It's a fun run, so why not have fun?
Runners did just that in the first-ever Pokemon Run in the Philippines, held February 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.
In a sea of Pikachu-themed yellow shirts, One Sports managed to catch a few participants who decided to play and go full-costume during their run.
[ALSO READ: Fans outrun them all in the first-ever Pokemon Run in the Philippines]
Ash: Pikachu, I choose you!
In an event with 10,000 Pikachus, this Ash only needed to catch one.
Dave and Lyssa brought the cuteness in their 10K run with their get-ups.
Dave went full-Ash Ketchum, the main character of the Pokemon cartoon series, with his signature blue vest, white and red hat, plus an actual pokeball to boot.
His girlfriend Lyssa went on theme as Ash's main Pokemon Pikachu, with her yellow shirt and Pikachu hat.
They've been going strong for 12 years, but this was actually the first time they joined a run together.
Ash and Barefoot Pikachu
That's what Cali did--in a Pikachu romper to boot--for a good five kilometers. He's been doing this for some years now, even going sans shoes in ultra marathons.
"Mas na-energize ako," Cali said about barefoot running.
For anyone who wants to try, Cali advises them to take it slow.
"Lower distance muna, kasi mata-try nila masugatan, 'yung blisters," he said. "After ng ilang years, masasanay na rin sila."
Naturally, Pikachu would be running with Ash--the character of his companion Sunrise, who is fairly new to running but finished a 5K.
"Late rin ako natuto. Enjoy naman, masaya," Sunrise said.
Maybe next time, we'll see them as Team Rocket!
Fiery favorites
There were plenty more who wore onesies such as Nikko, who finished the 10K while wearing a Charmander onesie.
"This is my favorite starter sa Gen 1," he said. "Nakakapagod siya. Double the effort, pero kaya naman."
His friends, Angela and Elyjah, finished the 5K while representing their favorite pokemons--Psyduck and Dragonite.
"Medyo nakakapagod pero enjoy naman," said Elyjah.
"First time," Angela added, smiling. They had to. They couldn't miss the first Pokemon Run, "Pokemon lovers!"
And yes they were willing to do this all over again.
Extra challenge: Run as Gengar
Darwin has been running since 2013. So when the Pokemon Run was announced, he wanted to try something different--run in a Gengar onesie.
"Ang init!" he said, chuckling. "Parang mamamatay ako sa pacing namin kanina."
A for effort as Darwin went to run a whole ten kilometers in a Gengar costume. And he finished it in just four minutes over an hour. Partida, medyo late pa sila nag-start.
Still, that's plenty of XP to gain from this run!
The couple that runs together, stays together
Onesies were aplenty in the Pokemon Run.
Darryl ran in the 10K wearing a Gengar version while his girlfriend Ymari went as Jigglypuff. They immediately bought these upon joining the event.
"It's a fun run, why not have fun?" Ymari said. "Masaya kasi marami ring nag-effort, marami ring nag-costume."
While it was an added challenge to jog while in costume, the valuable experience and memory was worth it for the couple who has been together for two years.
"Mabagal pace namin, but we enjoyed it naman," Darryl said. But then again, speed wasn't the goal, but the memories.
Multi-faceted Pikachu
For Miko, the Pokemon Run was a welcome opportunity to wear the Pikachu onesie he had for eight years.
"Super love ko Pokemon talaga since as a child," he said. "Can't go wrong with Pikachu."
The event was also a welcome opportunity to cross-train, since Miko is also a competitive bowler.
"Sabi ko I want to jump in on it, doing more fitness stuff, trying to get healthy," he said.
If you're lost, find the Magikarp
Shawn wanted to try to catch them all in a different way--by dressing up a Bug Catcher/Fisher hybrid.
He really wanted to dress up as a Bug Catcher, but Shawn is a legitimate fisher--so he worked on his rod to dangle a Magikarp.
"'Pag may mga taong 'di makakita [kapag madilim], ako yung magiging landmark," he said, joking. "Nakataas lang ako ng Magikarp, hanapin niyo lang!"
This is a fun run for him as he usually does a full marathon with his fiancee.
More than dressing up, running is valuable for his mental health.
"It makes me more comfortable," Shawn explained. "Mas nailalabas ko 'yung stress and anxiety ko sa run."
;
Beyond the cute shirt and adorable Pikachu medal, these runners are in it for the memories of doing something together with their loved ones, the experience of going in costume, the achievement of finishing a goal, and the opportunity of unloading all their woes.
It's only one of the many steps to level up on their journey to become the very best.