Running for the love of Mom

MANILA, Philippines - Kicking off the 25th anniversary celebration of The Philippine Star, which is July 25, the fun run “Run For Mom” was a fitting tribute to the great founding mother of this newspaper, the late Betty Go-Belmonte.

With the memories of their late mother as inspiration, her children led by STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel G. Belmonte mounted “Run for Mom” on Mothers’ Day last Sunday, May 8.

A total of 1,800 participants registered to run the 2.5k race while another 900 runners joined the 5k race.  Run for Mom’s route was around the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill at The Fort in Taguig City.

The race was literally Star-studded with many Philippine STAR employees and their families joining. STAR vice president for advertising Lucien Dytioco, who co-organized event, led the STAR troopers and mothers like me, who joined the 2.5k event.

The author Marichu Villanueva with her sister Rachel

After warm-up exercises led by Skechers, the race started. Dytioco fired the ceremonial gun for the 5k at exactly 6 a.m., followed by the 2.5k in the uphill starting line. McKinley Hill, known for its sloping terrain, was a challenging route. The cool down after the race was led by Fitnes First instructors who led participants in a 45-minute Body Jam session.

The top 25 finishers for each event were awarded led by 5k winner Willy Tanui who clocked 0:15: 51 and second-placer James Tallam at 15:54. 

The male-dominated 5k race was broken into by Nhea Ann Barcena, the only female runner who finished at 20th place with a 19:39 time.

Emcee and STAR columnist Maricel Pangilinan with the oldest runner, her own grandma, 88-year-old Anastacia dela Cueva, and Jag Garcia

The rest of the top 25 finishers in the 5k race are Abraham Missos (16:09); Alley Quisay (16:15); Rafael Poliquit Jr.( 16:28); Bernardo Desamito (17:07); Marvin Lim (17:28); Fernandito Pineda (17:53); Alvin Canada (18:25); Angelo Gonzalo (18:26); Ronald Salgado (18:34); Arsenio Uminga (18:37); Melanio Ayala (18:41); Angel Delos Santos (18:53); Anthonetel Garcia (18:55); Lito Gernale (18:56); Sixto Ducay (18:57); Marlon Caldoy (19:07); Danilo Sanchez (19:14); Carlo Bitanga (19:41); Arse Lumauag (19:42); Jerome Lagumbay (20:02); Froilan Ferrangullo (20:05); and Jansen Garcia (20.09).     

In the 2.5k event, no female runner made it to the top 25. But there was a three-way tie for the top three places with runners crossing the finish line all at the same time, at 07:40. They were Marvin Duarte, Justine Tabunda, and Gerald de Asis.

The next finishers in the 2.5k race also came in under eight minutes. They were Elher Sabal (7:45), Kimbert Sarmiento (7:51), Wencie Maulas (7:55), Jun Torre (7:56).  Brian Pumicpic and Dave Gumacal both finished at 7:57, followed by Ram Lacson (7:58), and Jonathan Galo and Nelson Elijeran both 7:59.

It was a close race for the rest of the top 25 finishers: Michael Abanador, Joselito Reyes, and Edmund Corpus finished at 8:00, and Michel Dangca and Carlito Fantilaga at 8:01.

Likewise Ernie Opiana and Jed Catawingan clocked in at 8:03. Joma Boncales came in alone at 08:04. Abundio Corral and Romeo Marquez finished at 8:07. Art Thomas Fronda finished his race at 8:08 and not far behind were Christopher Molines and Regie Lumawag at 8:09.

The top 25 finishers in both events got their prizes during the awarding program that immediately followed the race.  They each received P2,500, a STAR Run for Mom medallion, and gift packs from major sponsors, such as Del Monte Phils. They also got Skechers running shoes, Aficionado gift pack, and a STAR loot bag loaded with goodies from sponsors.

Entire families ran for their moms — including babies on strollers, too.

The program was hosted by celebrity mother and STAR Lifestyle columnist Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, who is sporting a baby bump and came along with her husband Anthony and two daughters who also joined Run for Mom.  She was assisted by Jag Garcia, organizing committee member, and Dytioco as co-emcees.

Other celebrity runners included Vina Morales, who herself is a mother of a three-year-old, and Karylle, daughter of song diva ZsaZsa Padilla. The two moms, clad in pink running gear, joined the 2.5k event.

This writer could only envy the strides of the two young celebrity runners. Karylle crossed the finish line at 12:50 while Vina posted 19:40. A first-timer of this kind of fun run, this writer finished the race at 31:42.

Two special awards were also given out to the “oldest female runner,” 88-year-old Anastacia dela Cueva, and “youngest runner,” three-year-old Angelique Tingzon. They both got Aficionado and Magnolia gift packs, and STAR giveaways.

Powerade and Wilkins were freely flowing at hydration stations along the route. Ambulances with doctors and nurses were stationed in case of medical emergencies.

Vina Morales, herself a mother, leads this pack of women runners at STAR’s Run for Mom race on Mother’s Day last Sunday.

There were a lot of raffle prizes given away to participants whose bib numbers served as raffle numbers.  Tents and booths were put up for participants to avail of freebies including McDonald’s McCafe, Gardenia sandwiches, Century Tuna, Magnolia ice cream, and many more. A booth was set up offering free health assessment and body fat analysis, and a massage area

One of the longest queues was for the STAR loot bag, which had gift certificates for free bikini wax, gift checks from David’s Salon, a gift pack from Body Shop, and Havaianas flip-flops.

While it rained very hard on the eve of the fun run due to the  entry of tropical storm “Bebeng,” the overcast skies provided the  best weather conditions for Run for Mom.