The Men’s Health All-Terrain Race 2010 – DRY RUN and PRESSCON

;)

I was one of the lucky ones who got invited to the press conference and test run of the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race to be held on May 16, 2010. But then, very pregnant me cannot participate in trying out the trail (be it the run or bike trail) so I asked hubby to take my place instead while I stay at the presscon area while they do their thing.

bards, vener, art, james, taki, christine, ro, peejo and georgia prior to taking off

and off the bikers go

This year, Men’s Health will take participants to the trails of Ayala Land’s first large-scale eco-community, the Nuvali at Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It is said that the run and bike participants will be taken through Nuvali’s all-terrain consist of pavement, compact dirt, dirt, grasslands, ravine, and river.

trail

road

What I like best in the yearly edition of this race is that it caters to both the hardcore runners and bikers and also to those beginners who are looking out to try out something new. This year’s event will feature three categories for participants to choose from, a trail run leg with distances of 6km, 10km and 16km, a bike leg with 20km and 40km distances to choose from and a run and bike leg which features a 10km run coupled by a 20km bike ride.  The run and bike leg is not a duathlon though, as cleared by Ms. Christine Ong of Summit Media. It is a separate run and bike race that one participant will have to complete one after the other. For the results, finish times for both will just be added up.

The dry run was characterized by a laid back run but not without the basic race amenities such as route markers and water/aid stations.

pit stop at one of the water stations

The trail run group ran a 5.5km trail course which is actually a sneak peek for the 6km run race. The feedback is that the said distance is newbie friendly wherein participants can get away to running the trail without using trail shoes. It was announced though that for the 10km and 16km races, there will be river crossings. Which for that part, may seem to require participants to wear trail shoes owing to the fact that river crossings will entail the walking along slippery paths/rocks along the river bed.

from l-r: Arlo of Men's Health Mag, Runners James, Art, Taki, Bards, me, Christine Ong of Summit Media and runner Vener

For the bike trial, feedback and suggestions were given by the dry run participants such as making the bike route more free flowing since the trail they have tackled involved high inclines which required them to carry their mountain bikes for at least twice. Organizers said that for the bike leg, the route is still being finalized reason why they are open to the suggestions of the bikers. It was also announced that a track read will be made available by Friday next week (or earlier) to enable bike participants to practice riding the route.

bikers pose with Christine and Arlo

Below are additional details gathered from the press conference:

1. Target Number of Participants : 1000 participants, 500 for the run leg and 500 for the bike leg

2. SINGLET (for the run leg) and T-SHIRT (for the bike leg) DESIGNS

T-Shirt and Singlet designs

3. WATER STATIONS

water stations

4. AWARDS – award will be given to:

- Top 5 Male of each category
- Top 5 Female of each category
and a medal will be given to each 16km Run, 40km Bike, and Run & Bike finisher

5. EVENT AREA

Venue Map

6. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

And since this event is in celebration of the Men’s Health fifth anniversary, food will be served for FREE for everyone at the event area post race. Cool!

7. PRESS RELEASE

A new trail awaits participants of the
4th Men’s Health All-Terrain Race on May 16

The Men’s Health All-Terrain Race is the most eagerly anticipated race in the country by both mountain bikers and trail runners.  It’s is also the perfect springboard for new riders and runners to try something new and to push their limit.
 
For Men’s Health Philippines’ 5th year anniversary, the Men’s Heath All-Terrain Race will be taking place in an all-new trail in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna on May 16, Sunday at 5am.  In this vast and naturally rich site, racers will be running and/or riding on pavements, dirt roads and grass lands.  They will also get the opportunity to admire the view from the top of a ravine, and get wet while crossing a river on their way to the finish line.

Participants may choose to run the 6-kilometer, 10-kilometer or 16-kilometer trail course, or ride their bikes on the 20-kilometer or the 40-kilometer route. But for those up for the challenge, there is also the option to do both the 10-kilometer trail run and 20-kilometer bike ride.

Registration is now ongoing at Akt!v Sports and Lifestyle Centers in Trinoma and Festival Super Mall, ROX in Bonifacio High Street and at the Summit Media Office at the 7th Floor of Robinsons Cybergate Tower 3, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong, City.
Deadline of registration is on May 7, 2010.

The 4th Men’s Health All-Terrain Race is co-presented by Keen and sponsored by Cherifer Premium, Emperador Light with official venue partner, Nuvali, registration partners, Akt!v and ROX. Special thanks to our official radio partner Magic 89.9. For more information about the event, visit www.menshealth.com.ph or grab a copy of the current issue of Men’s Health, available in newsstands, bookstores and supermarkets nationwide.

8. PICTURES

I bet you would like to have an idea on what the trail looks like. You can view the dry run and presscon pictures HERE. To view the basic race details, access my previous post HERE.

Meanwhile, go and grab the May issue of Men’s Health Magazine with Gerard Anderson on the cover. This one’s their anniversary issue.

