1. This is my first official 32K Run. I treated this run as my Evaluation Run after trying to put more intensity to my training runs since after a slow finish at the 1st CAMSUR Marathon. The plan was to run an average pace of not slower than 5:30 mins per kilometer for the whole race. With this plan in mind, I should be able to finish the race in exactly 3 hours with some cushion of 4 minutes for the uphills and slower pace in approaching the Aid/Water Stations.
2. I memorized the target split times for my 10K and half-marathon which I would like to attain during the course of race. I should be able reach the Km #10 mark in 55:56 minutes and then 1:57:59 hours at the half-marathon point (Km #21). I started at a slow pace at 5:45 to 5:49 mins per km on the first 2 kilometers until I was able to pass the Km #3 mark. From there I slowly increased my pace up to 5:35 mpk. I was happy to glance at my watch as I crossed the Km #10 mark in 56 minutes—4 seconds slower from the target split time!
On My Way Back To The Finish Line (Photo Courtesy of Bea Hernandez)
3. Running from Km #10 up to Km #21 was so insignificant that I was not focused to what I’ve been passing along the way. This is the tendency if you are running on a familiar ground for the past 3 years where you are only concerned on your time and on your running form. Translation: Running at the Fort-Kalayaan-Lawton-Bayani is already boring!!! I reached the half-marathon point at 1:56:18 hours and I was almost 2 minutes faster than my target split time for the said distance. From this point, I knew already that I could finish the race better than what I have planned for. I just have to maintain an average pace of 5:30 mpk for the remaining 11 kilometers to have a sub-3-hour finish.
4. From Km 21 point onwards, my watch was registering an average pace of 5:20-5:23 mpk and I felt I was still strong. However, I had to make a 10-second “brisk” walk as I approached the Water Station on my last 2 kilometers before the Finish Line due to an impending “cramps” on my left calf muscle. I was a good decision as the pain slowly disappeared when I started to walk. I regained my running form as I continued my run but I knew I had slowed down a little as I tried to manage the coming of my leg “cramps”. I had to drink lots of sports drinks as I passed on the last few Water Stations.
Near The Finish Line (Photo Courtesy of John Jeffrey Avellanosa)
5. Finally, I was able to cross the Finish Line in 2:53:38 hours (based from my GF 305) and was able to register an average pace of 5:25 minutes per kilometer! Mission accomplished! I was satisfied with my performance and I’ve started to bring back my speed in my road races after following the Jack Daniel’s Running Formula. My MILO’s Half-Marathon performance last November 7 with a time of 1:47:45 hours (average pace of 5:07 mpk) would also attest that I am on the right training.
6. My fast time was due to the great improvements of Coach Rio’s Race Management in decongesting of runners in narrow parts of the route; efficient marshals & good traffic management; long tables and lots of water cups; bananas; and sports drinks for the runners. Familiarity of the route is also a big factor for a faster time. Above all, the early start of the race, cooler temperature, and the overcast sky contributed much on my better performance in this race. Congrats, Coach Rio for a perfect race!
Congratulations to the Winners and Finishers! And to all the Support Crew who were the “movers/pushers & inspiration” of the runners to cross the Finish Line! To those who finished their first ultra run, PAU welcomes you to the ultrarunning community.
The following is the Official Result of the 1st Mt Pinatubo Challenge (MPC) 50K Trail Run.
I would like to specifically mention that the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gave me the “GO” signal to push through with the trail run as the Balikatan Exercise (Proper) is scheduled to start yet on October 14, 2010 with the AFP components and the US Armed Forces Counterpart. I did not want that the race would be cancelled, re-scheduled, or terminated when most of the runners are still on the trail. I have the impression that the Philippine Air Force scheduled a practice run on the events/activities that they will be performing during the said military exercise with our US counterparts on the prescribed scheduled dates.
