Last March 1, 2010, I conducted a Running Lecture and Start of a 3-month Running Clinic among the Officers, Staff, and Employees of the Ortigas Properties. This is an evidence that more corporate offices are taking advantage of the Running Lecture and Clinic of the Team Bald Runner for them to be equipped with the proper information and knowledge about running.
Attentive Staff & Employees of Ortigas Properties
The lecture was conducted at 4:00 PM and after the Open Forum, the actual running clinic and demonstration was continued and held at the ULTRA Oval Track which is very near from the Ortigas Properties Building. Coach Titus Salazar took command of the Warm-up Exercises, Drills, technical know-how on the proper running form, strides, and the implementation of basic principles in sports training in order to prevent any running related-injury to the body.
More Than 35 Personnel Attended The Lecture & Clinic
The “common denominator” in these running lectures and clinics where I’ve been invited was a result of good leadership of the corporate “bosses”. If the boss or head of the office is a recreational or competitive runner who believes in the positive benifits of running, it is 100% that he/she tries to motivate and influence his/her staff and subordinates to get into running or in any kind of physical exercise or activity.
Open Forum Was Conducted After The Lecture
The officers, staff and employees of the Ortigas Properties had been diligently attending the Team BR’s Running Clinic at the ULTRA Oval Track on Monday afternoon and sometimes in any day of the week. for the past month. Since they are now enrolled as students or trainees in our BR Running Clinic & Speed Training, the group has paid P 500.00 each as their training fee for the duration of 3 months. Basically, this is the cheapest fee that is being asked from anybody who wants to train properly in running.
We hope that these running lectures and clinics that we, at the BR’s Events had been conducting, had greatly contributed to the efficiency, health and well-being of the officers, staff, and employees of the corporate offices that invited us for these lectures.
Bataan Death March (BDM) means heroism, sacrifice, love of country, determination, courage, and survival. BDM 102 means proper training, preparation, “heat” training, correct race strategy & hydration, “craziness”, endurance, cooperation & coordination among runners & support crew, discipline. and focus to finish the race within the cut-off time of 18 hours.
Original Picture of the BDM in 1942
On my part as the Race Organizer and Race Director, BDM means the fulfillment of a dream to commemorate this event into an ultramarathon race in order to create awareness on the history of this event that brought the death of almost 25,000 soldiers and militia where most of the victims were our countrymen. Let this awareness on this infamous event in the history of warfare and mankind be carried down from one generation to generation so that wars amongst nations will never happen again.
The BDM 102 in the eyes of the Race Director also means appreciation to the determination of some of the runners who braved to reach the Finish Line even if they knew that they could not make it before the cut-off time of 18 hours. I have to be generous to these runners who overcame the heat, dust, pollution, pains, and the challenge in order to finish the 102K distance.
So, during the Get Together and Awarding Ceremony for the 2010 BDM 102 last March 11, 2010, as a surprise to everybody, I presented “special awards” for these runners who were determined to finish the race with their remaining strength and will power. Each of these runners were awarded with the BDM Individual Trophy, Finisher’s Medal (without any ranking), and a Finisher’s T-Shirt. Their names were not included in the Official List of Finishers.
The following runners were able to finish the 102K distance in less than 20 hours. They persisted and they were rewarded well.
I presented this report during the “Get Together & Awarding Ceremony” of the 2010 BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race last March 11, 2010 at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. This post then is for the benefit of my readers who were not part of the 2010 BDM 102 and who in the future would like to experience this ultrarunning event.
Top 10 List: What Is Unique About The BDM 102?
10. It commemorates the infamous Bataan Death March of World War II along the exact route where history happened. This is in honor of the 20,000 to 25,000 soldiers who died during the said March.
