“I Don’t Care About Your 2010 Elections Advocacy, I Just Want To Run…Fast!!!”

On August 30, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Running For Cause17 Comments

Tatakbo Ka Ba? GMA-7 5K/10K Run @ The Fort/ 6:02 AM 30 August 2009

This was my general feeling when I finally registered to participate in the GMA-7 10K Run. Who cares about the incoming elections, anyway? The purpose of my participation of this run was to evaluate my racing performance after doing a lot of running workouts for the past weeks. I wanted to run in this race with an average pace of less than 5 minutes per kilometer.

One of the 3 Stages Prepared For The Race

The race was scheduled at 5:30 AM and I was already at the starting area at about 5:15 AM. I was surprised to see the festive atmosphere of the place with the presence of three (3) elevated stages; one for the race which was located at the far back of the runners & front-left side of the starting line and another big covered stage for the “special program” initiated by GMA-7 for the swearing in of oath by the candidates for the presidential elective position. Most of the runners at the corral area were not interested or listening on what the Emcees were announcing. In the first place, I don’t watch GMA-7 programs and I really don’t know the personalities or even the news broadcasters. Instead, I started to stretch my leg muscles while waiting for the race to start. I saw the family of Annalene aka The Meek Runner and I approached them. I had a brief time talking to them until such time the Emcees transferred at the front of the starting area and continued their program. We were surprised that we just heard the starting gun.

The number of runners who joined this race was also unprecedented. There were lots of runners and I can estimate that it reached at least 4,000 + participants. I am sure the runners did not participate the race because of the presence of the politicians but I am pretty sure most of the runners just wanted to run and the rest of the participants wanted to see the “stars” and personalities of GMA-7.

The other small stage infront of the Starting Line

The race finally started at 6:02 AM and it was a “mass start” for both the 5K & 10K runs. Since I was few meters from the front runners, I started slowly making sure to warm-up my leg muscles. I weaved through the slower runners as I tried to find my comfortable space and pace during the start of the race. From the start, I slowly passed the slower ones and those who made a dash from the starting area who ultimately run slower after running for about a kilometer. All the streets were fully packed with runners and I could hardly weaved through the runners. It was only at the 2.5-km turn-around where the 10K runners started to have more space. From the 2.5-km point, I started to peak up my pace and was able to pass more of the runners. Running towards the Market! Market! area was a breeze as I saw a lot of familiar faces who were ahead of me and those who were trailing me as I passed at the turn-around area.

The problem about the narrow route at the British School and at the vicinity of DILG’s Public Safety College started to be encountered by the 10K runners as most of the 5K runners and “walkers” occupied the road. At this point, it was the last 3 Kms of the 10K route. I had another problem of weaving through the slower runners & “walkers” that made my pace slower up to the point when I reached the road in between the new St Luke’s Hospital and the Ford Car Store.

After running through the streets west of Rizal Drive, I knew I still have one more kilometer to go before the Finish Line. On the last Five Hundred Meters before the Finish Line, I had to slow down because of so many spectators along the route who completely filled almost one-half of the road. The spectators were waiting for the “stars” and GMA-7 personalities to finish the race.

I finished the 10K run in 46:29 minutes with an average pace of 4:40 minutes per kilometer (based from my GF watch). I was able to run well during the race but it could had been better if not for the numerous runners that clogged the narrow streets along the route.

After the race, I did not bother watching the program being prepared by GMA-7 for the politicians. I just overheard that they were reciting an oath that mentioned that “they will be honest, that they will serve the poor and hungry, that they will not abuse their power, that they will not “pocket” the money of the government which are to be used for education, social services, and infrastructure, that they will “so and so”. Whatever, Guys! It sucks to see the politicians reciting such oath infront of the runners and signing such oath on LIVE TV Telecast. If you can not even support or see to it that we attain Sports Excellence in the country, then stop promising to serve the “poor and the hungry” and the the whole country! To me, everything was “bull….”; empty promises; and a “show” to be forgotten after it will be published on the daily newspapers & seen on TV newscasts and finally, I am sure the Race Organizer was laughing all the way to the bank despite of so many “lapses” (again)!

