Race organizers’ response to Bald Runner’s comments on the Bull Run 2009
First of all, we appreciate all the comments made regarding the conduct of the PSE Bull Run 2009. Below are our answers to the said critique:
- Water stations were positioned in several spots along the route as well as at the Start/Finish Line. The water station at the Start/Finish Line is located at the far end of the finish line, left side facing the finish line arch.
- Road marshals were stationed at every turning point and street intersections. They were riders and personnel from Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. But we will still assess the performance of our road marshals in order to improve the management of vehicle traffic while the run is ongoing.
- PSE owns the area where the start/finish line and program was situated. That is the reason for the selection of the said area. Given the significant increase in the participants for this year, it is best that the PSE considers other area/s for their race.
- The digital clock is mounted just below the trusses of the starting/finish line arch. Some runners may not have seen the clock mainly because of its height. Positioning of the clock will be further reviewed so as to ensure its visibility to all runners.
- We, Argent Network International Corp./Full Shot Advertising, are the organizers of the Bull Run this year. Our company name is visible in all our promotional materials such as flyers and tarpaulin banners and in promotional activities such as TV guestings. Furthermore, during the race day event itself, the main persons behind our company (Pablo Cay and Gay Maddela) are repeatedly acknowledged by the emcee. We would want to know the specific circumstance/s that we have been “notorious for not being able to look for the safety and welfare of the paying runners and walkers.” PATAFA officials are present because they are in-charge of the technical aspect of the run. That is, the measurement of the course distance and result officials.
- The content of program after the race was a decision made by the race owner – which is the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). We have already communicated this with PSE.
- The announced registration period will end a 2 days before the actual race event which is January 16, 2009. But due to the influx of runners wanting to register, the runners reached beyond the projected numbers thus, the race bibs ran out. With this situation, we have to declare an early closure of the registration. But we officially closed the registration on January 15, 2009, Thursday and not a week before the race day.
- There had been a remiss in the releasing of the race packets, which include the race bib and singlet. Production of the singlet was delayed thus, the race bibs were released even without the singlets. There had been cases of missing race packets. This we have to improve on. Reasons for the delay are internal between our company and PSE. Rest assured that we would review our registration and releasing procedures and implement a more efficient process in our next races.
- There are assigned color codes for each race event – 10k (blue ), 5k (green), 3k Open ( violet )and 3K PSE (red0. But due to the increase in the number of registrants, we were forced to transfer race bibs of one event to another event. In order to ensure that the runners run the event where they registered in, we have added measures to identify such runners. These added measures were communicated to the technical group.
- Certificates of Completion were distributed at the Secretariat Booth situated beside the Technical Booth. Distribution was announced by the emcee. Most runners were able to get their certificates.
- The VIP tables were set-up for the VIP guests of the PSE. These were not intended to discriminate anyone but to accommodate the event sponsors, PSE officials, among others. In most races, race owners do not give runners food. Discretion on such matter rests on the race owners.
- We agree that walkers should not be mixed with runners in one route. The race owner and the race organizers did not anticipate the huge turnout of fun runners because previous years records show a low trend for such type of race participants. PSE and the next race organizer of the event will consider this in their future race events.
Bald Runner 
this is why you should continue critiquing races… it makes the organizers see what went wrong and thus hopefully improve on them in their future races. It’s funny though that they had to defend themselves, I think the best defense would have been to take the comments in stride and to shut us all up, come up with one great race! 😀
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Yup, I agree Doc. There should have been no defense made. But it their right and BR posted their reply.
Those at the turn around point also made it difficult for runners to get their strings. As pointed out earlier, they missed one turn around. Oh well, hope to be in a better race next time. I hope organizers can also check on the coarse right before the race to remove possible obstacles. Im not blaming anyone for my mishap but if the big stone wasnt there on the roard, I wouldnt have been injured. I still cant run, maybe 2 more weeks. : (
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One good thing abt the last PSE would be the water station. As I said many times before runners mainly just need 3 things water, safety and a good clock. 🙂
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To the organisers, Argent Network International Corp/ Full Shot Advertizing, so many comment and review has been written by different bloggers rearding the PSE Bull Run, they are not meant to put you down, but, to highlight things for improvement (unfortunately there are a lot), however, positive things also have been point out which are to your credit.
