Running with a heart again

As new needs arise in the disaster stricken areas of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, Team Davao Runners has once again scheduled a second run to gather help for the victims of Sendong.

Set on Tuesday, December 27 at 4:30 in the morning, the 12k run will take off from McDonald's Bajada and head south this time towards GSIS Matina and back. Assembly has been set at 4:00 am.

A free run, no registration fee will be required from participants. They are instead asked to bring a gallon of bottled water or a pair of new slippers (men's size 8), items identified as among those very much needed by the affected residents. Participants can give more than one of the items.

TDR's first run for the victims of Sendong last Tuesday, December 20, was able to generate not only donations in kind but cash amounting to P23,600. The amount was used to buy rice, instant noodles and cans of sardines. Donations in kind filled 51 boxes and 15 sacks.

Aside from those brought by the participants of the first run, goods and cash donations were also received at The Ark Veterinary Clinic of Drs. Ken and Cris Lao, both TDR members. Delivery of the goods to Cagayan de Oro was facilitated by Trucker Transpecial Hauling Services and SKMTI.

The first TDR run for Sendong victims gathered 80 runners. Most if not all of them are expected to join the second run on Tueday, even bring along some friends for an even larger number of participants and donors.

Like the first run, Tuesday's event is not a race. No medals or prizes await participants at the end of the run. Neither is it a fun run with the usual water stations, food and finisher's certificate. But the fun will surely be there in the camaraderie on the road borne by a common love for running, and in that elating feeling that you have done your share in keeping the Christmas spirit truly alive by helping fellow Mindanaoans in need.

Time to lace up and run for others once more.

For more information on the TDR Run For A Cause II please visit the Davao Runners Facebook page.

Running with a heart

Running gives you a strong and healthy heart. That is one proven benefit of this sport that we have come to love.

And runners' hearts are not only strong and healthy. They are also big.

Eighty runners from Davao proved this today. Led by members of Team Davao Runners, they tackled 12 kilometers in a run meant to express sympathy and gather support for those who suffered in the wrath of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

It was what we call a raw run. No runner support, no water stations, no food. Just the runners, the road, and the common desire to help even in the simplest of ways.

Runners who joined brought whatever they can share for the typhoon victims - canned goods, clothes, shoes, slippers, bottled water, hard-earned cash. What was gathered wasn't really much but it was enough to fill up the back of a pick-up truck, perhaps enough even to fill the hearts of those who will receive the items with a little gladness this Christmas.

There were no medals or certificates at the end of the 12k run. But there undoubtedly was gladness in the heart of every runner who did the run and gave for a fellowman in need. That was reward enough for running with a heart, and a good reward it is.

"A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up." 

(from The Best Giving Quotes on www.boardofwisdom.com)

                                                      (Thanks to Rolly Itallo and Team Davao Runners for the photos.)

Running and giving on Christmas

After the devastating flash flood that hit Matina in Davao City earlier this year, Team Davao Runners mobilized its members in a voluntary donation campaign for those  affected by the disaster. The spur-of-the-moment charity campaign facilitated through the Davao Runners page on Facebook was able to gather as much as 5 boxes and 5 large plastic bags of donated goods which included unused or old running singlets and race shirts from TDR members and other kind-hearted runners from all over Davao City.

News of the damage to lives and caused by the flash flood brought by Typhoon Sendong to Cagayan de Oro City has again prompted Team Davao Runners to get up and move beyond running. At 4:30 am tomorrow, December 20,  TDR members and other Davao-based runners are going out on a charity 12k run for the victims of Sendong from McDonald's Bajada to Motolite, Bo. Pampanga and back.

There will be no registration fees for this run. Participants are instead asked to bring whatever they can donate for the Sendong victims of CDO - used clothing, canned food, bottled water and other goods or cash. The usual trimmings of a fun run - hydration stations, food and the like - wouldn't be there. Just the road, the runners, and their hearts that care for those unlucky families in CDO who have to face a gloomy Christmas.

If you are from Davao and you are scheduled to do a run tomorrow, you won't regret being a part of this event. You live your passion and you give life to the real spirit of Christmas through a kind and giving heart.

You can visit the Davao Runners Facebook page here for additional information.

"If you give, you begin to live." — Dave Matthews Band