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| Hundreds of runners and active enthusiasts with their loved ones and pets at the starting line of the 2023 Vermosa Green Run (Image Source: Gadgets Magazine/Vermosa Estate) |
Two thousand five hundred runners and 256 dogs ran for fitness and fun at the second Vermosa Green Run at Imus, Cavite recently, recommitting their love for the environment as they recycled plastic bottles on-site. The multi-level run consisting of 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21k distance categories added a 1K Dog Run this year that proved to be brought out hundreds of dog owners who relished the bonding time and fun adventure with their pets.
“We brought back the Green Run because we were inspired by the response to the first Green Run. We saw how eager people were to get back to being active and resuming their normal lives in 2022 and and we received many requests to have another one this year. Then we added a Dog Run because we see a lot of individuals and families bringing their pets here to recreate and just chill on weekends, even weekdays. We’re glad we included fur babies in the fun because the response was overwhelming. We are definitely going to hold The Green Run every year in this vast, pollution-free space,” said Vermosa Project Development Manager Moses J. Aragones.
Entertainment celebrity Valeen Montenegro, an avowed Green Run enthusiast, and serious runner, has participated in both Green Runs. “Last year I ran the very first half marathon of my life. This year I was able to break my 10K personal record and finally did a Sub 1 pace. Running has many physical and mental benefits. It’s cardio, a calorie burner, it improves bone and muscle strength, gives you stamina, and a runner’s high. Mentally, it has helped me manage stress, it has improved my sleep and I have more energy all day,” said Valeen. “What I like best about Green Run is that it’s a safe and encouraging environment.” she added.
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 which is a welcome addition to the Green Run. 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. 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, all 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 Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager Lani Tan. “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 Aragones.
The run was staged inside the 740 hectare Vermosa Estate, Ayala Land Estates’ fourth largest estate, now cited as the newest growth center down south. Designed for complete mixed-use development similar to other Ayala Land properties, Vermosa is known for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through state of the art sports facilities and recreational areas. It will be a complete package of residences, malls, offices, institutions, schools, a church, entertainment venues, sports-lifestyle facilities, government centers and BPOs. Vermosa continues to commit to the environment by giving part of the Green Run proceeds to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program. “Through the Green Run, we want to create greater awareness for the need to sustain life in our planet and help build stronger, fitter, happier individuals,” Aragones shared. The Vermosa Green Run 2023 was supported by FPG Insurance, MILO Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Alaxan, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Oishi, Equal Sugar, Healtway Qualimed Hospital and Immuntab Multivitamins.
