A TIME WELL SPENT AT THE 2012 TIMEX RUN LAUNCH

all set!

It was the afternoon of the first ever Friday the 13th of this year. If we are to refer to popular belief, this day is supposed to bring a string of bad luck. But then again for a certain number of people in the running community, this day is something that they have looked forward to for days already. A happy, chummy kind of day.

here we are, happily waiting for Piolo and Rio (no, we did not wait 4 looooong hours for them! they were on-time!)

For me, it is my much awaited “’til-we-meet-again” moment with Piolo as the last time I got a chance to be beside him chatting was during the 2009 Timex Run race day. All other instances from then until last Friday were missed opportunities. So when I was told by RunRio events manager that there finally is a plan for a Timex Run press launch, I made sure that I will be available whenever the date is set.

a light moment shared by the running tandem while being interviewed by ABS-CBN's Mario Dumaual

I went to the presscon without much expectations apart from wishing that the activity hopefully will be well-attended by the bloggers and that the whole proceedings will be nothing short of fun. Luckily, the bloggers – Piolo big fans or not – came to the venue in a “Piolo-state-of-mind”.

We were given a whole thirty minutes Q&A portion with the Piolo-Coach Rio tandem. The usually “out-of-questions” bloggers were then overflowing with questions to ask, things to say. The activity turned out to be an engaging discussion that everyone really appreciated. Those who were not originally fans of Piolo were impressed with his engaging wit, honesty and charm. Our observation was that Piolo has this certain charisma that will make you forget anything negative and will just be mesmerized while listening to him gamely answering all those fielded questions. As for Coach Rio, he was his usual self, oblivious of his celebrity status. He also got to answer some questions from the bloggers. Oh and mind you folks, mesmerized as I was, I still was able to take note of the things that Piolo shared to us:

- He and Rio will be running the 10k at the 2012 Timex Run race.
- He is not familiar with the term “sub-Piolo”  and when he did understand its meaning, it kinda gave him pressure to always do good.
– He trains at UP and it was kind of difficult for him during the early times he was doing this because the people took time to get used to seeing him run there.
– He finished a 1.48+ half-marathon at the recently-held Run for Pasig with Coach Rio running with him.
– He is already signed-up for his first ever full marathon – the Berlin International Marathon on September and wishes to be able to finish by 4 hours.
– He says that bananas are a good source of energy while running and even goes on to share that the 2 bananas he consumed during his first half-marathon was what mostly helped him to keep going.
– He takes GU gels.
– He will be joining the Ironman relay again this year which will be happening in Cebu.
– Oh and he said that he will gladly share the road and run with bloggers!

The Q&A was capped by a series of photo-ops and autograph-signing sessions. Capping the event was a number of Pinoy Henyo games which saw bloggers take home Timex Watches (me included!) as winning prizes and raffle prizes from Skechers Philippines who never fails to support RunRio events. And I am sure, every blogger present will never forget the moment when we sang the birthday song for Piolo and had him blow his birthday candle. I sure will always remember it with a smile and kilig! 

Happy Birthday Piolo!

With this event, Timex and RunRio was able to come-up with the perfect mix of activities for a perfect blogcon – good food, interesting goodies, feel-good celebrity encounters and a helluva nice time!

If this launch is one preview or indication of how the actual 2012 Timex Run race is gonna be, I at this point encourage everyone to sign-up and join this race. Run with Coach Rio and Piolo – you know it will be fun!

In-store registration for the 2012 Timex Run, Time is Running race is on-going until Wednesday, January 18 at the following stores:

- Timex Watch Store, Trinoma Mall
– Watch Republic, Robinsons Galleria
– Riovana BGC
– Riovana Katipunan

Incidentally, it was Piolo’s birthday last Thursday, January 12. To celebrate Piolo’s 35th birthday, TIMEX will be raffling off 35 Timex Watches to luck race finishers on race day, January 22. Cool huh!

Click HERE to see more details about this race. Want to see more photos from the PressCon? Click HERE to view photos taken from my cam!

Cheers and see you on Sunday at the 2012 TIMEX RUN!

***OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE***

Piolo & Rio Reunite for Timex Run 2012

This January 22, 2012, TIMEX, world renowned makers of high quality time gears, will once again unite casual runners and hardcore sportsmen alike on one blazing race track as it gives rise to the much-awaited TIMEX Run 2012.

Set to unfold at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the historic race shall witness the reunion of the unbeatable running tandem of sought after actor and runner Piolo Pascual and multiple champion runner, coach and marathon organizer Rio Dela Cruz. Last January 13, 2012, the two led a special press gathering to officially present before media partners how this running event levels up from before and all the other races in town, and just why everyone should be part of it.

Coming from a string of back-to-back sporting events where it joined forces with the country’s premiere athletes, such as the Camsur Ironman Triathlon and TIMEX 226 in Bohol over the last years, TIMEX is all set to make this year’s race all the more memorable, fun and extremely power-packed!

So, what’s to be excited about the TIMEX Run 2012?

First and the most exciting of all, participants shall get a very special chance to get fit, have fun and best of all run side-by-side with two of the country’s most beloved idols in entertainment and running; TIMEX brand ambassadors Piolo and Rio. For the last few months, the two have dedicated time amidst their busy schedules to train hard to ensure they’re in the best shape come race day. Together with the two, a handful of other celebrities and personalities shall also be sprinting along with TIMEX, just like during its first edition back in 2009. On top of the list are its youth ambassadors Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco as well as Boys Night Out DJs Slick Rick and Sam YG and actor Victor Basa to name a few.