However, the top runners who were fast and strong were not affected with the practice runs of our Philippine Air Force and I have decided that their Finish Times will be upheld as the prevailing record for a solo run finish time from Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac up to the Crater Lake of Mt Pinatubo and back. As I could not determine the exact elapsed time for each runner who were directed to stop in one of the Aid Stations due to the helicopter-airborne firing from a MG helicopter, the finish times reflected below will be considered as the official time. Guys, you will have your chance to redeem yourselves and improve your finish times on the next edition of this trail race!
Due to this predicament, I decided to remove the prescribed cut-off time of 10 hours and allowed everybody to finish and awarded each one who crossed the finish line with their “finisher’s trophy” and Finisher’s T-shirt.
My congratulations to all who started and finished the race. You have finished what I consider as the “hardest and most challenging 50K trail race” in the country.
CAMSUR Marathon/Pili, Camarines Sur/4:00 AM September 26, 2010
1. This is my 3rd Marathon Race for the year and I prepared this race without any training plan or program. Everything was done by “feel” and “instinct”. All my runs after the 34th MILO Manila Marathon Elimination were easy long runs; mountain trail runs; and a limited once a week tempo runs. Basically, I did not train for “speed” on this marathon race. I concentrated more on my “back-to-back” weekend easy long runs and decided to have the CAMSUR Marathon Race as part of my easy long run in preparation for another “epic” running experience in the future.
One of My Finish Line Pictures (Courtesy of Babes Guloy)Having Two Escorts At The Finish Line (Courtesy of Babes Guloy)
2. I finished the race in 4:39:33 hours (unofficial) as recorded in my GF 305. It is not a “shabby” finish time but I was able to learn a lot of what my body is capable of with my age of 58. Comparing myself with my friend and BDM 102 “veteran” Victor Ting who is already 62 years old, he was faster in reaching the Finish Line and I think he was ahead of me by 3 kilometers, I think I still have the chance to reach his age and run as fast as he can. But I think Victor is getting faster as he grows older. But for now, speed will remain at the back burner up to the end of this year and I will slowly introduce it again in my workouts at the start of the new year.
1st CAMSUR Marathon Logo
3. So far, this Marathon Race is the third major running event in the country that is fully sponsored and supported by a local government unit. The City Government of Quezon City came first with its own version of an International Marathon Race on the later part of last year and it was followed by the Cebu City Marathon last January 10 of this year and now it’s the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur. These local government executives in these cities and province are commendable for promoting the sports of running with their own resources without the support of the national government. How I wish more of these kind of local executives should come up with such sports events in their respective provinces and cities in order to promote their place through sports tourism. With cash prizes at stake on these running events provided through the efforts of the local executives, it will give more incentives to our elite athletes to train some more and at the the same time inspire the local folks and “grassroots” to develop themselves as competitive runners in the future. My salute and congratulations to the good leadership of these “pioneers” in promoting international running events in their own cities and provinces.
4. Camarines Sur Marathon is showing an example of the trend of marathon races in the country. It is no longer possible to have an ideal environment for a marathon race within the confines of Metro Manila and its immediate environs because of the problem of vehicular traffic, pollution, poor quality of air and the “no concern attitude” of the residents to people who are competing in a road race. It is only in the province and cities outside Metro Manila where you see spectators cheering and saying best wishes and good greetings to runners along the route of the race. Moreso, you can feel the hospitality when you see the barangay officials and folks manning the different Aid Stations offereing some food and water to the runners as Volunteers. I was informed that the Race Organizer had fielded almost 1,500 volunteers for this running event.
Relaxing Moments at CWC
5. Going to Naga City and Ipil by land and air from Manila was so easy. By land on our own vehicle, it took us an easy 8-hour ride on the late evening from Manila and arriving at Naga City on daybreak. Travelling by bus, I heard it was more comfortable by sitting on “Lazy Boy” seats with a Comfort Room inside. And by plane, after a short 45-minute ride, you are already in Naga City.
