Blog Post 9: Running for a Cause

During weekends I often come across running events held in the vicinity of SM Mall of Asia,Pasay City, Bonifacio Global City, The Fort, Taguig City and Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna. Runners join these events to support the cause of a particular charity or a fund raising event. In the last few years, these kinds of events are gaining popularity especially here in the Philippines.

Upon searching for other reasons why people run besides the health benefits, I encounter about this kind of running events held in the different cities in the Philippines. Runners and organizers called this event as “Fun Run” or “Running for a Cause”. Becoming curious about this fast growing community and events I stumbled upon a website that caters Philippine running. This website is Takbo.ph, according to their About Page:

 Takbo.ph is a blog and discussion forum about running in the Philippines.  It primarily provides information on the upcoming running events in the country.  At the same time, the forum is where all Pinoy runners, from beginners to masters, share their passion on running, encourage one another on the next races, and meet online after reaching the finish lines.

Takbo.ph aims

·         to promote running in the Philippines to a wider audience and unite all Pinoy runners at Takbo.ph.

·         to provide an online Filipino running community for beginners and seasoned runners to share their passion in running and support one another in achieving personal running goals.

·         to advocate a healthy lifestyle thru exercise and good nutrition.

So, whether you are a newbie or a master, slow or fast, walking, jogging or running, this is the place for you!!!! Joining us is FREE!

Source:  http://www.takbo.ph/about-takbo-ph/

Takbo.ph is a website that list running events and fun runs held in the Philippines. This website also contains the basics in running and offers discussions about training, health and nutrition that can help runners in the Philippines.

Running events and fun runs are held almost every weekend, mostly supporting charities, causes, awareness and advocacies in the Philippines.

One of the most known fun run is the Run for the Pasig River. 

According to their website, “The Run for the Pasig is an annual advocacy run that serves as a fundraising and information campaign for the ongoing rehabilitation of several esteros.”  

Source: http://runforthepasigriver.com/

Other known annual fun runs were:

 The Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Mangroves.

In their website, it is stated that, “it is an 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 themangroves reforestation project to its cause, a total of 39,000 seedlings have already been planted in Kabasalan Town through runners’ donation.” Source:  http://conduraskywaymarathon.com/2013/condura-skyway-marathon-press-release-2013-nov14/

The 2nd Philippine Red Cross Million Volunteer Run 2013.

According to the Philippine Red Cross:

“The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will serve as a driving force to advance the spirit of volunteerism to address today’s humanitarian challenges. We will empower the nation against the dangers of disasters.  The funds will be raised for the Red Cross 143 Volunteers Training Program on disaster management, equipping the Filipino communities with life-saving tools.

We celebrated the International Year of Volunteers by holding the first Million Volunteer Run. The run was staged simultaneously in 78 cities of the Philippines with a total of over 400,000 participating runners. With the incredible impact it has created in the recruitment of volunteers for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), we have now declared it an annual event.”

Source: http://run.redcross.org.ph

In running it is very important to know the purpose and reason why you should run. Joining running events and fun runs can serve a purpose in helping charities; provide awareness and supporting advocacies which can help the community. Running for a cause can be an alternative persuasion for people to start running; it is a plus to know that we can help other people while running.