Divided into three race categories, athletes, race fanatics, and casual runners can choose from the 5, 10 or 16 kilometer event. The race is organized by no less than the in-demand team of Runrio who assures participants of accuracy in timing and a host of other innovative features and acitivities. One of which is the disposable “champion” chips, timing devices attached to shoe laces specially designed to let runners monitor their starting in finishing times with stern accuracy. Functioning only soon as the runner steps on the designated ground matting, the recorded time is sure to be precise.  Another is the Runpix analysis which is a record of interesting running statistics unique to each individual who ran. This will be available after the race at http://www.runrio.com and http://www.timexrunning.com.

If you’re up for the action and ready for truckloads of fun, well you still have a chance to join as regular registration has been extended until January 18, 2012. All you have to do is go to any Riovana stores at Bonifacio Global City or Katipunan or visit the TIMEX outlet at TriNoma or the Watch Republic shop in Robinsons Galleria. Registration fees are at Php650 (5KM), Php700 (10KM) and Php750 (16KM). 15 TIMEX watches are up for grabs when you register as a group at Riovana outlets.

Aside from the breathtaking action set to unfold in the race track, those joining can also expect a finish line filled with great prizes. While all finishers will take home loot bags from various sponsors, those who will emerge on top of the pack in every category will get TIMEX watches, A-class activity and time-tracking gears that gives wearers nothing less than the optimum when it comes to style and functionality. First placers shall also take home a pair of Skechers shoes. Canon shall also raffle of digital cameras and provide photobooths for participants to be able take home souvenir shots. The whole race is also powered up completely with hydration partners Powerade and VIVA! Mineralized Water. A total of 35 watches shall also be raffled off all throughout the day in celebration of the Piolo Pascual’s 35^th birthday. Timex partnered with companies such Riovana, Century Tuna, Magnolia Lite, Nutri Bar, Kaspersky, Multisport Magazine and Unilab to make this anticipated race possible.

To keep the day much more exciting, participants are also challenged to guess Piolo’s bib number and finish time. Lucky guessers will win their very own TIMEX watches. For more details visit http://www.timexwatches.com.ph.

Hurry and register now, time is running! Assembly time for all categories is at 4:00AM. Gun start times are at 5:10AM (16KM), 5:30AM (10KM) and 5:50AM (5KM). Run with Piolo and Rio at the TIMEX Run 2012 and make history once more! For more information, please visit http://runrio.com/2011/11/2012-timex-run/.

 

2012 Timex Run – Time is Running

And finally, it is back! Everyone who have been running RunRio races since about three, four years ago, will know that the first edition of the Timex Run race in 2009 was practically the race that started it all! I can still vividly remember how everyone was in awe with that small LED screen which showed the animated version of the route. No this was not the one with the cartoon Rio running along the route map, this one was more of the snake-like bar moving along the course! Everything then seem to be simpler compared to now, but it is in this race wherein Rio slowly but surely included exciting race features that were not found on other races in Manila. And yes, it included that animated race route presentation prior to gunstart.

This race, which also served as the prelude to the very first every RunRio Trilogy, of course featured top-rated actor, Timex Ambassador/Image Model and aspiring triathlete – Piolo Pascual. After this race, the word “sub-Piolo” have been a running-community by-word for a 10km run PR (Piolo did run in the 1okm race category then).

Now that it is finally back, for sure, many will be anticipating if there will be a new sub-Piolo record in the offing or if there will be other surprises along the way. For sure, Piolo will not be doing th 10km anymore (He did complete 21km race already!). So it seems just so natural when Coach Rio told me that he will be doing the 16km race category for this event. One thing I failed to confirm though was if whether they will be running together again. But that one’s almost always a given, right? Well, enough of these blah, here now folks are the initial details for this event, RunRio’s second race offering for 2012!

2012 TIMEX RUN: TIME IS RUNNING
January 22, 2012
Bonifacio Global City
5km/10km/16km

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Online Registration: November 28, 2011 to January 4, 2012 at www.runrio.com

Regular In-Store Registration: December 5, 2011 to January 4, 2012 (12:00nn – 8:00pm)

Late In-Store Registration: January 5 to January 15, 2011 (12:00nn – 8:00pm) 

REGISTRATION VENUES:

Online: http://www.runrio.com

In-Store Regular Registration Period Venue:

1. RIOVANA

• BGC – 9th Ave corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor, Regis Center, Katipunan (infront of Ateneo De Manila Univ, beside KFC)

2. TIMEX Outlets:

• Timex Shop, Trinoma
• Watch Republic, Robinsons Galleria

In-Store LATE Registration Period Venue:

1. RIOVANA

• BGC – 9th Ave corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor, Regis Center, Katipunan (infront of Ateneo De Manila Univ, beside KFC)

RACE FEES AND INCLUSIONS:

SINGLET DESIGN:

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Race kits may run out before January 15, 2012 therefore, registration may end before the announced deadline.
• A Valid ID must be presented upon registration. For group registration, a photocopy of any valid ID must be presented by the representative.
• Singlet size availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A timing device will be used by all participants during the race.
• Race results will be available after two (2) days in the following websites:
• http://www.runrio.com
• RunRio Inc. FaceBook Page

CONTACT INFORMATION:

You can get in touch with RunRio in any of these communication channels:

In-Store Registration:
Globe – 0916 5709220
Smart – 0929 7178164
Landline – (632) 703-1736

Race Registration:
runrio.racereg@gmail.com

Timing and Race Results:
feedback@runrio.com

Pre-Race Kits:
runrio.racekits@gmail.com

Other concerns and Feedback:
runriofeedback@gmail.com