Running is Always Fun

by Fel Gorospe

Everybody’s undeniably crazy heating and firing it up with summer activities especially if we are talking about beaches, getaways, tanning and athletic summer sports.  The heat season is indeed up-to-the-minute and so, St. Williams Institute Alumni headed by Mrs. Eva Pascua Tadique took it a notch by giving it a different kind of twist and gave us Fun Run happened last April 25, 2011 as part of SWI Grand Global Reunion.  Over one hundred (100) participated and went for a long run in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.  The event was heavily supported by the VGent Foundation, Inc. and Ilocos Youth Football Association (IYFA).

President of Ilocos Youth Football Association (IYFA) Mr. Robert Edgar De Jesus shows participants on how to do the stretching before Fun Run starts.

Fun Run was part of the 3-day activities of St. Williams Institute Grand Global Reunion. VFI donated 60 medals (20 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze) for the event.

The event started at 6:30 in the morning with 5-kilometer run for thirteen (13) years old and above followed by the 3-kilometer run for runners twelve (12) years old and below. Mrs. Tadique also the secretary of Futbol Academy of the North (FAN) greeted everyone and said, “I hope you all enjoy Fun Run and make sure you fire up your race bibs and run until the finish line.”

Participants   of   Fun   Run   runs   as   organizers   popped   the   signal   to   start   the   5-kilometer   run.

The run starts between St. Williams Institute and Magsingal Church going to San Lucas’ Magsingal Public Market then straight to Bacar. Near the arc, they will find the end of 3k run. On the first water station, runners should get a yellow colored string for evaluation.

As for the 5k run, it goes through at the end of the cemented part of Bacar at the second water station, wherein runners will get a color blue string. Then runners should go back straight ahead to San Basilio, San Julian, San Clemente and San Ramon to finish the friendly race respectively.

Participants   during   the   race,   running   and   striving   to   successfully   reach   the   finish   line   up   ahead.

Five (5) participants from Ilocos Youth Football Association or IYFA garnered most of the medals.  Under female category, Grace Anne Arellano got 2nd place and Trisha Mae Tabbuga went 1st place in 3-kilometer run while Rhose Marie Reutotal also got 2nd place and Clarissa Arellano 3rd place for 5-kilometer run. Noli Salvador bagged 2nd place in 5-kilometer run under male category.

St. Williams Institute (SWI) Grand Global Reunion 2011 Committee Chair Mrs. Eva Pascua Tadique during the opening of Fun Run. Coach Bobby De Jesus, president of IYFA on her left side.

Jessamin Asegurado a VGent scholar who registered in Fun Run said while catching her breath, “I thought I would win but I guess its not enough though that’s not really important now, the fact that I finished the race is enough for me to feel that I’m a winner.”

Participants  resting  just  after  they  finished  the  run  while  waiting  for  the  others  to  arrive  at  the  finish  line.

An ambulance was on the site including first aid personnel in case of health emergencies. Organizers from SWI Grand Global Reunion felt like it’s more likely for the Fun Run to be repeated next year and this time it would be bigger and more exciting.

Clarissa Arellano and Rose Marie Reutotal wins 2nd and 3rd place for 5-kilometer run under female category.  Both girls are from Ilocos Youth Football Association or IYFA.

Organizers   together   with   the   participants   of   Fun   Run   poses   for   a   while   before   the   race   begin.

Contestants of the 3-kilometer run under kids division get their feet ready upon the beginning. The race started at 6:30 in the morning and runs around towns in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.

Noli Salvador, from Ilocos Youth Football Association, the 2nd placer of 5-kilometer run under male category between 19-30 yrs. old.