UPAE hosted its first ever Fun Run entitled “Takbong Engineer” at the UP Academic Oval last Sunday November 10, 2019.  Over 465 runners completed the run with distances 2.5k, 5km and 10km.

Top 3 finisher awards went to:

“The board believed that, more than any other activity, a Fun Run would be inclusive where alumni from all batches, and their families would feel most welcome to participate,” said Sports Committee Chairman Mikey Villanueva exclaimed. “We are very happy with the turnout.”

Runners began trickling in as early as 5am, stretching and warming up well before their respective 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 gunstarts. Racekits where distributed at the Registration Tent as participants eagerly put on the “Takbong Engineer” singlet.

UPAE President Caccus Berba then kicked off the run with a welcome address. A rousing cheer from the crowd echoed each gunstart as runners took on the Academic Oval: 10km (4 rounds) ; 5km (2 rounds) ; 2.5km (1 round).

All finishers were given their medals at the finish line together with treats from sponsors Nestle and Purefoods as a queue formed at the event’s photo booth. Alumni were also treated to a breakfast sponsored by The Center for Culinary Arts at the Melchor Hall lobby.

Unlike many fun runs, Takbong Engineer offers a unique opportunity for fellowship. Mini reunions were taking place throughout the event and all around Melchor Hall steps. Several alumni engineers also took their families along for the fun. Moreover, it was a chance for alumni to see the campus again after so many years, not missing out on photo opportunities at the landmarks within and around the Academic Oval.

“Even before the activity ended at about 9:30, there was already a clamor for a repeat of the event next year,” Villanueva confided. “We will be publishing an album of photos and videos in our website and Facebook page to remind us of how truly enjoyable the 2019 Takbong Engineer was.”