WATSONS COLOR MANILA CHALLENGE: A Review
Philippine Primer attended the happiest and most colourful run of the year!
The most awaited summer marathon, Watsons Color Manila Challenge, happened at the SM Mall of Asia last Sunday, April 19, 2015. Participants of all fitness levels, ages and background definitely had the time of their lives!
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Photo grabbed from the Color Manila Run website
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There was a buzz of excitement in the air on the day of the event. People were just ready to run and be splashed with colors! The atmosphere was fun with the loud, energizing music and accommodating volunteers and organizers.
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EVERYONE WAS EARLY, PREPARING to take on the challenge they have accepted.
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This larger-than-life party started early at 5am. Upon getting there, we mingled a bit and were able to check the area before joining our wave. We were very thankful to see that the organizers were well-prepared: there were package counters for each category (thank goodness!), makeshift bathrooms, a color palette station and sponsored booths. The 10K, 5K and 3K runners all had a warm-up before the actual run. The first wave of 10k runners started at 5:30 am, followed by the 5k runners at 5:45 am (which we opted to join). Last was the 3k run at 6:00 am.
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OKAY, LET’S GO! The first wave of 5k runners was all fired up and ready.
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The volunteers blasted us with loads and loads and loads of colors as we race through the color stations every kilometer. Everyone was a colourful mess! There were also water and Pocari Sweat (we frequented these) stations to keep us hydrated throughout the run.
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The runners went through the different obstacles that were set up around the venue.
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It was a fun run like no other…especially since not everyone was running. Our group decided to just go with the flow as we went on a leisurely Sunday morning walk. I don’t think I saw anyone running really seriously during the event. Or maybe there were. The point is, nobody felt pressured to run the entire stretch, which made the activity even more enjoyable.
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COLORS EVERYWHERE. Color Manila Run was an explosion of colors!
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The fun didn’t stop at the finish line, though. The colourful people of Manila gathered in front of the stage to party and to throw more colors in the air that created an explosion of colors. It was a total visual feast.
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TOTAL TRANSFORMATION. We started as sleepy, normal-looking people and ended up looking like joyful, premature Avatars.
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Joining Watsons Color Manila Challenge was worth waking up early for. Here at Philippine Primer, we are huge fans of events that unite people with the common goal of having fun. In the end, it was a celebration full of tired, messy and happy people. Smiles were contagious and the energy just flows everywhere.
Next up: Color Manila Nite Run – Black Light Edition! Get your glow sticks ready as this event steps it up to another level of color and happiness on May 16! Visit their website and Facebook page for updates.
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Photos and article by Prau Lorena
