November 28, 2012

Running Essentials By Skechers GoRun

We're having another running clinic for those in the area of Fairview, Bulacan, Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, QC, etc. If you guys wanna come, please do, so you can experience Skecher's FREE running clinic.

Event: Running Essentials by Skechers GOrun
Date: Nov. 28, 2012 (Wed)
Time: 6:30-9:00pm
Venue: Annex Atrium, SM City Fairview

*It's for FREE!
*For Men & Women 13 years old and above

November 27, 2012

Call Me Maybe

Vener F. Roldan, B.A.

Nile We Run Manila 2012 Advisory

13,000 Runners to Own Manila in the Nike We Run MNL 10K 

Race kit collection from November 27 to 30, from 10 am until 10 pm at Bonifacio High Street.

PHILIPPINES, 26 November 2012 – On Sunday, 2 December, close to 13,000 runners will be up bright and early to take part in the Nike We Run MNL 10K race. It will flag off at the SM Mall of Asia activity area, at the corner of Seaside Boulevard and Bayshore Avenue. The runners will be part of Nike’s global We Run race movement which will see a total of 395,000 runners from 32 cities participating, forging a new global community of runners through Nike’s most connected race series yet with innovative Nike+ technology. 

Nike’s We Run MNL 10K race will bring the streets of Pasay City to life with 13,000 high energy runners expected to make tracks all over the SM Mall of Asia’s grounds. Set against the remarkable view of Manila Bay, the race will see runners pass through the commercialized area of the Mall of Asia with the SMX Convention Center and the latest icon of the area, the eye-shaped SM Bay City Arena. Runners are set to leave the urban commercial scenery and head towards the fields along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, before taking a turn on Pacific Avenue to race back to the finish line. 


At the finish line, runners can look forward to completing their Nike experience at the race village located at Seaside Boulevard, connecting with fellow running enthusiasts and athletes to celebrate their running achievements. Runners can also recharge and relax at the massage booth, as well as enjoy the refreshments from the juice bar. There will be a concert, hosted by Nike influencers Drew Arellano and Mia Bayuga, featuring bands such as Chicosci, Never The Strangers and Spongecola to keep the adrenaline pumping after the run. 

All finishers will receive a Finisher’s T-Shirt to commemorate the event and their running experience. Adapting the global We Run design, and customized for the Philippines, runners are identified globally with the black Nike Dri-Fit race tee featuring a distinct volt green collar piping and a striking graphic in volt green. Runners who complete the run will also receive a finisher’s tee to proudly wear their achievement. 

In line with this, the race kit collection will be on November 27 to 30 from 10 am until 10 pm at the Bonifacio High Street activity grounds in front of Nike Park Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Runners are reminded to bring their IDs and a printed copy of their confirmation slip to collect their race packs. 

The Nike We Run race series is Nike’s most connected race series yet with innovative Nike+ technology. The race series kicked off on September 1 in Prague Czech Republic, and will conclude on December 15 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/NikeRunningPH or follow us on twitter via @NikePH.

November 22, 2012

A Call To Arms

November 23, 2012 is the final day for CIHM 3 registration.

Runners are all laced up and ready to race in the 3rd Corregidor International Half Marathon on December 1, 2012. As the big race weekend approaches, event organizers are inviting more and more running enthusiasts to register until Friday, November 23, 2012 at 11:59pm.

Being the arena of one of the last major running events of the year, Corregidor Island is indeed mapped out and ready for the participants who will be flocking from all over the world. Runners from different countries will be coming in such as Ireland, the U.S., Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Canada, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Filipino runners are also making a rally for the race. Runners from the eight key provinces that have played a major role in the Philippine Revolution will be present. These provinces are Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Tarlac, Laguna and Manila. Participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will also be coming in.

Like King Leonidas’ army in “300,” their professions will no longer distinguish the runners. While organizers see a good mix of medical practitioners, lawyers, policemen, government employees, businessmen, salesmen, journalists, actors, call center employees, advertising executives, athletes, HR practitioners, OFWs, architects, engineers, chefs, artists, tech gurus, finance experts, international relations specialists and airline executives, the CIHM 3 will provide a level playing field for everyone.

The participants are expected to arrive on the island on November 30. Though the race on December 1 will be hard, the runners will be expected to party harder. Before the race “showdown” begins, they will be treated to a delicious carbo-loading dinner courtesy of Yellow Cab and a traditional bonfire at the South Dock. And post-race, a rave party will erupt courtesy of Manila Beer and will be hosted by the inimitable tandem of DJ Chris and DJ Chloe from Mellow 94.7. Exciting prizes will also be raffled off during the party courtesy of Soleus, Yellow Cab, Sun Cruises, Igco Skim Milk and other sponsors.

