Pepito forces postponement of 3 Sunday fun runs in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The potential impact of Super Typhoon Pepito in Metro Manila has forced the postponement of three fun runs originally scheduled on Sunday, November 17.

These runs are the Garmin Run in Muntinlupa, Takbo para sa Kalikasan – Earth Run Edition in Pasay, and The Great UP Run in Quezon City. 

Runrio and the University of the Philippines, organizers of The Great UP Run, initially said it would be pushing through with the annual event, prompting a deluge of negative feedback on their Facebook page. 

“Not all runners are from the National Capital Region, and not everyone has a car to handle a last-minute cancellation,” JP Manzon, who would be traveling from Bulacan, said. “Kindly reconsider.”

“The chance of intense torrential rains, as forecasted by PAGASA, happening after the run! Do they not care how we will travel back home two to four hours or more, with the risk of getting stranded in flooded areas or even not staying dry for lack of public transport?” Vive de Guzman, who would be coming from Cavite, added.

Mayor Joy Belmonte told Rappler before 1 pm that the local government unit (LGU) of Quezon City had “strongly recommended” to UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Vistan to postpone the event. At 3 pm, organizers finally caved in to pressure. 

“Following extensive consultations with our UP partners and the LGU, we have made the decision to reschedule The Great UP Run 2024 to November 23, 2024,” organizers said in a statement. 

“For those who may not be able to join us in person on the new date, we are pleased to offer a virtual run option to make sure everyone can still be part of this special event. Further details on registration and participation will follow soon,” they added. 

Organizers of the Garmin Run and Takbo para sa Kalikasan postponed their events as early as Thursday and Friday, respectively, saying that the safety of the participants is their top priority.

As of 2 pm on Saturday, November 16, Metro Manila is under signal number 2, indicating gale-force winds. Heavy to intense rains are expected in the region from Sunday to Monday afternoon, November 18. – Rappler.com