After getting the permission from my friend and fellow-Ilocano, Lakay Felipe Dumpit aka Kinderdorf, I am going to post this article which came from his blog. The post was initiated from an e-mail of Lito Evite which is self-explanatory. I hope the race organizers, sponsors, the officials of PATAFA, and runners will be able to read this post and this will encourage them to be observant on these concerns and feel free to post comments relative to this letter/post.

The following is the post I copied from Kinderdorf:

A Runner’s Wish for 2009

November 24, 2008

I went back to my inbox and found this November 3, 2008 post by Lito Evite at the Pinoy Runners e-groups.  I find his wish list very reasonable.  I just hope that his message resonated to the organizers and consider them when they plan their races for 2009.  I am certain that he had the best interests of runners when he e-mailed his post.

Dear running organizers,

I hope you won’t mind if I ask you a wish (magpapasko na kasi).  These wishes are based on the experiences I’ve had in the past races I’ve joined and some comments/blogs I’ve heard/read:

1.  Race schedules
– Schedules must be coordinated with all race groups so we don’t have simultaneous
races with the same race dates

2.  Registration
– there should be multiple registration centers
– race packets should be given upon registration
– race day on-site registration should be allowed but should close 15 minutes before the
scheduled race starts (sometimes the race gets delayed because there are still on-site
registrants queuing)

3.  Singlets/T-shirts (walang kokontra sa nakalista, wish nga eh!)
– T-shirts should be pure cotton (malamig sa katawan)
– singlets should be ‘true’ dri-fit or climacool (masarap sa katawan)
– singlets must not have ‘tahi’ in front as this causes flaking and wounds the
err..uhm…nips…

4.  Age Cheating
– there should be a way to check for age cheating
– for races with age category, there are those who register to an older race category
(ex. the runner’s real age is 48, but registers with the 50-59 age group or
the runner’s real age is 16, but registers with the 10-13 age group)

5.  Race Time
– races must start on-time (runners wake up early to make it on time during race day,
this must be respected by organizers plus the sun would already be hot if the race gets
delayed)
– let us do away with the ‘Filipino Time’ instead let us be the ‘Filipino on Time’
– should there be speeches by guests and/or programs, these must be done before be
scheduled race time
– guest speakers must be given specific time limits for their speeches

6.  Runner Check-in
– runners that check-in should not be allowed to leave the holding area
(there are others that sneak out and position themselves few meters away from the
starting line, so that they would have a headstart when the race begins. Cheaters!!!)

7.  Release of runners on race day
– Runners must be released by race category (3k, 5K, 10K, 21K, …)
– there should be no classification of elite, advanced, beginner runners

8.  Marshalls
– marshalls must be strategically located in all turns from start to finish
– marshalls must control vehicular traffic to protect the runners
– marshalls must direct the runners to the proper side of the road
– marshalls must have a communication equipment and list of emergency contact
numbers
– marshalls must be briefed of their roles and responsibilities
– marshalls must apprehend or report cheating runners
– escort marshalls must not only be escorting the lead runners but should there should
also be escorts for the last runner (leave no one behind)

9.  Ambulance and medical services
– there must be a first aid/medical services available
– at least one ambulance/emergency vehicle must be available and strategically located
in the middle of the race route (ex. for a 21k race, the ambulance must be located at
the 5K post not at the starting line for quick response in the shortest possible time)

10.  Water stations
– there should be ample water stations located at least every 2.5km
– there should also be enough plastic cups and ‘clean’ cold water
– there should be trash bags to throw the used plastics cups/containers
(we runners should not litter our streets)

11.  Route Markers
– the whole stretch of the race route must be properly marked
(this is especially true for marathons, some runners get lost)

12. Finish line
– there should be ample race chutes for each race category to prevent long lines
– race certificates and other giveaways must be given as the runner exits the race chute
(do not let him/her line up again just to get those souvenirs)
I’ve been good this year so I hope that my wish gets to be granted.

