Running at the Kalayaan-Buendia Flyover for Energen Healthy Run 2014

Running | Energen Healthy Run 2014 (Manila Leg)

Running at the Kalayaan-Buendia Flyover for Energen Healthy Run 2014
Running at the Kalayaan-Buendia Flyover for Energen Healthy Run 2014

It was the cheap price that attracted me to this fun run. Nowadays in the time when fun runs would charge about Php 500 up, it would let people think twice on joining. The Energen Healthy Run 2014 only cost Php 400 for a 10k run. It’s quite a rarity so I decided to sign in since the run would be at BGC in Taguig which is close to my place, and I was near the registration area which is the Reebok store in Megamall. I got race kit immediately after registration. Simply the race singlet, only free-size available, and the race bib. The singlet was just okay in quality though but since it’s just Php 400, I just shrugged it off, what’s important is it fits fine.

Simple race kit
Simple race kit

Race Day

I was actually bracing for a wet run under the rain last Sunday but good thing it didn’t pour. Weather was quite pleasant as well. The race didn’t start as it was written which is at 5:00am. 10k runners were given a cup of Energen for a ceremonial toast but I could feel people were itching to start the run. By 5:30am the signal was given and the run started.

One of my aims for joining this run is to do a Sub-1 10k time which is an under 1 hour finish time. Organized race is the best place to do this since it has time constraints. I had my MapMyRun app running so I could take note of my pace and progress. I was also worried since I barely slept (blame that afternoon coffee I had the day before) and when I checked out the race map the night before, I realized we’ll be going up the flyover to Buendia. I knew that the elevation factor could have an effect but hey I’m already there.

Raising our cup of Energen for that ceremonial start of the run
Raising our cup of Energen for that ceremonial start of the run

PepSquad Organization

The Energen Healthy Run is organized by PepSquad Events. First time to join their event and I’m quite surprised how organized this run is. Water stations are well placed and spaced apart (and cool to say the least). There are already a few sweepers already collecting some of the loose water cups on the streets but does not hinder other runners on the road. Marshals does not only stand by but also cheers for runners as well. The 10k race route has some distance discrepancy with running app by half a kilometer but that may just be some GPS error in my part. The flyover route was a treat, last time I did that was with the PSE Bull RunIt’s just amazing to see the landscape of Makati and BGC skyscrapers early in the morning making me want to live in this area. My sister is actually looking for a condo in the area, and I recommended her this article about what makes a great neighborhood. Based on that read, it seems like Makati and BCG really fit the bill.

Energen Healthy Run doesn’t have a time chip like other runs and instead relied on barcode scans which I think would also affect official run time record since we had to line up after the finish line. But I guess that’s one way to cut down on the race cost.

Running back to BGC from the flyover
Running back to BGC from the flyover

Overall Run Experience

For my run goal of a Sub-1 time at Energen Healthy Run? I didn’t quite accomplished it having a 1-2 minutes over an hour. And I blame it for my lack of sleep. But still I really had fun on this run. The race was well organized, they have cool mountain bike raffle prizes which a lot stayed behind for hoping to be picked (though I hope next time they have separate ballots for each category). Informative after run activities like the nutrition lecture and those healthy cups of Energen. And I think the loot bag was also worth my time. I got a finisher’s shirt and a couple of sample sachets of Energen products which I liked. Very good value run and am looking for next year’s already for the Manila Leg. There’s also an Energen Healthy Run (Baguio Leg) coming up on August 17, 2014 for people up the north. If it would be the same people behind the Manila leg run, I would highly recommend it.

My cup of Energen before the run, I just took a zip though
My cup of Energen before the run, I just took a zip though
The loot bag from Energen Healthy Run 2014 Manila Leg
The loot bag from Energen Healthy Run 2014 Manila Leg

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