OVER 9,000 women in pastel pink shirts brightened up the nighttime streets of Filinvest City in the first ever Nike Women’s 10K Manila on Saturday evening.
More than 40 percent were first-timers in a 10K race, forming part of the country’s biggest all-women race. The Nike event is part of the global Nike Women’s Event Series, with more than 200,000 participants across 25 cities around the world participating in runs ranging from 5K to half marathon distances.
“Women across the globe are embracing the fitness and sport lifestyle, and this is more evident in the Philippines. We are here to empower them through services, product innovation, athlete inspiration and motivating them to be better versions of themselves,” said Patrick Reyes, country marketing manager for Nike Philippines.
As part of its worldwide #betterforit campaign, the race village within a multi-level carpark had Nike Training Club (NTC) stations manned by trainers who challenged the ladies through workouts such as squats and push-ups to earn rewards, particularly a special edition shirt to go along with their finisher’s shirts.
The race was earlier threatened by rain thaat eventually subsided before the 9 p.m. gun start.
Waving the starting flag were triathlete Monica Torres and volleyball star Denden Lazaro.
“It’s the most beautiful run I’ve ever done. It was so fun to do, it’s friendly competition and it caters to the special needs of women athletes,” Torres told SPIN.ph after the race.
Torres, one of the country’s top Filipina elite professional triathletes, said this type of race helps women adopt an active lifestyle.
“For sure. I have so many friends who have been so intimidated to try any type of sporting event, (so this event) really encouraged beginners because it’s a very safe and comfortable environment for women athletes to join,” she said.
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