Running is not only beneficial to your health, it also helps revive our forests and save our native tree species, too.

Join Haribon Foundation as they celebrate their 40th foundation anniversary with the Million Hectare Challenge Fun Run 2012, the foundation’s run-for-a-cause annual event, on November 25 at the Liwasang Ullalim grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, Pasay City.

The MHC Fun Run 2012 aims to promote Haribon’s ROAD (Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates) to 2020 Program, which will gather, thank and rally support from its various affiliates and donors as they highlight 40 years of achievements and assessing their plans for 2012 and beyond.

This year’s theme “Run and Go Native - I Care. I Nurture. I Shape the Future,” will have simultaneous marathons in 500m, 3km, 5km and 10km and will gather health enthusiasts, environmental advocates and like-minded individuals to raise awareness on the Philippine forests and highlighting our native trees in a fun and educational manner.

“Forest restoration remains our main advocacy at this time, because forests can help in restoring all the ecological processes and states in our country. We need to upgrade our current cover from 20 to 54 percent if we want our water and land resources return to normal, acceptable states. Forests for a large part provide for all our basic needs, like water and food. Trees and plants supply our needs for survival and shelter, and they are also our main carbon sequesters,” said Haribon Foundation Chief Operating Officer Anabelle Plantilla.

Registration fee for the event is P500 for adults and P350 for children 12 years old and below.
Haribon members get to enjoy the discounted rate of P450, while groups comprising 40 participants and more can have a discounted rate of P475 per person. Schools who want to participate in the event can send a minimum of 103 students and pay only the special rate of P100 per person.

Those who would like to participate in the MHC Fun Run 2012 can register online by going to the event’s official website (http://mhc2012.runningmate.ph). Then they can go to the any branch of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco de Oro (BDO) to deposit their registration fee, which will include a kit that includes a singlet, race bib, timing chip, Nurture Card that they can claim at any Toby’s and Merrell stores upon presentation of their valid confirmation email from Haribon. Student participants will also be given a race bib and a Nurture card. Group registrants need to contact Haribon Foundation by calling 434-4696 or 911-6089 to secure their slots. They can also register at RUNNR (The Fort, Trinoma) and Toby’s Stores (SM Mall of Asia, Shangri-la Mall).

For more information, call Jean or Liezel at 911-6089/434-4696, 0922-8151941 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You may also visit Haribon’s Facebook Page (http://facebook.com/haribonfnd), official webpage (http://www.haribon.org.ph) or follow them on Twitter (@haribonfnd).