I am already tired mentioning to this blog the different “lapses” of the Race Organizers. As a runner, I just want the following things to be perfect, at least—appropriate length of table for the water stations; abundance of water & water cups in Water Stations; accuracy on the route distance; presence of digital clock at the Finish Line & publication of Race Results; and lastly, punctuality of scheduled time on the start for the race.

The "Presidentiables" & Politicians At The Biggest Stage

The race was significant because I was able to meet new acquiantances (Raffy Uytiepo & others); awarded my “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt to Joseph Baltazar; talked to the family of David & Rowena from Great Britain; meet a young runner at the age of 11 years old who beat me by one second; meet the Finishers of the 1st BDM 102K (Ralph Salvador, Eric Socrates, & Dionisio Potonia); talked to the registrants of the 1st MASTERS 15K Run; and happy to see the awarding of the winners of this race who are members of my Elite Team Bald Runner. The following pictures will speak for themselves:

At The Team Bald Runner Booth (Note: BR's Logo)

Awarded "1,000-Km Club" Finisher's T-Shirt To Joseph (On my left side) — Awarded "1,000-Km Club" Finisher's T-Shirt To Joseph Baltazar (On my left side)

Raffy Uytiepo, "El Numero Uno" Race Organizer of Cebu City (on my right)

Kid Lindangan (11-year old young runner) & Dad After The Finish Line

Nice To Know As An International Event

On August 29, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Running3 Comments

I just received an e-mail from the Race Organizer of the Los Angeles Marathon stating therein that their Online Registration will be open effective on August 31, 2009. The Race Day will be on March 21, 2010. The last day of Registration will be on March 1, 2010. The Race Route will be completely different from the past editions as the race will start at the Dodgers Stadium and end in Santa Monica Beach. Registration Fee is $125.00.

From this information, let me point the following observations:

1. Registration Period—An International Marathon Event opens its registration at least six (6) months before Race Day. This is a positive indication that the event will push through and it is already calendared in the list of Marathon Races in any of the websites maintaining a list of Marathon Races in the USA or in International Cities/Countries. The 6-month period is an appropriate duration to train for the said event. May the Local Race Organizers learn from this.

2. Deadline of Registration Period—If the Online Registration published the date for the deadline of Registration, such date will be strictly followed. There will be no “special” accommodation for late registrants! The reason why the Race Organizers always set a deadline for registration in International Marathon Event is that they want a 100% Customers Satisfaction to all the participants. This is translated to efficient production of Race Packets, Finisher’s T-Shirts, Medals, & Certificates to include coordination for security, medical, and safety protocols for the said race. On the said race, the Race Organizers had at least 3 weeks before the distribution of kits and on the race day to prepare the Race Packets of the participants to include the “giveaways” at the Finish Line. I hope our local Race Organizers will learn from this to avoid some “lapses” in the distribution of kits. It is also on this period that the race results encoders will be able to input all the data of the runners in their Master List of Participants for easy post-processing of results immediately after the last runner had passed the Finish Line. It should be noted also that the entity that receives your Online Registration is completely a different group from the Race Organizer.

3. Registration Fee—The registration fee is $ 125.00. Nowhere in the website where you can see where your registration fee will be used. The Race Organizer will not explain where your registration fee is going to be spent!!! If the Race Organizer decides not to give you a singlet or Finisher’s Shirt, they don’t need to explain. It’s either you want to pay the registration fee or not/join the race or not! It’s your choice. However, I am sure the money you paid for the registration is worth the experience during the race.

4. No Need To Invite Elite Foreign Runners—Let the name of the city or location of the Marathon Event speaks for itself. However, if you announce your Marathon Race as an International Event with 60 days before Race Day, there is a slim chance that the best international runners will be coming to participate in the said event. The best runners are already focused to join races which had been known by them 5-6 months ago. If ever foreign runners will participate in our International Marathon Events for the months of October & November, these runners would be their 2nd or 3rd rate runners. We hope these runners to arrive in the country at least two weeks before race day in order to acclimatize with the weather and humidity.

See you tomorrow at the Starting Line!!!

