It just takes 4 sparks to become Firestarters.
The flame of running and eating was started by Josh, Jemai, BJ and Kirk - four high school friends whose interest in jogging started after their High School Reunion last September 25, 2010. The flame kept alive as the next jogging session together with their other schoolmates continued on October 9, 2010.
The promising flames burned as the Firestarters did their weekly jog. Passionate joggers continued with this spark of interest. Though the activity was more on walking, the flames continued to ignite. More mutual friends joined.
Soon, others had left, but embers kept alive.
After a year, a transformation happened. The Firestarters were no longer just simple joggers; they formed their group and called it the ELITE RUNNERS!
Until finally, they decided to join their first marathon on November 13, 2011 for Run United III.
The next activity was their second time to run in the actual marathon, for Run United I 2012. Scorching Sun was always there to fire them up.
Zombies and those who lived in the dark should have stayed away from the Elite Runners during the Outbreak Manila on April 14, 2012.
When a big fire is burning, it is hard to put out. In the Elite Runner’s case, running was hard to put out most especially DURING SUMMER TIME. They decided to join running events every month.
Let it burn, let it burn!
It was a challenge for them to run their first 21K with other 5000 participants during the rainy season. They crossed four key cities – Taguig, Makati, Pasay and Manila. A new team member joined: Jeck.
They also joined the longest running event in the Philippines – Milo Marathon on July 29, 2012.
The next month, the Habagat Disaster hit Metro Manila, displacing many families and caused a lot of casualties. The Elite Runners Josh, Jemai, Kirk together with Lyvia headed to GMA Kapuso Foundation on August 11, 2012 to volunteer in repacking goods for the people affected by the disaster. At dusk, all the other volunteers had left except the four elite runners and another volunteer/stranger. Their burning compassion triggered their acts of charity.
Unknowingly, the stranger has that burning desire too. During the course of their interaction, the stranger was invited to join the running team. Little as a flame, when swallowed by a bigger fire, will become one and as powerful as the bigger fire.
The brainstorming for the new team name immediately happened while inside the Kapuso Foundation. The name was thought of something about their passion in running and eating.
Even the legendary fiery bird phoenix has to die and put itself on fire for it to be born again.
The Road Eaters Running Club (with the same Firestarters behind it), which is now open to the public, was conceived on that same day, August 11, 2012.
In this photo: (From left to right) Kirk, (Kuya -- a Kapuso Foundation employee), Hanna, Jemai, Lyvia and Josh.
Soon, more mutual friends joined, more trainings held and more foods digested. The club went into the process of evolution. Key milestones were created. Until the debut of Road Eaters Running Club happened on September 16, 2013.
And the story of the Road Eaters went on...