6. Having registered to run the Marathon Race last June, I had a lot of time to plan for the trip and for the accommodation for my Elite Team. I was lucky to know that one of my officers assigned as one of the General Staff of my Command when I was the Division Commander in Panay Island is now assigned with the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based at Pili, Camarines Sur. Col Ace De Asis took upon himself to look for a place for us to stay. I was surprised to find out that another officer who served as my Camp Engineer in Panay Island is also assigned in the said place. Through the transient facilities of the Philippine Army, my team and I were “billeted” at the VIP Transient Facility of the 565th Engineer Battalion of the Philippine Army for almost 3 days.
7. We arrived in Pili, Camarines Sur on the early morning of Friday and went around the facilities of the CWC and later proceeded at Camp Martillana where our the Philippine Army’s Transient Facility is located. We were received by our host, Lt Col Tony Celoso ( my Command Engineer in Panay Island) and led us to their Battalion’s VIP Transient Facility. The facility has two big bedrooms with two bathrooms; a big living room with TV and cable connection; and dining area. We were able to buy fresh foods at the Pili Market and cooked them in the facility’s kitchen. My elite team’s members were the cooks, dishwashers, and the ones going to the market to choose what food to eat for the day.
8. My elite team and I attended the scheduled briefing on Saturday morning at the CWC and I was impressed on the preparations made to make this running event a success. I observed that a lot of international runners attended the briefing and I saw new faces from the Kenyans. I even saw athletes whom I was informed to be from Russia. I was able to meet other runners who are regular participants of my PAU races as well as runners who came all the way from the Visayas and Mindanao. Definitely, this running event was a meeting place of the avid and passionate runners from all over the country.
42K Runners at the Briefing
9. A day before the Marathon Race, I requested the Battalion Commander of the 565th Engineer Battalion to assemble his officers and men for an “impromtu” Running Lecture which will guide them to a more scientific way of training in preparation for a running event. The running lecture was done after one hour with the hope that the soldiers of this unit would be able to train properly. I gave them the challenge for them to join the next year’s half-marathon race after imparting to them the basic principles in training as well as tips in running. I told them that they are lucky and fortunate to have the Provincial Oval Track located just in front of their camp. In conclusion, the most important thing that I emphasized to them are the good values each one of them to develop while they are preparing for a running event.
Running Lecture With The Army Engineers
10. The race was conducted perfectly as the race started promptly at 4:00 AM; there was a “festive” mood at the starting line which was highlighted with fireworks; lots of photo-ops with runners; greetings from the “usual suspects” in marathon races; lots of hydration points; proper markings along the road; presence of volunteers and marshals along the route; fresh bananas, sports bars & sports gels (although some were “expired”) were available to the runners at the 2nd half of the marathon route; and most of all, the presence of spectators who were cheering and greeting the runners!
My Favorite Racing Shorts & Singlet For Marathon Races!"The Usual Suspects" In Marathon RacesMy Walking "Breaks" On The Last 3-4 Kms
11. Kenyan runner Richard Kemeli Kemboi won the Marathon Race with a time of 2:19:40 hours. In the women’s category, Ethiopian Ayelu Lemma Geda won the race in 2:40:05 hours. The Champion received a Cash Prize of $ 7,000. This could be the highest paying marathon race for this year in the country. My Elite Team managed to win First Place & Third Place (Local Category) for the Half-Marathon Race with a Cash Prize of P 20,000 and P 10,000, respectively and 3rd Place (Local Category) for the 10K Race. My team did not make good in this running event due to sickness and flu weeks before this race.
Don't Worry, Guys..There Are More Races To Come
12. Successfully finishing a Marathon Race this year is becoming a “trigger” mechanism for me to do something more challenging in the coming days. Few days after my Condura Marathon last February, I did my 5-day multi-day run from Manila to Baguio City covering a distance of 240 kilometers. Two weeks after my July 4th MILO Manila Marathon, I ran the Headlands 50-Mile Mountain Trail Run in San Francisco, California. And now that I’ve finished the CAMSUR Marathon, I am supposed to run the Dick Collin’s Firetrails 50-Mile Mountain Trail Run on October 9 in California but I had to cancel it due to some commitment which I could not refuse. But instead of the Firetrails 50-Mile Run, I am coming up again with another multi-day run in the coming days (with the message that you can “journalize” your multi-day runs on near “real-time”!)
