For the past 2 years, elite runner and college teacher Michelle Estuar has celebrated her birthday by giving back to the running community in a FUN’d RAISING event dubbed ULTRAlympics. Don’t worry though, ‘coz the ULTRA there doesn’t stand for ULTRAmarathon, it simple stands for ULTRA Coliseum or what’s now known as the Philsports Arena.
Last Friday, Nov. 30, Michelle celebrated her birthday with the running community for the 2nd time at the Philsports Arena. I missed her first “party” so I’m glad I got to join this one! The event had a very “cozy” feel to it. I’m not really sure how to properly describe that, but let’s just say it felt like a typical fun run amongst friends. There were a variety of participants from newbie runners to pro runners, teens to oldies and more.
It was fun to see all the happy runners that day
FUNd raising Ultralympics: Highlights of the Run
Sponsor a Station
It was fun seeing the different groups and organizations “pimp-out” their water stations and doing their best to support runners. The last water station (not sure what team) even had pandesals to offer. I didn’t want to get one ‘coz I knew I couldn’t run and eat, but their station was just a few steps before the very steep uphill climb towards Philsports Arena. So I just grabbed one and walked! haha
Free Ice Cream
Just like last year, everyone got free ice cream after the run. You had to line up though, but still, it was good and it was free! Moreover, it made the runners happy.
Coach Titans’s Circuit Challenge
Now this isn’t something you often see in fun runs. A special category where participants were encouraged to form groups of 10 and participate in a circuit challenge. I’m not really sure what you call the different workouts they did, but I’ve done these when I joined Coach Jim Saret’s FitFil Challenge last May and it is NO LAUGHING MATTER. When they say challenge, it’s seriously a challenge.
Overall, I found it to be a very well organized and successful run! It was fun and exciting. No pressure, to disputes, just a good clean fun run for a cause! …and the best part about it, all proceeds go to the Tapulanga Foundation. Not only were we able to run and celebrate with Michelle on her special day, but we got to help out too!
Happy birthday Michelle! ‘Till next year!
Check out more photos on Little Running Teacher Facebook page