9. At present, the BDM 102 is the Longest Solo Road Race in the country.
8. Every Finisher within the cut-off time of 18 hours is awarded with a medal & individual trophy.
7. A Test of One’s Endurance Limit.
6. A Test of Teamwork between the runner & his/her support crew.
5. A Race where every runner helps each other to finish the course.
4. A Running Event where you can have a “fashion show” of your running apparel.
3. A venue where a runner can raise funds for his selected Charitable Institution.
2. A Running Event where a runner can take a shower & massage along the route.
1. The ONLY Road Race with an Awarding Ceremony & Get Together Party days after the event!!!
On Statistics:
1st BDM 102
2nd BDM 102
Date of Race: 4-5 April 2009
Date of Race: 6-7 March 2010
Runner-Applicants: 150
Runner-Applicants: 186
Registered Runners: 82
Registered Runners: 142
Race Starters: 82
Race Starters: 128
Finishers: 63
Finishers: 104
% of Finishers: 77%
% of Finishers: 81.25%
On Comparison of the 1st BDM 102 with the 2nd BDM 102:
1st BDM 102:
1. The result that I published was UNOFFICIAL due to the following reasons: (a) there were “cheaters” and I personally observed cheating among the runner-participants; (b) the Actual Route was not followed as the leading runners did not pass “critical” kilometer posts along the way.
2. I was the Race Organizer and Race Director and also one of the Runner-Participants.
3. There were Aid Stations in every 20 kilometers plus a Breakfast Station at Km Post #50.
4. There were four (4) Checkpoints where I placed “secret marshals” who handed color-coded wrist bands.
5. There were Cash Prizes to the Overall Top 3 Male & Female Categories and Trophies to Top 3 in the Age Category for both Men & Women Categories.
6. There were seven (7) Foreign Runners but only five (5) finished. There were five (5 lady runners but only two (2) of them finished.
2nd BDM 102:
1. The result that I published a day after the event was OFFICIAL.
2. The prestige and integrity of the race were maintained as there were no reports of cheating among the runners.
3. The actual route of the BDM was followed.
4. I was the full-time Race Director of the event.
5. I removed all the Aid Stations, instead, each runner must have his/her Support Vehicle & Support Crew in order to compete in this event. The halfway Aid Station at Km Post #50 was maintained and it offered breakfast, foods & drinks to all the runners.
6. Submission of a Medical/Doctor’s Certificate for each runner is a MUST.
7. I have placed seven (7) Time Stations & Checkpoints that gave colored string necklace to every runner.
8. Final Briefing & CarboLoading Party were conducted two days before the Race Day. Administrative matters were done during this event.
9. No Cash Prizes. Awards/Trophies were given to the Top 3 Men’s & Ladies’ Categories.
10. There were eleven (11) Foreign Runners and all of them finished. There were thirteen (13) Lady Runners but only ten (10) finished.
2010 BDM 102 Winners
Men’s Category
Champion: Alvin Canada—10:01:5 hours
1st Runner-Up: Randy Bumahit—10:44:27 hours
2nd Runner-Up: Jonnifer Lacanlale—11:01:47 hours
Women’s Category
Champion: Whreachelle Cordova—16:00:07 hours
1st Runner-Up: Raiza Tulan—16:23:01 hours
2nd Runner-Up: Maria Myrna Emelyne Buenafe—16:38:48 hours
Observations:
1. The Last Day of Registration and Payment of Fees for Invited/Qualified Runners were scheduled six (6) weeks before Race Day.
2. The responsibility of logistics/support was given to the individual runner.
3. Some of the runners are still fond of last day submission of race requirements.
4. Administrative matters were done during the Final Briefing & CarboLoading Party which resulted to a shorter processing at the Starting/Assembly Area during Race Day.
5. For this year, the Race started earlier (11:30 PM of Saturday) and it was finished earlier, too!
6. Published Rules & Regulations were followed but some minor violations were observed.
7. Our Time Stations/Checkpoints were effective to pinpoint/deter cheaters. We deployed more checkpoints this time.
8. Support Vehicles were more responsive to the needs of the runners than placing stationary Aid Stations.
9. There was a tie in 4th Place. This thing will never happen again or else both runners will be disqualified for pacing with each other.
10. There were some runners who registered to have Support Vehicle but in reality, they were not supported by such vehicle. A stricter measure will be implemented in the next edition in order to monitor runners without any support vehicle.
11. Some runners lack “heat training” and the necessary training to finish an ultramarathon distance race. They understimated their supply of water & drinks needed for the road race.
