Health and environmental awareness will be at the forefront of a community running event in Cavite this month, as organizers encourage participants to adopt simple habits aimed at reducing waste while promoting active lifestyles.
Now on its fifth year, the “Vermosa Green Run 2026” will be held on June 28 at Vermosa Estates in Imus, Cavite. The event combines recreational running with efforts to raise awareness about sustainability, ecosystem conservation and animal welfare.
The event comes as concerns over climate change continue to grow globally. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the planet’s climate is “more out of balance than at any time in observed history,” citing record greenhouse gas concentrations and rising temperatures that contribute to extreme weather events worldwide.
Lani Tan, general manager of Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, said this year’s participants are being encouraged to become more conscious of the environmental impact of their everyday actions.
“Using reusable hydration bottles or collapsible cups, properly segregating waste, picking up litter along the route or whenever possible, and using designated disposal areas are simple habits that can easily be incorporated into training and race-day routines,” Tan said.
As part of the event’s waste reduction and recycling efforts, runners are encouraged to turn over used PET water bottles during registration.
Tan said race singlets, finisher shirts and dog bandanas for this year’s event were produced using recycled PET bottles, highlighting how discarded plastics can be repurposed into products used for sports and recreation.
“Wearing planet-friendly gear on race day is a shared badge of honor that shows we are actively investing in the preservation of the environment that sustains our active lifestyles,” she said.
For Tan, the event’s long-term impact will be measured not only by participation but also by whether runners continue practicing environmentally conscious habits after race day.
“As we celebrate our fifth year, we hope to inspire a permanent shift toward mindful consumption and conscious living. Crossing the finish line should be the start of a lifelong habit of waste reduction, active recycling, and respecting outdoor spaces. We want our runners to carry this sustainable mindset back to their respective neighborhoods, workplaces, and every future race track they conquer,” she said.
The event will feature 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer and 21-kilometer race categories, along with a 1-kilometer Dog Run designed to accommodate participants with varying fitness levels and goals.
Tan said the event aims to show that caring for the environment can begin with small, everyday actions.
“Building a healthier planet does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it starts with choosing to go greener, one small step at a time,” Tan ended.
For more information about Vermosa Green Run 2026 and to register, visit www.ayalaland.myruntime.com/register.