1. Weeks and days before last year’s BDM 102 (1st edition), I included a warning in my rules and regulation that “cheaters” will be disqualified. Some of the runners made a comment why I have to include such instructions in their race packets as according to them this warning was not necessary. I just smiled and did not answer their comments. However, on race day, I was a witness of so many cases of “cheating” among the runners. Did I approach them and tell them on their faces that I saw them cheating during the race? NO! But I remembered their names and faces. In my RD’s Report, I admitted that there were cheating as I personally observed plus the fact that I received also information from my marshals, staff, and from the other runners and their respective support crew. Most of my marshals then were the members of my Elite Team Bald Runner and I really believed in their reports. Their reports were collaborated with the information coming from other runners and their respective support crew. I did not expose them but they know that I know that they cheated. It is for this reason that I declared the Results of the 1st BDM 102 as Unofficial. Case closed.
2. This year’s BDM 102 was a perfect race because there were no reported cheating or making some “shortcuts” of the route as we implimented time stations/checkpoints along the way where each runner were listed with their elapsed time/split time as they passed in many points along the route. Those who were reported to have allegedly cheated on the 1st edition were able to redeem themselves in this year’s BDM 102 by registering a much-improved finish times as compared in last years edition. Did I congratulate them for redeeming themselves in this year’s race? NO!
3. In the 1st PAU 50K Run in Tanay, Rizal last May 9, 2010, one of my marshals reported that one of the runners rode a vehicle with the intention of declaring himself as DNF but he alighted from the vehicle after riding a considerable distance and resumed his race until he reached the finish line. I removed the name of this runner from the Official List of Finishers in the said race and banned him from my road races. This runner contacted me and questioned my decision why I had to remove his name from the list. I stand on my decision based from the reports of my marshals and collaborated by other runners. The runner did not insist to defend himself and I told him that he is banned from my races. Case closed. Most of the finishers in this race knew his name and one of his running friends tried to defend the culprit but I just listened to his reasons and appeal. Did I expose his name? NO, but I kept on informing in my blog and in my race instructions that “cheaters are disqualified in my races and they forever banned in my future races”.
4. After the “P2P” PAU 70K Run in Ilocos Norte, I received reports from my marshals that some of the runners did not pass in one of the checkpoints where each runner must get a string necklace. To be specific, some runners did not pass along the trail road that goes to the Bangui Windmill Project and my marshals potively identified the runners. In another incident, one of my marshals reported also that one runner was seen alighting from a “jeep/multicab” some hundred yards away from the Finish Line. This runner was seen by tricycle drivers in the locality coming out from the vehicle and my marshal overheard some unsavory comments from them due to the incident that they have seen. My marshal positively identified the runner from the pictures I’ve taken at the Finish Line. Before I left Laoag City, I started receiving reports, stories, and observations from the finishers/runners and such reports supported the observations/reports of my Race Marshals. These additional information collaborated with the reports coming from my race marshals.
5. Do I have to call the attention of these reported “cheaters” and let them explain? NO. The reports of my race marshals are enough to pin down these people as I have delegated to them the authority to make sure that the race is conducted honestly and with its integrity intact. These marshals are members of my Elite Team Bald Runner and they know the “do’s and dont’s” in conducting road races. These are the very same people who have been my staff in my road races for the past two & half years and I personally know them since the time I was designated as the Project Director of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap for Marathon six years ago! These elite runners do not make-up or create stories of cheating. For what purpose? Bottomline, I trust my elite athletes and they did their job well in my races.