12. There were cases of “bandit” runners. I had to warn Norio Tanaka from Runnex, a finisher in the 1st BDM 102, to stop running during the race as he was a “bandit” in the race. Another unidentified runner was also warned to stop “brisk walking” at Km Post #14. Guys, if you want to “bandit” in my race, please don’t do it! If you want to experience running the BDM route, please don’t do it during my race day. You have the remaining days of the year to do it by yourself.
13. Some runners have two or more vehicles tagging along with their authorized support vehicle. I know that this race is a family affair among the participants but please limit the vehicles tagging along with the support vehicles.
14. We did not commit a mistake in our Finisher’s Medal. What you see in your Finisher’s Medal is the Official Seal of BDM 102 with the year 2009 as its founding year. I requested the finishers to have the date of the 2010 Bdm 102 engraved at the back. In next year’s edition, we will correct and place the engraved date at the back of the medal.
2010 BDM 102 Trivia:
1st Husband & Wife Finishers—Ria Go Tian & Emerson Go Tian
1st US/American Finisher—Charles Fletcher
1st Grandson-Finisher of a BDM 1942 Survivor—Jose Maria Galauran
Youngest Finisher—Mark Peralta, 19 years old
Oldest Finisher—Artemio Ladia, 54 years old.
1st Active General of the AFP To Finish The Race—Major General Samuel D Narcise AFP
1st Active PNP Officer Finisher—P/Supt Gregorio Torres
1st Father & Son Finishers—Major General Samuel D Narcise & Lemuel Narcise
Assessment:
1. 2010 BDM 102 was a successful event. Although we did not earn any profit or proceeds from this year’s edition, the support of the “Friends of the Bald Runner & Team BR-Professionals” covered the expenses/support for the additional logistics and activities to make this event a successful one. The BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race will remain to be a simple race devoid of unnecessary “distractions” and funfare.
2. Planning and Execution were almost perfect this time due to the experience from the 1st BDM 102. Our staff, volunteers, and marshals were fully briefed, rehearsed, focused and coordinated for the event.
3. The weather conditions were extreme but runners were able to adapt to the situation.
4. Teamwork & Unity were displayed among competing runners and support crew were responsive to the needs of the runners.
5. Lastly, this event would not be successful without the support & cooperation of the runners/support crew; sponsors & supporters; volunteers; and the Elite Team Bald Runner & Staff. Thank you very much!!!
The Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) will conduct a series of 50K races starting on May 9, 2010 with the objective of promoting ultramarathon running in the country.
My personal observations during our participation in the 1st Asian IAU 100K Championship Race in Jeju Island, South Korea made me conclude that our runners have the potential to be at par with the Japanese and South Korean ultramarathon runners. The Japanese and the Koreans had been years ahead of us in this field of running event. These countries have also ultrarunning events almost every weekend.
In order to identify, promote and train ultrarunners, there is a need to conduct regular ultra races in the country. The first series of 50K runs will be held on May 9, 2010 and to start at 6:00 AM in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. The registration fee is P 750.oo. Each finisher will be awarded with Individual Trophy and Finisher’s T-Shirt.
This race will be done along the paved road and each runner is required to bring a hydration pack/belt system. The cut-off time is 8 hours.
Registration starts today, March 30, 2010. Registration Forms are available at the BR “Speed” Training/Clinic at the ULTRA Oval Track; at the Bald Runner’s Events Office at #115 M.H. Del Pilar corner E. Angeles Sts, Barangay Santo Tomas, Pasig City, Metro Manila; or at Sunday’s Road Races. For further inquiries, please contact Telephone Number: 497-6442 or e-mail us at bald.runner@yahoo.com.
Rules and Regulations/Protocol for this event will be published in this blog soon.
The next 50K run will be held from Laoag City to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on August 29, 2010.
The following is the official report submitted by Hilary Walker, Secretary General of the IAU, as the Official Result of the 1st Asian IAU 100K Championship Race held in Jeju Island, South Korea on March 27, 2010.
Dong Mun and Mai win the Inaugural Asian 100km Championship (Nadeem Khan, 29 Mar)
Please find the attached report by Hilary Walker from the 100km Asian Championships held this weekend.Nadeem Khan
Director of Communications
Early Saturday morning about 500 runners set off from the Tapdong Beach Stage in Jeju, a scenic island at the southern tip of South Korea. The athletes were competing in a number of ultramarathon events ranging from 50K to 200K in distance together with a 148K tough trail event over the mountainous interior of the island. There was a total of 143 runners from 23 countries around the world as well as the local Korean athletes.