Race Report: BOTAK’s 10-Mile Run

On August 27, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Running11 Comments

6:00 AM 23 August 2009 @ UP Diliman Campus

This road race was supposed to be conducted last 28 June 2009 as one of the “side events” of the BOTAK’s Paa-tibayan 100K Run but it was postponed to this date. Since I did not intend then to join this race after the fiasco during the BOTAK’s Marathon Race on the first week of May and the fact that I joined the Los Angeles Marathon on the last weekend of June, I did not know about the original route and the reason why it was re-scheduled to a later date.

It was almost a month that I did not join any road race after I finished the 5K Team Relay Run held at the ADMU Campus. I finally decided to join this race to make the 10-Mile event as my evaluation/performance race after one month of training since my last road race.

Thirty minutes before the race, I was already at the vicinity of the starting area doing my stretching and warm-up exercises and I was with the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner who were registered for the 10-Mile, 5-Mile, and 1-Mile Street Mile. Few minutes before the start, I was able to meet and talk to Jonel aka Bugobugo and we talked about our race strategy. I had the impression that he was prepared to do a fast run on this race after he told me that he will be going for a “negative split”.

After a short program, the race started at exactly 6:00 AM for the 10-Mile runners and the rest of the 5-Mile runners were left behind to start after a few minutes. I did not expect this race as a “big event” but I knew that the basic needs for the runners and the requirements for a good race were in place. As I started the race, I was surprised to see the first water station on the first 200 meters from the starting line. I said to myself that this must be a good sign of a good race. I tried to grab one of the water cups from the two volunteers manning the water station but somebody got the cups from them and I had to continue with my run. I am glad Jonel was able to grab two water cups from the table and he gave me one. Thanks, Jonel.

Chasing Jonel aka Bugobugo During The Race

After running 500 meters, Jonel left me for good as he started to slowly go on “race mode” and I just maintained my race pace of about 5:00 minutes per kilometer. My first loop was a fast one as I registered a sub-25-minute for the 5+ kilometer distance. After the first loop, the race started to be boring but I just maintained my pace and find enjoyment of running along the shady route of the UP Diliman Campus. Some of the runners would greet me along the way and some of them were the faster runners who reached the turn-around area ahead of me.

I had observed that BOTAK improved a lot in the way they conduct their race. I’ve seen PATAFA personnel who were manning the timer/digital clock and as staff of the technical group at the Finish Line; lots of volunteers and route marshals with directional signages & kilometer marking along the route; lots of water supply in water stations; additional ice cold Gatorade sports drinks in separate Gatorade Aid Stations with the proper Gatorade cups; and lastly, nice music rendition of an “acoustic” band at the Finish Line Area which gave me a boost every time I passed or completed every loop. I heard more good music after I finished the race as I waited for the other finishers and the other races during the 1-Mile Street Run.

BOTAK’s had improved in their water/sports drinks Aid Station and in their directional & kilometer marking signages. Gone are those days when race organizers in races at the UP Campus would lack drinking cups for the second loop. The race marshals were also efficient in reminding the runners on what turn or street to take during the race which is a sign that they know the route of the race. Since the race clock of PATAFA was at the Finish Line, I have the impression that the race time results was efficiently recorded. I just hope that the race results will be published soon.

The hardest part of the race was running the third time for the last loop! The sun was already hot but I was glad that water & cups were still abundant and even the Gatorade drinks were still cold and available in every Aid/Water Station. Every time I reached a Water Station, I had to grab two cups–one for drinking and one for dousing water to my bald head and it was very refreshing. I started to feel hungry but I was reluctant to use the GU Sports Gel tucked inside the small pocket of my CW-X tight shorts and have it reserved for my additional 8K run after the race. I tried to pass as many runners I could reach during the last loop as I thought I was increasing my pace but after uploading the data from my GF watch, I found out that I was decreasing my pace! Maybe the runners infront of me were getting exhausted due to the heat and they were getting slower, too! Finally, I reached the Finish Line and I was satisfied with my performance as I registered an average pace of 5:00 minutes per kilometer for the whole race.

