Over a thousand runners gathered at the Bridgetowne Destination Estate, Quezon City, for the first-ever Philippine Xiaomi Pop Run last October 28.
Participants, including yours truly, assembled right before dawn, eager to secure their spots and prepare their gear. Some arrived as early as 4 am and was later greeted with a stunning sunrise.
A Thrilling Race Day at Bridgetowne Destination Estate
A festive atmosphere was all over the venue with lively music and vibrant decorations. Participants had two options to choose from: a 10k or a 3k race, depending on how much they wanted to push themselves.
The 10k race was a serious affair, with official timing and ranking, and the winners walked away with amazing prizes from Xiaomi, such as a Xiaomi 13T smartphone and a Xiaomi Smart Band 8.
On the other hand, the 3k race was a more casual for the less competitive. Runners enjoyed generous giveaways such as bags, t-shirts, stickers, and medals.
The run was also the perfect time for Xiaomi to showcase the capabilities of the new Xiaomi Smart Band 8. I was one of the fortunate participants who was able to experience the device first-hand and enjoy its features.
Runners of all levels are able to track their heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, stress level, and more. It also has a GPS function that allows them to record the distance, speed, and route of their runs.
The band also highlights its 1.62” AMOLED display and its impressive battery life of up to 16 days while being housed in its sleek metallic frame.
The races started at 5:10 AM for the 10k runners and at 5:20 AM for the 3k runners.
The runners completed their races by 7:40 AM, but the fun didn't stop there. Cool-down sessions like Zumba and Yoga helped everyone stretch, relax, and get into the post-race celebratory mood.
Concluding the Xiaomi Pop Run 2023 was a lively show, a prize-giving ceremony, a raffle draw, and many memorable moments for the runners.
The event was supported by several sponsors, such as Redbull, Viu, Salonpas, Fitbar, Bridgetowne Destination Estate, and Robinsons.
For many participants, myself included, the event was more than a race. It was a celebration of health, where people from diverse backgrounds came together to be active, have fun, and connect with other Xiaomi fans. It was an experience that I am eager to repeat next year.