Amongst these, an elite competition was being held for the inaugural IAU 100Km Championship. Athletes representing the IAU member countries of Japan, Korea, Mongolia, The Philippines and Chinese Taipei were taking part in the championship with other Asian countries, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam being represented in the open 100K race.
The 100K course was a scenic one, undulating around the west coast to finish outside the Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo City on the south side of the island. The second half of the course would be tougher for the runners with some long inclines and descents. The weather fortunately was calm but cool. This was a relief to the runners as previous days had been very windy which could have presented a harsh headwind around exposed areas of the course.
The pre-race favourite was Yasukazu Miyazato of Japan, the 2009 IAU 100Km World Cup champion with a personal best of 6:40:43 and so, not surprisingly, he was part of the early leading pack of runners. Also in the forefront was the leading Korean athlete Dong-Moon Lee whose personal best was 7:45:13. The other members of the Japanese team, Yasutoshi Oshima and Toru Sakuta, and another Korean runner, Yong-bee Shin completed the leading group.
Mai Fujisawa (JPN) showed early in the ladies event. She and her compatriot, Yoko Yamazawa had personal bests at 100K of 7:55:48 and 7:58:01 respectively so a close competition was expected.
After 20K ( 1hr 28 min) Kwang-Yul Lee (KOR) had joined the leading group and Sodnompil Dondogdorj ( MGL) was close behind. Alquin Bolivar from the Philippines was only 4 minutes adrift at this stage. Fujisawa had pulled away from her fellow Japanese runners passing this point in 1 hr 42 mins. The next two ladies, Yamazawa (JPN), Takako Asano (JPN) were running together about 4 minutes behind. Siou-Yu Da (TPE) was running with them
The leading pack had split apart slightly with Miyazato (JPN), and Dong Moon Lee( KOR) coming through the drinks station together in 2:52. Just behind were Shin (KOR) and Kwang-Yul Lee (KOR) with Sakuta (JPN). Oshima (JPN) was one minute adrift and Dondogdorj (MGL) and Bolivar (PHI) were a further minute behind.
There had been no change in the first few positions in the ladies’ race. Fujisawa (JPN) had increased her lead to nine minutes passing through 40K in 3:12 with her Japanese colleagues and Da (TPE) still running together in second place ( 3:23).
At 70K, the hillier second half of the course had started to take its toll and the field was now split well apart. Dong-Moon Lee (KOR) and Miyazato (JPN) came through together in 4:57 but the Japanese runner was obviously struggling and retired before the next checkpoint. It was 10 minutes before the third runner Yasutoshi (JPN) appeared, followed two minutes later by his team mate Sakuta (JPN) with Kwang-Yul Lee (KOR). There was a further interval of 16 minutes before the next championship runner, Shin (KOR), passed 70k. The leading lady Fujisawa (JPN) ran through comfortably in 5:31.
At the finish outside the World Cup stadium, there was a longer wait than might have been expected for the first runner to come into sight. The last sections of the course had some testing climbs and descents which took further toll on the runners. However , the wait was worth it for the local crowd as the first IAU 100K Asian Champion was the Korean Dong-Moon Lee who finished in 7:23:20, taking a massive 22 minutes off his personal best for the distance. This was even more commendable considering the difficulty of the course.
Closing the gap considerably by the finish, the silver medallist Yasutoshi Oshima (JPN) crossed the line in 7:26:45 with his compatriot Toru Sakuta finishing in third with 7.37.36.
Mai Fujisawa (JPN) became the first IAU 100K Asian Ladies Champion with an excellent 8:01:32 performance, only 6 minutes outside her best. Japan took a clean sweep of the medals with Takako Asano (JPN) and Yoko Yamazawa (JPN) taking silver and bronze in times of 8:44:59 and 8:53:11 respectively.
Of particular note in the concurrent open race was the performance of the Japanese female runner Mami Kudo who finished as the first lady in the open event with a superb performance of 7:56:06. In 2009, she had completed world beating performances at longer ultradistances but hadn’t qualified for the Japanese team at 100k.
