You Can Still Join World Vision’s First-Ever Virtual Run For Children—Here’s How

If you can help by simply allocating a small amount from your income, would you? If you can help even when you’re in the comforts of your own home, would you? If you can help just by sparing some of your time to join a worthy cause, would you? 

People all over the world have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Perhaps you, your family, and your friends were hit hard by it, too. If you’re burdened by this global health crisis, can you imagine how much harder it must have been for underprivileged Filipino children and communities? The moment you put yourself in their shoes, you won’t think twice about extending a helping hand, especially when organizations like the World Vision make it easier for you to contribute. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way. 

World Vision Philippines has been doing this Run for Children since 2012, the year that marked the organization’s 55th year in the country. “Since then we’ve nurtured a growing community of runners, who are not just fitness enthusiasts but are also fellow advocates of children,” shared World Vision Philippines’ resource development director Jun Godornes. "Over the years, we’ve had participants who have shown their passion for running, who want to achieve their fitness goals, who want to run for fun, and those who run for other reasons… What’s common among all runners and all venues is that we all came together to help children.”

This year, due to the consequences and risks brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, this organization, like many industries and businesses during this time, has also learned to adapt to the new normal where pretty much everything is done online or virtually. So, in lieu of a massive gathering for this campaign, World Vision launched its first-ever Virtual Run for Children. World Vision Philippines’ national director Rommel Fuerte said, “We’re not just doing the virtual run for your health and well-being, we’re also running for the children’s education and health and nutrition.”

The welfare of children is at the core of everything that World Vision does. It's a "global humanitarian organization devoted to improving the lives of children, their families and communities to overcome poverty."

It’s a fresh concept, so how does it work exactly? Well, what’s great about it is that you can do it at your own pace and your choice of place. Since this is done virtually, you can participate even when you’re not in the Philippines. World Vision Philippines ambassador Gelli Victor, who has always participated in this run, emphasizes, “This time around, it’s become even more inclusive because it doesn’t matter which part of the world you’re in, you can be part of this run… There’s absolutely no limits, that’s what’s exciting about it.” World Vision Philippines' celebrity ambassadors Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Gretchen Ho, and Enzo Pineda have also joined the the virtual run. 

First things first, to get started, you need to choose if you’re running for education, for health and nutrition, or for both, because that determines your joining fee, the perks that come with it, as well as which advocacy that amount will end up benefiting. The fees are P1,050 (for education, wherein proceeds from which will be used for back-to-school kits), P1,350 (for health and nutrition, wherein proceeds from which will be used for sanitation kits for families), and P1,650 (for both). Upon completion of your choice of running distance (21K, 50K, 100K, or 200K), you get a race bib, a shirt, a medal, and an e-certificate.

Once you’ve made up your mind about those details, you may proceed registering via World Vision’s official partner for the Virtual Run for Children, Takbo.ph. Registration started last May 15, and has been extended till June 30, 2020! You may run indoors or outdoors (remember to follow community quarantine regulations!), and complete your run anytime from June 15, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

Once you’ve logged in and created an account on Takbo.ph and settled your registration fee, you can update your profile then track, record, and upload your run session there. When you are done with your run and have shed a lot of pounds, wait until your finisher entitlements get delivered to you. While you’re at it, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done not just for enduring the virtual run but also by putting in some effort and sacrifice to help Filipino children and communities during these trying times.

To register for the World Vision Virtual Run for Children, please visit Takbo.ph. For more updates on the event, like and follow World Vision Run on Facebook.