MANILA, Philippines?Put more meaning into your runs and channel your energy in a positive way in the 2009 fundraiser ?New Balance Power Run...Raising Hope? on September 27 at Fort Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig.
To benefit the Cancer Resource and Wellness (Carewell) Community, Philippine Cancer Society, ICanServe Foundation and the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, the New Balance Power Run returns to Manila in hopes of raising more money for charity.
?This will also be an opportunity for supporters, cancer survivors and serious runners to get together since we will be setting up tents. It should be a good day for everyone. More than anything, this is a benefit run. We don?t stand to profit at all?zero?from this,? said Anton Gonzalez, president of Planet Sports Inc.
With New Balance headlining the benefit run in the city, Gonzalez hopes to bring in a good mix of runners: supporters, survivors, children, recreational and elite athletes. Gonzalez said they are aiming to raise P200,000, to be divided among the three cancer institutions. (The Goulbourn Foundation will benefit from the 3k event.)
More than 3,000 have already registered so far; Gonzalez hopes the number will reach up to 5,000 participants. ?We?re not out to break any records here. We just want a number that is manageable enough to make it everyone?s while?a good, well-organized run,? he said.
Registration is until September 20 at New Balance outlets in Glorietta, Shangri-La Mall, Festival Mall, Planet Sports Rockwell, Planet Sports Trinoma, Planet Sports V-Mall, Secondwind UP Diliman and Runnr Bonifacio High Street. Forms can also be downloaded at www.newbalance.com.ph. There will be 21k, 10k, 5k and 3k events, with fees of P500 (21k), P350 (10k), P300 (5k) and P250 (3k).
The first 500 to register for the 3k will get a New Balance Power Run-Dole shirt; 5,000 singlets have been produced for the rest of the events. Finisher medals will be given to all participants of the 5k, 10k and 21k events; with winner medals for the top finishers. Up to P100,000 worth of prizes will be given away, with goodie bags that include Hershey?s Dark Chocolate.
Recovery meal
Like all previous New Balance runs, bananas will also be given away as recovery meal. All participants will also be entitled to 15-percent off on all New Balance products.
?As an organization, we wanted to create a positive impact on our community. As a brand that embraces the love for running, we decided to do something about it,? Gonzalez said.
Having seen through the years the growing interest and passion for running, Gonzalez said he hopes ?to lead the way to direct this passion to something that is more valuable.?
The Carewell community, a beneficiary of New Balance for three years now, has programs with support groups to help people with cancer and their families. The Philippine Cancer Society has a Lecture Series that aims to reach 25,000 participants, about 15,000 for breast and cervical examinations, and schools for the youth anti-smoking campaign. The community-based breast-cancer awareness project ?Ating Dibdibin? by ICanServe promotes early detection and supports all breast cancer patients.
?No doubt this will be a well-organized race with lots of hydration and goodies. We want to produce a quality run for a cause, and make it something participants will remember. We are urging people to come early so they can get their numbers out of 5,000,? Gonzalez said.
The ?New Balance Power Run...Raising Hope? is also supported by Smart, Rider, 100Plus, Planet Sports, The Athlete?s Foot, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ipanema, Summit Mineral Water, Phiten, Department of Tourism, Dole, California Pizza Kitchen, Alaska, Hershey?s, Solar Sports, K2 Interactive, Bridges, Cyrus Logistics Inc., Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, Yehey.com, Audiowav, Businessworld, Philippine Star, Action & Fitness magazine.