Bards here with her copy of the May issue of the Men's Health Magazine

Super thanks to Christine, Ro, Georgia and the rest of the Summit Media guys who invited us to join this activity. We had fun despite the early morning call time. *HUGS*

Men’s Health All-Terrain Race 2010

 

Men's Health All Terrain Race 2010

THE MEN’S HEALTH ALL-TERRAIN RACE 2010
May 16,2010
Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Trail Run 6km/10km/16km
Bike Race 20km/40km

EVENT AND RACE INFO

The Men’s Health All-Terrain Race (MH ATR) is the annual flagship event of Men’s Health Magazine. It is the most eagerly-anticipated races in the country by both mountain bikers and trail runners.  The MH ATR is also the perfect springboard for new riders and runners to try something new and to push their limit.

1. LOCATION:

The 2010 Men’s Heath All-Terrain Race will be held in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa.  In this vast and naturally rich site in Laguna, participants will be running and/or riding on different types of terrain like pavement, dirt, compact dirt and grass.  They will also be admiring the view on top of a ravine, and getting wet while crossing a river on their way to the finish line.

2. CATEGORY OPTIONS:
 
Participants may choose to run the 6 kilometer, 10 kilometer or 16 kilometer trail course, or they can opt to ride their bikes on the 20 kilometer or the 40 kilometer route. 

But for those who really want to push their limit, there is also the option to do both: 10 kilometer trail run and 20 kilometer bike ride.  

3. REGISTRATION AND RACE KITS:
 
Registration period starts April 12, 2010 until May 7, 2010 only.  Onsite registration will not be entertained due to limited slots.

Participants can register at the following venues:

Akt!v Sports and Lifestyle Centers
Akt!v Trinoma – Unit 2042 (M2), Trinoma, EDSA cor. North Avenue, Quezon City
Akt!v Festival Supermall – 2/L, 2084-C Festival Mall, Alabang

ROX
Bonifacio High Street, B1 ROX Buidling, Taguig City
 
Summit Publishing Company, Inc. Office
7th Floor Robinsons Cybergate Tower 3, Robinsons Pioneer Complex, Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City
Telephone number: (02)451-8888 local 1070-1071

Thumbie Remigio’s Residence
No.42 Don Carlos Street, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City.
Telefax (02)932-9071

race details

4. CLAIMING OF RACE KITS:

Participants may claim their race kits from May 1 to May 12 from the centers where they registered. 

The Summit Publishing Office is open for the claiming of race kits on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Office hours) only.

Race kits include official race number, race singlet and the March issue of Men’s Health Magazine which contains the All-Terrain Race Training Guide.  

5. TRAINING PROGRAM:

Training Program for the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race 2010 is available in the March issue of Men’s Health Magazine.

6. THE MEN’S HEALTH 5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:

Men’s Health Philippines turns five!

After the race, relax, recharge and join us as we celebrate and commemorate Men’s Health Magazine’s five glorious years of helping Filipinos live their best life. Good food, cool music and great company await you!

Visit the Men’s Health All Terrain Race 2010 site again for latest developments on the 5th anniversary celebration.

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.

Of Trail Runs and Hypertension

Trail runs and hypertension? One is simply not compatible with the other right? This folks is the very same reason why I sadly missed the TNF 100 event last Sunday. Yep, I was off running for the longest time (2 months!) but I still willed myself to participate in the 10k trail run. But then my body got the better of me by giving me a record high blood pressure in the morning of Saturday which is to last until the afternoon making it impossible for me to travel all the way to Pampanga alone and by bus (which is an exciting first for me sana rin!). The greatest lesson I learned out of this is that it is not because I am running, biking or having regular exercises, I am already invincible. I still am prone to having bouts with hypertension because it is already a kink in my armor which I cannot fully eliminate.

Oh well, reading through the blogs/race accounts of my runner friends makes me cringe with envy but not without the happy feeling that comes to knowing that they had a grand time completing the race. I missed them but I sure enjoyed reading their stories and looking at their pictures. Congratulations are in order to TNF, Finish Line and to all those who participated in the 100km, 20k and 10k races. Kudos and hugs guys! I hope that by next year’s TNF, I will be there running (and posing for photo-ops!) with you all.

*Sigh*… But wait! I was really so glad to see this particular ad while reading my favorite Summit Media published magazine —

now on its fourth year!

I remember that my first trail run experience was last year’s Men’s Health All Terrain race which was held at Timberland Heights. I joined coming from several months of hiatus from everything outdoors (haven’t run or biked for a long time) and around 15lbs overweight. I finished the 10k trail after 2 hours and 2 minutes (kahiya-hiya!), a dead toenail and two weeks-worth of sore muscles. The trail mind you is not as exciting and challenging as that of the TNF race - naturally there were no lahars nor river crossings. But it was still challenging enough with lots of uphill and downhill routes. I enjoyed it but was really walking most of the time.  After that experience,  I promised myself not to try trail running again without enough preparation and that I will not miss the following year’s race which will serve as my second shot at trail running. Hmm, will i be better this time? No more dead toenails? I certainly hope so! 

If you are to check the Men’s Health website, sadly there is still no update with regards to this race. But checking on the Summit Media site, this event is already calendared to happen this June. Guess we’ll just have to wait for official announcement with regards to the race details.

For now, it’s back to the track and road for me as I try to regain my lost endurance and lose the excess weight I gained in my two months of inactivity.

See you guys at the outdoors!