Benj Espina

Thanks in large part to the strong influence of the people who I met in Sagada late last year (mostly due to JP and Dale), I’ve sort of picked up running as a hobby cum addiction at least for the early part of 2010. I’ve ran in two events now and I’m slated to join at least two more before March is over.

March 21 would be special because it’s the second staging of Globe Telecomm and Ayala Land’s RUN FOR HOME. This running event is unique because this would literally allow runners to traverse the usually busy streets of the Makati Business District. The starting line would be at the Ayala Triangle and for some runners the route could even take them to Fort Bonifacio and back!

Here are the reasons why you should  consider running the Globe-Ayala Land Run For Home event:

1. The location! It’s just not everyday that this happens – it’s literally a once-in-a-year event. If you’re used to running in Fort Bonifacio, Roxas Boulevard or Diliman, running along Ayala Avenue and right next to the big Makati malls would be a totally different and maybe even surreal experience.

2. The cause! For the second year running, some of the proceeds form the event would go to Habitat For Humanity so that they could continue building houses in the relocated urban poor communities in Calauan, Laguna.

3. The new distance! If you feel that the 10km has become to easy for you or that the 21 is just way outside of your comfort zone, Coach Rio has designed a course that’s 15km for those trying to make the transition. This seems to be quite popular with a lot of the runners this year. The event will still have the already established 3km, 5km, 10km and 21km categories.

4. The technology! The Globe Run For Home event is trying to make this event really interactive and in tune with what’s happening with social media. There is actually a Run For Home Facebook Application that would instantaneously update your Facebook status message as you’re crossing the key points of the race – special distance markers including the finish line. Just allow the application access to your account and you’re good to go! It is extra pressure though – everyone will know how fast or how slow it took you to run your event!

5. The singlet! The singlet is quite soft and comfortable. It’s almost unthinkable that it was made out of THREE PET bottles. Imagine that. Three plastic bottles that were probably used to store water or some beverage ended up as a runner’s singlet in its second life.

5. The ease… of registration that is. Simply go to the  Globe Run For Home website and you’ll be guided accordingly on how to register online. The online registration ends March 5.

You may still do in-store registration in the following venues until March 12:

•  Trinoma M1 Unit 1034 Trinoma Mall, EDSA, Quezon City
•  Greenhills Hub G/F Greenhills Connecticut Carpark 1 Bldg., Ortigas Avenue, San Juan
•  Glorietta Globe Store GF Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City (near Music One)
•  SM Megamall Globe Store 4F Cyberzone Area, SM Megamall Bldg. B Ortigas Center, Pasig City
•  Alabang Town Center 3/F New Wing ATC Alabang, Muntinlupa City
•  SM Mall of Asia Unit 202 2nd floor North Parking Bldg. SM Mall of Asia Pasay City
•  Market Market Unit 444 & 445 4/F Market Market, Lot C, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila

See you all there. I will be runner number 4443.

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