Manila, Philippines - Throngs of runners gathered at the Bonifacio Global City in the early morning hours of July 19 for the fun run Run for Home and to support KapitBisig Para sa Ilog Pasig and Habitat for Humanity, the beneficiaries of the event.
Run for Home had over 6,400 registered participants — men, women and children; some even brought their pets to run alongside them while others pushed baby strollers so their kids could enjoy the crisp morning air.
Emcees Tricia Chongbian and Boy Ramos welcomed the runners and brought the program to a rousing start. In the pre-dawn light, runners excitedly fastened their electronic timing chips to their shoes. The disposable ChampionChips provided by Globe were a huge draw to serious runners, as these would enable them to track their performance throughout the course and compare their results with other runners. While other events have used the chip, Run for Home was the first event to use a disposable chip making it more affordable and accessible to a broader base of participants. Results were available at www.globe.com.ph/runforhome a few days after the run and these included finish time; ranking according to distance, gender, and division; average speed and split times; percentage of runners behind and ahead; a bird’s-eye-view graphic showing the finish line at the time the runner crossed it; and a route map showing the runner’s position when the division leader and other winners finished the charity fun run.
In addition, runners could get free downloadable photos taken of them as they ran.
“Other than providing a venue to advocate a healthy lifestyle and to showcase the latest technology in running, the run itself spoke a lot of about the collaboration within the Ayala group of companies,” says Angelo A. Yaneza, head of Globe’s brand events. “Globe and Ayala Land are rallying together to give the best experience and quality service to our customers and at the same time encourage people to contribute in their own little way.”
By 5 a.m. over a thousand athletes were off for the first event, the 21K. This course took the runners through the Makati Central Business District in a historic moment that saw the CBD being used for a running event for the first time ever. Veteran runners enjoyed the traffic-free streets of Makati as they raced to the finish.
The 10K run also passed through Makati and even traversed the Buendia flyover before heading back to the finish line at Bonifacio Global City.
Thousands more joined the succeeding 5K and 3K fun runs, which took them through the scenic, breezy streets of Bonifacio Global City.
Water stations and marshals peppered the race course, ensuring runners’ safety and comfort.
Along with their families, participants enjoyed the food bazaar set up by organizers of the much-loved Salcedo Market with treats like bibingka, puto bumbong, empanadas, fruit juices and hot coffee. They also got the chance to surf the Globe website at the Globe Broadband tent, where they could read microblog race updates and view live photos of the action as was happening, through Globe’s Pixlink service. Kids for their part had a blast clambering on and off the giant slide.
Ayala Corporation President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala ran alongside other athletes in the 21K. He was met at the finish by brother Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala who participated in the ceremonial turnover of donation. Among the participants from the Ayala group were Integrated Microelectronics CEO Arthur Tan, IMI vice president Rafael Nestor Mantaring, and HRMall manager Gabino Mejia (21K); BPI Capital president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco and Ayala managing directors Solomon Hermosura and Ronald Luis Goseco (10K); and Ayala Land president Antonino Aquino (3K).
Habitat for Humanity Philippines chairman Francisco del Rosario, Jr., and president and CEO Alberto Jugo also ran the 3K. Anton and Nina Huang finished the 10K within minutes of each other.
Popular personalities and celebrities also joined Run for Home. Among them were Senator Pia Cayetano, Rovilson Fernandez, Cristine Reyes, Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, Samboy Lim, Karen Davila, Gilbert Remulla, Christine Jacob and Paco Sandejas, Ditrie Villacorta and Leana Farrales.
Run for Home sponsors included Adidas, Fitness First, Intercontinental Manila, Timex, Photovendo and The Philippine STAR. The race organizer is Finishline. Media partners are GMA, ABS-CBN, 99.5 RT, RX 93.1, 97.1 LSFM, Jam 88.3 and Wave 89.1.
Winners in the different categories received cash and gift prizes. In the end, though, the biggest Run for Home winners are the families from Ilog Pasig who will benefit from its success.
Globe, Ayala Land and Ayala Corporation donated a total of P1 million to help build new homes for the Ilog Pasig settlers. A portion of the Run for Home proceeds will also go the cause. In cooperation with Habitat for Humanity, KapitBisig Para sa Ilog Pasig will provide 800 resettlement houses in Bayanijuan, Calauan, Laguna. Bayanijuan is the main resettlement site for families that used to live along the Pasig River and its tributaries.