Upon learning that LeadPack team (Jinoe,Doc Lyndon and Ian) will organize this race, I registered immediately on the day race registration was opened at New Balance store in Glorietta. That was months ago. Fast forward today July 5, I was able to witness one of the best race for this year.

Seeing a lot of newbies and pioneers wearing Takbo.ph singlet was pretty unusual.  Usually during road races, you would only see a few runners donning the official singlet. Today was different, majority were wearing the race official singlet! The not-so-newbie would wear their orange singlets, frosh people would wear their blue singlets(although some of them are  really old members that simply don’t have the black one) and the pioneers the black one. It was a sight to behold.

The program formally started with Running Diva singing the National Anthem, some words from takbo.ph main man Jinoe followed by some stretching exercises by Noelle. I remember the guys around me were having fun doing those stretching moves…and while they were watching Noelle in awe

Race started at exactly 6am. My plan for this race was not to gun for PR/PB but to test my body. If you’ve read my previous blogpost, I did suffer from internal bleeding. So I took this race to “test the water” and see if I can still run at race pace. Thankfully, my body didn’t fail me (though I’m pissed I lose steam on the last 800 meters). The route was exciting, unlike the usual Lawton-Bayani route and back to starting line route, it was also relatively flat, a nice route if you’re gunning for a PR/PB. While I was not really aiming for a PR (unofficial finish time of 53:53 for 10km), I’m satisfied with my time (I’ll go race mode at RunToRead). Hydration courtesy of Powerade,  they were plenty of them no one will complain about lack of them! Marshalls courtesy of Team Boring including those cheerers were the best (we really don’t need those “bouncers” like in other races, we just need people who know how to do their job well). You could feel their sincerity in helping runners because after all, these volunteers are runners too!

And guess what, for the first time, I attended a race program, from start to the end! I usually don’t because its usually ALWAYS boring. But the organizers made this one really fun, starting with a dance program from Alabang Runners, followed by sexy guy runners spelling Takbo.ph with their butts, a mini fashion show down for the girls and lots of games. There were many crowds watching the event so it was really fun.

Congrats to LeadPack for a well organized race. I was telling them after the race program that they could give other race organizers a real run for their money! So guys, PANALO to, remember the team, LeadPack. Congrats to all finishers and many thanks to the sponsors for helping this race an unforgettable experience.

Photos taken from takbo.ph Facebook account.

Class Picture

Some of the pioneers

Related posts:

1. 20.78km LSD Run with Takbo.ph

Tags: takbo.ph runfest