Who can run the fastest in a Speed of Light challenge at the break of light?
That was the dare posed to run clubs on Saturday, February 7, when they participated in a 2x200m relay challenge in Bonifacio Global City.
Eight answered the call: Just Show Up, Run With Pat, Olos Running Community, Runnr Club, Pogi Run Club, Team Zeru, District 2 Run Crew, and HOKA Run Club.
The challenge was simple: one male runner sprints first, runs back to the starting line, and passes the baton to his female partner who completes the race.
The pair with the fastest combined time wins.
Coming out on top is the Runnr Club, represented by Mark Dave Nicolas and Christine Guergio, by recording the fastest combined time of one minute and 13.73 seconds.
Just Show Up finished in second place with a time of 1:19.14, while Team Zeru completed the podium finishers with 1:20.08.
All podium finishers took home a pair of shoes, the newly-launched HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 they ran in.
Podium finishers: Just Show Up (second place), Runnr Club (winner), Team Zeru (third place). | Photo: HOKA
With the running boom in full swing, many have joined not just fun runs but run clubs as well.
According to those who joined the challenge on Saturday, run clubs not just help with confidence, but improve technique and provide plenty of support as well.
Christine Guergio (Runnr Club)
For Guergio, who was half of the winning pair on Saturday, Runnr Club gives her the push she needs.
"'Yung Runnr Club po kasi, they give me motivation for every run and inspire me to push myself to become a fastest runner in the Philippines," she told One Sports. "Ipu-push kayo sa limits niyo. Hindi lang kasi 'yung sa running, hindi lang siya para magpapayat. Bibigyan kayo ng mental [strength] na maayos sa pag-iisip. Bibigyan kayo ng maayos na buhay."
Guergio, who hails from Adamson University, has been running since she was in elementary school. She has experienced road blocks along the way, mental ones in particular.
"Nagkaroon po ako ng anxiety before and then gusto ko na mag-stop sa running since elementary. Dahil po Runnr Club, pinush po ako na magpatuloy. Kasi 'pag tumatakbo po ako, nagkakaroon ng peace of mind," she shared.
"Kaya gustong-gusto ko po talaga sumali sa ganitong running event. 'Yung pag-run mo, nagiging okay lahat ng isip mo. Nawala 'yung pagod, 'yung stress and na-overcome lahat ng fear mo."
Koen Buhain (Just Show Up)
For Koen Buhain, part of the runner-up duo from Just Show Up, going to a run club has helped expand his network and idea of community.
"First of all, it's all about fitness and healthy lifestyle. In the community, everyone supports each other so it's really nice to have connections with others, meeting new friends. It's not just about running but it's also community," he shared.
"It helped me a lot because sometimes I'm not really that interactive with other people. But they approach me, then we get to talk a lot."
Buhain has always been active, having tried football, triathlon, and track and field for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. But he acknowledged how run clubs have helped runners push themselves to be competitive.
"Sometimes, there are a lot of people who are afraid to show up. But with us, like the name of our club, Just Show Up, it gives you motivation to go out there and just run. You're not just running for yourself but for everyone else. So, they get to show up for everyone," he said.
"There are a lot of runners that will have their first marathon next week. It's something to be proud of, right? Coming from zero, but these people going for a marathon. It's just wow."
Nicole Diloy (Team Zeru)
Nicole Diloy is one half of the Team Zeru pair who clinched third place in the relay challenge.
For this FEU athletics athlete, having a run club means so much more than just going out together for a run.
"Sobrang nakakahelp ng run club, especially kunwari mag-isa ka lang. Parang sa run club mo nakukuha 'yung happiness and comfort lalo na sa pagtakbo," she told One Sports.
"Sa Team Zeru, kahit saan, support po sila sa lahat ng competition namin," Nicole shared, noting how Team Zeru has even helped with her competition needs, such as running shoes and supplements.
"Mas ginaganahan po ako, nanggigil po ako manalo in every game dahil po sa cheer nila."
Diloy has been running for almost 15 years, since she was in elementary. Her mom was a runner as well in school.
"Sa pagtakbo po, mas maraming opportunity," she shared. And participating in fun runs with Team Zeru has helped Nicole get the financial support she needs in her studies as well.
"Hindi mo po mafi-feel na uncomfy ka. Mafi-feel mo na parang one big family."
Bryann Puertollano (Pogi Run Club)
For founder Bryann Puertollano, creating the Pogi Run Club was personal.
"I decided to join a running club kasi I want to inspire people. I want to inspire my family, inspire my father, my mother, my ate, para maging healthy rin sila," he told One Sports.
"There are times in my life na nakikita nila nakaupo lang ako. Nakikita ko sila rin, nakaupo lang. Showing them na ako nagsisimula na tumayo, na tumakbo. Ayun, na-inspire ko sila, na-inspire ko yung family ko."
His efforts paid off, as his father and sister will be participating in a run next week. His mother has ventured into zumba.
Now that he has inspired friends and family to move and be active, the Pogi Run Club has helped Bryan stay focused.
"'Yung mga friends ko, they keep me accountable as a founder. They inspire me, I inspire them. They inspire also others," he shared. "If someone said nagigising ng 5 a.m., mapapagising ka rin, dapat. So pag-accountable ka, maihiya ka sa kanila, siyempre. Ayan yung magistart sa'yo na mag-push."
Is it required to be handsome to join this run club?
"Sa lahat naman, deep inside naman sa atin, lahat naman tayo pogi and pretty," Puertollano remarked.
Danice Abril (HOKA Run Club)
The relay challenge was organized by shoe brand HOKA as part of the official introduction to their latest and super shoe.
For marketing manager Danice Abril, being part of the brand meant she wanted to try running to understand more. And that's how she got into the run club as well.
"I didn't feel pressured to run as fast as them. It felt like a support system actually. It didn't feel intimidating for me. They actually helped me improve more, do better," she shared. "So they would teach me what the proper posture would be. I just really like the sense of community. It doesn't feel intimidating as a first-time runner."
It certainly has changed her life.
"Before, I dreaded waking up or changing into my running gear. I dreaded that. But now, I look forward to it. I actually find the importance of running in terms of talents and work. It's my break from sitting down the whole day," she shared.
"Once you really get the hang of running, it becomes a part of your lifestyle already."
Eight run clubs answered the call for a relay challenge at the break of light. It's a small task. But the experience is a priceless build-up for their future as runners.
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Para Games, Asian Games, FIBA World Cup, and FIVB World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.