Unilab holds Run United Phl marathon

MANILA, Philippines - The Run United Philippine Marathon (RUPM) is expected to draw a huge field when it is held on Oct. 28, according to Unilab Active Health head Alex Panlilio.

“Online registration for the RUPM has just opened and the feedback is really good. Regular runners of Run United races have shown their support and confirmed their participation in our first ever marathon,” said Panlilio.

The registry for the 32-km category in the recent Run United 3 2012 of Unilab Active Health swelled, proof that runners are gearing up for their first full 42-km race, added Panlilio.

“Long-distance runners participated in full force at Run United 3 despite the rains. There were thousands of participants for the 21-km and the 32-km events. In fact, two weeks before the race, slots for the 32-km or the so-called ‘Afroman Distance’ were already taken,” he said.

Among the 32-km runners were couple Vic and Jazz Bayanin, and 65-year-old Manuel Remandaban, who are expected to sign up for the RUPM.

“We always participate in Run United races because they are well organized. We get our money’s worth and even more,” said Remandaban, whose 38-year-old son and 15-year-old grandson ran with him at Run United 3.

Online registration for RUPM will run until Oct. 14 while in-store registration ends on Oct. 26 at Riovana Bonifacio Global City and Katipunan and Toby’s Mall of Asia and Trinoma.

The RUPM will also feature short and medium distance categories – the Ceelin 500 meters, 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K.

The RUPM is part of the Unilab Active Health running series. Run United started with only 6,000 runners when it was launched in March 2010 and the numbers have steadily grown in succeeding events. An estimated 12,000 runners participated during the Run United 3.

Run United 1 on March 4 started off this year’s RunRio Trilogy, followed by Run United 2 on June 17. Besides the races, Unilab Active Health also has a triathlon series, the third leg, of the Tri United 3 on Nov. 12 at Ayala, Alabang.