[running past] red cross million volunteer [run]

[RUNNING PAST] are stories about the running events that I have joined before I started this blog. Expect retro-post such as this to pop up every now and then. 

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The Red Cross Million Volunteer Run was the first fun run I joined.  The idea came while I was jogging with my friends, Royson and Imye. We thought joining a race would be good motivation for us to continue with our weekly jogging. We were all in agreement that our first run should be easy and should be for a good cause.  With the three of us being health professionals, helping out the red cross was the perfect cause for our maiden run.

with my running group

Being newbies, we didn't know what to expect then.  All we knew was we were supposed to show up at the running venue wearing our red shirt and to run when we were told to run.  Imagine our surprise when we saw the crowd waiting for the gun start.  It was like joining an "Alay Lakad" or alay takbo in this case.  When the Red Cross said it was a million volunteer run, they weren't kidding. Because of the volume of the people, we didn't get to run as much as we have hoped but I guess that was ok.  The idea that all of the people present there wanted to help Red Cross was enough for me and my group.  Besides, it was our first run. We wouldn't have been able run that far anyway :).

crowded run from start...

 ..'til the middle...

 ...up to the finish line

Running-walking for 5k at the Red Cross Million Volunteer Run was a good start.  It was our buena mano. I am excited to join the next Red Cross run.  Not for the physical activity but for the cause and for marking my 1st year as a runner. 

always feels great to help the red cross

 my first finisher's certificate