Run United 2012
Runrio and Unilab Active Health organized an open forum / bloggers night last Saturday held at Contis, Greenbelt 2. I was fortunate to be one of the participants of this event and be able the hear the side of the most talked about race at the moment, the Unilab Run United 1 and Coach Rio dela Cruz amidst the on going issues about the “race fee increase” of the RU Trilogy.
Mr. Alex Panlilio of Unilab Active Health (Photo by Running Atom)
Mr. Alex Panlilio, head of the Unilab Active Health started the night by presenting the brief history of Unilab Run United. It became clear to me that Unilab was indeed serious in helping and promoting wellness among the Filipinos and to their whole family. They created various activities to support the needs of Filipino athletes, elite or beginners, young or old, thus the creation of various Run United Events aside from the Run United Trilogy such us Bike United, Tri United, Unilab Active Health Village and the Kid’s category on running events. And for that, I admire them for taking the responsibility in promoting good health and wellness to the Filipino community.
Coach Rio dela Cruz (Photo by Running Atom)
Coach Rio was the next to present Run United 1 and to discuss its new features of the race:
- RU1 2012 will have a new race route. 21K will have a separate starting line (BGC) and finish line (MOA). 3K, 5k and 10K will also have separate race routes to avoid flooding and congestion of runners on critical points.
- 21K runners will be provided with shuttle services for free transportation. (Pick up points and time, TBA)
- There will be a Unilab Bib holder included in the race kit.
- There will still be a finisher’s shirt & finisher’s medal for 21K finishers.
- More details here.
Registration fees
After the presentation of the Run United1, the “open forum” of runners/bloggers started. Coach Rio, prepared a presentation showing the transition of running events from it’s grass root and simple beginnings up to the grand and world class races that we have right now. Veteran runners were also asked to share some of their experience from their races way back 90’s and early 2000’s. Some runners also share their experiences about running a race in other country. All agreed on one thing: running is #morefuninthephilippines.
Bloggers Group Shot (Photo by Running Atom)
Kikayrunner, asked about the increase on the fee for Run United, and this is my understanding on Coach Rio’s explanation:
- Run United 2012 will use a larger race route since 21K will have a separate Starting Line & Finishline. (BGC-MOA). They will basically use BGC, MOA, Makati and Roxas Blvd roads for this race.
- The larger the road, more supply and more manpower is needed. Since 3K, 5K and 10K category will have separate routes, that means separate and more hydration stations and more manpower.
- Runrio is hiring marshals on their event. They refrain from using volunteers because it’s hard to set rules and be strict w/ volunteers. Also they would like to give jobs to people.
- Inflation rate. We are all aware that as time goes by, the prices of goods increase. According to Rio, some of his suppliers for singlets and other goods, increased their pricings.
- Sponsors do not give cash. I encountered many comments on facebook saying “andami daming sponsor tapos ang mahal mahal” So to be clear, when sponsors support an event its more on x deals or in kind.
So that was it basically. I hope it cleared your minds as much as it cleared mine. They gave us the reason for the registration fee increase. It is up to you how to handle it. The choice to run a race has always been on our hands (eerrr or legs?)
Photo by Running Atom
Responsibility
The Bull Runner: Jamie Pizarro nicely end the night by saying something like this “as bloggers we should be responsible on what we post because intentionally or unintentionally, we influence people, we should be factual and objective on whatever we write about” Not the exact words but the message is something like that. And I think this should go not just to bloggers but for all us in the running community.
As a runner, my responsibility to myself is to run, to train, to stay fit and healthy. It is not my responsibility to join a race. It has always been a choice.
I will not join a race then complain and say “wala na kong mapakain sa pamilya ko dahil sa mahal ng registration fees”, if you are like that: something is wrong with you and you might had misunderstood your responsibility.
As a blogger, it’s my responsibility to tell the truth. Sharing my experience, being inspirational or being annoying is optional. Being silent on some issues does not mean we do not care or we are paid, we are just waiting for the proper time. 😀
We all have responsibilities, make sure you know yours. And when you act upon it, try not to step on someone else’s toes. Just my two cents.
Thanks for reading. Happy Running! 😀
Run Adobo PH 