Crossing over

Do runners make good race directors and organizers?

This was the question that hounded me as I chose which races to run for the summer while recovering from the BDM. Even if you’re not in recovery, you just can’t race every weekend you know. It disrupts your training schedule and it’s expensive. Just seven months ago, you could race for only P150.00. Those days are gone, and they’re not coming back.

These days when a race can set you back by no less than P250.00 you have to choose well. It’s as crucial as making the right song choice in American Idol. You have to ponder which race will most likely deliver on the four basics of a good race – accurate race course measurement, well-stocked water and aid stations, safety, and accurate timekeeping.

(Run to the Clouds Finishline at Zipline)

(Forum members www.sugbutriathlon.com)

The summer race calendar featured three big runs all organized and managed by runners – Run to the Clouds by members of Sugbutriathlon.com; Citi Run by Joe Franz Canizares and Waterfront Hotel; and Pinay in Action by Kenneth Casquejo and Annie Neric with their newly formed company Run Check.

(Citi Run March 21, 2010)

All three races delivered, providing a calling card of sorts for these three budding race directors and managers. Annie Neric said it best – “Kasi naman palagi tayong nagrereklamo sa ibang races na nasalihan natin. Sa dami nang nasalihan natin both good and bad, we know first hand what a good race should be.”

(L-R Marathon Foodie, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Annie Neric, Jane-Jane Ong)

But running and organizing a race can have so many variables that even the best race director and manager cannot control – lack of corporate sponsorship, red tape at the local government and profit-taking orientation of some race organizers who are all-too willing to collect fees but are unwilling to spend money on sufficient hydration and proper race marshaling.

(Pinay In Action Visayas Leg)

Still, these variables are no excuse for shabby race management. That’s why one perfect race is not enough. Now that the boys and girls of Sugbutri as well as Joe Franz, Kenneth and Annie have shown that they can be very good race directors, the next challenge for them now would be consistency. They must show willingness to stand-up for the runners who pay good money to join races and not compromise on the basics.

As runners, we can help improve the quality of race management in Cebu by providing feedback. Visit blogs that do race reviews and leave a comment. If you have Facebook, interact with runners at Cebu Running, Cebu Runners or go to the Sugbu Triathlon website. And if feedback seem to fall on deaf ears, you can always skip the races run by those who consistently fall short of our basic expectations. As runners, we have the power to choose.

PACERS

For the first time since the running boom hit Cebu , a local race will have pacers to help runners hit their target finish time. What are they?

Pacers are experienced runners and marathoners tasked with keeping other runners on pace and if possible do even splits, which means no racing out at the beginning only to fade away at the end. They will encourage, motivate, cajole and if necessary, threaten the runners in the group to keep up and cross the finish line.

Pacers don’t get paid to run as pacers. It’s their way of giving back and paying it forward helping runners reach their target finish time.

At the Great Lapu-Lapu Run, the 21-K runners will have two pace groups – those with target finish time of 2:00 to 2:15 led by Kenneth Casquejo and 2:16 to 2:30 group led by James Michael Go. You won’t miss them. They will be running with balloons. I only wish they had narrowed the range to ten minutes instead of fifteen and with more pace options at the sub two-hour range.

Speaking of targets, I’m hoping to set a new personal record and finish in 2:15 or better. The last time I raced 21K was in July last year at the Cebu elimination of the Milo marathon making it in 2:25.

To all runners joining the Great Lapu-Lapu Run on Sunday, especially the 21K virgins, good luck, race well and seize the road!

Running in March

The race calendar for the month of March provides the most varied choices for runners in terms of route, course distance and degree of difficulty. Except for March 14, when all the world will stand still to watch the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey fight, runners will be kept busy with one road race every Sunday of March.

Quota International 12 K Classic

This run organized by the Quota International Cebu South and directed by Raffy Uytiepo will start and end at The Terraces in Ayala. To cover the 12K distance, runners will traverse San Jose Dela Montana, Salinas Drive, Gorordo Avenue, Escario Street, Capitol, Fuente, B. Rodriguez Street (Espina Village) then down to Osmena Boulevard where runners will turn around at corner R.R. Landon Street on the way back to Cebu Business Park via Gen. Maxilom Avenue and Gorordo Avenue.

