Run with Piolo and Rio at the TIMEX Run 2012

Get your running shoes ready, because TIMEX Run 2012 is here!

Last Friday I attended the presscon for the run held at Cafe La Carmela in Makati City wherein the unbeatable running tandem of Piolo Pascual and Coach Rio dela Cruz gamely answered our questions and posed for pictures with the invited press.

Coach Rio is a multiple champion runner, coach, and marathon organizer so it's no surprise to see him spearhead the run, but others may be surprised to see sought-after Piolo alongside him. For those who are not aware, Piolo is actually a running enthusiast who've already joined several sporting events. His enthusiasm and passion for it were very obvious with the way he answered the questions thrown to him by the press so he's not just in it for the sake of endorsing in exchange of money. He said it's already a way of life for him, and when asked if there are any special preparations he does before a run, he said he just treats it like any other day. Do you know that he finished 21KM in two hours?? I remember my own record during last year's Earth Run. I finished 5KM in - wait for it - 57 minutes! Hooray! ;D Anyway, Piolo's most important tip? Make sure to stretch before and after :)

By the way, he said he regularly runs around UP Diliman... So I guess I'll start jogging there every once in a while just to, you know, keep my body healthy and all...

Ehem, back to the details of the TIMEX run. Piolo and Rio have dedicated time from their busy schedules to ensure they're in the best shape come race day. Aside from the special chance to get fit and have fun running side-by-side with these two TIMEX ambassadors, a handful of other celebrities and personalities will also be there like Jessy Mendiola, Joseph Marco, Victor Basa, and Boys Night Out DJs Slick Rick and Sam YG.

Athletes, race fanatics, and casual runners can choose from three categories: 5KM, 10KM, and 16KM. The race is organized by the Runrio team who assures accuracy in timing through the help of "champion" chips, timing devices attached to shoe laces specially designed to let runners monitor their starting and finishing times with stern accuracy (I used one during the Earth Run). Another innovative feature is the Runpix analysis which is a record of interesting running statistics unique to each individual who ran. The records will be available after the race at www.runrio.com and www.timexrunning.com.

Who could resist a picture with the two running stars?

Not me, apparently.

Here are the routes of the three categories together with the assembly time:

All finishers will take home loot bags form various sponsors [like Riovana, Century Tuna, Magnolia Lite, Nutri Bar, Kaspersky, Multisport Magazine, and Unilab] while those who will finish first in every category will get TIMEX watches and Skechers shoes! There'll also be a photobooth provided by Canon to make sure everyone will get to take home souvenirs from the day, aside from digital cameras that will be raffled off. Hydration partners Powerade and VIVA! Mineralized Water will also be there to make sure everyone is powered up all throughout the race. Anddd guess what? In honor of Piolo's birthday, a total of 35 TIMEX watches will also be raffled off! Not bad, not bad at all :)

Time is running out and tomorrow is the last day for registration, so better visit the Riovana stores at Bonifacio Global City or Katipunan, or the Timex outlet at TriNoma, or the Watch Republic shop in Robinsons Galleria to sign up! Registration fees are at P650 (5KM), P700 (10KM), and P750 (16KM). 15 Timex watches are also up for grabs when you register as a group at Riovana outlets.

Remember, tomorrow is the last day of registration! For more details, please visit this site.