21K half-marathon, March 6, 2011
Clark Parade Grounds, Angeles, Pampanga
After my CEBU [Jan. 2011] and CONDURA [Feb. 2011] full marathons, this half marathon offered a welcome respite to me and my friends. With this race as my very first in Clark, the excitement was really there. The pre-registration ads had the organizers saying that this is a much better and bigger race than the first one. True enough, the race was much better than I expected. This may be a bigger race than the one that precedes it but I do not really mind the number as long as it is a good race where everyone could have lots of fun.
For this race, the organizers really deserve heartfelt congratulations and a pat on their backs. My friends and I got our money’s worth. The route was challenging although not a PR route because of some uphills near the area they refer to as “the wall”. From start to finish, we enjoyed the run. Meanwhile, the organizers/emcees had their day at the finish line stage, delivering funny lines and jokes that could qualify one of them as a comedian and give Joey de Leon a run for his money.
With the absence of the many elite runners from Metro Manila who probably joined the Unilab race [note: Unilab race was held on the same date and time], I ended up at NO. 9 overall with a slow but decent time of 1:49:15 [four minutes off my personal best]. My friend June took 3rd place and a podium finish in the female category with a time of 1:59:24 and 28th overall. She received a cash prize of P1,500.00, gift certificates from SPORTSHOUSE worth P1,500.00 and lots of goodies to cap off her sub-2 performance.
Reasons why this race deserves a very high rating:
[a] very challenging route;
[b] plenty of water stations strategically located at 2kms. interval; lots of bananas, gatorade, chocolates;
[c] marshals were located at strategic points of the race route;
[d] very friendly and accommodating staff; the organizers and race officials were even seen cheering for the runners;
[e] the scenery gives runners a refreshing feeling as compared to what “The Fort” races can offer.
Suggestions for future races:
[a] size of the medals for the 21k runners must be bigger;
[b] include a 42k marathon if the organizers really are up to the challenge.
RACE RESULTS FOR THE 2nd CLARK ANIMO RUN
AGAIN, KUDOS TO LA SALLE PAMPANGA FOR A WELL-ORGANIZED RACE! And of course, this article will not be complete without the photos. So, here are the photos:
starting line
The finish line sign.
Winners of the 10k male category
Winners of the 10k female category
Winners of the 21k female category
Winners of the 21k male category
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