A Truly Great Bank Fun Run 2012 – Race Review

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bank run race review 2012

A Truly Great Bank Fun Run – Race Review
Words by: Ms_Mars
Photos: Ms_Mars, Jhunbie Serna, RJ Knight Runner, Jojo Pauly

“The 1st BMAP Great Bank Fun Run event pushes through, rain or shine on Sunday, July 22. See you all there.” This was the announcement posted by BMAP (Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines) at various social media sites at the height of inclement weather brought about by a tropical typhoon weekend. The chosen venue was at Filinvest City (Filicity) in Alabang, not too far from the usual site of a popular and major annual marathon event.

BOC-Bank-Run

Bank employees, together with their families and friends alongside with different running groups and individuals arrived at the venue an hour before its 5:50AM gunstart for 10K. But BMAP and Without Limits’ Race Director Ian Alacar decided to move it at 6:30AM and 5mins thereafter for 5K and 3K. Why? It was still dark while some areas along the route were flooded due to overnight rains. This also gave a chance for latecomers to make it to their distances. The organizers also posted there was onsite registration between 4AM-5AM. While waiting, runners were already treated to coffee and juice samplings from its beverage sponsors and a special treat of pre-race bananas! The latter was something you don’t expect in most runs, so thank you on this one.

Emceed by the energetic Running Host Boy Ramos and BMAP’s Ms. Ann, both kept the mood alive from start to end. Opening remarks were delivered by BMAP President Mr. Allan Tumbaga of East West Bank who thanked all the runners who came and showed their support despite the typhoon. He also emphasized that BMAP’s goal was to promote the habit of saving among Filipino adults and children. Launched last year, the Kiddie Account Program is a program that encourages children 12 years old and below to develop the habit of saving money regularly by giving them easy and affordable access to the deposit facilities of the 11 BMAP member banks. After which, runners were able to stretch and wake their muscles up on a chilly race morning led by Kikay Runner.

BMAPgrp

It is interesting to note that the banking sector is always well-represented in most run events. Since this gathering was very much of their own, several internal running groups proudly wore their company visors and personalized singlets and looked forward to a great rainy run.

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The race route was something new and unfamiliar to a lot of first timers running in Filinvest City. The place was partly residential having lots of trees and greeneries. One is reminded of running inside Camps Crame or Aguinaldo or a town in not too far Laguna with less public and private vehicles. The weather was simply perfect! The air was crisp and fresh and the slight drizzle made it more conducive to everyone despite the challenging uphills and downhills of the 10K and 5K routes. The maximum distance had two loops and lots of runners had a grand time snapping their cameras away upon passing by the posh Palms Country Club, a mini waterfalls from one of the hills, frogs that crossed their paths and the Asian Hospital & Medical Center from a distance.

The organizers made sure everyone was well-hydrated and the drinking stations were properly assigned every 1.5-2Kms. Bananas were located at the first and last stations. To those who forgot their GPS watches, there were tall distance markers and directional signages. Energetic and cheery marshalls were spotted at minor and major curves, intersections and provided non-stop greets and motivations to every runner who passed by. Used drinking cups were picked up by the marshalls themselves at a given cleanup time.

Volunteer photographers positioned at strategic spots/areas and made sure they captured awesome running moments.

At the finish line, runners claimed their loot bags and the most anticipated item came from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 1986 People Power Revolution commemorative 10 peso coin. It is a limited edition item and this valuable and historic BSP memorabilia is a great alternative of a finisher’s medal which everyone had the privilege of taking home.

It was a breeze depositing and claiming personal stuffs from the baggage counter while a changing room/tent was also put up while it is fair to note that the portalets had an attendant who made sure each unit was well-maintained.

There were no fancy dance nor song numbers during the awarding ceremonies but all Top 3 male and female finishers of each three categories received exciting prizes from BMAP and its member banks plus co-sponsors. The event was personally graced by BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. who appreciated the runner’s presence and support in their very first run-related fundraising event. The governor also assisted in the handing out of prizes to the fastest runners.

OmarS

Congrats to Omar Seradilla and Kikay Runner Noelle de Guzman who excelled and were among 10K’s top finishers. We’re very proud of you!

patrick concepcion

Spotted among the running crowd was Mr. Patrick Concepcion, Condura Skyway organizer who was supposed to run in a separate event which was postponed but since he resides nearby, took advantage of still running on a Sunday and lending support to the cause. A group of runners were even on taper mode in prep for a major marathon event happening next week.

raffle

The event was capped by overflowing raffle prizes which consisted of PAL business class round-trip plane tickets, hotel accommodation, gift certificates, appliances and useful items from BMAP member banks to the delight of the crowd. Congrats to all winners! Better luck next time to the rest.

