What better way is there for furparents to exercise than running with their pets?
Runners got to bond with their pet dogs and cat (yes, there was a kitty!) during the 2025 PBA Usana Fun Run held in Bridgetowne, Pasig last June.
Some also did it in style, making the entire one kilometer course their own personal runway.
Furparents shared their tips in easing pets towards running in events.
Be patient with your fur babies
BJ Lambrindo shared that it pays to make sure pets are comfortable in areas outside the house.
"Be patient lang talaga, tapos make it na comfortable sila sa activities," he shared regarding his dog, Pepper.
And patience has definitely been key in this relationship.
Pepper, who turned to be an Aspin-Labrador hybrid, was found by Lambrindo's partner when he was throwing out the trash.
Now, this doggy is growing up well with three others in their household.
This dog in particular was even dressed up in a green costume with a red train.
"Ang gusto natin kasama sila palagi," Lambrindo shared. "Even sa mall, kakain kami sa restaurant, we make sure yung kakainan namin is pwede sa kanila."
Walking or running with your dogs would help you become better too
NorthPort fans Rowena Babina and her daughter Jaz couldn't pass up the chance to show their support for the Batang Pier during the run.
They dressed up Chase, a half-poodle, in NorthPort gear--which comes complete with a basketball net! It was all an overnight effort, by the way.
The Babinas are huge fans of forward/center Cade Flores.
"Pogi na, magaling pa!" Rowena exclaimed.
Like Lambrindo, Babina is preaching patience when it comes to dogs and fun runs.
In Chase's case, the pet got too excited.
"Pagod na siya, kasi bago magsimula, tumatakbo na siya. Nung talagang takbuhan na, wala na siyang powers!" Rowena shared, laughing. "Naubos na!"
Good thing they had a NorthPort themed cart to carry Chase in.
Still, running with pets has worked wonders for Rowena. It might even help improve one's personal record.
"Isama lang lagi sa walking, tapos habaan ang pasensya. Kasi may time na magpapakarga sila, maghahabol ng aso, mapapabilis takbo mo. 'Yun talaga sikreto ng runners, 'di ba?" she said, laughing.
Kidding aside, running really did improve Rowena's health. After a year of such an activity, her maintenance medicine went from four to two to absolutely none.
"I'm totally fit and sexy!" she said. "From 64 kilos, now 54 kilos, at keri nang mag-one piece!"
Cats can join fun runs too
That is absolutely correct, just look at Dugyot, the fashionistang Puspin.
That's really the name by the way.
And this kitty has earned it with fashionable red, blue, and white gown—a nod to Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo's national costume.
"Naisip ko lang na maiba naman," shared Dugyot's owner Mau Cruz. "Fan ako ng Miss Universe, masyado akong na-e-entice sa mga costume nila. Nahiya ako to wear for myself so parang sa pusa ko na lang."
While they have been in the pet fashion show scene for seven years, this is Mau's first time to join a fun run--and with a pet at that.
Dugyot is too fashionable and naturally went in a stroller.
"Actually, 'di ako nakatulog for the preparation," she admitted. "Parang natatakot ako kasi puro dogs 'yun. Pero we were able to survive. We managed to complete the fun run."
The key to keep the cat calm, she says, is to come early.
"Kailangan lang maaga ka sa event para makapag-rest pa siya. Ipasyal niyo lang ng ipasyal kasi para masanay siya," Cruz shared. "Kailangan din nila ng socialization. 'Di lang pwede na nasa bahay."
Going to pet events have become Mau's bonding time with Dugyot. But this run has become an improvement for Cruz, who has asthma.
"It was a great achievement for me. Onting lakad lang, napapagod na 'ko. It's a challenge pero natuwa ako sa sarili ko. It's a fulfillment and a dream come true na makasama sa fun run," she said. "Sa susunod, baka mag-upgrade na ako to [longer distances]."
Practice, practice, practice
Pepper, Chase, and Dugyot won prizes for best in costume during the event.
But one furparent certainly gets an honor for having not just one but three dogs joining the pet run.
Joanne Raquel brought not just her French bulldog Ebi Tempura, she also had West Highland Terrier Mochi, and Coton de Tulear Ramen.
They're the Three White Dogsketeers and they've been running together since the pandemic.
"There's a certain discipline kasi," Raquel shared. "Alam mo 'yung focus nila na they won't go to other dogs. It feels fulfilling na you're together and you're bonding. You can run ng sabay-sabay."
And like any other human that's going into running, Joanne says the key to running with pets is practice. Take it from her, she used to run longer distances as early as 2012.
"Practice muna ng naka-leash, na talagang they will walk with you," she shared. "Feed them properly."
Even though French bulldogs are not bred for hot weather, Raquel says they can be trained to prevent overheating.
"Kailangan practice, 'wag biglain," she emphasized.
There's a certain fulfillment in running with pets. So why not try it with fur babies?
The PBA Usana Run did not just help runners and their pets, the proceeds went to various charitable causes such as the Alagang PBA program and the Cancer and Hematology Center of the Philippine Children's Medical Center.
(With reports from LJ Abadinas/One Sports Digital)