I would like to share the following insights, observations, and assessment of the Bataan 102 as the Race Organizer/Race Director:

1) On Simplicity—I would like to have this ultramarathon event as simple as possible. No marketing, no PR, no “frills”, no major sponsors, no advertisements, no requests to other bloggers to promote this event, and nothing commercial about the event. I wanted this event for the “hardcore” runners who would like to test their body’s limits of endurance and promote running to another level. I will maintain such simplicity in the conduct of the race in the succeeding editions.

2) On Sponsorship—I tried to ask support and sponsorship from sports and tourism authorities but my requests were denied. Even politicians whom we see joining weekend road races and triathlon events were asked for help, unfortunately, I got negative reply from them. I went bolder by sending letter of requests to all the “Presidentiables” for 2010 whom most of them I’ve known personally but I got the same response that they don’t have any budget to support such event. Guys, I am recommending that you don’t vote for them in the Presidential Elections! These people are only good in “lip service” and media exposure. Kiss our quest for the Olympic Gold Medal goodbye! I am glad there are unknown people, close friends and runners who believed in my cause/advocacy and gladly offered support when I least expected. Guys, thank you very much. You made this dream a reality. I hope you will continue supporting this event in order to promote our passion in running and ultramarathon.

3) On Rules and Regulations—I’ve been strict and firm on the deadline of registration except for the foreigners who had some problem sending their registration fees through the banks and money transfers. However, I was flexible on the qualifications and requirements needed for each participant as there are runners who never ran a marathon distance but I encouraged them to join our “marathon runabouts”, albert’s “midnight to sunrise” runs, and the Bataan 52K “test run” for the purpose of knowing them personally and observing their attitude during the runs. As for the support vehicles, crews and pacers, I was not strict on these matters but I learned some lessons on these aspects during the race. There will be adjustments made in order to promote orderliness and safety during the race.

4) On “Honor System” and Cheating—Aside from the Race Marshals who were recording the order of arrrival and time of every runner in every Aid Station, I also deployed “secret marshals” on strategic locations along the route to distribute different colored bands which indicates that each runner must had passed every location of these “secret marshal”. After the race, we checked every finisher if they possessed the required number of colored bands on their wrists. Based from my personal observation and reports from my marshals, there were finishers with incomplete number of colored bands. My staff took note of these runners and we collated the data we got from every Aid Station. We got alarming discrepancies and we were able to identify those runners who “leap frog” by riding in their support vehicle. Aside from these bases and evidence, we got reports from our “secret marshals” that there were runners stepping out of their support vehicles within the vicinity of our Aid Stations (2nd half of the route) and approach  our volunteers without any sign of sweat, of being tired, of breathing heavily. Other support vehicles of runners would stop by our Aid Stations and allow their crews to get food and drinks for them while they are inside their vehicle. I could not believe what I saw on the 1st half of the race of runners cheating, moreso, on the second half of the race when the heat of the sun was unbearable to most of us. As I said, these “cheaters” and suspected ones will no longer be allowed to join in this race in the future. I would be happy to have only 10 runners for this race who are men of integrity rather than have 100 runners who are “cheaters”. Guys, I don’t need your money you paid for your registration fee. Your money will not make me rich! We run because we want to have fun and develop some kind of relationship among ultra runners. I promise that in the future edition of this race, I will see to it that “cheaters” will be exposed and removed from the site of the race.

5) On Runners’ Sponsors and Advertisements—I was happy to see the participation of members from an exclusive running club for ultra runners in the country. These runners are really good ultra runners and I really respect them for their passion in ultra running. However, I was frustrated to see, while I was running with them, that their support vehicles were displaying logos of companies which sponsored them without even asking permission from me as the Race Organizer/Race Director. What was more frustrating was when I saw the logo of the company whom I requested for sponsorship that denied my request. I am still waiting for these runners to personally explain and apologize to me of such observation if they think they committed some infraction.  We should show some respect to one another if we want our a good relationship to flourish in the sports we really love.

6) On Volunteers During the Race—I was too shy to ask the members of the Team Bald Runner-Professional Group for an extra help during the race as I don’t have the means and resources to support their accommodation, food, and other needs to be able to be with us on the site of the race. However, one by one, these members approached me and offered their vehicles, provided themselves to help as roving Aid Stations practically not sleeping for the whole night, provided pictorials and documentation for the race, and even catch up for the race after joining an early morning race in Metro Manila and acted as additional roving aid stations for the other runners. To all the volunteers, thanks for your support and you made this race a success!

7) On Food, Drinks, Water and Support in Aid Stations—Bringing a staff consisting of 40 people (drivers, support personnel, marshals, cooks, and security personnel) at the vicinity of the race area one day before the D-day to buy and cook for the foods to be served in the Aid Stations was a logistics “nightmare” for me. We practically brought our “kitchen” and sleeping bags to a place provided by a friend who owns a tract of hilly land in the vicinity of Balanga, Bataan. But due to proper planning and coordination, my staff had their respective jobs to do and we worked as “one” to make this event as a memorable event for the runners. We learned a lot of lessons on these Aid Stations. We prepared foods and drinks for the runners only, but it was okey also that we were able to serve the needs of their crews and pacers as we prepared foods more than the required for every runner. What surprised me to know is for a single runner to have a group of 51 pacers and crews, alternately providing the runner the much needed support from Km 00 to Km 102. I knew these support personnel brought with them their provisions but I got reports that others would get their support from the Aid Stations. We’ll improve on this aspect on the next edition of the race. 

8) On the “Worst Scenario“—I prepared for the “worst scenario” for this race in case we have runners who are victims or suffering from “heat stroke” symptoms during the race. I made a briefing with the Medical Teams and review them on what to expect for the runners and the procedures they had to do in case of emergency. I was glad that these teams were well-prepared for any contingencies for the race. My sincerest thanks to my brother, General Samuel of the Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army who provided me with his two ambulances and medical teams and the support provided by the Northern Luzon Command of the AFP and 7th Infantry Division, PA based in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City.

9) On the Runner-Participants—The runner-competitors are the real actors in this race and without them this dream would never been a reality. You made this event a very successful one and we were able to prove to the whole world that we can do a world-class ultramarathon competition in our country. Anything about the Bataan Death March should be held on the very place where history happened 67 years ago. Let us honor and commemorate the sacrifes of our heroes who died for us in the name of freedom and independence. Now that we have started this event, let us nurture and sustain it so that the younger generation would be able to remember the history of our nation. Thanks to all the runners!

“A SALUTE TO OUR HEROES…..RUN, ENDURE, AND SURVIVE THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH”