Pinoy Ultra Runners: Changing lives one kilometer at a time
MANILA, Philippines - On March 14, more than 30 runners and support crews met up at 2 a.m. for Run for Your Life 5: Manila-Tagaytay Run, a 56-kilometer run from Kilometer 0 in Luneta Park, Manila, all the way to the rotunda in Tagaytay City. The run was to raise funds for the Brain Foundation of the Philippines and provide assistance to indigent neurosurgical patients in one of the biggest hospitals in Manila.
Run for Your Life is a regular event held by Pinoy Ultra Runners, a team founded in 2007 to promote, advocate, and develop ultra marathons in the Philippines. An ultra marathon is any event that involves running for longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195.
The most unique thing about Pinoy Ultra Runners is that members run ultra marathons for a cause. The team supports cause-oriented groups such as Kythe Foundation by generating much-needed funds, which have amounted to P400,000 to date, and creating public awareness of the needs of these groups. Composed of young professionals and accomplished individuals, Pinoy Ultra Runners aims to help less fortunate Filipinos.
The team was founded by seven runners led by Neville Manaois. Among the events completed by the team are four Run for Your Life Ultra Marathon events (100-kilometer Metro Manila, 65-kilometer Banawe-Sagada, 94-kilometer SCTEX, and the 55-kilometer Mount Pinatubo Off-Road Ultra Marathons).
The team also promotes fitness, empowers athletes of all ages to conquer new challenges, and conducts running clinics including the successful Running Aid Series.
For its first Run for Your Life in 2009, CB Richard Ellis Philippines, Inc., the biggest real estate services provider in the country, partnered with Pinoy Ultra Runners to raise funds for the Brain Foundation. CBRE operations director Celia Rocamora and associate director Don Ubaldo led employees and families in the Manila-Tagaytay run.
Proceeds from the sale of lanyards and shirts at R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street will also be donated to the Brain Foundation. Event partners are Recreational Outdoor Exchange, The North Face, Pocari Sweat, the Department of Tourism, the local governments of Manila, Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas, and the municipal governments of Bacoor, Imus, Dasmariñas, Silang, and Tagaytay City.
Pinoy Ultra is still accepting donations and other forms of assistance. For more information, e-mail pinoyultrarunners.multiply.com or CB Richard Ellis at www.cbre.com.ph
