Sports

At the recent annual Green Run held on Ayala Land’s 740-hectare property in Imus, Cavite, competitive athletes, recreational runners, and dog lovers all had a great time jogging in the pollution-free, lush green environs of the Vermosa Estates.

The multi-level run, which pushed physical and mental health, saved the world, and celebrated the marvels of nature and its inhabitants, drew 2,550 people and 256 dogs of diverse breeds.

Numerous participants took on the challenge of the Green Run in several categories, including 21K, 10K, 5K, 3K, and the recently added 1K Dog Run, including professional athletes, athletes in training, novices, young and elderly, and devoted pet owners.

Fur parents ran, walked and skipped along the picturesque route, with cute Yorkies, Poodles and ShihTzus, small to medium sized Beagles, Jack Russells and Aspins running alongside Belgian Malinois, German Shephereds, Retrievers and giant Mastiffs.

The Dog Run was a welcome addition to the Green Run – Vermosa Estates’ very own running event that features different running distance categories to suit individual runners’ fitness levels. Established in 2022 to serve as an inspirational, feel-good event after the pandemic to celebrate life, good health, fitness and the great outdoors, this 2023 edition introduced a Dog Run for pet lovers and their fur babies.

The Dog Run slots were the first to be filled up, showing how much Filipinos love their dogs and that the four-legged runners are very much a part of the family.

Pet parents and fur babies showed up dressed in their Green Run running gear — a Green Run bib for the human and a fetching dog bandana with a bone ID tag for the fur baby.

Some dogs ran with the wind, while dogs with shorter legs ran gingerly alongside their fur parents. Some dogs tried to make friends with other dogs along the short trail, while some dogs asked their humans to carry them to the finish line.

“Thank you, Vermosa for introducing a Dog Run to the Green Run this year. This heartwarming activity gave us great moments to remember with our pets. It was a super experience and I’m so happy that my dog’s happy. Looking forward to the Dog Run again next year,” said lawyer Marco Lozada who ran with his retriever Carter.

“We were overwhelmed with the response to the Green Run this year. There was a big increase in runners and it was so delightful to see many dog lovers and their dogs along the trail. We are proud to say that Vermosa’s beautiful, natural surroundings and feet-friendly streets and walkways made the experience fun and safe for everyone. This is really a safe, healthy environment for humans and animals alike,” said Lani Tan, Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager.

“Vermosa is all about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. A healthy, well-balanced life is not just physical wellness but also mental wellness. A feel-good activity like the Dog Run has so many physical and mental benefits for both dog owners and their pets that keeps both of them in tip-top shape. We will keep on staging the Green Run each year because we are committed to promote a healthy lifestyle and a love of the environment,” said Moses J. Aragones, Vermosa Estates Development Manager.

The Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-A-Seedling Program will receive a portion of the Green Run’s revenues in order to further the foundation’s long-term goal of preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.

FPG Insurance, MILO Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Alaxan, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Oishi, Equal Sugar, Healthway Qualimed Hospital, and Immuntab Multivitamins all provided support for The Green Run 2023.

The Green Run was held on Sunday, June 25, and was sponsored by Vermosa, a leading provider of outdoor lifestyle footwear. Merrell, a proponent of sustainability and environmental protection, extended an invitation to everyone to enjoy the outdoors, including a variety of fitness experts and environmental activists.

A Run for Nature

The Green Run promotes “leaner and greener” living while raising fitness levels in its participants. The event promotes ways to help environmental protection while also benefiting the Haribon Foundation. The course offered runners a variety of difficulties, including open spaces, rich vegetation, flat and undulating terrain, and well-kept paths.

Sustainable Footwear

The Nova 3, Merrell’s most popular trail running model, was on display at the occasion. The Nova 3 is the most recent addition to their Nova line, and it now has sustainable materials like a footbed made of 50% recycled EVA foam, a footbed cover made of 100% recycled mesh, and mesh linings made of 100% recycled mesh.

Fun in Fitness

YouTubers and fitness enthusiasts Daniel Marsh and Ciaran Daragh of Short King Vlogs represented Merrell, each running 21KM. Merrell ambassador and pro-athlete Andy Borras likewise completed the 21K run. Travel vlogger and environmental advocate Natalie Tarin completed the 10K run, remarking “Vermosa was quite a hilly route, so I was happy to still finish.” Runners who dropped by the Merrell booth were treated to a number of fun games and puzzles, with one lucky winner receiving a pair from the brand.

Shop for the Nova 3 and the rest of Merrell’s trail running line at any of their concept stores, online at www.merrell.com.ph, or via their official Viber community.   

Visit Merrell online at merrell.com.ph, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MerrellPhilippines and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @Merrell_PH.

The Green Run in Vermosa 2023 is scheduled to begin on June 25, Sunday, almost a year after the inaugural Green Run in July 2022. After being cooped up at home due to the pandemic, last year’s Green Run welcomed everyone to lace up and enjoy the outdoors for physical and emotional wellness.

As both serious and recreational runners continue to improve their fitness, this year’s Green Run challenges everyone to be “leaner and greener”. The Haribon Foundation is still supported by the Run, which also emphasizes how everyone can do their part to protect the environment.

A 3K run for novices, a 5K run for intermediate runners, a 10K run for serious runners, and a half-marathon 21K level for elite runners and athletes in training are the three levels offered by the Green Run. A fun and adorable 1K dog run has been added to the event this year, providing dogs and their owners a wonderful opportunity to connect and exercise together. There will probably be a few celebrities running as well.

The Vermosa Green Run is unique because it allows participants and guests to pursue their passions while taking advantage of Vermosa’s natural beauty, clear skies, and unpolluted environment.

“The abundance of wide-open spaces, lush greenery, flat and rolling terrain and well-constructed walkways at Vermosa offer both challenges and rewards for runners,” said Vermosa Project Development Manager Moses John Aragones.

“There is also scientific evidence that running outdoors is very beneficial. Doctors say it lessens feelings of isolation, anxiety and stress because running outside is a happy feeling. Powerful hormones that boost mood and combat depression are released especially when you run outdoors. Being out in nature is very calming, and at Vermosa you are surrounded by nature everywhere you go,” added Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager Lani Tan, who is a sports and fitness enthusiast herself.

Organized by Pinoy Fitness, The Green Run will give proceeds of the Run to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program. Runners and guests get a chance to protect the environment by recycling their plastic bottles at the Sun Life ReCycle PH machine on-site where every bottle donated can earn participants points which can be exchanged for prizes.

Green Run’s exclusive non-life insurance partner, FPG Insurance, will also provide all race participants with a 1-month Personal Accident (PA) insurance coverage, ensuring their safety and peace of mind throughout the event.

Ms. Tan said Vermosa Estates plans to hold the Green Run every year because of Vermosa’s commitment to actively promote sport and an active, healthy lifestyle.

“Our Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, a state-of-the-art professionally–managed sports facility that has a FINA-standard Olympic size pool, a warm-up pool, an IAAF-standard 400m track oval, a football pitch, athletes’ lounge and a Sante Fitness Lab, all speak about our commitment to fitness, health and overall wellness as well as the development of Philippine sports,” Tan said.

Alaxan, Milo Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, DoggoFlask, Pocari Sweat and Immuntab, Oishi, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s Sports and O Wow, this year’s sponsors of The Green Run include SS Mnl Pet Store and Healthway Qualimed Hospital Santa Rosa.