Smart Powers 7-Eleven Run 2024 to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle for Filipinos

PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) powered 7-Eleven’s Run 2024 staged simultaneously in three major cities across the country – Manila, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro last weekend.

Smart has been the exclusive telco partner of the 7-Eleven Run -- which usually averages ten categories ranging from 1KM to 42KM for run enthusiasts of all levels – for the past seven years.

“In this year’s 7-Eleven Run, we are happy to provide 5G and fiber-fast internet at the three serving sites of this year’s run in Manila, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro enabling our participants, partners, and guests to seamlessly connect to the internet, post their photos, videos hassle-free, and share their fun experience during the event using our leveled-up PLDT & Smart wireless networks,” said Chito M. Franco, Consumer Sales VP and Head of Key Accounts at PLDT and Smart.

Runners were also able to visit the Smart booths equipped with charging stations, a lounge area to rest, and participate in fun activities to win some special giveaways.

PLDT and Smart customer Shaid-Ali Mohamad from Marawi City is an avid 7-Eleven Run participant. He joined the 16KM category in Cagayan de Oro. “This year, I convinced my wife to join me. Actually, last year, I also participated in the fun run in Manila. I joined the 7-Eleven Run for health reasons, since we are not getting any younger. The second reason is to bond with family and friends, or meet new people as part of the running community,” he said.

Iloilo runner Dr. Faye Palmares said that running early in the morning brings her joy. “It refreshes you and instills a sense of tranquility. We purchased as a group and registered through the 7-Eleven CliQQ Mobile App. My running experience was very calm, and I felt very safe, which is quite rare in our running events, so I appreciate 7-Eleven for the great experience."

From supporting the 7-Eleven Run before the pandemic, and when the event transitioned into a virtual run during the COVID-19 lockdown era, until finally making a comeback for a face-to-face event once the restrictions eased, Smart’s partnership with 7-Eleven Run has enabled the telco to promote an active lifestyle to its customers, particularly at a time when health and wellness have become such an important aspect of their lives.

“We are grateful to have Smart as our constant partner even beyond the 7-Eleven Run, ensuring that we can help provide the telco needs of our customers and elevate their experience in our stores,” said Jose C. Ang, Jr., General Merchandise Head at Philippine Seven Corp, the local licensee of 7-Eleven.

This partnership also underscores Smart and its parent company PLDT’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal #3: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. 

Filinvest City hosts 7-Eleven Run 2018

Excitement and anticipation build in Filinvest City, the premier lifestyle destination in Metro South, as it once again plays host to the 7-Eleven Run 2018 on February 4, 2018. With its tree-canopied roads, verdant garden views, and fresh air, Filinvest City continues to provide participants a healthy dose of the outdoors.

“We are happy that 7-Eleven has chosen Filinvest City once again as venue partner of their run series. And we cannot wait to welcome thousands of participants and let them experience the outdoors Filinvest City offers,” shares Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Alabang Inc.’s senior assistant vice president for Townships.

Now on its fourth year, the 7-Eleven Run 2018 promises to be bigger and more exhilarating with simultaneous races in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Manila runners have the option to race in nine categories: 42KM, 21KM, 16KM, 10KM, 10KM Buddy Run, 5KM, 5KM Buddy Run, 3KM, and 500M Kids Run.

For the 10KM, 5KM, 3KM, and 500M categories, participants can look forward to a challenging organized race course set amidst the green, master-planned urbanscape of Filinvest City. Making the race even more energizing is the Spectrum Linear Park, the innovative “green belt” that spans across the north and south ends of the township.

“Having 7-Eleven Run here is a testament of our commitment to promote active lifestyle. More greens and parks are in place so people go out and run or even walk. Bike lanes are also present in major roads. Infrastructures are there to encourage people to live their lives actively,” Ubaldo added.

Powering the 7-Eleven Run 2018 is 7-Eleven’s proprietary system of Self-selected Wave Starts, which enables runners to select their individual wave starts and allows them to run with people of the same skill, speed, or with friends!

Top three winners per category of each leg will get a chance to take home cash prizes and medals. So, gear up for a day of fun and fitness with family and friends at Filinvest City, a live-work-play environment made real!

A run with nature at Filinvest City

Filinvest City in Alabang, the garden central business district of South Manila, served as the perfect venue for the recent 7-Eleven Run 2017 with the city’s greeneries as backdrop, providing over 20,000 participants ranging from fitness enthusiasts to families and friends an enjoyable race.

“We promised a bigger and more exciting run, and we are very happy that it turned out to be a success, thanks to Filinvest City and Skyway. Filinvest City provided the best venue for our runners,” said 7-Eleven general merchandise division head Jose Ang, Jr.

With a backdrop of tree-canopied roads, expansive walkways, and an innovative new “green spine,” a foliage walkway that spans across the northern and southern ends of the township, the run proved to be refreshing for the participants.   

Attesting to this was Adelle Cortado from marathon group U Can Yan (UCY). “We liked the routes at Filinvest City compared to other venues because they’re more comfortable and they’re surrounded by trees that’s why you won’t get sick of the scenery,” she shared.

For couple Adrian Madrelejos and Noreen Sumile, they considered their first run together in Filinvest City as a unique way to date. “Our first marathon together was enjoyable because the weather was cool in Filinvest City, which made our run easier,” they shared.       

With the success of 7-Eleven Run 2017, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. executive vice president Catherine Ilagan said, “We are thankful that 7-Eleven chose Filinvest City to be the venue of their annual run, and with the newly developed Filinvest City Event Grounds, we look forward to staging more events of this sort in the future.”

Filinvest City is a 244-hectare masterplanned property in Alabang that is home to some of the country’s premiere institutions and global companies like Filinvest’s very own Festival Mall, Crimson Hotel and Palms Country Club.

Indeed, it was the perfect day for professional runners, fitness buffs, families, and friends to take part in the biggest run of the year and experience a healthy dose of the outdoors at Filinvest City.