Everything seemed to be perfect but what I’ve observed to be lacking was very minimal. I reached the finish line at exactly 1:19:00 hours based from the digital clock at the Finish Line but when I saw the distance registered in my GF watch, I found out that the distance was 15.64 kms. The distance I’ve ran lacked 360 meters! I really don’t know if my watch’s reading was accurate as one runs along the UP Campus. There might be some inaccuracies with the GPS of the watch when running in a thickly vegetated or tree-covered route. However, when I saw Ian Alacar, the Race Organizer of the event few days after the race, I asked him if the 1-Mile Street Run was properly measured by the PATAFA and he said, “Yes”! Then, I supposed, the 10-Mile & 5-Mile Runs were also properly measured by PATAFA, too. I just hope my GF watch did not register the right distance while running at UP Diliman Campus. By the way, I did not break any PR time with this race.

Ian, congratulations for a nice race to include the conduct of the 1-Mile Street Run. I like the singlet that goes with the Race Packet for this race. So far, this was the only complimentary singlet that I used during a road race.

Running Clinic @ Head Office, APL

On August 25, 2009August 25, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running5 Comments

This time it was at the Head Office of the American Presidents Line (APL) located in one of the corporate buildings at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex. This was our 8th Running Clinic to the different Corporate Offices situated in Metro Manila.

The first part of the Running Clinic was a Lecture at the Conference Rooms of APL. It started at 3:15PM of August 17, 2009 and finished at 5:00PM. The lecture was followed with an Open Forum and there were lots of interesting questions from the participants. The questions were answered and Coach Titus Salazar initially conducted a portion of the practical exercises to be done by the participants.

Maurice McKeating of APL led the participants — Maurice McKeating, President of APL Phil Led the Participants

The second part of the running clinic was the practical application of the basics and principle of training in running. The practical part was done at the beachfront/Seaside of the Mall Of Asia Complex. The session was led by Coach Titus Salazar and was assisted by the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner. Warm-Up and stretching exercises were done before the group was made to jog a portion of the Seaside Area. After the drills were introduced and done, the participants were made to group themselves for a team shuttle run competition. The exercises made each of the participants perspire and shed some calories. They were even taught how to pick-up/grab water cups and drink while they are on the run, a good starter for future runners joining their first road race.

Stretching Exercises & Stationary Drills/Jumps

Lastly, my team encouraged the participants from the Head Office of APL to form and organize their Corporate Running Team so that they could train as a group and finally join the different weekend road races in Metro Manila.

To the APL group, thanks for the hospitality and the “freebies” you shared to the Team Bald Runner.

Team BR @ BOTAK & LEVI’s Runs

On August 24, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Sports Program1 Comment

The Elite Team Bald Runner joined two road races yesterday, Sunday, 23 August 2009. The following were the results where the members were able to get “podium” finish places:

BOTAK Paa-bilisan 10-Mile/5-Mile/1-Mile Street Runs @ UP Diliman Campus

10-MILE Run:

Rene Desuyo—1st Runner-Up (2nd Place) Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 54:26 minutes.

Frankreader Indapan—2nd Runner-Up (3rd Place) Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 54:30 minutes

Milbert Nabuab—2nd Place in the Age Category (18-25 yrs old) & 6th Place Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 1:00:46 hours

Christian Dalida—3rd Place in the Age Category (18-25 yrs old) in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 1:07:00 hours

Anna Vargas—2nd Place in the Age Category for Women’s (26-39 yrs old) in the 10-Mile Run

Frankreader Indapan Before The Finish Line

5-MILE Run:

Marecil Maquilan—Champion, Women’s Overall Category in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 32:15 minutes

Raul Lamprea—Champion, Men’s Age Category of 26-39 yrs old in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 25:40 minutes

Gerald Sabal—2nd Runner-Up (3rd Place Overall) in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 27:11 minutes.

Rey Antoque—1st Runner-Up (2nd Overall) in the Age Category of 40 yrs old & above with a time of 31:40 minutes.

Marecil Maquilan Winning The 5-Mile Run, Women's Category

1-MILE Street Run:

Alquin Bolivar—1st Runner-Up (2nd Overall) in the 1-MILE Street Run with a time of 3:56 minutes.