This route has been done countless times before. In fact, the route is so familiar that runners can run this route “with their eyes closed” and still know where the exact point the road will rise in Escario St. and Mango Avenue. Race director Raffy Uytiepo increased the distances in order to challenge runners used to the usual 5K and 10K runs.

Run to the Clouds

(Click poster to enlarge)

But if you’re really up for a new challenge and willing to run more than the usual and defy your limits, then Run to the Clouds, which will be held on March 21 at 6 AM may just be the kind of road race you’re looking for.

This race organized by Sugbu Triathlon promises to be "doable enough for beginners and challenging enough for seasoned runners". This 8KM foot race will start at the foot of Nivel Hills just outside The Outpost and end at the Zipline in Barangay Malubog. It’s never been done before, so it may be a bit daunting at first, but I promise you, it really gets better as you go up towards the finish line.

The first-time the Marathon Foodie road-tested the Run to the Clouds race route I made the mistake of running the first 2K at my usual 10K road racing pace of 6 minutes per kilometer. By the time I reached KM 5, I was only brisk walking and could not run up the hills. On my second attempt, I figured that the key to finishing the Run to the Clouds route is to start slowly. Think negative split. Brisk-walk the first two kilometers in Nivel Hills and two of the steepest inclines at Château de Busay and La Tegola.

But boy oh boy there’s nothing like running in Busay. The spectacular birds-eye view of Metro Cebu on your right and the rolling hills covered with rows and rows of cut-flowers towards your left side are the real rewards for braving this race route. Plus, it is never hot and humid up there even if you’re running way past seven in the morning. The cool mountain air will make you say -- “El Nino who?”.

After the race, all registered runners will be treated to a bowl of Arroz Caldo. A shuttle bus will make multiple trips and take the runners back to J.Y. Square.

For more details and to view the race route interactive map visit www.sugbutriathlon.com.

Citi Run
(Click poster to enlarge)

With 4KM, 6KM and 12KM as race distances I’ve fondly nicknamed Citi Run as the B-Complex vitamins run. The race route is very similar to the Quota International 12K challenge, except that this race will start and end at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

I’ve really high expectations from the organizers of this run simply because it’s organized by Waterfront Hotel and Citigym, which is the only 24/7 gym in Cebu. To boost the fun factor of this race (as if running isn’t fun enough) post-race activities include raffle, games, and photo sessions at the Citi Run photo wall.

Citi Run is directed by Joel Baring.

Runners' Central

Registration for all these races is on-going at Runnr in Ayala Center Cebu. You can pick one out of the three or even run all three of them, just make sure to make course-specific training.

Rules

By this time, you must have heard about the disqualification of local Kenyan star Simon Losiaboi from winning the top prize during last Sunday’s Rotary Run. I fully support the organizers adherence to the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) Competition Rules in settling disputes like this, even if the race was not exactly IAAF sanctioned and even if it was primarily a fun run. Adherence to rules ensures orderliness even in running a fun run. And these rules are not merely for elite runners like Simon. Defying these rules have consequences even for ordinary running mortals like us. What are they? That’s for another column, another day. In the meantime, set your running goals, train well and run injury free.

Seize the road!

Marathon Foodie Race Review: The Great Lapu-Lapu Run (Part 1)

Organizer : Lapu-Lapu Sports and Events Bureau
Race Director : Joe Derezas


Registration, singlet, pre-race organization

-There were two registration sites in Cebu City – the Cebu Pacific Office at Robinson’s Place and Cebu Grand Hotel along Escario St. The Marathon Foodie went to the Cebu Pacific registration site three times (on Sunday morning and afternoon July 19, and morning of July 22) but the registration person was either off duty, absent or MIA in all those three times. Undaunted by this early setback, the Marathon Foodie made the trek of the Cebu Grand Hotel. The front desk guy who manned the registration was professional and very enthusiastic – signing up was fast and painless. Well done Grand Hotel!



