Celebrities grace Run United 2 on June 17

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrities from major networks will participate in the Run United 2 on June 17 at the SM Mall of Asia. The event is organized by Unilab Active Health and RunRio, Inc. Over 14,000 are expected to sign up in all categories for the race that is envisioned to break the half-marathon record set during Run United 1 earlier in March since registration closed over the weekend for the 5,000-mark.

Grace Lee, Mark Bautista and Luis Alandy of GMA 7; director Lino Cayetano and Carmina Villaroel of ABS-CBN; and JC de Vera and Miriam Quiambao of TV5 are some of the artists joining the activity.

“This shows the maturity of Filipino runners. There are still many running enthusiasts who run with friends and families for fun. But long-distance runners are keeping pace in terms of the turnout at Run United races,” said Alex Panlilio, Unilab Active Health head.

According to RunRio president Rio dela Cruz, their target is 5,000 slots for the half-marathon or 21K category but they will accommodate some more runners if necessary. “Run United 2 is slated to be the biggest 21K race in the Philippines. At Run United 1 earlier this year, there were 4,000 21K runners. We are just getting bigger every year,” he added. 

Registration is extended until today for the other race categories at Run United 2 — the 500-m dash for kids, 3K, 5K and 10K. All categories except for 21K will start and finish at the SM Mall of Asia. The 21K will start at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and finish at SM Mall of Asia. Free shuttle services for all 21K runners from SM Mall of Asia to BGC starting at 2:30 a.m. This service will be available at 15-minute intervals until the last trip scheduled at 3:30 a.m. in time for the 4:30 a.m. gun start.

A total of 13,000 runners participated in Run United 1. The Run United races are for the benefit of Gawad Kalusugan (the health program of Gawad Kalinga) and the Children’s Hour.

The Run United 2 Race Expo will be held from June 12 to 16 at Block 51, 9th Ave. cor. 26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Claimants should bring their registration receipt or confirmation e-mail when claiming their race kits.

The specific schedule of race kit distribution at the race expo are as follows: June 12 to 13, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., priority lane: 21K/Regular lane: All other categories; June 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., priority 10K; June 15, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., priority 5K; and June 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., priority: 500m dash, 3K and 5K. 

A number of new concepts and services for the participants and their families will be introduced at Run United 2 including the improved Active Health Expo with more areas to explore and services to avail. Regular activities such as photo booth, awards program and cheer-dance competition will still be there. 

The Active Health Expo will feature the following:

 • Active Kids Zone where activities such as puppet shows, art classes, among others, await the runners’ children.

• Runners’ Lounge Zone where runners can reward themselves by trying the ice cooling stations and availing free stretching services of physical therapists, among others, for faster recovery.

• i-Connect Zone where runners can share the Run United experience in social networking sites with free wi-fi connection in digital stations.

• Health, Sports and Leisure Zone where runners can participate in activities and challenges that promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Participants also get a chance to win prizes.

• Food Zone where runners can load up on protein, carbo and health drinks to recover fast and stay healthy.

All Run United 2 finishers for the 500m, 3K, 5K and 10K categories will receive an Active Health sling bag, drinks and race analysis. 21K runners will receive a finisher’s medal, finisher’s shirt, Active Health sling bag, drinks and race analysis.

For details, log on to www.unilabactivehealth.com and www.runrio.com.