Rey Antoque—6th Overall Place in the Age Category of 40 yrs old & above with a time of 5:05 minutes

Running Coach Rey Antoque at the 1-MILE Street Run

The "Flying" Alquin Bolivar @ the 1-MILE Street Run

LEVI’s 1.5K/3K/5K RUN @ The Fort

Alquin Bolivar—Champion, 5K Run

Duncan: A Typical Young Runner

On August 23, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Running Shoes13 Comments

After I participated in this morning’s BOTAK 10-Mile Run at UP Diliman Campus, I stayed at the Campus for another 8-kilometer slow run and then waited for the start of the 1-Mile Street Run. I did not join the 1-Mile Street Run but I cheered for the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner who joined this event.

When the Kid’s/Youth’s Wave started, I positioned myself on the last 20 meters before the Finish Line with a good view of the runners approaching and watch their facial expressions on the last sprint towards the Finish Line. This wave was won by a 12-year old kid whose name is Duncan who registered a finish time of 4:36 minutes for the 1-Mile Street Run.

As he passed on my position towards the Finish Line, I observed his running shoes. I was shocked to see his shoes!

Let the following pictures describe what I’ve seen which broke my heart for this young runner who has the potentials of being a future “Olympic” athlete…

His shoes was wrapped with Masking Tape!!! — His right shoe was wrapped with Masking Tape!!!

If you want to help Duncan, please leave your Comment. His running shoes size is 7.

On Media Launch, or Media Lunch?

On August 22, 2009August 22, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Running3 Comments

The first time that I attended a “media launching” of a running event was when I was personally invited by Jinoe of takbo.ph for the Kenny Roger’s Urbanite Run. I really enjoyed that scheduled meeting as it was done in the evening at the KR’s branch at SM Megamall and the fact that most of the invited guests were the “runner-bloggers” and not one from the media sports reporters in daily broadsheets and tabloids. Although I was not impressed with the punctuality of the presentation or briefing, I had a good time talking and exchanging ideas with the other “runner-bloggers”. It was in this event that I personally reminded the Race Organizers to “beef-up” the security services during the race as preventive measure for car thefts or “breaking-in” of parked cars of the runners. The reasoning that I presented was the fact that we had incidents of thefts during daytime races and there is a greater possibility of “bad things” to happen during nighttime. I am glad that the Race Organizers heeded to my “reminder” and so far, there were no reports of thefts or “break-ins” in parked cars during and after the race.

Two weeks ago, I received an e-mail inviting me to attend the media launching of the 1st Quezon City International Marathon. I fondly recalled that this was informally known by runners to be conducted on the first few months of this year. To be exact, it was supposed to be conducted for the month of February but for reasons I don’t know, it was rescheduled indefinitely. It was only when Rene Villarta aka JAZZRUNNER made a post in his blog that this race will push through in October of this year.

The media launching was scheduled at 8:00 AM of 18 August at Max’s Restaurant inside the Quezon City Circle Park and I was at the venue at 7:55 AM. I was the first registered “runner-blogger” and the first one to take a seat in a row of tables prepared for a lunch! Finally, the event started at 9:35 AM which was the time I was scheduled to meet another person within the vicinity of the venue. I was glad the person whom I was supposed to meet joined the event and was seated in my table. So, while I was listening to the speakers of the event, I was also talking to a writer and author of a book who wrote a history of the Bataan Death March. I guess, this is what they call “multi-tasking”.

So, what are the things that I have observed during the launching of the 1st QC International Marathon? To mention a few, the following were my observations:

1) Why do you have to set a “media launching” at 8:00 AM when most of the guests will arrive late and the food prepared was for a lunch? When will we ever learn to be punctual to a scheduled event?

2) This time, there were more media sports reporters than the “runner-bloggers” who attended the event. I can only count, at least, five (5) runner-bloggers as compared to almost 20 reporters & photographers. I think most of the “runner-bloggers” were in their offices or respective work.

3) It is my observation that these media sports reporters have “negative” impression on the capability of the Race Organizer to conduct a Marathon Event as big as this, based from the questions they presented during the Open Forum.

4) Most of the media sports reporters/photographers and other attendees were asking for “freebies” or pack of “freebies” to advertise the event from the Race Event Sponsors. It was nice to see those “personnel & staff” during the event who were wearing those “blue & yellow” 1st QC International Marathon T-shirts as they look to be the Route Marshals for the race. I did not intend to ask “freebies” for this event as I immediately left the place for another meeting after it was adjourned.

