More than 2,000 runners and their four-legged companions gathered at Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite on June 28 as the Vermosa Green Run marked its fifth edition, celebrating fitness, community, and environment.
The annual event welcomed elite athletes, running clubs, recreational runners, media participants, and pet owners across five race categories. Edgardo Panopio and Lorely Magalona topped the 21K race, while Jomm Lacanilao-Gay and Patrice Quiday won the 10K division. John Mark Balogo and Ira Alvaro emerged as champions in the 5K event, with Jessi Valentine and Danielle Sophia leading the 3K race. In the 1K Dog Run, Moises Calastravo and his dog, Onzi, crossed the finish line first.
Participants were encouraged to bring used plastic bottles in exchange for race discounts. The collected PET bottles will be turned over to MDC for conversion into eco-bricks to support sustainable construction initiatives within Ayala Land developments.
Sustainability also extended to the race apparel, with runners’ singlets, finisher shirts, and dog bandanas produced entirely from recycled PET bottles.
“We wanted our runners to experience sustainability both literally and symbolically. This year, we offered a discount for donating used PET bottles, and the community supported this! Celebrating our landmark fifth consecutive year, the energy across our 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K tracks, and 1K Dog Run was unmatched. Seeing families, elite athletes, and pet lovers come together at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub shows that our community’s passion for fitness is deeply intertwined with environmental action,” said Lani Tan, General Manager of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, where the Run took place.
This year’s edition also expanded corporate and group participation. Teams of 10 were automatically enrolled in the Haribon Foundation’s Forests for Life Movement, which supports native tree planting and forest restoration through science-based rainforestation programs.
“Our partnership with the Haribon Foundation is a cornerstone of why we do this. Over the past few editions, the funds raised have gone directly into Haribon’s Adopt-a-Seedling and rainforestation programs. For this milestone 5th edition, we were overwhelmed by registrations, as we attracted many groups of 10. That means hundreds of new native trees will be nurtured directly because of our runners’ strides today. Crossing the finish line is fantastic, but knowing your team left a lasting ecological legacy is the real victory,” said Letty Oh-Naňagas, Vermosa Marketing Manager.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Haribon Foundation, Takbo Kabitenyo, and Pawssion Project, supporting environmental conservation, youth sports development, active lifestyles, and animal welfare.
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