The 3rd Corregidor International Half Marathon is managed and organized by Big, Big, Big, Inc. presented by Soleus and Sun Cruises, Inc., in cooperation with Yellow Cab, Manila Beer, Corregidor Foundation, Running Mate, One Sceniques, ROX, L Time Studio, Igco Skim Milk, 38 Energy Drink, and the official hydration partners Summit Mineral Water and 100Plus Sports Drink and media partners The Philippine Star, Total Fitness Magazine, Business Mirror, Kulit Runner, Takbo.ph, MultiSport Magazine, Pinoy Fitness and Mellow 94.7.

from the CIHM3 Press Release.

November 19, 2012

Sin Tax Run 2012


Event Details:
  • Date: Sunday, 16 December 2012
  • Venue: SM Mall of Asia
  • Time: 5:00am to 9:30am
  • Target Participants: 5,000 Registered Runners
  • Entry Fee: PHP16.00
  • Start & End Point: Seaside Blvd., MOA
  • Distance: 6Km
  • Gunstart: 5:45am 
Regular in-store registration period is from Nov. 19 to dec. 14 only at the following venues:
  • Riovana Store BGC
  • Riovana Store Katipunan
  • Toby's Mall of Asia
  • Toby's The Block, North EDSA
Excerpts from Runrio Press Material:

Why PHP16.00. It's time to end 16 years of abuse.
  • 16 years that the current system has been in place.
  • 16 years of the tobacco industry underpaying excise taxes
  • 16 years of too low cigarette prices leading the children and the poor easy entry into cigarette smoking
Winners Prizes:
  • 1st Place - PHP50,000 (Local Male & Female)
  • 2nd Place - PHP30,000 (Local Male & Female)
  • 3rd Place - PHP15,000 (Local Male & Female)
  • 1st Place - PHP20,000 (Foreign Male & Female)
  • 2nd Place - PHP10,000 (Foreign Male & Female)
  • 3rd Place - PHP5,000 (Foreign Male & Female)

November 15, 2012

The Condura Skyway Marathon 2013: Run For The Mangroves

Condura Skyway Marathon kicks off 2013 with more reasons to run.

The premier marathon event in the country, the Condura Skyway Marathon, Run for the Mangroves 2013 goes to the starting line on February 3, 2013 in Filinvest City, Alabang. It will be the curtain-raiser for the new running year of 2013 - perfect timing for those who are serious in getting back to form after the long series of holidays and merry-making and for those who finally would like to get off that couch and find the fun and fulfilment in running. 

Organized by Condura Skyway Marathon’s Founder and Chief Organizing Officer, Ton Concepcion and its running ambassador Patrick Concepcion, the sixth edition of this much-anticipated yearly race event by runners for runners once again is out to prove that it is worthy of its bid to be the premier running event in Asia Pacific. 

This year, the race will have the usual 10k, 21k and full 42k marathon categories plus the new 3.8k, 6k which are especially meant for the fun and adventurous runners who are not yet ready to take on the mid to long distance-races. 

By the first hour of February 3, 2013, the Condura Skyway Marathon will again make the Skyway as the runners’ playground. Originating from the Filinvest City in Alabang, runners of all distances will be taken to the Skyway as a major part of their race route – a major attraction that promises runners of an exclusive, traffic-free, clean and well-lit race environment. 

Apart from the challenge and fun that this race has in-store for runners, participating in this race will also mean taking part in the Condura Skyway Marathon advocacy of helping with the reforestation of the Mangroves in Zamboanga de Sibugay in partnership with Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF) . Each runner through their registration, will get to donate three mangrove seedlings which will be planted in his/her name. In 2012, the first year that Condura Skyway Marathon adopted the mangroves reforestation project to its cause, a total of 39,000 seedlings have already been planted in Kabasalan Town through runners’ donation. 

A very special treat also awaits interested Condura Skyway Marathon 2013 participants! Get a chance to register for FREE to any race category upon buying a pair of an ASICS running shoes. 

Registration to the race is from November 15 to December 23, 2012 at the Asics Registration Center in Greenbelt 3 Ayala Mall in Makati City. Each participant will receive, as part of the registration, an “I RAN FOR THE MANGROVES” quick-dry shirt designed for the event by Team Manila. 

Whether a participant is a newbie or a seasoned runner, completing their chosen distance makes them an absolute winner since each runner will receive a cool Finisher’s Medal whichever distance they have completed! For full marathon finishers, an “I CONQUERED THE SKYWAY” finisher’s shirt exclusively designed by Team Manila will also be given to them. 

Finisher Shirt & Medals

Quick Dry Technical Shirt designed by Team Manila
Beautiful Medals designed by Team Manila

Vicinity Map of the Condura Village


Race Route


The Condura Skyway Marathon, Run for the Mangroves 2013 is presented by co-title sponsor Skyway, sports apparel and shoe sponsor Asics, hydration sponsor 100 Plus and venue sponsor Filinvest City. It is backed by Zalora. For more information on the race and its advocacy visit the official website or the official facebook page;

About the Condura Skyway Marathon 

The Condura Skyway Marathon is an annual running event open to amateur and professional runners. From its simple beginnings in 2007 as a short-distance Condura Run race event in Metro Manila, the Condura Skyway Marathon has grown to be one of the biggest, premier running event in the country attracting more than ten thousand runners across the country who are interested to have a Skyway running experience.

November 5, 2012

The High Roads To CM50

I'm still sore today. Quads are kinda feeling tighter, I can't stand-up properly neither walk with ease. But hey, I just ran 22 something kilometers on the hills of Sapang Uwak to Miyamit and back. It's just a quarter of what I am doing in the next 20 days. How much more if I completed the 80km grueling race. The answers will be revealed after November 25. I hope to make it at the finish line.

Two days ago, Romy, Rene and I travelled to Pampanga to join the recon run for the upcoming CM50 Race and were met by the race director and good friend Jon Lacanlale at Clark Field. It was a pre-determined 42km recon run from the base camp to the peak and back, but it was changed to just half of the distance since the route to the peak is not yet cleared of bushes, making it impossible to traverse. But the good RD made sure that the route will be ready come race day. Instead we were allowed to hike the view deck as side trip. After a short briefing, we convoyed to the base camp in four vehicles, Ed Yonzon joined us at the toll gate later. 

After a brief talk, a short prayer and group hugs (photos), we started the run. It was 5am and the moon was bright, making it manageable to run even without the mandatory head lamps. The wind, colder. It was an uphill stretch from the start, (sorry but I can't show you the graphical representation, I have no device as such) until the view deck, some 9km away. The roads to Miyamit Falls are hilly, majority of which are ascending all the way. There are downhills too going to the peak but are a few; but on the way back, yes there are many. The views are magical, all throughout the route. The panorama is amazing. Everyone of us were treated to a 360-degree view at the view deck. One can see Mt. Arayat, Mt. Pinatubo, Miyamit Falls cascading in the heart of the mountain region and the lahar-decked rivers of Pampanga and Tarlac in all four corners. You can also hear the rushing waters from the Miyamit Falls, that is how serene the place is. You can see the rivers snake through the valleys and into the plains created by the eruption some two decades ago. The blue sky touches the green landscape everywhere you look at, the mountain hinterlands looked covered in green carpet.

From the view deck we went down to the trailhead and into the falls, less than 2km away. A single-track, downhill trail lead us to the heart of the jungle and into the magnificent beauty of the Miyamit Falls. The view at the foot of the cascading cool, snowy white waters is awesome. We had a good stay at the falls. Many swam and took photos. I consumed my time resting, eating and discussing the strategies we are about to do come race day with Romy, Jon and the rest. Soon after, we head back and hiked the trail from the falls. It took us more than 20 agonizing minutes to reach the clearing. The climb back was so difficult, I had to rest every now and then. Come race day, 10 more kilometers of undulating uphills and downhills are to be conquered to reach the peak, that is the turn around point.

Upon reaching the road, I made my slow run getting back to the base camp, it's about 9:30am and the sun's heat was baking us. I gathered my strength and slowly increased my pace, ran the downhills and sprinted on the flats, as if recovering my lost times. I'm a slow climber, but I can run really fast going down.

It took me more than an hour to reach the base camp including pit stopping for a cold drink at one of the sari-sari store at Sapang Uwak. There, I gulped on the sweetest Sparkle soda in Pampanga. Romy told me later he had one too. And Rene, believe it or not, three bottles. FTW! I had a dip in the stream near the base camp as I cooled down while waiting for the others to arrive. We have had a good chat during the wait. Come race day, we still have some 19km to run before the finish line, under the intense heat of the sun, that is.

After returning to the Clark Field the three of us had a sumptuous lunch of bulalo, pusong sisig, relyeno, lechon kawali and the coldest soda together with Jon, Bert, Benj and Francis. The other two groups came shortly but we left them for our travel back to Manila.

The morning after, Romy and I had a recovery run in UP Diliman. I did 18km that made my day, err my weekend rather. 

Here are the photos. Click on them for a bigger review. See you again at the starting line.

The sun rising behind us covering the horizon in golden hue.
Is that the Sacobia River snaking its way through? Mt. Arayat peaking in a far distant.
The green landscape is a good contrast to the blue skies. 
The undulating road leading to Miyamit Falls. Well graded this time around.
Killer hills but with killer views. Can you spot he view deck? 
Jessie and Romy running the hills upfront.
The road seems endless, what comes up must come down.
Jessie and Romy enjoying the panorama at the view deck.
A bird's eye view of the terrain where we came from. Shot from the view deck.
Me and my trusted go run in Miyamit Falls.