Media Launching of the 1st Quezon City International Marathon

In the afternoon of this day (Tuesday), I received a txt message and an e-mail from the people of SMART inviting me to attend the “media launching” of the 2nd SMART Subic International Marathon (SIM) on the following day at 10:30 AM at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

I brought the two (2) coaches of the Elite Team Bald Runner with me for the said “media launching”. I was impressed! Arriving at the venue at exactly 10:30 AM, the Boardroom was already filled with lots of media reporters & guests and it seemed I was the one already late for the said event. In a few seconds, the program started and presentations were made about the conduct of the SMART Subic International Marathon.

What were the salient points and my observations during the “media launching” of the SMART Subic International Marathon? Many! And they are the following:

1) Most important, it was my first time to meet Tanya Lara of Philippine Star in person as I was seated next to her!

2) I finally met Chuck Crisanto and his wife, Joyce of Joy Rojas’ Takbong Pangarap’s Run Across America. Although, Chuck Crisanto sent me a very long Comment on this blog about his answer on the allegations from Mat Macabe about his actuations during the early part of Joy’s run, we discussed more about the condition of Joy Rojas during the run. How I wish I could post the Comment of Mr Chuck Crisanto on this blog but I will let him settle everything in the presence of Joy Rojas & Mat Macabe about their respective allegations to one another. I was surprised to see him and his wife here in the country as I know Joy Rojas and Mat Macabe are still running towards New York City. In the end, I had a nice time talking to the couple during our lunch.

3) It was an “eye-opener” for me when Mr Patrick “Pato” Gregorio of SMART SPORTS delivered his message on their Corporate’s “vision & mission” to help in realizing our country’s “first Gold Olympic” Medal and it is through this Marathon Event and other running events that SMART could be a great “catalyzer” and supporter in our Sports Excellence Program. I did not leave the hall not until I was personally introduced to Mr “Pato”. I hope SMART would also involve themselves in a “mass-based” running events just like what MILO is presently doing in order to discover “new talents” in Athletics.

4) The conduct of the SMART SIM is a partnership with the Philippine National Police in their advocacy to reform the police “scalawags” through running. I really appreciate the contributions made by Chief Superintendent Samuel Tucay, who is also a passionate runner, and considered as the driving force in this worthy advocacy of the PNP while he was in the active service, specifically when he was the Chief of the PNP’s Training Command.

5) I was able to meet the people behind the E-ventologists, Inc which is the Race Event Manager/Director of the Marathon Race. I have yet to find out a significant road race event that these people had handled in the past. As I left the Boardroom, one of the personnel of the Race Manager gave me 2 pieces of hand towel as part of the “freebies”.

SMART Subic International Marathon Launching At Dusit Thani Hotel

Since I was not invited during the “media launching” of the Philippine International Marathon for Pasig River, I could not tell what really happened but based from posts I read among bloggers, I’ve gathered some negative feedbacks already like the route of the race (instead of a schematic drawing of the streets, the route was simply a list of streets where the runners will take) and others.

In these media launching or media lunch events as part in the marketing of Marathon or Road Races, the foods were great with lots of “freebies”. But sorry to say, I was not able to eat much and get as many “freebies” I would want. I just hope that such expenses or costs for these PR events will be charged to the different sponsors and not from the runners!

So, starting on the 11th of October up to 8th of November, a span of 4 weeks, our runners have a choice of four (4) Marathon Races, 3 Marathon Races in Metro Manila and 1 Marathon Race in Pampanga to Olongapo/Subic Freeport.

I will post a separate assessment and comparison of these Marathon Races in my future blog entry.

To all the runners, good luck and train well!

Update #1: 1st MASTERS 15K Run

On August 21, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running6 Comments

I ran the whole race route this morning at exactly 6:10 AM and I observed that the sun was already above the horizon.

Although most parts of the route are shaded with trees, there are still parts of the route which are exposed to sunlight and it will add some heat to the runners. I could predict that the heat of the sun on exposed parts of the route will be become a problem for the runners.

Due to this observation, I am adjusting the start of the race earlier and the race will start at 5:30 AM, instead of 6:00 AM. We will adjust also the Assembly Time at 5:00 AM. An earlier start for the race will be more beneficial to all the runners.

