Parqal, ASEANA, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila - February 22, 2025 - Have you ever envisioned an event where the tech community unites, not for coding nor tech in general, but for physical activity and wellness? This vision became a reality on February 22, 2025, at Parqal, Aseana with Ctrl + Alt + Run 2025.
This article primarily provides insights into the event through my video coverage, which can be viewed here:
It will also include timestamps to delineate specific parts of the event.
The event attracted a diverse crowd from various tech organizations, fostering a sense of camaraderie beyond the usual professional and technical interactions/environments.
The call time was set for 4:00 AM, yet even before that hour, the venue was already bustling with enthusiastic runners, eager to participate and reconnect with their peers.
The event started through an opening prayer (0:14), seeking the safety and well-being of all participants. This was followed by opening remarks (0:27) from one of the event’s lead organizers, Mitchie, who warmly welcomed the attendees. In her speech, she emphasized that Ctrl + Alt + Run 2025 aimed to unite individuals from the tech community in a space where they could engage in physical activity and enjoy themselves beyond their usual professional environments.
Stephie and I were doing this from 8-9 months now because we wanted to bring everybody, people in tech like you to be in one place and have fun where it's not all just about work.
1:01 - Following the opening program, the event was followed by an overall warm-up session also provided by the Ctrl + Alt + Run organizing team.
Gun Start and Runners' Assembly:
5:40 AM - The runners’ distances were divided into 10km, 5km, and 3km. The 10km runners were the first to line up since their gun start was at 5:30 AM, followed by the 5km and 3km runners at 5:45 AM.
The Great Run: My Experiences
The energy among the runners was incredible, as everyone came together to stay active and have fun as a community. Beyond the run itself, the event had several exciting elements that made the experience even better.
One of the most motivating parts, especially for a first-time runner like me, was the milestone charms given at different points of the course. These small rewards kept me going, and I received four of them at 1:57, 2:55, 3:12, 3:49, and 4:27 in my video coverage. Alongside these, hydration stations were placed at key spots, ensuring that runners could get water when they needed it most.
Another thing I really appreciated was the medical support. Medics were stationed at every turn, always ready in case of emergencies. I also noticed medics on scooters patrolling the race, prepared to respond quickly if needed. Even better, ambulances were placed in key areas for major emergencies, and I experienced their readiness firsthand when I got leg cramps near one. The medics immediately assisted me, which was a huge relief.
Finally, what made the event even more special was the amazing support from the ushers. They not only guided us but also cheered us on, making the run feel even more exciting. I even caught moments of them cheering at 4:43 and 4:57 in my video.
Following the main run, participants were treated to a variety of exciting activities designed to further enhance the experience. Several games and interactive booths, organized by various tech communities, were set up for the runners to enjoy. These engaging post-run attractions can be seen starting at 5:21 in my video coverage. Participating tech communities with booths included No-Code Philippines, Embedded Systems PH, Eastwood City Chess, and Java User Group Philippines, each showcasing unique activities at their respective stations.
Some days before the main run, participants were provided with race equipment based on their selected kit.
Full Kit Inclusions:
- Singlet
- Race bib
- Running belt
- Charms bracelet
- One free charm representing a chosen tech community logo
- Race bag (distributed after the event)
- Race medal (awarded after the event)
Lite Kit Inclusions:
- Race bib
- Charms bracelet
- One free charm representing a chosen tech community logo
- Race bag (distributed after the event)
- Race medal (awarded after the event)
The kit that I got was the lite kit under 10km.
Overall, Ctrl + Alt + Run 2025 was an incredibly well-organized event that made sure every runner had a fun, safe, and memorable experience.
Conclusions and Personal Thoughts
Ctrl + Alt + Run 2025 was more than just a fun run—it was a powerful reminder that the tech community thrives not only in front of screens but also in real-world connections. As people who spend countless hours optimizing code, solving problems, and pushing the limits of innovation, we often forget to prioritize our own well-being. This event proved that while we build fast, efficient systems, we must also take time to step away, move, and take care of ourselves.
A concept that deeply resonates with me is ikigai, the Japanese philosophy of finding purpose. In tech, we often associate our purpose with creating innovative solutions, debugging complex systems, and advancing our skills. However, true fulfillment isn’t just about these things. But, it’s also about balance. It may also be about being part of a vibrant community, taking care of our physical health, or through finding joy beyond the lines of code we write.
Throughout the event, I witnessed people reuniting after long periods apart, sharing moments of excitement and camaraderie. Runners exchanged high-fives along the loops, cheering each other on and offering words of encouragement to keep pushing forward. Some waved enthusiastically to familiar faces in the crowd, while others shared smiles and brief conversations as they ran side by side. Amongst the sweat and feeling of tiredness was an atmosphere filled with a sense of unity, determination, and mutual support, making it more than just a race or a fun run.
An event like this reminds us that our purpose goes beyond just being engineers, developers, or tech enthusiasts. At the end of the day, we're people who need to move, connect, and feel a sense of belonging.
The title of this article, “Who Ran the World? Code.”, is taken from the song "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé from its famous line “Who runs the world? Girls.” In our case, we, the tech community, ran the world, just like our code does. Code is structured, efficient, and constantly improving, and in many ways, so are we. But on the morning of the event, we left our code running on our machines and ran ourselves. We pushed forward, just like we push our systems to perform at their best. We optimized not just our programs but our own endurance, proving that we are more than just the work we produce.
Ultimately, Ctrl + Alt + Run 2025 was a celebration of movement, both in tech and in life. It showed that while we build the future through innovation, we must also build a healthier, more connected version of ourselves and the community. In another sense, just as we collaborate to create great innovations, we thrive when we support each other beyond our computers. Every step taken, every high-five exchanged, and every word of encouragement reflected the strength of our community. Because when we run, not just our programs, but ourselves, we don’t just keep up with the world. We help create it, together.
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