6. Now, ask me how do I feel with these reports of cheating in my races? I am already fed-up and angry about such acts. For the past two years, I am frustrated that there are still reports of cheating in my races (except for 2nd BDM 102) and this is an act of disrespect to the sports, to the Race Director and its staff/marshals, and to the rest of the runners competing in my races. Let us not be legalistic on this matter. But if these runners want to challenge the reports of my marshals, then the burden of proof rest on the shoulders of those who think that they should be innocent or not guilty of cheating.
7. My exposure of ultrarunning events in South Korea and United States as a runner-participant gave me the confidence to conduct more ultra road races in the country. In those countries, I’ve observed that the Race Organizers do not deploy race marshals along the route and there are no reports of cheating among the runners. It is my objective to reach this kind of situation and level of perfection in the conduct of ultra races where every runner should be honest and responsible for their actions. But somewhere towards this goal, a “wake-up” call is needed to remind the runners that I am serious in seeing to it that the integrity of a race should always be intact.
8. If you think I am gaining from these road races financially and for popularity, you are wrong! The registration fees we are collecting from each race are not enough to support the race. We are bringing our logistics from Manila to Bataan, Pampanga, Rizal, and Ilocos Norte and the effort we give just to ensure that each event is successful is not personally rewarding to us as the Race Organizer. The planning, preparation, coordination, bus trips, stress, and discussions among my staff and marshals were all very tiring as if we are also preparing as runners for the race. As you know, our PAU Races are not supported by corporate names or government sports institutions and most of our additional support come from the donations of the runners themselves and good friends who believe in my advocacies. So, I am appealing to everybody that each of the runners of my races should always maintain the integrity of the race and should give respect to us as the Race Organizer and to the other runners. Always remember that we organize these ultrarunning races because we simply have the love and passion to promote the sports. On the other hand, popularity for what end? None! I am already contented as a runner-blogger and enjoying my retirement with a plan to run more miles/kilometers here and to other countries. My blog serves as my one and only marketing tool for my races. At wala kayong makikitang product ads sa blog ko!
9. Now, if you are banned from my races, then that is my decision and I will stick to the reports of my marshals. I really don’t care the implication and result of my decision. My staff and I will continue promoting ultrarunning in this country and spreading the “good news” about running to include honesty in races. Going back to what I always said when I started the BDM 102—“It is better to conduct a race with only 10 participants who are honest than getting as much as thousands of runners in a race which is tainted with dishonest runners”. Lastly, our races define what you are made of, in terms of your attitude, character, personality, and physical and mental capabilities.
10. This “issue” boils down to Integrity, Respect and Obedience. All my races are covered with Rules and Regulations/Instruction and all runners who join my races abide by these rules and instructions. A runner in my races submits himself/herself to these rules from the starting line up to the time he/she crosses the finish line of the race. However, if he/she commits infraction or violation of any of my rules & instructions during the race, then I have the authority to decide to disqualify such runner even without informing the runner in question. It is harsh but, in simple terms, that is the Bald Runner’s Rule!
That is Clark Air Field, if you don’t know your history.
I was invited by the members of the Team Bald Runner-Professionals to run a 10K Race dubbed as “Takbo Para Sa Katutubo” at Clark Air Field this morning. But the group scheduled a workout that starts with a 10K easy run before and after the said race. This kind of running workout is what I call an “ultramarathon tempo” run!
I arrived at Clark’s Parade Grounds at 4:15 AM and started my run around the 2.34K-loop. The rest of the group arrived after I completed one loop. After a brief greetings, we had a group run. Before we proceeded to the Starting Line of the 10K race, I was able to run a distance of 8.5 kilometers at an average pace of 6:30 minutes per kilometer.
Team BR-Professionals
We assembled at the Starting Area at 6:00 AM and after a short prayer and singing of the National Anthem, the 10K race started ahead of the 5K and 3K races. It was a simple race without any “distractions” and I consider it as a perfect and well-organized race. The total number of runners was approximately 500 but everything was very orderly. This is the only race where the 10K runners were not disturbed by the 3K & 5K runners at the Finish Line. Most of the road races in Metro Manila commit this simple mistake of giving a problem to the longer distance runners get entangled with the slower runners in the lesser-distance races as they approached the Finish Line.
