All systems go for “Titans Run 2023: Glow in the Dark,” a family-oriented evening fun run

CEBU CITY – All systems go for the “TITANS RUN 2023: Glow in the Dark,” a unique evening fun run with family, friends and open to the public, set on March 12 at Mandani Bay, Mandaue City and organized annually by the PAREF Springdale School in partnership with its Student Body Organization (SBO) and the parents of the School’s Grade 3 pupils.

PAREF’s SBO president, Enso Nathan Go, in a media press conference, February 11 at the School’s auditorium said, TITANs RUN 2023 aims to promote family bonding where family and friends can spend an evening with enjoyment at the fun run venue.

“What we’re trying to sell to the general public and to our own community is a fun and enjoyable experience through amenities like glow-in-the-dark accessories for a festive and lively event held at night.  There will be booths around the Mandani Bay area and having the event at night makes it more memorable for parents and children,” Go said.

Anthony Guarde, PAREF SBO adviser told the media that it is a family event because Springdale by its branding, centers around families.  Everything it does, the events that they have all focuses on family bonding.  This is a family run where students can invite their friends and their families and this is the fourth run since 2019 and with the first glow-in-the-dark theme.

According to Go, the inspiration for the TITANS RUN 2023: Glow in the Dark came from previous run when they had festival colors and the theme “Glow in the Dark” makes the run more fun and having it at night makes it more memorable, especially because the run is in line with the School’s celebration of Fathers’ Day.

PAREF SBO vice-president Johann Tan explained that doing the fun run at night also helps to cater to families since the kids no longer need to wake up early at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. to be able to join the event. This also enables parents to run with their children and enjoy the merchandise and the entertainment.

Go and Tan said that the annual run is also a fund-raising event for the school capital for business and for an ongoing outreach program to open up a channel for collaboration with other SBO councils of other schools.

“We are selling the experience and with booths in festive ambiance, the experience with family and friends during the run and to give some benefits from the proceeds of the run which is still under the SBO’s discussion on the planning board,” Go and Tan bared.

 

Sean Adan, a Grade 3 student of PAREF Springdale agreed with the organizers on the evening run where he and the other young students can experience running with their dads on Fathers’ Day and with their moms, other siblings and young friends.

“It’s my first time to run with my dad,” Adan said, and most probably the same experience with the other Grade 3 pupils joining the run this year.

Kellie Ko, parent coordinator bared that the run is part of the Father’s Day activity of the school and fully supporting the SBO.   He described this year’s run as challenging because the SBO now was still in the 1st year when they join the run in 2021 and now, they are running the show.

Ko said they are expecting more runners to join this year because running is back and especially so that this is a family-oriented run and also because it is done in the evening.  There are exciting features of the TITANS RUN 2023—booths, performances, fun and festive event night at Mandani Bay, Ko added.

  TITANS RUN categories, prizes for winners

According to Go, the TITANS RUN 2023 will have five categories – 1K, 3K, 3K for Dad and Son (for 12 years and below) and the 5K and 10K and these are open to the public, with kids as young as five or six and people aged 60. The gun start will be held every 15 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m. for the 10 K up to 7 p.m. for the 1K.

The registration fees are P600 for the 1K and 3K; P1,100 for the 3K Dad and Son; P650 for the 5K; and P700 for the 10K run, Go said.

All runners will get a dri-fit race shirt, one glow accessory, race bib and finishers medal. Runners may also bring their own accessories such glow sticks, wristbands and blinking lights. They could also buy some at the kiosks during the fun event.

The 1K run is ideal for children and will be held only at the Mandani Bay compound.  The route of other races will be conducted along F.E. Zuellig Ave., Mandaue City, which will be closed to traffic during the duration of the fun run. There will be kiosks and snacks available for those who would like to eat after the event.

The proceeds will be used for school development projects, including Father’s Day will also go to the Student Body Organization’s advocacies, including proposed collaboration with the student councils of other schools.

Organizers are targeting around 2,500 participants and as of February 11, there are already more than a thousand registrants.  Those interested may register at bit.ly/TitansRun2023. For concerns or clarifications on the run, email titansrun2023@gmail.com or contact 0915 419 0049.

Registrations are on Google Forms and online and run kits are available for pick-up on March 2-4 in various designated areas. (Photos: MBCNewman)