ACTOR Troy Montero and TV host Kim Atienza take time out from their hectic schedules to grace the ASICS Rock “n” Role Running Series, providing a positive influence on youth when it is staged June 19 around Manila’s famous sights and landmarks.
A noted fitness buff with fellow celebrity partner Aubrey Miles, Montero has competed in a number of triathlon events put up by the IRONMAN Group while Atienza, a stroke survivor, has basked in fitness transformation the last decade or so.
Though the world’s largest running series, sponsored by ASICS, is virtually a fun run event, the celebrity duo made themselves available to inspire not only the weekend and recreational runners but also the youth to take a mental break from their small screen gadgets.
This marks the first time that the four-category event – 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K – will be staged in Southeast Asia and in Asia after the pandemic, thus drawing a merry mix of runners also wanting to experience the thrill and excitement of night racing that features bands, music and entertainment all over the course.
Montero, an ASICS endorser, will vie in the 42K run while Atienza is entered in the 10K race.
Unlike in regular marathon races, the RnR series blends running and endurance with partying and a concert with the organizers to infuse each course with music, live bands, cheer teams and drumlines to guarantee a fun and exciting staging of the event.
It is actually a day-long affair in historic city atmosphere with the 5K and 10K races set to flag off early morning and the 21K and 42K events to be fired off late in the afternoon.
For listup, log on to www.runrocknroll.com.manila with onsite registration at Garmin stores (through cash and Gcash mode of payment) at Glorietta I, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, The Podium, Ayala Vertis North, SM North, SM Aura, Uptown and Alabang Town Center.
Fees are P950 for 5K, P1,850 for 10K, P2,450 for half-marathon and P2,650 for the 42K run. For the Remix Challenge, rates are P3,600 for marathon +5K, P4,100 for marathon +10K, P3,800 for half-marathon +5K and P3,400 for half-marathon +10K.
The race, backed by Gatorade as official hydration partner and Alaska, Lightwater, Regent and Sante, and held as part of the city’s 450th founding anniversary, will start at the Rizal Park where a wreath-laying ceremony for the national hero will be held at 8 a.m. It will pass through the National Museum complex, Intramuros, the Manila Cathedral, Manila City Hall, the Kartilya ng Katipunan, the Jones Bridge and Chinatown in Binondo, the walled city of Intramuros and back to Rizal Park.