A Dash of Ash: Color Manila 2017

Stacey made the reservation online for the entire CWT folks who will be joining the event. Little did I know that she registered us on a 10k run! This is crazy for a 1^st timer like me, but I know it’s gonna be fun! Stacey claimed our shirts and kits last January 5.

Days before the event, I joined JR and LA on their after shift run in Salcedo park. I haven’t had the chance to run during the holidays, you should know why. Hahaha J

During the Event

I didn't rush to meet the 0400am assembly because our gun starts at 6:00am. I met JR and LA at McDo Buendia around 4:45am, so we arrived in MOA grounds past 5am. There were baggage counters and urinals (but eww, it stinks talaga!). They also had booths for merchandise, photobooth, face tattoo booths, hydration booths, booths for claiming medals and color packets. Oh, there’s a booth for free skin care check up too!

We lined up at the starting line 10mins before 0600. After a few jogs from the starting line, we were greeted with water using the fire hose. I avoided it but most of the runners passed through.

It's really fun because of the colors – purple, orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink. (did I miss some colors?) I was jogging/running with my friends until 5k but for some reasons, I lost them. Hahaha! I don’t know. Then I saw myself running and passing through 16k, 18k and I was like, what the… am I lost? Anyways, I still enjoyed it. There are some medic stops where you can ask for some leg spray (pain relief) not sure what the brand is, but it helped me a lot. I ran/jog alone then met my friends again at the finish line J

With ralph at the back :)

Dungis!

Photo: ralph's facebook

Surprisingly, I made it to the finish line!

After the Event

Due to numbers of participants, I am unable to change - there’s a long line even in Mcdonald! Good thing I got wet wipes but of course it’s not enough. I decided to go home as soon as we finished.

Overall Experience

I undeniably enjoyed the event. Though it would be better if there’s some guide who’ll assist us during the run. I’ve noticed that there are some 3K AND 5K participants taking our route “hala, ang layo na yata natin. 5k lang tayo eh.” And they laughed. I know that they’re enjoying it as well, it’s just that it will be better if we have someone to guide us (especially the newbies).

If you're after a really good run, this kind of race isn't for you because it's hard to run when there's so much crowd.

A few tips from a newbie J

Here's some tips that I want to share based on my experience and observation. This may help, so read on ☺

1) Bring wet wipes and extra shirt.

Since there's no shower room available, wet wipes are a big help for you to take out those colored powder on your skin especially on your face. Bring a large size one, so you can also share it with friends or other participants; be friendly! Don’t bring white shirt, it will be better if you’d bring black or anything dark.

2) Don’t bring anything unnecessary during the race.

Believe me, you wont be able to use it as this will be covered with those colored powder too.

3) Prepare your gadgets ahead of time

If you’re a selfie-kind-of-person , make sure your phone have enough batteries (and memory too)

4) Warm up!

Though you're not a regular runner, it is a must that you do warm up before the run to avoid body pains.

5) Bring some sandwich or fruits or check which fast food or resto is open as early as the fun run ends.

I understand that you wont run with full stomach so make sure to bring something to munch on right after the race. My friend brought banana. I didn’t eat after the fun run, I just headed back home and sleep. Hahaha J

Glad that I joined Color manila – a good way to start my year. Cheers to another 1^st !