R: Rachel, Neil, moi, Gail, Marga, Lauren

With Nora, recent marathon finisher

Last huddle before the gun start

Post-race breakfast (with Mel, Ninang and Tita) at McDo!

Jinoe Gavan, organizer of this race seems to be learning the ropes fast, in staging this well-ran race! He, together with Doc Lyndon and Ian Alacar have now earned themselves the trust and respect of the running community after some false starts during the past Rotarun and San Mig run. Though small and limited in runners participation, the race organization was strong, a class-act and staged as though it was a mega race with bands, long lines of water tables and the over-all joyous atmosphere of a new and well-measured route!

Congrats to all!