The BDM 160 5-Man Relay Race which is supposed to take place as a replacement for the past BDM “Test Runs” is hereby CANCELLED. This event is supposed to be conducted on December 3-4, 2011 which exclusively open to registered runners for the 2012 BDM Races. Due to requests from new runners of the 2012 BDM 160 and 102 races, I have decided to bring back those yearly “test runs” for recon and adaptation purposes.

Each “test run” will cover a distance of 50 kilometers. Runners have the option to bring their support crew and support vehicle. If a runner has not yet finalized his/her support system, I will allow runners to be self-supported provided they bring along their respective hydration system. Self-supported runners are encouraged to bring some cash as they could easily buy their needs on convenience stores along the route. As in the past, each runner will be provided with Race Bib and their respective finish time will be officially registered/recorded. The registration fee for each runner is Five Hundred Pesos (P 500.00) which will defray the cost in the coordination on matters pertaining to security and medical/ambulance assistance.

Every “test run” has its objective of knowing the course and trying to adapt one’s body to the conditions of the environment. Each “test run” will be conducted on the very same time that participants would  run each segment of the course during the actual race. Having said that, the first “test run” from Km Post #00 to Km Post 50 will be done on night time (from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM the following day); the second “test run” from Km Post #50 to Km Post 102 will be done from 7:00 AM up to 4:00 PM. And the last “test run” from Km Post #102 to the Finish Line in Capas National Shrine (for BDM 160 runners) will be done from 5:00 PM up to 2:00 AM the following day. Each of these “test runs” will have a cut-off time of NINE HOURS (9 hours).

Since most of the 2012 BDM 160 runners are already “veterans” (except for a few runners), the last “test run” will not be a mandatory one. I urge the new ones on this course to find time to recon the place (last 58K) on their own and ask the finishers last year to guide them or provide extra instructions on the directions.

The Schedule for the “Test Runs” will be the following:

1st Test Run (Km #00-Km #50)—January 14, 2012

2nd Test Run (Km #50-Km #102)—February 11, 2012

By the way, these “test runs” will be open to everybody. If you are not registered for the 2012 BDM Races, you can join and make it as your training run. However, make sure that you are officially registered for the “test run”. We will not allow “bandits” on these “test runs”.

Registration to these “test runs” will be at the “A Runners Circle Store” Manila. However, we will allow “On Site” Registration, provided you are at the Starting Area at least One Hour before the Start Time. If you intend to register on site, please make your slot/s reserved by sending me a message at my e-mail address—jovie75@hotmail.com or send me a Private Message/post a message on my Wall at Facebook. Registration at ARC Store starts on January 2, 2012.

Good luck!