It was still dark when we got up from bed. It was quite a challenge to wake up our sons. But I’m glad we all persevered despite our sleepiness. The day turned out to be awesome!

Let me tell you why.

It was the Crayola Fun Run at Alabang Town Center. It was my husband who found out about this run. I was excited for my kids to join it as soon as I read about it. We were supposed to join the Mommy Milkshake Fun Run but our youngest son got sick so we didn’t go to that run. So, this is the first time for our second son to join a fun run. Our eldest joined a 3k fun run during our parish’s fiesta celebration last summer (May) but there were no shirts, medals or giveaways. So, when I saw that there were loot bags, medals and finisher shirts to be given away, I got excited for them. My husband was originally planning to join the 5k run that day also but he eventually decided to accompany our eldest who is running the 3k run. I was the one to accompany our younger son who is joining the 500-meter run.

Our four-year-old son was reluctant to join. He says that he easily gets tired. But we encouraged him to try. I also pointed to the other younger kids who were joining so that he’ll see that there are other small kids who will run. I told him that there are loot bags and prizes for those who will join. I also told him that if he gets tired, he can just walk and that I will be there with him. He eventually agreed.

The sun was already out when the warm up exercises began. The participants for the 5k run were the first to have their warm up but the rest of the participants, including our boys still joining the exercises. After the first batch of runner started their run, the 3k runners had their warm up. My 4-year-old son still joined the warm up for his brother’s group.

After the 3k runner started, we only waited a few minutes and the 500-m runners were asked to line up at the starting line. We took some photos of the kids and the mascot and then they started running.

I was wearing my toddler son; thus, I had difficulting running with my 4-year-old son, especially on the uphill and downhill portions of the path. Good thing he did not wait for me. He ran as fast as he could. I was left near the starting line that’s why my video of him was cut. It also helped that there was an organizer who was running ahead of the kids and leading them where they should pass. When I saw that the kids were already going around and on their way back, I just waited for my son to pass to take his photo and video again. He slowed down a bit so I can take photos of him. Then, I told him to go ahead and run to the finish line. And he did ran so fast that in a few seconds I could no longer see him again. I was slowed down again by the downhill path.

When I got to the finish line, I saw my son Mateo wearing a medal already and posing with some kids who were part of the 500-m run. I was so proud of him! He finished the run! I took photos of him after I congratulated him.

Then, I let him pose in the photo booth and helped him claim his loot bag. The organizers called the kids for a group photo.

After that, I let him sit and color at another booth where kids were given coloring pages. That’s where we waited for his older brother and Dad. He kept on glancing at the finish line while coloring because he wanted to see his older brother pass and run to the finish line. I told him I will tell him when I see his brother.

After some time, we finally saw his brother running towards the finish line. I told my younger son to wait and continue what he’s doing while I take photos of his brother.

There were a number of booths in the area as part of the event. I got some product samples after I drank water from the water station.

My eldest son lined up for his loot bag also while his younger brother continued coloring some pages. By the time, my eldest son sat with us to color, my youngest son was already awake and wanted to color as well.

We heard some numbers being called. I initially thought it was part of the raffle. I heard my younger son’s number. My husband accompanied my son in front. He was told that they were validating the ages. Could he be one of the winners? We felt excited.

The emcees started announcing the winners starting with the 5k run. Then, we heard the emcee call our son’s number when he got to the 500-m run! What a pleasant surprise! Our reluctant runner turned out to be the third to finish in the 500-m run! Wow! We happily brought him in front. It was my husband who went up the stage with him while I took a video and photos of my son and husband on stage. We were very proud of him! We just wanted him to try. We were already delighted that he finished it. He definitely surpassed our expectations! He did not only get a finisher medal. He even got a third place medal!

He also won wonderful prizes. He got two tickets for Enchanted Kingdom, a Crayola Toy worth P1,600 and some more loot bags. The toy alone was worth much more than the registration fee we paid (P1,100) for both him and his brother.

This milestone and win by Mateo reminded me of this quote I once saw on Facebook.

Another good news that was announced was that all those who joined can get discounts from the Enchanted Kingdom when they present their numbers at the gate.

We stayed until the end of the program. The kids enjoyed coloring and doing hand painting. We also bought some new coloring materials at Crayola’s booth. There was a raffle after the announcement of winners but our kids did not win. But it’s alright because we were very happy already that our kids were able to participate in it. They had so much fun!

Moreover, our son Mateo has become a more confident runner because of winning in it. Now, his thoughts about himself have changed. My eldest son also became a more confident runner because he finished the 3k run again and he got a medal too. As a parent, I love seeing my kids grow in confidence in their abilities. I love seeing them happy and proud of their accomplishments.

It was an amazing weekend indeed! We look forward to joining Crayola’s next fun run! We are also excited to let our kids join other fun runs in the future. I hope next time, we could push through with our plan of joining a family fun run.

I’m usually on the lookout for fun activities for my boys who are very active and have lots of energy. Aside from running, I also plan to enroll them in swimming classes, martial arts and dance in the future. My husband also suggests that we buy a trampoline.

How about you? Have you joined a run or family fun run already? What activities to you suggest for active boys like mine? Feel free to share your experience and suggestions in the comments.