The following are the comments of Kinderdorf to supplement the concerns of  Lito Evite:

Race Schedules – Its about time that the organizers coordinate so there would be no conflict of schedules.  It is sad to have simultaneous races at the same day in Metro Manila.  It is not  always easy to choose.  Having simultaneous races on the same day also effectively reduces the income to be generated by the race.  What is important is for the organizers to give courtesy to each other and not to compete with each other. Engaging in cut throat competition is a recipe for disaster to the organizers.

Race Time – I fully agree that all races should start on time.  No more Filipino time.  If we say we start at 6:00 am, we should start at that time.  Running is a disciplined sport and we runners should develop the discipline of being at the race site on time.  If you are late, humabol ka na lang.  On the other hand organizers should have the discipline to start the race on the stipulated time.  The sun gets hot when the race is delayed, particularly during the summer months when the days are longer.

Water Stations – Organizers should always consider the runners’ need to be hydrated.  By this I mean providing them with POTABLE DRINKING WATER.  Organizers should do away with the “the tabo at timba” system.  On the other hand runners should always prepare and have their own hydration kit, which can be a simple water bottle or a hydration belt.

Let me add the following comments to this post and concerns from Mr Evite and my personal wishes to all race organizers:

Age Cheating—Melvin Bulos of the Fort Striders Club mentioned to me that most of the Age Category Prizes during their 4th Octoberfest Run held at the Global City were not claimed because the runners/winners could not produce any Identification Card that could prove their age. It was either the age category winners were not able to bring their IDs or they cheated on their registration forms about their age.

Race Schedule—Race Organizers can schedule their races on Saturdays, Sundays, National & Special Holidays. Has anybody thought of sponsoring an Independence Day Run, Valentine’s Day Run, Heroes Memorial Day Run, Labor Day Run, Rizal Day Run, Human Rights Day Run,  Christmas Eve Run, Christmas Day Run, or New Year’s Day Run? All races should have the approval of PATAFA in matters pertaining distance measurement, security of runners, support system, medical support and other administrative & technical support for the runners.

Registration Fees—How much is a “decent” registration fee for a road race? If a race is for a certain “cause”, it would be better to request or announce to the runners for them to voluntarily donate or give anything for the said “cause” and race organizers should not increase their registration fees because of such “cause”. Race organizers should be able to get most of the support from the race sponsors. How about a “zero registration fee” or fun runs for 2K & 3K road races? This will encourage novice runners and kids (12 years nd below) to join and experience short distance road races.

Accurate Race Distance—I heard that PATAFA is being paid by the race organizers for a fee to conduct an exact measurement of the route. However, there were races in 2008 which were lacking in distance and more were in excess of the exact distance as much as 400 meters. I am not sure if PATAFA had done its job to measure these races even if it received the required fee. 

Printed Prizes vs. Actual Prizes & Gift Certificates—I hope race organizers will be able to correct this where age category prizes are printed in their registration forms and flyers but in the award ceremony after the road race there were no awards given to the winners of age category. Gift Certificates as Prizes for Winners should be valid at least one month from the date of the road race. The GC awarded to one of the elite runners of Team Bald Runner during the Izusu’s “Shake, Rattle & Run” Halloween 5K Race has not been redeemed up to this time after receiving “promises” from the staff of one of the sports stores.

Security of Parking Areas—Road Organizers should be responsible to losses on parked vehicles of participants. I hope there will be no more losses of items inside the vehicles of participants of road races for this year.

On Program Before & After the Start of the Race—If there is no National Flag on the stage, there should be no singing of the National Anthem. If there is Singing of the National Anthem as part of the program, the National Flag should be displayed at the stage. Do not allow the so-called “running priest” to officiate any invocation/prayer before a road race. Select or designate EMCEES who are runners or have knowledge on sports and athletics. It is not enough that EMCEES should be professional, at least, they should know what it takes to be a runner.

Lastly, I wish that race organizers should not “bump-off” my Project Donate A Shoe Backdrop/Tarpaulin within the vicinity of the Finish/Start Area. If there are fees involved for me to pay such space, the race organizer should inform me about it.

Wishing You All The Best For 2009!!!