Two thousand five hundred runners and 256 dogs ran for fitness and fun at the second Vermosa Green Run at Imus, Cavite recently, recommitting their love for the environment as they recycled plastic bottles on-site.
The multi-level run consisting of 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21k distance categories added a 1K Dog Run this year that proved to bring out hundreds of dog owners who relished the bonding time and fun adventure with their pets.
“We brought back the Green Run because we were inspired by the response to the first Green Run. We saw how eager people were to get back to being active and resuming their normal lives in 2022 and we received many requests to have another one this year. Then we added a Dog Run because we see a lot of individuals and families bringing their pets here to recreate and just chill on weekends, even weekdays. We’re glad we included fur babies in the fun because the response was overwhelming. We are definitely going to hold The Green Run every year in this vast, pollution-free space,” said Vermosa Project Development manager Moses Aragones.
Entertainment celebrity Valeen Montenegro of GMA, an avowed Green Run enthusiast and serious runner, has participated in both Green Runs. “Last year I ran the very first half marathon of my life. This year I was able to break my 10K personal record and finally did a Sub 1 pace.”
“Running has many physical and mental benefits. It’s cardio, a calorie burner, it improves bone and muscle strength, gives you stamina, and a runner’s high. Mentally, it has helped me manage stress, it has improved my sleep and I have more energy all day,” said Valeen.
“What I like best about Green Run is that it’s a safe and encouraging environment,” she added.
The run was staged inside the 740-hectare Vermosa Estate, Ayala Land Estates’ fourth largest estate, now cited as the newest growth center down south. Designed for complete mixed-use development similar to other Ayala Land properties, Vermosa is known for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through state-of-the-art sports facilities and recreational areas. It will be a complete package of residences, malls, offices, institutions, schools, a church, entertainment venues, sports-lifestyle facilities, government centers, and BPOs.
Vermosa continues to commit to the environment by giving part of the Green Run proceeds to the Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program. “Through the Green Run, we want to create greater awareness for the need to sustain life on our planet and help build stronger, fitter, happier individuals,” Aragones shared.
The Green Run 2023 was supported by FPG Insurance, MILO Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Alaxan, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Oishi, Equal Sugar, Healtway Qualimed Hospital and Immuntab Multivitamins.