@ The Lobby of the Athletes Village (Jeju Oriental Hotel)@The Starting AreaHon. Jun Sang Yu, Chairman & Financier of the EventKorean Runners In The 200K RaceFrank Indapan Pacing With A South Korean UltrarunnerAlquin Bolivar Approaching 50K Mark in 3:26+hoursThat's Me Running Along The Coast of Jeju IslandAwarded With 50K Finisher's Medal by the Race Director100K Finish Line @ Jeju World Cup StadiumAlquin Bolivar Crossing The Finish Line in 9:03:06 Hours (Ranking: #6 IAU Member)Frank Indapan Crossing The Finish Line In 12:48:40 Hours
Last October 2009, I received a formal letter from the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) informing me that the Philippines had been officially accepted as a member of IAU through the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) which I created and organized. IAU officials informed me that the Philippines is the 6th ASIAN member and the 45th member worldwide.
After two weeks, I received an invitation from the IAU for our country to be represented in the 1st Asian IAU 100K Championship Race to be held in Jeju Island, South Korea on March 27, 2010. Attached with the invitation are the protocol and requirements for participating in the said race. The Event Organizer, South Korea’s Ultrarunning Federation, invited 3 men & 3 women whose accommodation and food will be provided free for the duration of only two days. The participating runners are supposed to be the best and most qualified ultra runners that the country could offer.
The desire to join in this competition was so strong on my part but the big problem was the logistics/financial support needed for the plane tickets of the athletes. As of November 2009, I met all the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner and asked them who would “volunteer” to train for the 1st Asian IAU 100K Championship Race. Alquin Bolivar & Frank Indapan came forward to accept the challenge and started to train from then on.
Last year, I also thought of sending the top Male & Female Champions of this year’s BDM 102 to Jeju’s 100K Ultramarathon Race but the timing/schedule was not conducive for the best performance of our athletes as they are on their “recovery” mode barely weeks before the event after the BDM 102.
Being a relatively new running sports, ultramarathon is “alien” to our government sports officials, moreso, to our friends in the government and corporate world. So, I did not want to be frustrated again to be begging to these “personalities” for some financial support for me to send our country’s representatives to this IAU-sanctioned international event. My experience with the government & corporate world in the 1st BDM 102 will never happen again.
The only way to make this invitation to materialize and succeed was to ask help from the “Friends” of the Bald Runner and they came in full force to donate the needed amount for the visas, plane tickets, travel tax, and training/competition support to Alquin Bolivar & Frank Indapan. The following are the “running angels” and their respective donation/s to the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner for Jeju Island:
July Oconer
6,868.00
Kim
5,000.00
Bard’s Bathan
5,000.00
Armando Fernando
5,000.00
Mark Hernandez
5,000.00
Lester Chuayap
4,000.00
Ria & Emerson Go Tian
2,500.00
Oscar Sañez
2,000.00
Jael Wenceslao
2,000.00
Junrox Roque
2,000.00
Tin Ferrera
1,000.00
Mari Javier
1,000 + CWX
Jeremiah Isip
1,000.00 + CWX + Long Sleeve
Jerry Adriatico
1,000.00
Randy San Miguel
1,000.00
Macky Coronel
1,000.00
Carlo Coronel
1,000.00
Melvin Pangan
1,000.00
Mitchie Nafarete
1,000.00
Juanne Molina
1,000.00
Gin Estacio
1,000.00
Tere Gangan
1,000.00
Mark Salazar
500.00
Benette Jimenez
500.00
Bitmap
Randy San Miguel
5,000.00
Jerry Adriatico
Nickko Nolasco
2,600.00
Ralph Salvador
George Dolores
Jay Lee Cu Unjieng
$100
Mesh Villanueva
$100
Ben Gaetos
$100
Jan
1box Hammer Gel + 1 box Gatorade Powder + Roll on Linement
Joshua Suarez
Jerome Cartailler
(Note: The names without any donation had made their pledge already)
Jeju International Airport Frank & Alquin Inside the Shuttle Van
As of this morning, the Elite Team Bald Runner and PAU’s representatives to the 1st Asian IAU 100K Championship Race had arrived in Jeju Isalnd, South Korea. The place is nice, clean, orderly, cold and windy. We were met at the airport by the representative of the Race Organizer and we were brought to our Hotel which is at the very center of Jeju City.
