Critique on the Conduct of the 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon (09 March 2008)

On the second quarter of 2006, the leadership of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Marathon Project was turned-over to me after the retirement of Rear Admiral Jorge Necesito of the Philippine Navy from the military service. Since then, my staff and the different Special Service Units (SSU) of GHQ and the Major Services of the AFP were able to conduct four separate running race events. These events were hosted and sponsored by GHQ (4th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon/10K/5K/2-mile run among Generals & Star-ranked Officers), Philippine Army (5th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon Team Relay), Philippine Navy (6th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon Team Relay), and Philippine Air Force (7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon & 5K race).

Prior to last Sunday’s road race, we had some “problems” and “lapses” in our previous road races but we learned from our mistakes in the past and we tried to improve on the different aspects in coming up with a very successful road event. Much to our desire to have a “perfect” race, let me make a critique on our road race in order to be consistent in providing observations in previous races I’ve joined.

The following were the observations and insights made as a result of the latest rendition of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon:

1) Planning and Preparations—This is the most tedious part in coming up with a running event. However, my staff and SSU personnel were very responsive on their respective duties and responsibilities to perform. Planning orders and directives were very important to be issued for them to have the most detailed checklist of things to be done and complied with. At least, two coordinating meetings and actual walk-through on the route were conducted to ensure proper implementation of instructions.

2) Money, Money, Money—Each Major Service has to contribute fund support to the activity which is equivalent to the number of runners participating multiplied by each individual’s registration fee. Other fiancial support comes from the benevolence of the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the different Commanding Generals of the Major Service, the different golf clubs/courses of the AFP and other  private & civilian “friends” of the AFP who support the sports program. In our earlier events, we did not get positive response of our request for assistance and contribution from government “institutions” whom we know are supportive to the sports program of the government; even private and corporate entities could hardly be reached for support giving us unnecessary reasons or “lukewarm” attitude; moreso, with politicians who gave us the reason that such support to such event is not covered within their budget; and others would laugh at our objective of “realizing the elusive dream of getting an olympic gold medal in marathon”. With these experiences, we never dared to ask support from these people who gave us negative response. Nevertheless, with the limited resources we have and the absence of corporate sponsors, we tried our best to give the best road race being organized by us.

3) Public’s Interest in Running—In our first Half-Marathon race in 2006, we had only about 200 participants, most of whom were coming from the Major Serices of the AFP. In our Half-Marathon Team Relays, the civilian runners started to join but in limited number of runners. However, with the latest Half-Marathon Race, we were surprised to note the unprecedented presence of so many runners and late registrants from the civilian sector. This is a manifestation that there is a revival of running “boom” in the country. There are so many weekend “road warriors” hungry for road races to test their physical ability; maintain body fitness; find time to shed some sweat and reduce weight; a reason to bring the whole family to run & exercise, and “socialize” with other runners and friends. If we had invited the runners from the Philippine National Police, more runners might had joined the race.

4) Excellence—Yes, we are getting better with the way we prepare and organize our road races under the support of the different Major Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. With the exposure of some of my staff in the different races organized by private companies and corporate entities as consultants and participants in road races, we have slowly improved on the technical needs of our road races. Our musical bands are very useful along the route and our manpower had helped us maximized our road marshalls and other technical needs like security personnel and service support to the runners. How I wished we could provide Finisher’s Medal to each of the runners in the Half-Marathon aside from the Certificate of Achievement and Finisher’s Singlet. With the Trophies and Medals to the top finishers in each category and Cash Prizes for the top three Overall for Men & Ladies and other support to the runners, our DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Club, Inc has limited funds to be able to perfectly provide the amenities for runners like bottled water, energy drinks, “other give-aways”, finisher’s medal, food and fruits along the way. How I wish corporate support will be available to us in our future races. My personal thanks and appreciation go to the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lt Gen Pedrito Cadungog, my classmate in PMA Class 1975, who provided all the support for the conduct of the race.

5) Traffic Along The Streets—It is really hard to find a place or area in Metro Manila where there are no traffic or vehicles plying along the route for a Half-Marathon. I guess, there are no problems with the shorter distance races like the 2008 Condura Run where the route was completely clear from any vehicular traffic. It is unfortunate that runners would be extra careful with vehicles when they are participating in Half-Marathon and Marathon races.

6) Pollution—Whether we like it or not, we have to live with this kind of situaion—running with polluted air in Metro Manila.

7) Shortage of Certificates & Finisher’s Singlets—We failed on this one. We were not able to anticipate a big number of runners in the Half-Marathon and 5K race. There were lots of late registrants minutes before the scheduled start of the race. We had to delay the time of the start just to be able to accommodate all the late registrants. Even if we charged or added a penalty charge of One Hundred Pesos for the late registrants, runners would still insist in joining the race. We are committed to provide these lacking certificates and Finisher’s singlets/T-shirts as soon as possible. These certificates and T-shirts/singlets will be available in our office at the GHQ Fire Station in Camp Aguinaldo.

8) Website—There is a need for our Running Club to finally launch our official website where runners could register “on line” in our future races; where we can publish our announcements & race schedules; and where we can post our race results. Hopefully, we will be able to publish the complete results of the latest race through the Internet.

9) Major Service Brass Bands—The presence of the Major Service (Army, Navy & Air Force) bands playing marches and lively music along the route was an innovation made by my staff to include the presence of the Philippine Marines Drum & Bugle Corps and a Rock Band from the Philippine Air Force at the Start/Finish area. If the organizers in some of the US Rock & Roll Marathons could deploy rock bands in  every 3 miles along the route, the AFP could also deploy its Brass Bands in our road races. I believe that lively music gives a boost to the runners.

My Overall Rating for this Race—90%. My staff and the different SSU officers and men of the Major Services of the AFP deserve a Letter of Commendation from me as the Program Director for a job well done!

Lastly, my thanks and congratulations to all the participants and finishers to this race. You inspire us to serve you better, and hopefully, be the best! See you soon in future road races.