National Geographic sets Earth Day Run

POPULAR information network National Geographic Channel (NGC) sets April 18 for runners and health buffs alike to run for Mother Earth.

The Earth Day Fun Run, which will kick off at 5 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, will be documented to show how Filipinos took the fight against climate change in a creative and healthy action.

“We Filipinos care a lot about our health. This time, let’s show our planet we care about its health,” said FOX International Channels Territory Director Jude Turcuato.

The fun run will feature categories in the 3-kilometer (k), 5k, and 10k races.

Entry fees are P500 for 3k, P600 for 5k, and P700 for 10k, inclusive of a limited edition Earth Day Run technical shirt.

“There will be three winners in each category. The prize is not that high, but we know it is just commensurate to them,” Turcuato said, adding that the cash prizes in Sunday’s event total P50,000.

He said they are expecting around 5,000 participants to join the event following an online registration at the NGC website (www.natgeorun.com), and walk-in registration at the Nike outlet in Bonifacio High Street and Timex outlets in SM Mall of Asia and North Edsa that ended last April 11.

“This (5,000) is our conservative estimate but hopefully double than that would really show up. Depending on the success of the event, we will see if we can make this fun run yearly,” Turcuato added.

Unlike other races, members of the press will be involved via a photo contest, where separate prizes await the best photos.

“On April 18, show the world how much we care. Join the thousands who will wake up to run, walk and be counted. A little sacrifice will definitely inspire people to care about the planet,” Turcuato said.

Tribute to Mother Earth

Meanwhile, proceeds of the fun run will be channeled to the Design Against the Elements (DatE), a global agricultural design contest meant to seek a solution to the problems and threats presented by disasters brought by climate change.

Social entrepreneur Illac Diaz (left) explains to sports scribes the importance of supporting green architecture. (Sunnex/Virgil Lopez)

“It is unfortunate to know that we are one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters but the least to adapt. The fun run raises the people’s awareness about caring for nature but at the same we find ways to adapt to the threats of climate change by supporting green building solutions,” he said in a separate interview.

For his part, Turcuato said choosing DatE as beneficiary is a “significant step towards addressing the effects of climate change.”

“Instead of using our funds to rebuild damaged communities after a major calamity, we can now focus our resources towards designing and building disaster resistant homes,” he said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

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