Novel run in Manila flagged off Sunday

With more and more Filipinos embracing the healthy lifestyle, it’s only fitting to have a fun race that has captured the imagination of people across the globe.

A street party, sight-seeing tour and a running event will be incorporated in the Asics Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series leg in Manila that blasts off on Sunday.

“Let’s just enjoy the course and the music and don’t get too serious about the race,” said Sunrise Events Inc. Princess Galura during the virtual launch on Friday.

There will be DJs, bands playing music at the race route through the heritage sites in Manila even as health precautions will be put in place and security laid out to assure the safety of everyone.

There will be four categories, the 42-kilometer, 21K, 10K and 5K as the race passes through Rizal Park, Intramuros, the National Museum and City Hall, among others.

“We saw the development of Manila during the start of the administration of Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and decided it’s the best place to stage this event,” said Galura.

She said the meet has been in the pipeline since 2019 but was shelved because of the pandemic.

“We made it a point to make it safe because this is the first race during and after the pandemic,” said Galura.

Some 5,000 participants have registered already.