A community of health buffs who share the love and joy of running is on the rise at the Provincial Capitol of Davao del Norte.
Packs of happy running people will soon dot the late afternoon landscape of the Government Center in Mankilam, Tagum City, after the Provincial Sports Development Division (PSDD) organized the Capitol Runners Club.
Sports Division Chief Giovanni Gulanes said the main mission of the club is to promote running not only as a sports but as a way to a healthy lifestyle in order to increase the productivity of Capitol employees.
He said the program is in line with Governor Rodolfo del Rosario’s policy of promoting a culture of health and wellness among the personnel of the province and the whole Dabaonon population, in general.
Running sessions around the Provincial Government Center are slated to be held every Monday and Wednesday a few minutes after office hours in the afternoon.
More than 30 initial runners representing the various departments of the Provincial Capitol were all set to run during the supposed maiden run last Monday, December 5, 2011.
However, the soft launch was marred by intermittent rains that affected the whole province.
But, Gulanes hopes other health-conscious workers will join the opening run that was re-scheduled on Wednesday in order to encourage more personnel to run along.
He urged them to join the club in order to take advantage of the fitness regimen. According to him, becoming a member of the group is the fastest way to make running a habit and keeping motivated to stay fit.
The sports division bared the membership to the club will soon be opened to the general public, who believe in the many benefits of recreational running.
He said the exercise improves health condition as it prevents diseases, reduces body weight, relieves stress and eliminate the depression of an individual, among other gains.
Yet, many eyebrows were raised when Gulanes revealed that running further improves sex life.
He was referring to a health journal which disclosed that sex stands to be enhanced from regular running, since exercises increase feel-good hormones and improve overall physical wellbeing.
Year-round running activities will also be organized, including at least one fun run in a year to be sponsored by the province in coordination with the club.
Club members will be taught about the proper execution of running, especially on postures, pace, breathing, pronation, among others.
Speakers from the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) will also be invited to handle province-wide running clinics.
