The rain did not stop runners for the Manila leg of McDo Stripes Run: Run for Reading at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
If anything, the drizzly morning of Nov. 26 emboldened the close to 6,000 young and old runners, donning red and white stripes socks and shirt, to push further to help thousands of Filipino children learn how to read.
Now on its seventh year, the highly anticipated run helps about 12 million Grade 1 and 2 public school pupils all over the country to improve their literacy skills. Proceeds from the 2016 edition of Stripes Run, amounting to P2 million, were donated to Ronald McDonald’s House Charity, Read To Learn.
The wide range of categories of Stripes Run is open for young and old runners. Kiddie Stripes is a one-kilometer for ages eight years old and below, Young Stripes is a three-kilometer run for eight to 15-year olds. 3K, 5K and 10K Stripes are for 16 years old and above. There’s also Team Stripes, a three-kilometer run for teams composed of two adults and two kids.
Running along with the participants were McDonald’s endorsers Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, McCoy de Leon, Elisse Joson, Miguel Tanfelix, and Bianca Umali. Other McDonald’s ambassadors such as child actor Alonzo Muhlach, UAAP volleyball player Kianna Dy and MYX VJ Donny Pangilinan were also there to show their support for the advocacy.
Cebuanos also joined in the fun and meaningful activity at the Stripes Run held in Cebu City on Dec. 3.