We at arkadymac.com are always on the lookout for the most imaginative, creative and, of course, most enjoyable events for our readers, so when we heard of Who RUN The World: Heroes vs Villains, we of course did not pass up the chance to take part in this affair and bring the action to all of you. And thanks to UP Variates, the organizer of this event, arkadymac.com is an official media partner. We were there of course last September 14, 2014 at the UP Academic Oval to cover the event and take part in this exciting affair.
Who RUN The World: Heroes vs Villains is a fun run event organized by the University of the Philippines Variates (UPV) to jump start its anniversary week. Participants get to run in their most creative and resourceful hero or villain costumes to win prizes and just to have a great time. This also serves as a charity event as part of the proceeds will go to our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Preparations for the event had been carefully made months in advance with promotions and pre-registration well underway up to the day of the event.
Strong rains and winds marked the night before the event with a storm looming, but the organizers advised that the run would proceed rain or shine. It happened to rain that morning so proceed it did with participants braving the darkness and rain as early as 4am. Thankfully, nearing the start of the race, the rain weakened to a drizzle and it was a whole lot more workable. Organizers got to set up the booths and the sound systems, and they had a wonderful duo from 99.5 Play FM serving as hosts for the event. The participants, some in costume, some in regular running attire, continued to gather as the start of the race neared, all excited to take part in this unique event despite the gloomy weather.
After introductions from the hosts from 99.5 Play FM, there was the Oath of Sportsmanship followed by warm-up exercises for everyone competing. Then sometime around 6am the race got underway, first for the 5km division then followed by the 3km run. Participants had to run at designated courses around the UP Academic Oval, which has long been a delightful place where people enjoy walking, jogging, and running for health. Seeing pro runners, hobbyists, enthusiasts, young kids, the elderly, and especially those in costume going around campus despite the rain was a fun and refreshing sight, with curious onlookers cheering them all on.
After a while, the fastest ones in each division arrived at the finish line and had their times recorded. Participants all got to cross the finish line and received finisher’s medals for their achievement. After the race proper, the program continued with games and contests keeping the crowd on their feet as everyone waited for the announcement of winners. In the meanwhile, participants got to claim their loot bags from the generous sponsors of this event and had their nice souvenir shirts from UP Variates. The winners for each category was soon announced and they got to take home great prizes from the organizers and sponsors. Then the winners for the best costumes were announced, the best hero going to Soldier and best villain going to Terrorist and best group went to the Minions.
From the smiles on their faces, it was certain that everyone got to have a great, fun time at this event that aimed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for everyone and to raise funds for the less fortunate. We would like to congratulate UP Variates for organizing this fun and exciting event and we hope to see more such events from them in the future.
On a personal note, it was fun for me to cover an event at my alma mater. Once upon a time I was a student there in UP Diliman’s College of Arts and Letters taking up my degree in English Studies, Major in Creative Writing. While of course I could just go visit on a regular day, getting to go around the campus and then Palma Hall while in cos was nostalgic for me, well, not that I ever got to cosplay there as a student. I think.
Thank you for dropping by, and please visit us again for more cosplay features here at arkadymac.com.
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