Overall, BMAP’s The Great Bank Fun Run lived up to its title. It was an intimately successful and organized debut run event from the banking sector which the running community won’t hesitate to
support should they decide to make this worthy cause a yearly event. Perhaps a longer run distance next time?

Congratulations and extra special thanks to the BMAP Officers, Without Limits, ProActive and Pinoyfitness for the opportunity of covering this event.

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16 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Ms Mars – just like to inform you lng po n mali un name n nkaindicate sa race result for my BIB number. Knino po b pde ipacorrect un list? BIB # 10349 po ako per iba name un nka state dun. mkiki inform n lng po kung cno man incharge. tnx

  2. @GenRo
    sorry to hear about this. pwedeng i-address ito sa WithoutLimits. i noticed nag-send kna ng msg sa kanila sa BMAP thread.
    pls give them time to work on it.

    salamat sa suporta. sa ulitin.

  3. @Ms_Mars

    Paki-post ng link para sa mga photos from this run. So far, 2 albums from Team USB lang ang na-view ko.

    Thanks, thanks, thanks.

  4. We were truly blessed with great weather and even better, happy runners! That was a great race indeed with cool weather. I had a grand time with the runners in the raffle, those are the most lovable hecklers ever! To their surprise even the heckler won hahahaha good vibes all the way. Kudos to BMAP, Without limits and the runners!

  5. @Ms_Mars…This is indeed a Great Fun Run despite the other scheduled runs who postponed their events. The organizers have the spirit to push through with the event no matter what kind of natural calamity was there waiting for them because they know it would be a great success. Just like in the banking business, investments would never earned if you will not take some risk on what circumstances might happened.

    This event is also a BIG success for me. I woke up so early early during this day, opened the windows and see to it that the weather is not that bad. When I realized that it was somewhat a good weather to push through with the plan of attending the event, I dressed-up and drove myself to Alabang.

    This event was my 1st photography debut, it was so hard for me adjusting with the settings of my camera because it’s a little bit dark. But I still shoot and shoot, encouraging runners to smile in front of the camera and the outcome? There is no such words to describe what I felt right now seeing my pictures on Top. Thank you very much Ms. Mars for really appreciating my pictures and this would encouraged me to take more and more good photos in the future events. To all my running photographer buddies, let us continue to make people happy with our pictures. Mabuhay :-)

  6. Hi Ms Mars – thanks! Hope you can assist me with this issue as race result is very important to us as runners. Actually i texted this no. 09278756671 and they replied immediately nman n iaammend daw un result. Anyway, Congrats po tlga sa Organizers & BMAP kc succesful un first run! HLooking forward to The Great Bank Fun Run 2!!!

  7. Hi Ms. Mars! Thank you sa nakaka-touch na review. We were also very happy to have brought this event to everyone. Thank you sa Pinoy Fitness for supporting this event. :D We hope you support our next events.

  8. Mars
    Thank you very much for the kind words.
    Yes It was a very Good Race.
    Loved every minute of it!.
    Ian Alcazar – Without limits did a fantastic job.
    PinoyFitness you guys are awesome !

    Raul Patrick Concepcion
    RunningShield
    Condura Skyway Marathon Running Ambassador
    ” Make Running a way of Life “

  9. wow! thanks Ms. Mars!
    This was a Super Fun Run, thanks to Mr. Running Host at buhay na buhay ang crowd.
    Congrats also to Lolo na tinalo pa ako sa 10km category.haha More fun runs to come!

  10. Ms Mars – san po ba pde mkita un ibang pics ntin? meron po ba link? pra nman po mapost ko sa FB.. mang iinggit lng nung ndi sumama sakin kc akala eh babagyuhin tayo at the same time eh mapakita ko sa knila kung gnu tau kasaya during the run… hehehe…

  11. Ms. Mars – Wagas ka talaga a paglalahad ng mga kaganapan sa patakbong ito. Isang palakpak para sa BMAP Officers, Without Limits, ProActive and Pinoyfitness sa matagumpay na patakbong ito. At syempre, napakaraming palakpak para kay Ms. Mars dahil sa pagiging aktibo na makatulong sa mga kapwa niyang mananakbo. Impormasyon, pagkakawang gawa, pagsusulat, pagsupporta at kung ano pa… walang iba Ms. Mars ang pangalan nya! Kampay!

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