It is very hard to find somebody here who could speak English! But by walking and jogging on the main streets of the city, we were able to find familiar fastfood establishments and shopping malls where to eat and buy much needed water, food and fruits.
Korean Version of McDo ( We Did Not Eat There Yet!)
I found out later that this running event will also be the 9th Jeju International Ultramarathon Race and the Jeju International Cycling Race which will be held on the same day. The circumferential road of this island will definitely be dedicated to the ultra runners and cyclists on Saturday.
Infront of a Car Repair's Shop!!!All International Runners Are Staying In This Hotel
Note: We are wearing the Official Jacket of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU)
Tomorrow will be another day to run and acclimatize with the weather ( rainy, cloudy & windy) of the island. A formal program, briefing, and carboloading party will be held tomorrow afternoon. It would be a nice time to meet other international elite runners and ultra running sports federations leaders/officials.
Hopefully, the following goals/objectives will be attained in this race:
1) The IAU 100K Championship Race (no cash prize for the winners, only medals will be awarded to the top 3 runners) will set the Philippine Record in 100K Ultramarathon Race in an IAU-sanctioned event. Winning this event is our ultimate goal but with Japan’s attendance/presence in this event, simply finishing and setting a National Record Time for the distance from our runners will be a great accomplishment already.
2) The Philippines, through the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU), will be represented to an IAU-sanctioned ultra race for the first time. This will expose our country to other ultrarunning countries.
3) The Elite Team Bald Runner goes International as we will be using our official uniform-singlet, courtesy of MILO/Nestle, Philippines.
Once again, for those who supported and continued praying for us, thank you very much. God bless to everybody!
1. The Head of the Multi Agency Task Force (MATF) for the Observance of the 2010 Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week and Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Honorable Ernesto G Carolina, sent an official invitation to me as the Special Guest during the Culminating Ceremony of the 2010 “Alay-Sikad Sa Kagitingan”: Retracing the Bataan Death March Route Bike-A-Thon held last Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Capas National Shrine in Camp O’Donnell, Capas Tarlac. The Bike-A-Thon event is a part of the activities that commemorates and provides awareness to the infamous Bataan Death March.
Program of Activity
2. I was chosen as the Special Guest for the said event because the MATF have been informed that I’ve been conducting the BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race for the past two years without their support. In the said program, I was introduced as the Founder of the BDM Ultramarathon Race. I am glad that my invitation to this event have finally recognized the efforts I’ve spent to create awareness on the heroism of our forefathers during World War II.
Cyclists At The Capas National ShrineA Pose With Hon. Carolina (left) & VeteransAn Interview With The Media
3. A group of almost 100 cyclists from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other Bike Clubs in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces started the Bikeathon at the BDM Km 00 in Mariveles, Bataan at 6:30 AM last Saturday. A Ceremonial Send-Off Program was led by Hon. Jesse Concepcion, Mayor of Mariveles, Bataan; Hon. Espiridion Calara, Provincial DILG Director; and Ms Samsia Bonoan, Head of the MATF Sub-Committee on Bikeathon. The number of cyclists increased in numbers up to 200 as they passed along the towns of Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. More cyclists have joined the group as it got nearer to the Finish Line at the Capas National Shrine. The cyclists arrived at the Finish Line at 4:00 PM. Aid Stations/Checkpoints had been pre-positioned every 50 kilometers where cyclists were provided with water and food.
Distribution of Awards To The FinishersDelivery of My SpeechA Pose with Mayor Catacutan, BGen Ojeda, & Hon. Carolina
4. During the Culminating Ceremony, the Finishers were awarded with “loot bags” courtesy of MATF and PVAO. The activity was graced with the presence of Hon. Reynaldo Catacutan, Mayor of Capas and some of the veterans of World War II. I was able to deliver my message/speech with emphasis on the sustained awareness of the BDM through activities on sports, arts, tourism, and written publications/researches.
Finishers Getting In Line For Their "Loot Bag"
5. Hopefully, the MATF & PVAO will be able to support the conduct of future BDM Ultramarathon Races.
Baldness ‘could be good for your health’ say scientists
Baldness is a result of high levels of the male hormone testosterone
A receding hairline can be a good thing, according to US scientists, who say men who go bald by 30 appear to be less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine studied 2,000 men aged between 40 and 47.