This is the only 10K race which is perfect—accurate distance, nice and challenging route, no vehicles racing or disturbing the runners, water station in every kilometer, lots of cups and water supply, visible kilometer markings and directional signs, and perfect weather! I was not surprised about the preparations and outcome of the race as the Race Organizers are competitive runners and ultra runners! Congratulations to Atty Jon Lacanlale and to the rest of his company who happen to be BDM 102 “veterans” for a perfect race this weekend.
I finished the 10K run in 51:23 minutes as registered in my GF 305 with an average pace of 5:10 mpk. It is a slow time but the route was very challenging. I was happy of the result of my run although I tried my best to finish below 50 minutes. After congratulating the Race Organizers for a good job on the race and talking to some of the participants of the race, I re-joined my group and resumed our easy run. It rained hard during this part of our workout and I was relaxed and comfortable of my pace. I was able to run a distance of 11.5 kilometers and I could still run some more distance without any pain or soreness on my legs.
In summary, I was able to run a distance of 30 kilometers with a total time of 3:04:20 hours. I felt good after the run and the rain had contributed much for my body to sustain my pace and endure the distance. After my shower, the whole group re-grouped again for “brunch” in one of the Cafes/Restaurants at Marque Mall in Angeles City.
Thanks to the members of the Team BR-P for the invitation and get-together “brunch” to culminate the running activity for the day.
And for my food “tip” for the day, drop by at the Total Gas Station at “Wetlands” along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and look for Nita’s Fried Itik & Restaurant. This place has the best-tasting fried duck at the price of P 150.00 only!
Fried Duck!Fried Duck...The Best!
I am back on training again for another ultra race or adventure run in the future.
See you at the PAU’s “P2P 65K” Run in Ilocos Norte! More updates to come! And train well!
7:00 AM July 17, 2010 @ Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California (USA)
The lure of mountain trail running had been planted in my mind when I had my recon run barely two weeks before I participated in the Bulldog 50K Mountain Trail Run in Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, California in August 2008. Since then, my visits to the United States/California would include trail runs in Mt Wilson, Griffith Park Mountains & Elysian Park in Los Angeles, California. I found enjoyment and fun plodding my feet along the trails where the scenery is beautiful, the air quality is clean and unadulterated, and the dirt & dust that cling on my running legs are simply nice to see and wash off after my workout.
But at the back of my mind, I want to experience and finish the “ultimate” mountain trail race distance of 100 miles (160 kilometers) in the United States. It could be in San Diego, San Francisco, Texas, Vermont, Leadville, Pacific Crest, Arizona, Oregon, or in any of the 100-miler races available where I could participate. But first, I need to train and prepare for it. So, I started to research on how these runners, who finished 100-milers. prepared for their races. I found out that these runners took them years (yes, minimum of two years) to prepare and train for these challenging trail races by starting from lesser-distance races to marathon trail races, then up to 50Ks, then 50-milers, 100K runs, and finally confident to finish a 100-miler trail run. However, in-between these races, they spent a lot of positive attitude, patience, determination, discipline, balance, moderation, and focus (and of course, lots of money!) It does not mean also that these runners only finish one or two of the lesser-distance ultra races before they jump in to participate in 100-miler races. They join lots of these trail run races (< than 100-mile) before they embark on 100-mile races.
This is the reason why I was always running towards “Brown Mountain” for the past months and considered the last 34th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race as part of my preparation for something “bigger” in my Race Calendar for the year. I think my preparations paid off and I am satisfied that I finished the Headlands 50-Mile Mountain Trail Run with a time of 12:10:35 hours and ranked #56 among the 89 Finishers, without any “issues” during the race and any injury. I was ranked #6 out of the 12 finishers in my age category of 50-59 years old. The race has a cut-off time of 15 hours. I heard almost 120 runners started the 50-mile distance run. The course elevation of the whole race has a total ascent/descent of 11,040 feet (which is considered as “very basic” among the toughest guys (elite) in ultra trail running).
