Kearny Alliance Manila Team Members Raise Funds For Its Philippine Scholarship Program At Forbes Park Earth Run 2012

Online, May 14, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Kearny Alliance team members in Manila started their day early on a Sunday, stepping out of their weekend comfort zone to join the Forbes Park Earth Run on April 29, 2012 together with its partner in development Global Sources. As early as 5 a.m. the Forbes Park Village Pavilion was teeming with runners of all ages stretching and warming up for the run. Miss Philippines Earth 2012 beauty candidates also graced the event with their presence by cheering for the runners.

The annual fun run is part of the environmental campaign of non-profit organizations Miss Earth Foundation and the Rotary Club of Forbes Park in the Philippines. Proceeds were also extended to chosen foundations under their community services. The Kearny Alliance, meanwhile, saw the event a fitting venue to raise funds for its Philippine scholarship program by encouraging Global Sources team members to join the run, invite a running buddy, and solicit donations (per kilometer run) from friends and family.

The event kicked off with a set of pre-run stretching exercises led by the organizers' representatives, along with Ms. Earth 2011 titleholders. All set to do their share in the run-for-a-cause event, Manila team members with their running partners lined up at the starting line of their respective distance categories, including 3K, 5K, and 10K. A total of 34 Global Sources/Kearny Alliance runners and buddies jogged along the village and breathed in the hot, fresh morning air.

Kearny Alliance team member Allan Merin and his buddy, Daphne Codilla, bested the other runners in the 10K male-female buddy category, clocking an impressive time of 54:28.
"The final kilometer was the hardest because the pace got faster and I was running on dead-tired legs. Luckily, we hung on to win first place. It was a memorable experience because it's my first podium finish since I took running seriously in 2010," said Allan recalling his sweet victory. The two went home with trophies and other exciting prizes.

A first-time fun run participant, Carmela Mandap-Delos Santos of the Content Editorial team in Manila ran with her husband. She said her first 5K has inspired her to consider starting a running habit.

"I never really had a regular physical activity for so many years, and I knew I had to start somewhere. The 5K run was definitely no easy feat for a first-timer like me. It was exhausting, yes, but the satisfaction I got after crossing the finish line was priceless. From then on, I decided that running should be part of my lifestyle to help improve my health and well-being. In fact, two days after the Forbes Park event, my husband and I ran 3K," she said.

The fun run concluded with the raffling off of other fun prizes from the event's sponsors. Winners or not, Kearny Alliance and Global Sources runners all felt a sense of accomplishment for taking part in the historic event.

Alex Boome, program director of the Kearny Alliance, said: "I'd like to extend a big thank you to the committee, all runners and support team on behalf of the Kearny Alliance and the future scholar who will benefit from the money raised. Giving up a Sunday to try something new-and very tiring one-shows a true spirit of adventure and support for those less fortunate."
An update on the total funds raised, and in due course, details about the fortunate scholar will be reported soon.