Runners and celebrities converged at the crack of dawn last May 22 at Ayala Land's Nuvali in Canlubang, Laguna to participate in The Bull Runner Dream Marathon.
Considered as a first in the history of marathons in the Philippines, the event was conceptualized for first- and second-time marathoners to experience the challenge of completing 42k distance in the "most ideal" race environment.
The Dream Marathon supported all the participants right from the start leading to the run itself. The event also encouraged the spirit of volunteerism among participants and supporters.
"It was another means to promote the sport I love with the growing number of runners, some of whom didn't go online. TBR Dream Marathon was my biggest and bravest attempt at making a positive contribution to the community," said Jaymie Pizarro, who initially started a blog site to gather around fellow passionate runners.
Helping the participants in preparing for the fun yet daunting task ahead was running coach and race director Jim Lafferty.
Lafferty put together a 16-week training program since February of this year to condition the runners both physically and mentally weeks before the actual event.
More than the physical hurdle, Lafferty said that the most crucial aspect he focused on was the mental attitude of the individuals since "completing 42.2 kilometers is certainly no joke."
He continued, "I think offering a race that caters to the beginner helps them overcome the fears and intimidation and helps get them over this important first hurdle. The race itself is easy if you believe and you have done the training!"
Celebrity Drew Arellano himself refused to get intimidated by the distance as he joined the other runners at the starting line as early as 2:00 a.m. Drew's girlfriend Iya Villania was on hand to support the endeavor.
Social butterfly Tessa Prieto-Valdes did not run but she was there anyway to cheer on the participants.
"It may seem crazy to run at 2:00 a.m., but the experience was actually surreal and running in the dark heightens all your other senses. I vividly remember looking up and seeing a night bright with stars, seeing the lights of Tagaytay Highlands flickering in the distance. I remember hearing the sound of a babbling brook, then later a small river, and sporadic strange bird calls; the smell of wild grass and of carabao manure!" mother and entrepreneur Michelline Suarez summed up her entire experience.