I am a bit DISAPPOINTED on your comment asking for specifics with respect to circumstance/s that you have been “notorious for not being able to look for the safety and welfare o the paying runners/walkers” This is the major shortfall of the event, ROAD SAFETY, try to read the the different blogs of runners and do also conduct personal interview of participants, WE ALL HAVE TO RUN AND FIGHT FOR THE ROAD. The best evidence is look at the photo of BALD RUNNER’S Blog entry dated Janaury 20th the 4th pictuire showing runners sandwiched by vechiles! Do we need to say more?
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at least the race organizer are aware of our concerns. Several cases, race organizer didn’t care at all. And at least they know that we’re just not a mere runner who participate in a race, run and that’s it. we do care everything!
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Regarding the strings, some runners were even asked by the marshalls to pick up the strings strewn on the road at our feet. Imagine running at race pace and suddenly stopping to stoop down and pick up a string! Recipe for disaster.
They were also very inefficient in recording the runners’ finishing times. Mine was not in the final list. It was a good thing that I have a watch and I always monitor my own time.
The race owner and the race organizers did not anticipate the huge turnout of fun runners because previous years records show a low trend for such type of race participants — this is an unacceptable excuse because they knew a lot of people were registering. They could have made some logistical changes a few days before.
This race was really bound to fail from the start. Registration was very difficult to start with. Singlets were not immediately available. Why ask people to pay 200 and not have their singlets ready? They could have opted to issue singlets in one size if the organizers are afraid of overproduction. Or just charge us PHP 100 and give out bibs only if you cannot provide singlets on time.
Oh and what about the unprofessional and uncouth emcee?
Some fun runs are not fun at all. This is a perfect example.
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Is this supposed to be an apology letter? or just a response letter? The last thing an accused should do is to start defending themselves. Less talk less mistake. This is just awful!
I personally did not participate in this race but i think if the people who attended it have the same sentiments, there must be some truth to it. Instead of trying to “defend” themselves, i think it would have been nicer or at least looked nicer if the organizers just took the comments in stride and offered to improved on their dismal efforts.
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“The content of program after the race was a decision made by the race owner – which is the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). We have already communicated this with PSE.” – hmm dear organiser, if you listened to your emcee i seriously doubt that you would have put this statement out. He was heckling the UMAK cheerers while they were doing their complicated routine , he made fun of one of runners with a handicap. I really dont think that the Philippine Stock Exchange – The Race Owner – would have been pleased about it.
It’s a booming sport … we can all work to improve with every event. Goodluck!
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Seems to be a lot of excuses instead of measures to improve future events. This is also my second encounter with the emcee who fails to give info and is offensive with his comments. He was trying to make people check in at 5:00 am when many runners do not yet have their bibs and singlets since they were unable to get these in advance.
Really dissapointing.
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the experience we had at montalban last december with the same organizers and the foul-mouthed emcee seems to have happened again in this run. in montalban,we had to make do with water that tasted and smelled straight from the gutters that not even an animal would dare drink.there was no water station in the last 7 kilometers or so.there were no marshals especially after the turnaround that we had to run in the middle of the main road of montalban amidst traffic.our gripes go on and on.when will this organizer shape up?maybe,they should join their own race and see for themselves the agonies we go through.alas, by doing a point by point defense of their shortcomings,they instead exposed themselves to the flimsiest defense of all-empty talk.
and to the emcee,stop your blabbering and yacking needlessly because we are not amused by your antics.better take it to the peryahan.baka sakali doon mabili pa ang style mo.you make fun of other people.why not join us in the next race and we will let you eat our dust.
specifics you mean guys?- open your eyes and come run with us instead being at the comfort of your seats during race day.mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulug-tulugan.
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