Celebrating Global Running Day last June 5, let’s talk about how the rise of the running industry has been more observable in the past year. 

Personally, whenever I ask my peers about their experience with what got them into running and why they think one should try, on top of the health benefits, it’s also the common boost of personal empowerment that runners cultivate among themselves. The sense of positivity and flow of endorphins form a powerful bond, and running just happens to be an achievable platform for it.

 

MILO® Marathon photo courtesy of www.bworldonline.com

 

READY SET GO! THIS WAS HOW IT STARTED:

One of the first commercialized marathons in the Philippines was hosted by MILO®, a popular chocolate malt drink brand. The MILO® Marathon is a prestigious annual running event in the country that has been held since 1974. It has become one of the most well-known and well-participated running events in the Philippines, attracting both amateur and professional runners across different age groups. In fact, over 10,000 runners joined in the most recent MILO® Marathon. Amazing, right!?

Several races enroll 10,000 new runners and eventually become a cornerstone of their weekly activities despite their busy schedules toppling their professional bouts. Some of them run everyday during sunrise and before sunset, while others run on weekends as part of a club or running clinics.

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RUNNING:

 

HOW ABOUT WALKING?: HOW MANY STEPS PER DAY?

Walk-run-walk is another form of running that most beginners opt to practice. Others focus mainly on walking, which is also a great option especially if you want to sustain accomplishing a certain number of steps daily – you can even do this at home!

 

The number of steps you should aim for per day to stay fit can vary based on individual factors such as age, fitness level, and overall health goals. Although, a common recommendation is to strive for around 10,000 steps per day, which is roughly equivalent to walking 5 miles or 8 kilometers.

 

Here are some general guidelines based on step counts:

For overall fitness and health benefits, aiming for at least 10,000 steps per day is a good target. However, it’s essential to remember that any increase in physical activity from your current level can be beneficial. Gradually increasing your step count over time is key to preventing injury and maintaining long-term consistency in physical activity.

 

GEARING UP:

Keep in mind that it’s essential to invest in quality gear that fits well and supports your running goals while ensuring comfort and safety during your runs. Here’s an approximate breakdown of common running gear and their estimated costs in Philippine pesos:

 

 

RUNNING CLUBS/COMMUNITIES IN PH:

Several running clubs and organizations have gained popularity in the Philippines for promoting a healthy lifestyle, fostering camaraderie among runners, and organizing various running events. These running clubs provide opportunities for runners to connect, train together, participate in races, and support each other in their fitness journeys.

• Red Light Run Club
• Rockwell Run Club
• RWP Run Club
• We Ken Run
• Takbo.ph
• Leadpack
• Run365PH 
• Happy Feet Running Club

 

photo courtesy of We Ken Run’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WeKenRun

 

RUNNING HOT SPOTS:

Whether you prefer urban settings, parks, or natural landscapes, there are numerous options available across different cities and regions in the Philippines to suit your running preferences and fitness goals:

• UP Diliman Academic Oval (Quezon City)
• Bonifacio Global City (BGC) (Taguig City)
• Ayala Triangle Gardens (Makati City)
• Rizal Park (Manila)
• Nuvali (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)
• Antipolo City
• Cebu City
• Baguio City

 

Throwback trivia: In 2019, RareJob held an event called Splash Run wherein tutors, along with their friends and family members gathered in the Marikina Sports Center for a summer day filled with sports activities and even trampoline adventures together with the RJ team.

Do you think we should do something like this again?