This Asian Run Series Is Finally Coming to the Philippines
Garmin watches, with their intelligence metrics and unparalleled accuracy, are known to cater to elite athletes. But the much-anticipated Garmin Run Asia Series that's making its debut in Manila is hoping to change this mindset and welcome more beginning Filipino runners to the well-loved endurance sport.
Garmin Run Asia Series - Philippines is part of a cross-continental series of running events that spans multiple cities in Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, and Taipei. The series aims to promote a running culture, encourage healthy lifestyles, and foster diverse connections across Asia. The series started in 2022 with only three member states: Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand; then later added Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
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What to Expect at Garmin Run Asia Series - Philippines
The Philippine leg is happening on November 17, 2024, at Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa. It features categories of 5km, 10km, and 21km, offering exciting prizes for the winners. For 21k, assembly is at 3:30 a.m.; 4 a.m. for 10k; and 5 a.m. for 5k.
When asked why there's no 42km category, Ryan Tan, president of NAVCO Group (official distributor of Garmin in the Philippines), told members of the press on June 11 at Manila Polo Club that this aligns with their theme, "From Zero to Hero." It aims to challenge participants to push beyond their comfort zones and embrace a more active lifestyle.
"In terms of market share, we occupy a larger market share in terms of triathletes, ultramarathoners, and hardcore athletes. If you look at it strategically and on purpose, we came up with a theme, 'Zero to Hero.' It's really about people who aren't necessarily elite athletes but can have that elite mindset and a 'beat yesterday' mindset through Garmin. And so, we are actually trying to convince as many of these people to go beyond what they think they can with 21k. And then maybe later on, after we've built more following for the Garmin run, we want to expand it to 42k," he explained.
One way for Garmin to achieve this all-inclusive goal is the Garmin Run Clinic, a paid training program that hopes to prepare new and intermediate runners for the Garmin Run Asia Series and other future running events. It comes with face-to-face group classes as well as gamification features through the Garmin Sports app.
"Leading up to the event, a lot of things that we're going to do are going to happen in the Garmin Sports app together with your Garmin watch. So, when you're training for a run with your Garmin wearable, with the Garmin Sports app, its features, and the gamification features of that app, it's more fun and exciting. And then, leading up to the event itself, it's totally an event that has Garmin flavor all throughout. It's more data-driven, more insight-driven, more scientific, more rewarding, more fun," Tan added.
In addition to the physical run, the series will also include the Garmin Asia Virtual Run in August, featuring 10km and 21km categories. This virtual run serves as a lead-up to the main event and allows participants to engage in the running culture even before the physical race. "The fastest person who runs the 21K will be sent to Taipei for the inaugural Garmin Run Taipei," revealed Dot Jaranilla, Marketing and Business Development Manager of NAVCO.
Registration Details for Garmin Run Asia Series - Philippines
The Philippine leg is expecting 5,000 registrants, not including partners and delegations from the other Asian legs. Registration officially opens on June 12, with a flash sale on the evening of June 11.
Flash Deal: June 11th, from 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. only
- 5k - P1,200
- 10k - P1,400
- 21k - P2,000
Early Bird Fee: June 12 to June 30
- 5k - P1,400
- 10k - P1,600
- 21k - P2,200
Regular Rate: July 1 to October 31
- 5k - P1,400
- 10k - P1,600
- 21k - P2,200
Late Fee: November 1 to November 15
- 5k - P2,000
- 10k - P2,200
- 21k - P2,800
Fees come with an event shirt, event loot bag, race bib, timing chip, and finisher medal. 21k finishers get an event singlet and finishers shirt.
Participants can also expect the event "to be super fun," mentioned Tan. Music partners are bringing in drummers and DJs, while health brands are presenting their products to "make everyone feel like everything is taken care of."
Jaranilla also revealed during the press launch that at least three Garmin watches will be raffled off. This is on top of the Garmin watches that will be given to podium finishers.
Tan believes that holding running events like this one adheres to Garmin's values of doing more and pushing yourself.
"Those who want to get started in this, and those who want to join the Garmin Run Club or the Garmin Run Philippines, are probably asking, 'Hey, how am I going to be a better person? Or how is running going to change my life?' I'm not sure if you've heard about the 40% rule. It basically says that if you feel like you're maxed out, you're just 40% there. You actually have 60% more capability of doing so much more things. So, endurance sports like running, and what we're doing here, is all about helping people, not just get them healthy but also help people discover they're more capable of what they actually thought they would be. And with that, hopefully, it transcends to other parts of their lives, and they'll just be a little bit more gritter in life," he explained.
Garmin Run Asia 2024 - Philippines is on November 17, 2024, at Filinvest Event Grounds, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Registration runs from June 12 to November 15 through the Hyve Sports website.