Marathon Foodie's triathlete friends from www.sugbutriathlon.com

-The singlet was poorly designed. Whoever had the brilliant idea of choosing black as singlet color is definitely not a runner and has absolutely no idea how hot it is to run on the road. Isn’t it elementary science that black and all other dark colors absorb light and heat; while white and pastels are cooler because they reflect instead of absorb light and heat? And what’s with the orange polka dots? It only managed to make the runners look like some kind of sea reptile. The Marathon Foodie chucked the singlet altogether and instead wore the yellow I Am Ninoy runner’s shirt, in honor of Tita Cory. I also saw my new pals at www.sugbutriathlon.com debut their new sugbu tri running shirt made of dri-fit material and in the color white. See what I mean?



Marathon Foodie with Twinkle Ignacio and Tsuneishi Runners all the way from Balamban, Cebu


- The race map that came with the race packet was a foreboding. It was complicated, cluttered, confusing and unclear. It looked like a download from Google Earth with arrows when they could have just made their own simple and easy to understand map.

The map was crucial especially those unfamiliar with Lapu-Lapu. Many runners got lost trying to find the starting area and consequently lost precious time for stretching and warm up. Because many runners got lost, many came late and were jostling on the way to the starting line.

Just like the others, the Marathon Foodie, my sister Arlene and BFF Mary got lost. The map to the starting area did not show Crown Regency as landmark. We had to pay a tricycle driver to lead us to the venue. The residents we asked could not give directions to the Hoopsdome because they apparently did not know what and where in the world the LLC Hoopsdome was.

-There was no secure parking area.



with Maitland Smith runners

-The Marathon Foodie likes the shoe bag that came with the race packet. It makes for great post-race receptacle for wet gear and clothes.

-The race bib was not color-coded. When I saw this, I knew immediately there was going to be confusion at the finish area. Color-coding the bibs will tell the technical committee at a glance which runners ran which event. This is crucial in correct and efficient time-keeping.

The color-coding of race bibs can be done even at pre-registration, even if the race pack is handed out upon registration. If Milo can color-code their bibs, why can’t GLLR? In fact, based on all the races I’ve joined so far, color-coding of race bib is the norm, whether it’s a small race like monthly Run for Sight series or Milo. True enough, there was some confusion at the finish area.

The feedback I got from sports reporter Caecent No-ot Magsumbol is this:

“Medyo gubot ang results because dili controlado sa technical committee ang results, so nay mga categories na saag-saag.”Gikinamot, mano-mano lang gihapon even in this day and age of technology that could have made the timekeeping and releasing of results faster (and more efficient)”

Marathon Foodie Race Review : Run for Sight V

Date : 12 July 2009
Venue : Cebu Doctor's University, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City
Technical Director: Joel Baring
Organizer: Run for Sight Foundation

Marathon Foodie started the day not with a race to the finish line but a race to get to the starting line on time.

Thanks to the evil snooze button, what was supposed to be a 4:30 AM wake up call turned out to be a 5:30 AM mad dash to change into running clothes, shoes, wear MP3 and contacts, grab a bottle of Gatorade and 2 wheat pan de sal from the fridge with no time to spare for palaman, call spider for cab.

Spider Cab No. 2018 came and zoomed to CDU campus at the North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City with still 5 minutes to spare before the starting gun. 25 minutes! If only I could run a 10K that fast!

After running Milo 21K the previous Sunday, the Marathon Foodie signed-up for the 10K not to race, but intending only to check out the Run for Sight Running Series. I first read about it a few months back. I've also heard good things about it from other runners at the runners/joggers forum on istorya.net and the sugbutriathlon forum. Run for Sight has a website and an FB account and its profile reads:

"This group is for runners with a heart. It was created for runners to get together to share their experiences in running. 5k and 10k monthly runs organized to answer the clamor of the Cebuanos to have more runs.

Runner of the year male and female will be awarded with a colored tv, dvd and a specially engraved eye shaped medal to be given at year end. "

Curious, the Marathon Foodie decided to see for herself what the buzz was about.

