NatGeo Earth Day Run 2010 Redefined My Perspective

Why are you running?

This is the most common question every runner would hear from their non-runner friends. And as for me, I would normally answer, "I run because it is my only form of exercise"; followed with a smile and continue with, "and it brings fulfillment in my being."

It is obvious that running had been a boom in our country now. Before, all I knew was the Milo Marathon. But now, there were race events here and there that you really had a lot of races to choose from. So, how do you choose the race you should join?

This is another question with a variety of answers from runners. For me, I had several considerations when it comes to picking up the race; to wit:

• Who organizes the race? This is somewhat vital for me to know if the race will be well organized or not. Or most probably, I'll be looking at the reviews of the last year's race event to just know what's in store for me.
• Where is the venue of the race? I love the route at McKinley. I must say that I am already missing the route there - the challenging uphills. BHS is a great venue. UP Diliman is equally great. I only had two races joined at MOA, and it was fine too. Probably, the proximity of the place is a help in decision making.
• How much is the registration fee? Of course, the cheaper the registration fee, the better.
• What are included in the registration? More likely, the nicer the singlet, the better.
  

So, knowing that National Geographic Channel's Earth Day Run 2010 will be having a technical shirt rather than singlets; we opted to choose to run there instead of the other events.

NatGeo's EDR Technical Shirt

Fortunately, RunningAtom and I were invited to have a chat with NatGeo regarding their Earth Day Run last Friday at Cafe Breton, Level 1, SM Mall of Asia. The 'chat' was presided by Jude Torcuato, Fox International Channels' Territory Director. There were a number of bloggers there, but there were only three of us who normally runs during races.

The chat started a little late, but it is worth it. Basically, Mr. Torcuato discussed his purpose of organizing such event. Earth Day is April 20(?), and so they chose April 18 (the nearest Sunday). And then, a part of his discussion moved me. He particularly accentuated that he does not want participants to focus on the run, itself; but rather on the cause. He would want to encourage the participants NOT to have the feeling of I run because I wanted to have a new PR, I run because I want to win, I run because I want to see the celebrities, BUT to bear in mind and have that fulfilled feeling that you run because you want to support the cause.

Honestly, what he had said redefined my perspective in running. What he just told us is true. Most of the time, we [runners] focuses on our want to run. And then we lose interest on the cause; when in fact, we were doing this for the cause. We were running for we know that it was the least that we can do to help the beneficiaries. Although I had somewhat put this in mind when we choose to join the Yes Run instead of the Ateneo Run; because we wanted to support the beneficiaries. But I guess I am too overwhelmed with my 'running' that I gradually forget everything about it.

The beneficiary of the NatGeo EDR 2010 is the Design Against the Elements, whose main enthusiast [Mr. Illac Angelo Diaz] is also present in the activity. He explained the ambitious goal of DAtE. And I am touched that these private citizens were more concern over the interest of our countrymen rather than those who were in the government, seated in a position that has almost all the resources to do so.

I leave Cafe Breton with an open mind and heart. Truly, Mr. Torcuato had imparted a very significant aspect of running in me. I would always remember what he had told us. He even says that he would be more happy to see new runners out there rather than the seasoned one. For, he really never wanted to have 'running' as the cream of the crop; he wanted to move everyone to participate for the cause and be proud that they had run for the earth.

Who will organize the event? It will be Coach Rio De La Cruz.

Where is the venue of the race? It will be at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

How much is the registration fee? It will be P500 for 3K, P600 for 5K, and P700 for 10K.

What are included in the registration? A limited edition of the NatGeo EDR technical shirt and race bib. There will be no champion chip, for again, the run is not the focus of the event; it is the cause.

And to add on this list will be:

Who will benefit the race? It would be DAtE. And when the development of the village that is designed to withstand against the elements, we all will be proud in saying, "Part of this structure comes from my sweat."

We should always remember that we were running for the cause; and that the registration fee is not really a registration fee on itself; but our donation to the beneficiary. Let us all keep that in mind runners. Aside from breaking a leg, it is helping towards a unified goal that should matter the most. And I would love to thank Mr. Torcuato for this enlightenment.

With Mr. Diaz and Mr. Torcuato

Let us all participate in the NatGeo EDR 2010!