Chronicles: Takbo.ph 20 Miler Run - Despite the rain and cold

It was a cold Sunday morning, and everyone may either be still in their bed enjoying the weather while asleep or already at the streets near UST or Quirino Grandstand for the papal visit. Me and my sister woke up early for our first run for 2015. It was the Takbo.ph 20 Miler Run.

The Takbo.ph 20 Miler Run was the first run of Takbo.ph for 20 Mile or 32 Kilometers. But aside from the 32km there will also be races for 5km, 10km, and 16km (10Miles). The race for the 32km started at 3:30 am while the 16km gun start is at 5 am followed by the 10km at 5:30 and the 5km at 5:45 am.

We arrived at the Bonifacio Global City, the venue of the run, at around 3:30 am, just a few minutes after the 32km started. I decided to go early because I wanted to have a feel of the weather and to condition myself of the cold that we will experience while running. I wanted also to have an early warm-up since this is my first time to run for more than 10km.

our race map

When our run started, we felt some drizzle of rain just like what was forecasted by television host and weather forecaster Kim Atienza, who also joined the race. The start of the race route was also dark and there are times that the only light will come from the motorcycles and jeepneys from the other side of the road. But it was not the dark road and the rain that challenged me in

the run, it was the Kalayaan Flyover. The run and walk that I step at the flyover was very tiring and hard. Luckily, the hydration station after the flyover was offering Pocari Sweat that it helped revived some of my strength. Aside from the water and Pocari Sweat there are also some bread that was being offered along Gil Puyat Avenue. Since the venue of the race is in Makati and Bonifacio Global City, you will be always caught in intersection with traffic lights, in which sometimes you have to stop and give way to passing vehicles. For some it will be irritating especially if you are after your performance for the run, I think of it as an opportunity to rest and catch some breath.

going up the Kalayaan flyover - going back to BGC

After 2 hours and 14 minutes of running and walking along the street of Bonifacio Global City and Makati I was able to reach the finish line, where I was given a medal. There was a feeling of accomplishment as I received my medal that I finally surpassed my 10k distance. Everyone who have finished the race will be given a medal and loot bags while the 16k and 3k runners will also receive a finisher’s shirt.