Did you run at the Color Manila Run Black Light Edition – Manila 2016? If not, you have may have missed out a great run party. Here’s my honest take regarding the most talked-about color run this month.
1.) It was a 100% FUN-run!
There are only 3 reasons why I join a race: 1.) I want to break my official PR whenever I can, 2.) train for longer distances, and 3.) I want to earn that cool finisher shirt. With those being said, I’ll fall straight under the “serious runners” category. Joining and running at Color Manila’s ‘Black Light’ 2016 edition was amazingly unnatural for me. My only GOAL in this race was to slow down and enjoy.There was no air of “competitiveness” around. Yes, there was a lot of walking that happened in this run. One must understand that the exact point of the event was simple: You’re not supposed to take it seriously. Everyone was there to have fun, play around on the streets, and exhaust the entire distance making memories with their friends and families.
For a “serious runner” like me, it was like having a long recess with thousands of kids after a very complicated subject in school. It’s break time!
PS: A special shout-out to those brave men who brought Star Wars Lightsabers. That was a pretty awesome idea.
2.) It promotes a CLEAN party experience.
Because of the recent issues that circulated in the news recently, the organizers of Color Manila Run took the mantle of responsibility and encouraged all runners to have a CLEAN party. The definition of “CLEAN” meant no alcohol and no drugs. You want to get drunk? Get and fill yourself with Vita Coco. The gesture done by the organizers during the jumpstart of the event was an impressive show of credibility to their clients. The Color Manila Run remained faithful in promoting a healthy lifestyle and an enjoyable running experience for everybody. Great job on this one, CMR!
3.) It was well-ORGANIZED.
Most of the runners had a pleasant experience (There is no such thing as a perfect event). The implementation of registration mechanics, set-up of the race village, transition of each running category, hydration, road facilitation, quality of race inclusions, and distribution of kits and freebies were all good. I always had this tendency to criticize every run I join in, and I have nothing to say about this run. Yes, the registration fee was quite expensive but it was fair, considering how everything turned out. Organizing a smooth event like this with a registered number of 9,000 runners is a commendable feat.
4.) It’s goes NATIONWIDE.
Different editions of the Color Manila Run are held in several parts of the country every year. During the press conference at the Prive’, I had the chance to see the races that the CMR had organized throughout the years. It was amazing to imagine the number of people who actually participate in this kind of race. It didn’t matter whether you are from Manila or Davao, Luzon or Mindanao.
The Color Manila Run surely brought the fun in Filinvest, Alabang that night.
5.) It is a Run-For-A-Cause event.
The CMR supports humanitarian advocacies. The Color Manila Foundation Inc is an organization that aims to help educate and support our fellow Filipinos. The event promotes a Shoebox drive that will benefit the people of the Mangyan and Dumagat tribes. It’s good to know that I was going run in an event that has a motive to help others and not just make profits. It’s one of those events that has a HEART.
Pow Salud Studio 