NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Channel’s Earth Day Run returns for an eighth straight year this April 23, 2017 (Sunday) at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City with a projected total of 20,000 runners answering the starting gun for the five, 10, 21 and 42.195-kilometer categories. The country’s leading environment-friendly race continues to grow from year to year as similar events will be held simultaneously overseas in Shanghai, Singapore, Taichung and Hong Kong.
This year, noted race organizer Coach Rio de la Cruz and his team at Runrio Events has been appointed to handle the event so expect a lot of changes and improvements. For starters, registration will be more accessible with stations set up at SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA aside from online registration at www.natgeoearthdayrun.com beginning on March 1, 2017.
Race fees are set at PHP 1,800.00 for 42.195 kilometers, PHP 1,400.00 for 21 kilometers, PHP 950.00 for 10 kilometers and PHP 850.00 for five kilometers. All race kits will include a special race shirt and race bib with timing chip, a pair of LED shoelaces and freebies and gifts from sponsors while 42.195 and 21-kilometers participants are entitled to a finisher shirt and medal upon completing their race.
Since this will be the eighth year of the NatGeo Earth Day Run, a special treat awaits runners that have loyally and faithfully joined all the runs. Just present one’s race bibs from 2010 to 2016 upon registration in order to receive perks like preferential placement at the starting line, an express lane for claiming post-race goodies and an exclusive warm-up and recovery area during race day.
Kits may then be claimed from April 8 to 16 at the venue chosen by the runner on the registration form. Meanwhile, online registrants’ kits shall be delivered by courier.
Prizes in cash and kind await the top male and female runners in all distance categories with PHP 10,000.00 awaiting the marathon King and Queen. Special awards will also be given out to runners who will be donning costumes with an environmental theme.
Meanwhile, a special exhibit will feature photos and memorabilia from all the past NatGeo Runs at the event village. It will also highlight its different projects and accomplishments.
Through the year, the NatGeo Earth Day Run has benefited various institutions in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund For Nature Philippines (WWF). Among the projects undertaken were saving Irawaddy Dolphins in Palawan, providing lighting for remote areas in Masbate, protecting and preserving the Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro and reforesting the watershed along Ipo Dam in Bulacan, a major source of Metro Manila’s water.
As proven by its track record, the NatGeo Earth Day Run is easily one of the most attended events of the annual running calendar so act fast and help promote environmental awareness through running. Slots are expected to be filled up as more and more Filipinos embrace the run’s advocacy of saving the only planet we got!
