Do we have a love story to tell you! With a turnout of over 400 runners, everyone felt the energy in the air for this year’s One HGS Run! After a two-year break, the long-awaited event was back and bigger than ever for its sweet return. Not only that, but this was the first run in partnership with us at HGS!
Last February 26, at the Evolution Park in Marikina City, we held the annual fun run with the theme of hearts racing in honour of the season of love. We encouraged our team to bring a friend, family, or a meaningful someone. The run was open to both HGS and HGS staff who joined in and ran for a truly worthy cause.
Running for a Good Cause
One HGS Run events are always held in honour of wonderful causes. Last 2018, they partnered up with Tanghalang Walang Hagdan; and this year is not an exception. We partnered this year with the Good Samaritan Home for the Elderly. They do amazing work in providing accessible avenues for medical care and wellness programs for the elderly.
Events like fun runs are also held in the promotion of corporate social responsibility through health and wellness. It reminds us that as a community, we can make this place better than we found it. And we can even have fun doing so.
And They’re Off!
But first, some gifts and a warm-up! At 4:30 AM, the runners were welcomed by our staff as they dropped off their raffle stubs. They even saw some of the booths set up by the event sponsors.
After which, they pumped up their hearts with some warm-up exercises. This was led by amazing dancing volunteers from HGS who hyped up the Heart Race crowd. Truly hitting two birds with one stone, with an enthusiastic start to the race ahead.
Breaths were held as they listened to “on your marks…get set…” and the runners braced themselves for the race. Once they heard the booming “…GO” they were off!
The Runners, The Companions, and the Volunteers
This year featured three different race paths for our runners to choose from: 3, 5, and 10 km routes. This was the perfect Sunday morning for those that wanted either a relaxing run through the streets of Marikina Heights, or an intense race to really push themselves. They ran through the scenic routes of the neighbourhood that truly set the tone for togetherness.
We had quite the diverse spectrum of HGS and HGS staff who came and joined the event. From couples who wanted to enjoy a Sunday morning run together, to parents who brought along their kids to encourage health and wellness at a young age. Some even brought along their adorable little fur-babies to run with them!
The runners were also accompanied by the different volunteers who helped out and cheered them on toward the finish line. From bike pacers to hydration station attendants, everyone made sure that our runners were not only safe but also had the motivation to make it to the finish line.
The loot bag distributors greeted the runners as they arrived at the finish line. They were handed the commemorative race bags with some special goodies from the event sponsors and their participation medals. The event would not have been complete without those who took the time to help out and see that the event was a success.
Awarding the Finishers of One HGS Run
Before awarding the top finishers of the event, we gave away some pretty sweet raffle prizes to all of the runners. With the luck of a randomly picked number from a fishbowl, 16 of our participants left with great prizes courtesy of our sponsors!
While the event was less of a race and more of just a great time with everyone, we still had to give it up to our top finishers. This year’s run was in partnership with the Marikina City LGU as well, and we had some great special guests to help us out. Marissa Rosales from HGS and Gil Munar from Marikina City LGU awarded the top runners for One HGS Run 2023. Gil gave some wonderful remarks to the organisers of this event saying that he and his team are, “definitely beyond grateful for all they’ve done to have this event successful.”
One HGS Run: Community Transformation through Health and Wellness
Gerry Batulan, Administrator from the Good Samaritan Nursing Home for the Elderly, ended the entire event with a heartwarming message of thanks. “On behalf of the Good Samaritan Home for the Elderly,” he said, “and the lolo at lola (grandfathers and grandmothers) of the organisation, we thank you.”
HGS prides itself in throwing company-wide events from YEP parties, monthly huddles to fun runs like this. It’s a great way to get everyone together and enjoy the community we have built and fostered. But, at the heart of it all, at the very centre of this entire lively event, is one great cause. One HGS Run: Heart Race 2023 ended up raising over Php 43,000 from the registration fees alone, alongside a large donation from HGS themselves. Gerry told us that this will be incredibly helpful in purchasing much needed supplies for their residents over at Good Samaritan.
Well, that’s a wrap for One HGS Run: Heart Race 2023! You can check out adorable photos that we took from the event over at the HGS Facebook Page. We’re sad that it’s over but that also means we can countdown to next year’s One HGS Run event. See you there!
Citations:
HGS. “One HGS run transforms into a celebration of giving.” Join HGS.
HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions. “It’s a Good World Gone Bad: Halloween Huddle Recap.” HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions, 3 Nov. 2022.
HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions. “Olympus: HGS Year-End Party 2022.” HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions, 23 Dec. 2023.