An appropriate written notice about this adjustment is already in the Race Kits to be distributed.

Our registration booth will be available at the vicinity of the BOTAK Run’s Finish Line at the UP Diliman Campus. Race Kits will be available for distribution upon acceptance of registration form & fee.

We are encouraging participants to register early as we have prepared limited number of race kits.

1st Metro Manila International Marathon

On August 18, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Pictures, Running6 Comments

5:30 AM January 31, 1982/Start & Finish @ Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park

The 1st Metro Manila International Marathon was held under the auspices of the SIGLAKAS, a mass-based Sports Program of Minister Elpidio Dorotheo of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and the Marathon Association of the Philippines. Coca-Cola and Lagerlite Beer were the major corporate sponsors of the said marathon race.

A Marathon Exposition was held at the Century Park-Sheraton Hotel where famous Marathon Champions Bill Rodgers and Katherine Switzer were invited to speak and deliver lectures to the running community. Dr John Wagner of the Honolulu Marathon Association was also one of the invited speakers. The Expo was officially opened and sponsored then by Miss Imee Marcose as the Kabataang Barangay (KB) National Chairman. The said Expo was conducted two days before the date of the Marathon Race. On the morning of the day before the opening of the said Expo, a short run from Luneta Park to Malacanang Palace dubbed as “International Friendship Run” was held in the presence of Bill Rodgers, Katherine Switzer, Waldemar Cierpinski, Peng Jiazheng of People’s Republic of China, Minister Dorotheo, and other Sports Officials. The said run culminated with a breakfast at the Palace with then President Ferdinand Marcos.

This Marathon Race was a well-planned event that the prevailing ratio of the Runners and the Officials/Marshals and Aid-Station Volunteers was 1:1. With 1,000 runners in the said race, there were also 1,000 Officials/Marshals & Volunteers who were involved in making this race a success.

This race was well attended by graduates of a 9-month Scientific Fun Run Clinic sponsored by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The running clinic was held every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 5:30-7:30 PM at the periphery of Ugarte Football Field in Ayala and Long Run sessions at the Quezon Circle on Sundays. A Lagerlite Beer Running Club headed by Angel Colmenares was also one of the famous/active corporate running teams fielding 41 marathon runners in the said event.

The top 3 runners of the (Men’s & Women’s Categories) received Presidential Trophies and the top 200 runners were awarded the Presidential SIGLAKAS Medals. The awarding ceremony of the Winners was done at the Malacanang Palace at 3:00 PM on the same day of the race with no less than the President as the Guest of Honor. At the finish line, every runner received a Finisher’s Medal, Singlet, Finisher’s Certificate, and every runner drank lots of Free Coke and Lagerlite Beer!

Waldemar Cierpinski of East Germany, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Marathon (1976 & 1980), won the 1st Metro Manila International Marathon with a record time of 2:14:27 hours which up to this time is the “all-comers” record time in a Marathon Race in the country. Cierpinski adapted to the weather and humidity of Metro Manila by arriving in the country three (3) weeks before the race. I think this was the primary reason why Cierpinski was smiling and running at a steady pace when I met him going back to the finish line at the Guadalupe Area (infront of the Loyola Memorial Park) as I was going to the Ortigas turn-around (infront of the Robinson’s Galleria).

The second runner who arrived at the Finish Line was a certain Ricardo Carillo, a Filipino runner with a time of 2:35+ hours.

The race route was very simple then as it started at Quirino Grandstand and went all the way along Roxas Boulevard up to the Paranaque Coastal Road and back; turn right at Buendia Blvd; right at Ayala Avenue; left at EDSA until the turn-around point at crossing Ortigas Ave & EDSA and retrace the same route back to the Quirino Grandstand with runners immediately turning right a Roxas Blvd at the end of Buendia Ave. Runners had to go at the underpass of Shaw Boulevard and at that time one lane of EDSA was devoted to the runners.

