Olympian and Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal has one piece of advice for runners: Work on improving your running form.

The biggest mistake runners make is neglecting their form. After all, it’s not like they need to swing a bat or dribble a ball. The sport is popular because of its simplicity. Just wear your running gear and head out to wherever you want to go. How complicated can that be?

Like many elite athletes, the extra-petite Tabal (she’s 4’11”) knows that better form leads to better performance and fewer injuries. While there’s no such thing as the perfect form, good form means, among others, ensuring you land over your center of gravity, developing a faster rhythm or cadence, maintaining a relaxed body position, and minimizing lateral rotation.

“With better form, you minimize energy expenditure and develop better endurance required for longer distances. It all leads to better performance,” Tabal said at the launch of Asics Relay Philippines 2018, the first night relay race in the country.

This is the first time the Philippines is participating in the Asics Relay 2018, joining Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. The first leg kicks off in Manila on May 26 at SM By The Bay in Pasay City.

A total of 750 teams, each consisting of four runners, is expected to join. The Asics Relay Philippines 2018 will accept only up to 3,000 runners.

Find buddies

Don’t have running buddies? Asics will find them for you.

There are two race distances, all relay, for a team of four runners: 42 km and 21 km. Teams can choose from three relay categories: male, female and mixed.

In the 42-km relay race, each runner needs to complete 10.5 km, while the 21-km relay race requires each to complete 5.25 km. Cash and product prizes worth more than P790,000 await the winning teams for both full and half marathons.

The full marathon team winner also gets the chance to join an Asics Relay race in the country of their choice, inclusive of air tickets and accommodations.

“Running is an individual sport, but joining the Asics Relay will encourage teamwork among participants,” Tabal said.

The first 140 to buy Asics shoes will receive a complimentary team slot, valid until April 14. Participating stores include Asics TriNoma, Asics Bonifacio Global City, Asics Greenbelt and Asics Cebu.

“This is our second race that emphasizes team spirit over individual capability. Asics encourages people to get moving and be active,” said Andy Neo, sports marketing manager of Asics Asia Pte. Ltd. “We’re always looking for new ways to expand the Asics Relay, and with the addition of the Philippines in the 2018 relay series, all runners can expect an evening of fun and excitement coupled with a great running experience.”

A giant screen will show real-time positions of runners, Neo said. Each participant will be rewarded a finisher’s medal, an exclusive Asics race T-shirt that comes in four colors, and a personalized race bib.

Early bird rates per team, until April 4: 21k, P3,400; 42k, P3,600. Regular team rates, until April 27: 21k, P3,600; 42k, P3,800. Visit asics.com/asics-relay, and AsicsRelay on Facebook and Instagram.