RUNNR ACADEMY LAUNCHED

 

More than a hundred runners came to Active Zone in Ayala Center to attend the launching of Runnr Academy last Wednesday.

            This free 10-week program is a joint project of Runnr and Ayala Center Cebu to teach the basics of running to enthusiasts.

            Haide Acuna and Brother Carlo Bacalla, fresh from their conquest in the BDM 160 ultra-marathon were the guests. The audience was kept on their seats as Haide outlined some of the training tools that could be found in the internet. Bro. Bacalla, on the other hand, revealed the reasons why he runs. In his long runs, which could be as far as 50 kilometers, he said he discovers many things.

Haide Acuna addressing the participants. Bro Carlo Bacalla is seated in front wearing a white cap.

            The participants will get more meat as the program progresses.

            Next week, Brooks and Polar will present the latest innovation in their lines of products. From then on, there will be lectures on running form, strengthening exercises for runners, running injuries from Coach Pio Solon, Dr. Peter Ramiro.

            Aside from Brooks and Polar, Nike, Adidas and Vibram will also present what’s new in their inventory.

            A paced run around the Cebu Business Park follows the lecture. The distance is approximately five kilometers. Summit is the official hydration fluid of these paced runs, thanks to Zaldie Abapo-Velano, trade marketing officer of Absolute Sales Corporation, a marketing arm of Asia Brewery.

            Leona’s provided the snacks on the first day thanks to Jane-Jane Ong who obliged to our request.

Katrina Cui receives the pair of Newtons she won during the raffle from Jermine Germino, store head Runnr Cebu. Others in the picture are from left, Nelson Selvoza, assistant store head and Raffy Osumo, running consultant.

           Raffles will lace the 10-week program. Katrina Cui of Chong Hua Hospital was the first luck winner as she bagged a new pair of Newton shoes.

            Participants will also get the chance to wear Newton shoes. There are 12 pairs ready to use.

            This is the second edition of Runnr Academy, the first program was in September. Of the 50 who signed up for the program 44 graduated. Among these graduates, more than 30 were able to run either the 21K or 42K in the Cebu City Marathon and Condura Skyway Marathon respectively.

            Participants, who attend at least eight of the ten sessions, will be eligible to graduate, receive a certificate of completion and a commemorative t-shirt.

            Lyle Togono, a member of the first group, said, “I’ve learned so many things during the clinic that were very useful.” Lyle ran the full mary in the Cebu City Marathon.

            Franz Abad, who finished the 21K in the Cebu City Marathon, echoed the same. “Daghan kayo ko nakatonan during our fun run/clinic.”

            Simultaneous to the launch of Runnr Academy in Cebu was the version of the same program by Runnr in Bonifacio High Street at the Bonifacio Global City on the same date – the birthday of Toby Claudio, the founder of Runnr.