What is it that makes running such a desirable pastime? It started out as a solitary sport reserved only for serious athletes. Lean, gaunt runners rose at dawn, guzzled electrolyte drinks, and braved the elements to ply deserted race ovals or rain-drenched streets. Then a few years ago, people started to see running as a gym alternative: Easy to start, with no complex routines, expensive gear or even much time needed. Its popularity soared when excited gymgoers persuaded workout buddies to join the fun, and soon scores of converts were racing to sign up for the sport christened “the new badminton”.

No longer just a solo pursuit nor a trendy pastime, running is now a mainstream physical activity with a unique social character, with thousands turning up at the frequent runs held around the metro. It is fun, healthy and a great way to meet new folks as well as cement friendships you already value. And there is nothing like the mind-blowing feeling of crossing your first finish line with your buddies in close stride, sharing that adrenalin high. High fives abound, and everyone rushes to Tweet success or shout out “Just finished my first 5k!” on Facebook®. You’ll even develop a newfound respect for your friend who runs a 21k in under two hours and barely breaks a sweat.

This year you and your pals can share your proud day at Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010. On March 21, 2010, runners of every ilk — serious athletes, health buffs and weekend warriors alike — will converge at Makati City’s Ayala Triangle Garden to join one of the biggest urban runs of the year. With a route winding through the premium Makati Central Business District, casual runners can cruise the 3k or 5k routes, while the more competitive can test their mettle with the 10k or 15k. As for the hardcore runners, they can get their game on with a 21k half-marathon.
Last year’s Run for Home event, held at the Bonifacio Global City, was one of the first races to breach the 6000-runner mark. And that day in 2009 was peppered with personalities, many of whom were already good friends, such as business scions Fernando Zobel De Ayala and Lance Gokongwei, political powerhouse Senator Pia Cayetano, celebrities Christine Reyes and Samboy Lim, and power couples like Anton and Nina Huang, Paco Sandejas and Christine Jacob, and Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.

This year, Globe lets you bring along your whole brood by offering special packages for group registration. In 2010, Run for Home will give out discounts of up to P 1000 for groups who register for the shorter runs, while groups who sign up for the longer distances can get up to P 2000 off their registration fees.

If you’ve got well-wishing non-runners in your party, they can wait for you at the Ayala Triangle Garden, noshing on finger foods and drinks, or getting online via Wi-Fi to tweet news and post live Facebook ® updates.

In a unique bonus, race kits come with the first-ever environmentally-friendly singlet made from recycled PET bottles. And when you cross that finish line, your success will automatically be posted on your Facebook® page, thanks to the electronic timing chip provided by Run for Home, which tracks your progress to the second. In the days following the run, you can check your race photos and post-run results and analysis on Globe’s website, so you can see how you and your pals did and relive the moment you powered past that finish line.

Add in the very worthy cause of providing Filipinos with affordable housing, with Globe and Ayala Land donating a portion of the race proceeds to Habitat for Humanity, and Globe adding an additional P 200 for every Globe Platinum subscriber who joins the run, and Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010 is now this year’s top human race.
Globe Chief Marketing Officer Menchi Orlina explains, “Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010 is all about bringing people together to share that sense of achievement and the enjoyment of doing something they love, and then using that collective passion to make a difference in the lives of others. With the support of our Ayala family and the goodwill of our subscribers, we can do great things. Now, being Globe-connected is more than just being able to call, text and surf affordably and conveniently; it also means celebrating the bonds that keep us together, and using our shared strength to be a force for positive change.”

Registration for Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010 opens on February 14 and continues till March 5 at participating Globe Stores; runners can also register online at globe.com.ph/run.

Abe Olandres