Last chance to join Asics Relay

There’s a new concept of marathon running and Asics has taken the lead in staging the relay innovation that was introduced in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok last year. The first Asics Relay in the Philippines will reel off at SM By the Bay in the MOA complex, Pasay City, on May 26 with at least 750 four-strong teams expected to tackle the course over 21 and 42 kilometers.

Registration went from March 14 to April 27 but organizers decided to extend the deadline up to today to accommodate late entries. Interested runners may sign up at www.asics.com/asics-relay until midnight. For every team of four, the fee is P3,600 for the half-marathon and P3,800 for the full-marathon. If an individual wishes to participate but has no team, organizers will find a slot in the mixed category of the 21 and 42 kilometer runs.

The three categories are men, female and mixed. In the mixed category, there must be at least one of a different gender, like one male with three females or one female with three males or two males and two females. Winners of the full-marathon in the three categories will be awarded free plane tickets with accommodations and a running slot at an Asics Relay event in another country. The next country to host an Asics Relay is Indonesia in August.

Asics sports marketing officer Baby Joy Lagat said slots for the full-marathon in the three categories were sold out within the initial registration period. “We decided to reopen registration until today (May 10) because of the high demand,” she said. “We’ve set a maximum of 750 total teams for both runs but we might exceed the limit. This is Asics Philippines’ first own event this year and we’re excited to welcome runners from all over. Runners must be at least 16 and there’s no limit as to age so we expect young and old runners alike to enjoy this unique event. Those who may be intimidated by either a half or full-marathon now get a chance to run with teammates and participate. It’s fun and there’s teamwork involved.”

In the half-marathon, each runner must cover a distance of 5.25 kilometers and in the full-marathon, 10.5. A relay token will be carried by each runner with the handoff made at a designated transition zone. Runners will be given racepack entitlements, including an Asics branded shirt, backpack, vouchers and a finisher’s medal. Organizers are planning to set up booths where Asics footwear and apparel will be available for sale at discounted prices during the event.

Lagat said Asics Asia regional representatives will fly in to witness the staging which starts at 5:30 a.m. Singapore group HiVelocity and local outfit Run Rio are coordinating to organize the event. Lagat said celebrities and influencers like actress Kris Bernal, broadcaster Dyan Castillejo and marathoner Mary Joy Tabal are lined up to participate. Tabal is the first Filipina marathoner to qualify for the Olympics and won the gold medal in the event at the Southeast Asian Games last year.

“Our CEO Sir Anil (Buxani) is going all out to make sure the first Asics Relay in the Philippines will be a huge success,” said Lagat. “From all indications, it will be a big hit. So far, there are four exclusive Asics athletic stores in the country in BGC, Trinoma, Ayala Cebu and Greenbelt 3 and another will open at the Alabang Town Center this month. It’s perfect timing that we’re launching the Asics Relay in two weeks.”

Asics, the leading brand in running and indoor (squash, badminton, volleyball) athletic shoes, is also making waves in other sports like tennis, wrestling, athletics and triathlon. Early this year, Novak Djokovic was named Asics brand ambassador after switching from Adidas. In its website, Asics enumerated several benefits of participating in the Asics Relay – “make new friends, stay healthy and happy, reduce stress, get a natural glow, sleep better, boost memory, increase stamina, improve self-esteem, get your sexy back and bond with your buddies.” Those are compelling reasons why joining the Asics Relay is a can’t miss proposition for beginners and long-time runners alike.