We all have family and friends who were hit hard by the deluge, and I'm pretty sure not everyone has had the chutzpah to volunteer wading through muddy floodwaters. But really, helping out doesn't necessarily entail going to relief centers. The Rescue Run is an excellent way to reconcile our passion for running and helping out those in need.
Okay, so I spammed you on Facebook. Actually, I spammed so bad that even the high school girlies I just gave a talk to in Bacolod got it as well. Oops. But hey, it sure is a heck of a lot better than receiving those "Let's Party and Get Drunk at Ascend for Ondoy Victims" invites. Right?
They... can't make it.
So what is this Rescue Run thing all about?
TRR is an organized run where, in lieu of registration fees, donations will be collected for the distance you will run. This is not a race so there will be no souvenir t-shirts, no swag bags, no finishers medals, and no prize money.
There will be no water stations since we believe that water must be given to those who need it most: victims of Ondoy. Needless to say, it will be KKB (kanya kanyang bote or kanya kanyang belt)
A registered participant will receive a RESCUE RUNNERS race bib, which the runner can wear during the race and in sustaining events currently being planned for the entire month of October to raise funds for rehabilitation. I'll post more details here as they come in.
WHEN:
October 10, 2009, Saturday
Assembly: 5:30 a.m.
Race start: 6:30 a.m.
DISTANCES: 3km, 5km, 10k
DONATIONS:
Individual: P200 for any distance
Corporate: P5,000 for 20 runners
VENUE: SM Mall of Asia
WHO CAN JOIN:
- open to all athletes, their families and friends
- anyone who is willing to help while getting a few minutes of exercise
- participants are encouraged to collect pledges from their family or friends who cannot make it to the event
BENEFICIARY:
All proceeds will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross for the Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) victims. Our goal is to help provide a continuous supply of food and water to the stricken areas.
VOLUNTEERS:
We are in need of volunteers for road marshals and secretariat. If you are interested, pls. contact: RESCUE RUNNERS | 0917 -8374204 | 02-2168521 | rescuerunners@run4change.com
REGISTRATION:
Starts October 5, 2009 at the following venues:
- The SecondWind Running Store (Maginhawa St., UP Village)
- Recreational Outdoor eXchange (ROX, Bonifacio High Street)
- All Terra Bike Shop (Club 650, Libis)
* There will be on site registration starting 5:30 a.m.
Why are we doing this again?
Effort comes in many forms. Not everyone has access to go to a relief or evacuation center to help out. While everyone wants to help or pitch in, their jobs, families and other factors make it difficult for them to do so. We are organizing the run as a means to help. It’s purely voluntary.
Meager resources are poured into the effort. This run is a no-frills run. The only add-ons such as the tents, p.a. system and race bibs are contributions from volunteers that will help in organizing the run, nothing more.
Help isn’t a one-time, big-time effort. Undoubtedly, help is needed immediately. But with the extent of devastation that the floods have caused, the need for aid could be overwhelming. Instant relief won’t give people their homes back. The victims still need the means to rehabilitate damaged property and rebuild their homes. That takes time and a steady stream of resources. The Rescue Run is a means to help in that regard. We hope to be able to provide aid in other ways down the line–be it through food, rehabilitation or construction material.
So everyone, I am really counting on your support for this run. It should be fun! Like a "cowboy" race by runners for runners helping out a bigger altruistic agenda. It's actually my graduate school graduation that day but I'll still probably drop by very early in the morning for support :)
Let's all help out in our own little way everyone. because in times likes these, even that "little" thing may mean the world to someone in need. See you there!