80K+ & Half-Day of Running Were Dedicated To Remus & Alexander10 Seconds Before The Start!Rick Was Surprised When I Saw Him at Mile #12 (Courtesy of Rick Gaston)Final Push Towards Rodeo Beach ( I thought I was Tony Krupicka in his dash to win the 2010 Miwok 100K at this point along the Coastal Trail! Ha! Ha! Ha!)
My Race Report of this race will be posted soon! It will be a detailed report where the reader will be “transported” to the actual place where the race happened with the hope that one or two of my readers will be inspired to experience what it takes to run the trails of Marin Headlands.
For the meantime, good luck to those Pinoy runners who are joining the San Francisco Marathon this coming Sunday. If you have time, visit the Marin Headlands and see for yourself the mountain trails around the place. Have fun!
I am not sure if this is the “real” Official Statement of Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils as a result of the death of Remus Fuentes on the July 4th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race. One of the BDM “veterans”, Albert Salazar, sent a comment in my previous blog stating the following statement which he indicated as taken in one of the links with MILO Philippines’ Facebook account. In the said link, the following statement had been posted in their PHOTO ALBUM Page. I really don’t know why they have to take a picture of the said statement and have it posted in their Photo Album. They could have simply sent to the e-mail addresses of the runner-bloggers and other interested parties.
I’ve been waiting for this Official Statement as I requested from Team MILO/NESTLE, Inc to send it to my e-mail address in order to give them a chance to explain their side of the incident. Up to this time, I have not yet received such copy in my e-mail address. Anyway, whether the following statement was not signed or not, the fact that it was posted at MILO, Phils Facebook Account, it needs to be posted in this blog in order to get the side of Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils and its Race Organizer. Hoping it is the real one!
After reading this statement and the side of Remus family, the runners who participated in the 21K and the Marathon (42K) Race and my readers will be the judge.
STATEMENT ON MILO MARATHON
We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Mr. Remus Fuentes, a participant of the July 4, 2010 MILO Marathon held in Luneta, Manila.
We reached out to Remus’ family as soon as we were informed. Our deepest sympathy is with his family during this most difficult time.
We assure participants that all the internationally recognized precautions had been taken by the organizer for the Manila leg of the MILO Marathon, specifically:
On hydration stations, according to the International Association of Athletics Federation (lAAF), the rule is, for a race longer than 10 km, refreshment stations shall be provided at approximately every 5 kms along the race route. For mass races in a tropical country like the Philippines, the same IAAF rule recommends to have water stations every 2.5 km, The Manila leg of the MILO Marathon had water stations installed every 2 km along the race path, and in between each water station, there were Gatorade stations to ensure every runner had the opportunity to hydrate as necessary. On average, there was a hydration station around every 1 km of the 21K race path. In total, there were 13 water stations, 10 Gatorade stations, 2 sponging stations, and 1 banana station strategically Iocated throughout the 13.5 km race loop.
On first aid, all MILO Marathons are fully equipped with first aid teams to attend to runners needing assistance. In the Manila race, for instance, there were 7 roving ambulances plying the 13.5 km race loop, 15 medical stations, 5 teams of first aiders on bicycles, and nearly 500 marshals – policemen, traffic aids, and radio communicators – manning various points of the race path. These marshals were equipped to immediately contact first aid stations and ambulances with trained crew and rescue facilities.
Like any vigorous sport, the marathon involves a certain amount of risk, especially for those who participate in longer distance events such as the 21K and the 42k. We would like to remind all runners who plan to participate in the forthcoming MILO Marathons to adequately prepare before the race, ensuring that they are properly conditioned mentally and physically. This includes undergoing the necessary training getting enough rest, properly hydrating, and eating the right food.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Remus Fuentes at this very difficult time.
(Note: Copied from MILO Philippines Facebook’s Photo Album)
Bald Runner 
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