I was happy to see Sunstar Cebu journalist Max Limpag and lawyers Negley and Edmund Villanueva at the starting line. Negley, a new convert to the great sport of running was racing in her first 3K. I was surprised to see plenty of runners, mostly young people and newbies. There were the usual competitive runners -- Madz Carter and Mary Grace Delos Santos, the guys from USPF, SWU and UC, Dr. Yong Larrazabal and wife Donna Cruz and Dr. Peter Mancao plus plenty of familiar friendly runners' faces whose names I can't recall. The Marathon Foodie is terribly bad with names.

As I was observing the runners get ready for the race, I immediately noticed an atmosphere different from the other races I've joined. Maybe I was just imagining it, but it felt encouraging and nurturing to new virgin runners who would otherwise be daunted by the thought of running a real race.

The fifth edition of the Run for Sight series had 3 race events -- 3K, 5K and 10K. The onsite registration was smoothly run and the race started almost on time (6:05). The starting gun went off and I started my 10K recovery run.

At first I was worried about the route with its many corners and turning points (3 and 6 turning points for 5K and 10K respectively), but the entire course had plenty of directional signs and race marshalls that it was hard to get lost. I found the surface at the reclamation area fast, really flat, softer (asphalt) and easier on the knees than running at the Cebu Business Park or I.T. Park (cement). But the best part was that the entire course was free from vehicular traffic. This means less pollution, less chances of getting sideswiped, and definitely less stress for road runners. When you don't have to worry about getting run over by a car or crossing busy intersections, a runner can focus more on his running form, running pace and time elapsed since the start of the race. There was plenty of water at the hydration stations and they did not run out of cups.

Congratulations are in order to Joel Baring's team and Run for Sight Foundation. They've mastered the organization and logistics for this particular race.

As I understand it, the concept of a running series is designed to make runners become better at a given distance. For example, now that Negley Villanueva has established her time for a 3K run, she now has a time to beat for the next edition -- whether on the same 3K course or on the more difficult 5K or 10K events. The time established during the run is also important in determining your personal training guide using the Smart Coach and the Pace Calculator -- two of the tools available for free at the Runner's World website.

As i neared the finish of the first 5KM loop along with Dr. Raymund Bontol who was also recovering from a successful 42K run at the Manila eliminations, I really just wanted to stop and NOT finish the rest of the race. I entered the CDU canteen, sat and pondered my decision. I'm on my three-week break from training and I've been slacking all week after Milo. But then I was afraid that this kind of attitude can fester and turn me into a real slacker for the rest of my training cycle after this furlough. No, I cannot DNF. Not even if this is just a recovery run.

So I plodded on and ran the second 5km loop. Just as I was nearing km 7, I saw Madelyn Carter and a runner from USPF running towards me. I was confused. Madz finished the race minutes ago landing second to Mary Grace Delos Santos. But then she came back just to pace me! Wow! Like a drill sergeant Madz told me to run faster then maintain the faster pace, lift my legs, add bounce to my gait. She told me when to drink and when to sip just a little bit of water. She ran beside me and poured water on my head every 3 minutes to cool me down.

Man, this was Madz Carter, the back to back champion of the Cebu leg of the Milo 21K. She who runs with an average race pace of 4-minutes per kilometer pacing and escorting a super slow poke like myself! I was both embarassed and amazed. Madz and I train under Coach Precing Capangpangan, but I never expected to be looked after the way she did -- espcially not from a champion like her.

With Madz and the USPF runner I ran faster and overtook the remainder of the runners in my path. I finished in 1:06, which was good enough to land me in fourth place next to Abby Ponce, Madelyn and Mary Grace.

Even as I write this, I'm still amazed at what Madelyn did for me. I guess I'm just so used to the culture of one-upmanship at work that when random acts of charity and kindness happen so unexpectedly, they baffle me. Lately, I've been witness to this on a regular basis only among runners. I don't know if I'm just truly in love with this sport that I see everything with the proverbial rose-clored glasses. Only time and more mileage will tell.

Photo Credit: Run for Sight Foundation