Vincent Co surprises and sprints
Co was first spotted by members of the media, though he did not grant formal interviews. Instead, he greeted everyone with the warmest of smiles and a wave.
VINCENT Co made a surprise appearance at the South Luzon leg of the nationwide Hakot Relay series held at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
Photograph courtesy of vincent co/ig
This is not an Ally McBeal kind of imagination. For a brief moment, our eyes met before he realized how many mobile phone cameras were suddenly aimed at him. Encountering Puregold Price Club Inc. president Vincent Co, who was clad in an oversized white shirt paired with black running shorts and matching branded shoes, was a short but sweet surprise at the recently held, company-initiated Hakot Relay Event at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
His brief appearance — shortly after his honeymoon with award-winning actress Bea Alonzo — was greeted with a collective gasp, as no one had expected his sudden arrival.
Co was first spotted by members of the media, though he did not grant formal interviews. Instead, he greeted everyone with the warmest of smiles and a wave. While Bea Alonzo-Co was not present at the event, the business scion appeared refreshed, radiating a distinctive, happy glow. The Cos had recently returned from their Italian honeymoon, celebrated a little over a month after their intimate civil wedding in Makati City.
That afternoon, Co was in his element with his people, exchanging pleasantries and even participating in one of the relays.
Run
More than 4,000 runners showed up for the South Luzon leg of the nationwide Hakot Relay series. This event also marked the debut of the first-ever 8K Individual Challenge, putting solo runners to the ultimate test. Around 500 participants completed the full 8-kilometer stretch, while the rest competed in the event’s signature Hakot Relay.
PARTICIPANTS put their speed and strategy to the test.
Photograph courtesy of PUREGOLD
Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad noted: “We wanted to offer runners a fresh and enjoyable way to challenge themselves, with the ‘hakot’ mechanic adding a playful and uniquely Puregold twist to the race. Being part of the running community is meaningful to us, and it is a privilege for Puregold to bring people together for a shared panalo experience.”
Success
The Hakot Relay’s South Luzon leg was undeniably a massive success. This can be credited to its highly engaging format, the impressive turnout and the palpable community spirit and family-bonding element that remained alive throughout the event.
Participants were all smiles, giving their best as they ran and competed alongside their peers. Adding even more inspiration to the lively atmosphere was the presence of both Co and Piedad.
The ultimate indicator of the event’s success was the diverse crowd it drew: loyal Puregold shoppers, families, fitness enthusiasts and seasoned runners alike. Unlike a traditional footrace, it put a distinctly Filipino spin on fitness by combining a 3KM team relay with a live shopping challenge. Teams had to balance running speed while making astute decisions on how to haul and load valuable groceries. The items up for grabs — carried all the way to the finish line — included everyday kitchen necessities, bags of rice, instant noodles, canned goods and even household appliances. It added an extra layer of challenge to the 3KM sprint, making it truly fun and exciting.
Another highlight was the 8K Individual Challenge, which catered to serious distance runners seeking a traditional test of endurance. With 500 brave participants testing their limits independently, the solo time trial was a hit. Aside from bragging rights, the winners and remaining participants all went home with custom finisher grocery cart wagons.
The next Puregold Hakot Relay event is slated for this December.