Men's Health All Terrain Race Event Launch

Summit Publishing and Finishline held an event launch for this year’s Men’s Health All-Terrain Race last Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at the Stock Market restaurant at Bonifacio High Street, The Fort.

Men's Health All-Terrain Race

Now on its fourth year, the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race is a trail and bike race which will be held on June 21, 2009, Sunday at a “virgin” trail at the Sta. Elena Properties in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Incidentally, the All-Terrain race has always been scheduled coinciding with Father’s Day, giving families a different option for celebrating this special day for the man in the house. The event promises to be a fun and healthy bonding activity for the family.

Among those present to give invited runners and bikers an idea what the event has to offer were Mr. Agu Paiso, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health Magazine, Ms. Christine Ong , associate publisher of Summit Publishing and Vince Mendoza of Finishline, the official race organizer. Mr. Agu Paiso explained that for past three years, the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race has been held at the Timberland Heights but this year, to kick things up a notch, they are bringing the runner and biker participants to a trail that has never before been opened to the public. This trail was specially developed by Gran Trail cycles and Sta. Elena Properties for Men’s Health. Ms. Christine Ong on the other hand, gave us a sneak peek of what the trail is like by showing some snapshots of the trail. She also revealed to us the “treats” that await both race participants and their guests/family.

Mr. Agu Paiso, Men's Health magazine ed-in-chief

Ms. Christine Ong, associate publisher, Summit Publishing

Aside from the 5km, 10km and 15km trail race (which are out-and-back races, no repeating loops!) and the bike race with 3 loops of 15km each, the event also has something for the guests/family of race participants. There is what they claim a “huge” Festival Area wherein non-participants  can stay in and watch the participants taking on the trail. There will also be a father’s booth, sponsor’s booths, food concessionaires, hydration centers c/o Hidden Spring (both on the route and at the Festival Area),  men’s and women’s dressing rooms c/o Nivea for Men, free massage c/o Orange Spa, free medical consultation c/o Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. Photovendo will also be there for event photos. There will also be sunblocks and deo-spray give-aways from Nivea. Oh and for the kids and kids-at-heart, the Sta. Elena Properties also has a Fun Farm with a petting area. There will be no problems with regards to parking since ample parking spaces will be provided.

trail sneak peek

Vince on the other hand explained the details of the race such as the registration and the race route. Registration forms can be downloaded from the sites of Runrio, Men’s Health and Finishline. Registration is already open ROX in BHS, The Fort and Sabak Bike Shop. Online registration is also available at the Finishline.ph. Early registration, regular and onsite registration options are available.

Vince Mendoza of Finishline

The trail race is open to men and women of all ages with three distances to choose from and for the bike race, there will be a beginner’s, advance and open categories. The event will be started with the trail race with each distances starting ten minutes apart and last will be the bike race whichmust be completed in a maximum of three 15-km loops. 

Vince also gamely answered questions from those present, such as “Will there be free shuttle services provided?”,  “Will this be a wet race?”, “Will the trail be consisting of uphill climbs and downhill runs?”, “If it rains, will the event push through?”, “Can participants test the trail prior to the event?”, “What will happen to runners who will not be able to finish the race?”. These were his answers – (1) They are trying to find sponsors for the shuttle service as of this moment. (2) This will depend on the weather. (3) The trail will have 5% elevation. The race is a good venue for trail running and mtbiking beginners. (4) The race will not push through if there will be a Storm Signal Number 2 but it will be safest to know that unless there is an announcement the day prior to the event, the race is a go. (5) Participants who are interested on testing the trail prior to the race may get in touch with Vince for arrangements since the trail sits on a private property. (6) A sweeper will be fetching runners who will not be able to finish by cut-off time. This is especially for their safety since the bike race will be using the same route used for the trail race.

OTHER EVENT LAUNCH HAPPENINGS:

1. Ms. Lara Parpan, Women’s Health magazine editor-in-chief was also there together with her editorial staff to meet the runners and bikers present. She also gave us women something to look forward to next month as she revealed that the Women’s Health July issue will be a “Running 101″ issue with Ms. Iza Calzado on the cover.

ALL GIRLS! standing - me, Que (takbo.ph), Marga (The Changeling Child), Mariel (The Solemates); seated : Joanna, Lara (Women's Health), Christine (Summit Publishing), Bards (Banana Running)

this is one event where the men outnumbered us women but we don't mind...

2. A Women’s Health magazine subscription,  a Men’s Health magazine subscription and a Timex watch was raffled off to participants. As observed too by Jinoe, takbo.ph main man, raffle winners were all women in a Men’s event. hahaha! ;)

... for as long as we women win the raffle!

3. All of us who were there at the event shared good dinner over lively chit-chat and photo-ops. We also went home with goodies from Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines and event sponsors Keen and Nature’s Valley.

fun over dinner

Lastly, special thanks to Christine and Lara for giving me a special Women’s Health singlet. I feel lucky to have received one because only a select number of women runners have it.  *HUGS* to you Christine and Lara!  

 

my cool Women's Health singlet

For more details regarding the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race, you can grab a copy of this June’s issue of Men’s Health magazine or go to the sites of Men’s Health, Runrio or Finishline. You can also get in touch with Vince Mendoza at 02-703-1736.

To view/download the event poster with race details, click here.

To join the event or directly go to finishline.ph’s online registration page, click here.

To view more photos taken during the event launch, click here.

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