ACTOR and athlete Gerald Anderson is taking on a new challenge this year — he plans on running his first full marathon in Los Angeles, California in March, just in time for his birthday.
As part of Skechers’ recently launched campaign, “Go Like Never Before,” Mr. Anderson was chosen as the brand’s Philippine delegate to the 32nd edition of Los Angeles Marathon on March 19. Over 25,000 runners, both amateur and professional, from the United States and different parts of the globe, participate in the marathon.
Skechers Performance has been the official title sponsor of the event since 2016.
Mr. Anderson has been taking part in triathlons and duathlons even before Skechers invited him to be part of the campaign, including the 2015 ASTC Asian Triathlon Cup, the Powerman Duathlon Asian Invitational, and the Powerman Duathlon Pilipinas World Series. He placed 4th and 6th, respectively, in the Male 24-29 Age category in the later two races.
“I am very excited and motivated. Now I’ll be running a full marathon in time on my birthday month,” he said during the campaign’s press launch on Jan. 17 at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City.
Marketing manager Christina Tan said that “Go Like Never Before” is a Skechers Performance mantra, and that Mr. Anderson himself inspires others to constantly strive for greatness through hard work and determination.
“Its the brand’s aim to encourage everyone to achieve greater things in their lives,” she said.
Preparing for the marathon is not easy. Mr. Anderson said he has find time in between his acting career and other activities to run and do his work out routine, noting that having a busy schedule is not an excuse to neglect training.
He started a training for the marathon in November, and said wearing Skechers shoes has helped. “These are the best shoes in running. Even before I [signed up] with the brand, Skechers was my choice of running shoes,” said the actor, whose next TV show will be ABS-CBN’s Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin with Kim Chiu, which is described as a “Philippine triathlon soap opera.”
Skechers Performance shoes feature the innovative M-Strike technology which promotes midfoot striking, helping runners go faster by minimizing ground contact time as the middle of the foot hits the ground and transitions to the forefoot for immediate toe off — allowing the wearer to “go like never before.”
The actor meanwhile said he lives the slogan “Go Like Never Before” by constantly competing with himself.
“I push myself not only in running but in every aspect of my life. You always want to be No. 1, but it doesn’t mean you have to compete with everyone. Just be the best person you can be and be a better than the person who you were yesterday,” Mr. Anderson said.
He does not have a target time for completing the LA Marathon — his goal is to finish the race and have a good time. He will continuing his marathon training even after the LA race, and will resume taping his new television show about triathlons.
For beginners who want to get into running, he said it’s better to stay ready than to get ready.
“First thing you do is to get off the couch, go out, and wear your Skechers. You can start from zero,” he said.
Aside from Mr. Anderson, Skechers Performance has gathered a team of world-class athletes to represent the brand including marathoners Meb and Kara Goucher; pro golfers Matt Kuchar, Belen Mozo, Colin Montgomerie, Billy Andrade, Russell Knox, and Ashlan Ramsey; and many other runners and athletes.
To know more about Skechers Performance’s latest collection, visit www.skechers.com.ph. — Camille Anne M. Arcilla