They were able to link high levels of the male hormone testosterone in those who lose their hair earlier with a lower risk of tumours.
The findings are published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology.
Half of the men in this study had suffered prostate cancer.
Researchers compared the rate of tumours in those who said their hair had thinned by the age of 30 with those who did not suffer hair loss.
Men who had started to develop bald spots on the top of their heads as well as receding hairlines had a 29% to 45% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.
Roots of baldness
By age 30, approximately 25-30% of men will have some baldness, researchers believe. Half of all men suffer significant hair loss by the age of 50.
If these results are correct, they could be useful in providing us with a greater understanding of how testosterone behaves in the body
Dr Helen Rippon, The Prostate Cancer Charity
Baldness is caused when hair follicles become exposed to too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is a chemical produced by the male hormone testosterone.
Experts believe that men with high levels of testosterone are more likely to lose their hair, especially if baldness runs in the family.
Prostate cancer sufferers are often given drugs to reduce testosterone levels because they can accelerate the growth of some tumours once they develop.
But this study suggests that high levels of testosterone from a young age might protect against the disease.
Dr Helen Rippon, head of research management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, says: “Clearly, the age at which a man begins to lose his hair is unfortunately not a risk factor for prostate cancer over which he has any control.
“However, if these results are correct, they could be useful in providing us with a greater understanding of how testosterone behaves in the body and how it can affect different tissues.”
Dr Alison Ross of Cancer Research UK said the link between baldness and prostate cancer is still unknown because previous studies have found the opposite to this one.
“The results hinge on asking men between ages 40 and 70 to remember whether their hair was thinning when they were 30, which does not provide a very reliable measurement, ” she added.
Who is going to join/participate in the 25th LA Marathon to be held this coming Sunday, 21 March 2010 which is dubbed as the “Stadium To The Sea” Marathon? I am sure my son John and daughter Jovelle will be joining this race as they had been participating in this event for the past years.
I finished the 2009 edition of the LA Marathon last year which was held during Memorial Day on May 25, 2009 with a finish time of 4:09+ hours. But due to numerous complaints from runners because of the heat and overtraining and later, pressure from the LA City Government, the Race Organizers will be bringing back the usual schedule of the race on the month of March for this year’s edition.
What is unique about this year’s marathon race is the change of the marathon route. The road race will start at the Dodger’s Stadium which is commemorating its 25th Anniversary and the runners will pass along historic and tourist attraction sites which are very unique in Los Angeles. From the Dodger’s Stadium, the runners go to the City Hall area and then proceed/pass along Echo Park (one of my favorite running parks) and then to Sunset Ave up to Hollywood Boulevard.
Scenic Views Along the Route (Photos by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
What is nice about the route is that the runners will pass along the Hollywood Avenue where you could see those famous theaters, recording studios, the Avenue of the Stars (Actors & Actresses) where you could see their names/handprints and brass Star on the pavement on the side of the road. The runners will pass along famous Fashion Shops and business/high-rise buildings and condominium areas in Century City
Well, if you have the time, you can drop by in one of the Fashion Shops at Rodeo Drive and do your shopping while running the marathon. But having a camera while running this marathon would be a nice experience as you can take pictures on the sights of Fashion Signature Shops and flashy cars/sports cars parked on most of the roads where the route passes through. I guess, there is no need to run this Marathon Race in a PR pace. The joy, experience, fun, and the sights are the most important aspects why you paid and joined this Marathon Race.
But what will be the most memorable experience in this Marathon is the presence of almost 1,000,000 spectators along the route who will cheer, offer water & sports drinks, some would be offering ice cold beer, and some would be offering food to the runners. I am sure that some rock bands will be along the route as what the race organizers had offered in the past editions of the race.
The Finish Line will be at the Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica Beach. Finishing at the beach area in the Los Angeles Marathon will be a nice experience to all the runners.
So, whoever will be leaving the country to join this memorable edition of the LA Marathon, enjoy your run and experience in this new route of the race. Have fun!
If these results are correct, they could be useful in providing us with a greater understanding of how testosterone behaves in the body 
Bald Runner 
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