Kraft Run 2010

August 29. 2010 - Westgate, Alabang

I was really glad that I got to receive an invitation to the Kraft Run 2010. This is because Kraft Foods Phils. is special to me in a major, major kind of way. You see, my job brought me to work with the good people of Kraft and it is where definitely, work sometimes do mix with passion. There are a number of people at the company who share my love for running. So i definitely look forward to celebrating with them Kraft’s celebration of delicious in a healthy way. Yesterday, the Kraft Run 2010 Dash For a delicious Lifestyle was held at the Westgate Center in Alabang.

Just like in my very first comeback run at the NBA Fit Run two Saturdays ago, I opted to run just a 3k in this event. I have firmly resolved that although I miss running very much, I will stick to running (or jogging!) short distance races only until after I was able to finally go back to regular training. I finished the run with a time good for a 5k finish (again!) but then as I have said before, I am not complaining. I am just too glad to be out running again and being with friends.

with the way i look (or weigh!), i could very well pass up as tabachoy runner instead of kulitrunner!

The race was if i may say, a very intimate event – where less than a thousand came to participate and where almost everybody knew each other (since it was a by invitation only event). But then again, I love how this race was organized. On-site race kit claiming though was a little bit disorganized but one can choose to look the other way for this. It was their first race after all and it wasn’t a total show-stopper naman.

The event area was very spacious and it has some semblance of a Runrio race (although this one was not organized by Runrio) – a big stage at the center of the activity area, a baggage, meal,water, race committee and a finisher’s loot bag claiming booth with a good number of volunteers present in each.

the stage was easy to spot and the activity area very spacious

there were two of this, strategically located in opposite sides of the activity area

The run route for the 3k, although 370 meters longer (my garmin registered the route as 3.37km while Aljo’s Polar registered a 3.7km route) was great!  The roads are tree-lined so you can feel a gentle breeze while running even if it’s already past 6am. And boy, the route wasn’t at all very easy because of its uphills. If you love the McKinley Hills for your uphill training, you’ll also love this route because it can match the challenge that McKinley gives. If I live near the area, I would definitely be running in these roads again and again. But unfortunately I do not.

During my entire run, I passed at least three water stations. For a 3k run, that will equate to a distance of 1km-each for each station. And what’s great about these stations is that it doesn’t only serve runners with water, it also gives sponges. Although I did not find the need to get both – water because I have brought my hydration belt with me and sponge because I do not feel warm at all (thanks to the trees probably!), I knew that the participants, especially the kids appreciated these. And then also, there were a lot of volunteers who man the stations. The entire route also has sufficient distance markers which are easy to spot.

As I run to the finish, there were again a good number of marshalls with megaphones who direct runners in entering the correct finish chutes. Once finishing the run, one is easily directed to a finisher’s loot bag claiming area where you can easily spot a long table full of colorful loot bags – a signature of Kraft’s “delicious lifestyle”. For a free race, the contents of the loot bag was generously filled! If you got hungry from running, you all you need to do was go to the food stations and get your free breakfast. Ah, runners were spoiled to the max!

 

we had a great run and went home pa with this! ayos!

Congratulations to the people of Kraft Foods Phils., Inc. for staging a very successful fun run. If this event will be made as a yardstick of future Kraft-sponsored runs, I think it is fitting that they make this one an all-out race open to the running public.

I went home with a sore knee and leg, owing to the fact that: 1) I am still terribly heavy and overweight and 2) i haven’t started training, but with a smile on my face.

It was always fun to be with family but if I ever have to be away from them, the company of friends I was with were all worth the time away from my better half and kids.

good to be with friends again!

the solemates

the pizarros - miguel and jaymie (jaymie won 1st place in the women's 10k cat, read more on this on her thebullrunner.com blog)

Super thanks to Miguel (and Jaymie too!), Jayvee and the people at IS – Ryan and Lawrence and Rodel for inviting me to join this fun, fun event. It was great seeing you all outdoors!

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