1st Metro MIM Newspaper Ads With The Picture of Cierpinski

: (Fm Left to Right) Katherine Switzer, Gail Swain, Bill Rodgers, Angel Colmenares, & Waldemar Cierpinski

: “The Graduates” of the Quezon City’s Class ’81 of the Johnsons & Johnsons “Band-Aid” Family Marathon Clinic @ UP Diliman

What are the things we learned from our past road races during the early 80s when the first “running fever” hit the country? In my opinion, the following are some of the “pointers” and my personal assessment of the road races then:

1. First, the National Government, through the MYSD, was the overall race organizer of this Marathon Race with the direct involvement of the President of the country down to the MMDA and different cities in Metro Manila.

2. If a road race was a Full Marathon, then, it was solely a Marathon Race. There were no other lesser-distance road races on the sides.

3. There was full support from the private sector due to the presence of different corporate running clubs and their sponsorships.

4. World-known Marathon Champions were invited with the proper Exposition and Lectures from them and from sports & medical experts and this was indicative of a well-prepared Marathon Race. It also means that money were spent to invite such “international stars” in running. No Cash Prizes were published for the winners.

5. The 1:1 ratio of the runners and the officials/marshals & volunteers was really a “big” task then to make sure that the runners were safe and secured. The volunteers then were well-trained and prepared.

6. If my memory is still right, the registration fee then was One Hundred Pesos (P 100.00) and the runners were well-supported with hydration and fresh fruits in Aid/Water Stations along the route.

7. Runners did not have any complaints about registration as every applicant got his/her race packet upon registration. There were no complaints on route distance accuracy; race results; and traffic during those days. I wonder how the SIGLAKAS and the Marathon Association of the Philippines did to make our road races then without any problems! I guess, the people behind these races were then well-trained, coordinated, and matured, in short, they were “professionals” & experts in their field.

8. Marathon Races and other Running Events were given “preferential” and favorable exposure through news stories in Sports Pages in Daily Newspapers then, up to the point of relating dramatic stories of top competitors and predictions who will win the race. At this time, except for the annual MILO Marathon Eliminations and FINALS, all the other running events are featured in the Lifestyle Section/Pages of our Daily Newspapers (days and weeks after the race). For almost two years of being a runner-blogger, I have yet to see a picture of a Top Finisher/Champion of a Road Race running towards and crossing the Finish Line Tape in the Lifestyle or Sports Section in any of the broadsheets!!!

9. Running Clinics which were sponsored by Corporate Offices had a training period of Nine (9) Months in preparation for the runners’ first Full Marathon Race. These running clinics were supervised by trained coaches and conducted at least, three times a week. These running clinics were fully advertised in the local newspapers. Experts on sports injuries, nutrition, and past Marathon Champions were invited to speak before the runners. I was not able to join these clinics before as I was assigned in the Ilocos region, however, I trained for my first marathon race for almost one year, running at least 10 kilometers everyday and 20-30 kilometers in my weekend long runs.

(Note: Photos Taken From the Philippine Daily Express dtd 31 January 1982)

BR’s Visit & Meeting @ NESTLE, Phils.

On August 17, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program9 Comments

In the early morning of July 16, 2009, I was invited for a meeting with the leadership of NESTLE, Philippines in the presence of his staff and Mr Jim Lafferty of P & G Philippines. The discussion was centered about my Elite Running Team Program which I had organized 14 months ago. Being the most consistent corporate entity in the country which had been supportive to running events, I was also informed that NESTLE has been closely looking for “ways and means” to contribute in the country’s quest for our first Olympic Gold Medal in any of the Sports events. Since my Elite Running Team Program was also in conjunction with NESTLE’s objective, the meeting resulted to positive efforts to enhance the training and exposure of the Elite Team Bald Runner in running events within the country and the possibility of exposure to road running events outside of the country.

As Mr Nandu Nandkishore, Chairman & CEO of NESTLE, Phils., had said during the meeting, “We have to start “walking” together towards our destination”. For almost one month since our first meeting, NESTLE, Phils and the Elite Team Bald Runner had been “walking” together.

To Mr Nandu, his staff, and Mr Jim Lafferty, thank you very much!

Let the following pictures describe the said visit & meeting at NESTLE Philippines.

Mr Lafferty, Mr Nandu, BR & Coach Salazar

Details of the Meeting Were Discussed With Mr Dennis Austriaco, Sr VP of NESTLE

Mr Pat Goc-Ong & Mr Lester Castillo of NESTLE Were Also Included In The Discussions

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: