Marquez' Travels

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Run to Read on August 15, 2010

I had been receiving inspiring comments from you, my dear readers, whenever I blog about my runs. So I decided to blog, this time around, the race event that I would be joining. In that way, I might encourage you to join too - to start a healthy lifestyle. And maybe, we can meet up after the run too.

My next run (after the Takbo.ph Runfest) will be on August 15, 2010 dubbed as Run to Read. I would be running my first 15K then. Wish me luck, and bid me God bless. For details, I would just be reposting Run4Change's article about the run. I hope you don't mind. Here you go.

[DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM]

Run to Read – Run for a cause
August 15, 2010
Fort Bonifacio Global City

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ABOUT

There is not enough public libraries to serve millions of students, currently there are 688 public libraries of all types and there should be more. The lack of facilities is even compounded by the fact that a significant number of these libraries are under-funded, understaffed, poorly equipped, or in bad physical condition forcing it to stop functioning.

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There should be a total of 1,851 libraries in all, one for each of the country’s 220 congressional districts, 136 cities, and 1,495 municipalities. To date, the country has 1,163 libraries less than required. This affects 40% of the population or nearly 40 million Filipinos as it unacceptably deprives our children of a resource that could spell a difference for their future.

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Realizing the need for children to be aptly exposed to reading materials not readily available for them, the Run To Read Fun Run was designed to raise funds to build and restore libraries for less fortunate communities in various parts of the Philippines. The run will be composed of 4 major distance events; 3KM, 5KM, 10KM, 15KM and a 500-meter dash for kids and their moms or dads

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EVENTS

3k | 5k |10k |15k | 500m for kids

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REGULAR REGISTRATION

July 1 – August 8, 2010

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ONLINE REGISTRATION

www.runnersrunner.com

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REGISTRATION FEE

PHP 500 for 500m for kids (tandem with 1 parent)
PHP 300 for 3k
PHP 350 for 5k
PHP 400 for 10k
PHP 450 for 15k

(Inclusive of singlet, race number and certificate)

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REGISTRATION AREAS

BrandWorX Inc Head Office
Penthouse, Eurovilla Bldg. 2, VA Rufino St., Legaspi Village Makati City

Runnr Store
Bldg. B3 Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City, Philippines

SecondWind Running Store
Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village | Ortigas Home Depot

All Terra Cyclery
Club 650 Libis, Quezon City

Reebok
Trinoma | Megamall | Festival Mall

Royal Sporting House
Glorietta 4 | Robinson’s Place Manila

[DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM]

Choose from 5 different singlet colors!

(singlets claiming will be available starting August 1)

Let's Run to Read on August 15!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

NutriBar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010

My Running Diary (scroll to see the full list):

To date, if I had to choose the best fun run that I had ever joined, I got a couple to list. The best singlet will go to KOTR, the best hydration will go to Globe, and the best route will go to those runs that were held at UP Diliman.

Our last run, fortunately, was held at UP Diliman last Sunday, July 11, 2010. It was the NutriBar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010 as sponsored by Grower's and UP Mountaineering for the benefit of the UP Padyak project. Well, I am glad that with a "small race event", still, a lot of runners from all walks of life participated. For the "elite runners", it could mean easy money; but for us, it is all for fun, health, and the help extended for the race's cause.

Thumbs Up

As I mentioned, I love the UPD route. So that's a thumbs up for me.
They got a special parent-child 3K race which I think is cool. A great bonding moment for families.
Markers and marshals are sufficient.
Cold hydration were offered in the stations, and are equally sufficient that even the non-registered runners were able to have a cup or two.
Freebies, ample of 'em. Plus the free NutriBar snacks that we got at the post race.
Raffle at the end of the race. I'm not lucky to won though.

Thumbs Down

Hmmm, I would love to suggest to have the parent-child race be certified if the registrants are really connected by blood. A birth certificate will do, perhaps.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

34th National Milo Marathon

My Running Diary (scroll to see the full list):

Twenty (20) races. Twenty races under my belt. And I have to say that, this time, my girl and I is a little bit cautious in the races that were joining. No more "I love that singlet" and no more "That's a prestigious race". What were after to now is, "It's for a good cause" and "It's cheap". Hence, battling over registering for a 10K at P500 and 5K at P100 for the 34^th National Milo Marathon, we chose the latter. With just P100 registration fee (plus a pack of at least 300g of Milo) we joined the event.

Thumbs Up

For the 3K and 5K, it is cheap. In fact, the cheapest of all the races that we had joined.
P5 of your registration fee goes to the cause which is "to give shoes to the public schools all over the country"
Around 27,000 runners woke up early last July 4, 2010 to partake in the event. And though huge, the organizers had handled the number properly.
Sufficient hydration booth. Okay, I speak for the 5K runners. I had read that the hydration had gone empty for the last few kilometers of the marathoners.
Certificate at the FINISH line.
Great post race event. We were entertained by the cheer dance competition, a few celebrities, free massage (but we did not avail of it), unlimited cold Milo drinks (refreshing), and photo walls.

Thumbs Down

I only had a single "thumbs down" for this event. Just when everything seem to be perfect, there will always be room for improvement. And that has something to do with the baggage area. Baggage area are installed in the race event venues so that runners can deposit their bags just in case they don't have the vehicle to leave it to, giving the runner the peace of mind that his belongings are in good condition. But to my dismay (and to all the 3K, 5K, and 10K runners who deposited their bags at the baggage area), it was a total disaster. You can see bags scattered on the staircase. The crowd is begging to have at least a systematic approach on claiming their belongings.

I feel sorry for the owner of the bag whose personal belongings were scattered on the floor - Key, flash drive, deodorant were among those.

On the brighter side, I have to commend the policemen who kept their cool. They offer help in the best way that they can, without a word, just pure work.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Ace Hardware Eco-Friendly Run 2010

My Running Diary (scroll to see the full list):

At the end of our run, my girl and I were contemplating on why did we register for this event, ha ha. We sorted the reasons out and concluded that it was all because of the freebies, LOL!

Thumbs Up

This is a run for a cause (for the environment specifically).
Registration includes singlet, bib number, and free mug.
If you have an SM Advantage Card, you'll get free cap too.
A lot of freebies after the race, free massage, and great raffle prizes too.

Thumbs Down

The gun start had been triggered earlier. The 10K is supposedly starting at 5:50AM. But the 10K pack started earlier; thus, we're late.
A lot of runners partake in the event, and the organizers may have overlooked at it. They mishandled that huge runners.
Overcrowded runners on the FINISH line, making it difficult to 10K runners on their second loop.
While having our picture taking at the FINISH line, we spotted a 10K runner who seem to have just finish the race. Unfortunately, no more marshal is present. Too bad.
The line in claiming of the tote bags is pretty long; but I don't need to wait that long for my girl knows how to have it immediately, he he.
Same thing with the baggage counter, unsystematic.

I cannot really comment on the hydration for we did not stop for one. We brought our own. Plus, we won't be waiting for the race result anymore, we DNF. But knowing that this race was organized by the same people behind The Mighty Run, race result might be nowhere to be found too.

with JC Tiuseco

with my girl at the FINISH line

the freebies

The race organizers sure still has a lot to improve. Nonetheless, it was a FUN RUN. We finished our 5K at 0:33:18; wherein we felt that it is shorter than 5K. I even overheard someone that it was just 4.2K.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Last June 13-14, 2010, my girl and I together with her family had an outing at Hundred Islands at Alaminos, Pangasinan. The said tourist spot had a total of 123 islands (as what our tourist guide, Julius, said). And the body of water surrounding these islands is the Lingayen Gulf.

I will be sharing you here pictures of our island hopping (Day 1).

Island Hopping: P2,000 (we're 14 in the group - 13 adults and 1 child)
Life vests: P50 each
Snorkel: P150 each
Fee: P20 each (for the whole day)

Century Cave

We merely had a picture-taking here. The hole above the cave is mesmerizing.

Traversing a trail-like path toward the cave...

Hole!

View from Century Cave

Quezon Island

A place to swim and eat.

Cottage that we rent: P600
Food that we eat: P1,050 (2 milk fish, 8 squid, 2K rice, and 2 softdrinks)

After the fun and lunch at Quezon Island, we had our snorkeling activity. Unfortunately, we don't have any picture of it to share. Just a thing, be brave enough of the water even if you don't know how to swim; just secure yourself with your life vests. You won't enjoy the activity unless you conquer your fear.

Children's Island

I believe this island is meant for children for it was only 2-3 ft. (?) deep. But for me, it is not advisable for it was cruel on one's foot. Not really a place to enjoy swimming.

Stephanie

Cuenco Cave

The last in the list for today. It was a cave that somehow resembles a tunnel. But you cannot cross the cave and swim on the other end. Only picture-taking is allowed.

Will be posting our Day 2 Island Hopping one of these days...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Walk the World 2010

My Running Diary:

My list had been growing at a constant rate; and I have to say that I never thought that I could reach this far when I am really hesitant at the beginning. The early wake up and the travel already stresses me out. But I survived, and here I am still aiming at crossing every FINISH line. I guess the thing that pushes me to run is (aside from my girl) is the thought that in every step that I make, I am running for a certain cause, I am helping a certain organization, I am helping a life.

This same thought is what moved me to get up from bed despite the weather (it had been raining recently). I participated in the Walk the World 2010 to end hunger. Together with thousands of runners and walkers, we take away the worry of raining (great that it did not rain, not until everyone is finished). This must be an exhibit of God's providence.

Thumbs Up

Of all the races that I joined, this is the cheapest - PhP250 only. Your registration is already inclusive of their Walk the World 2010 shirt and certificate of donation.
With that amount of registration fee, the event did not fall short of hydration. Booths offered cold water sufficient for all runners.
They use paper cups rather than plastic ones.
I also wanted to place here in the thumbs up of the race the considerable number of participants. It was nice and heart-warming to know that runners somewhat believe in a certain cause, and not just concentrate on running, personal records, or even winning.
Although not many, the runners were still entertained with the dancers and higantes from Pampangga at the post-race event. The masters of ceremony were the Hizon couples from the land of basketball. KC Concepcion also entertained the runners together with the kids.
Knowing that I run in order to end hunger and that I run together with other countries all over the world is an 'x' factor of the event.
Baggage counter is positioned in a cemented area so that if rain comes, our things won't get wet.

Thumbs Down

I guess the only thumbs down for this event is the late gun start. Good thing the weather is that cooperative. I come home with still fresh legs and not weaken by the heat of the sun. God is good.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Nature Valley Run 2010: RunRio Trilogy Leg 2

My Running Diary:

With what had been the result of the Nature Valley Run 2010; I believe the negative feedback from the RunRio Trilogy Leg 1 had already been erased. Indeed, Coach Rio De La Cruz had been true to his words of being able to make it up to us (runners) this time in the Leg 2. Hence, despite the fact that we (my girl and I) were late, the fun run was, indeed, FUN.

With the 11,000 plus runners, making way to the starting line is not that difficult as compared to the first one. Marshals on the starting line were telling 5K runners to make way for us (10K) late runners.
Water stations is that sufficient. There were considerably looooooong table that contains water and 100 plus in the hydration booth, making it easy to get a drink for hydration.
Marshals are equally sufficient together with the KM markers.
Claiming of loot bags after finishing the race has no queuing.
And we (runners) should be proud that we were equivalent to a tree (1 runner = 1 tree).
Race Results were already out a day after the race.

A thing that I dislike about the race was when we (10K runners) have to merge with the flock of 5K runners before our 3K mark. The crowd was that huge. My girl had to run on the plant boxes in order to free herself from that major traffic jam.
As always, I hope runners would have that discipline of not leaving their plastic cups behind. They were putting the runners that are left behind at risk. As for the race organizers, I hope that they would use paper cups instead. Let's love our planet. It's the only thing that we got.

basketball shoot out

I won a Nature Valley notebook by scoring 40+ points