Before race day
After the Baguio 21k Feel the Hill, we wanted more hill training in preparation for the Nuvali 50 k trail ultramarathon. We saw this half marathon in the internet and knew what was waiting for us in Amadeo, a few kilometers away from Tagaytay City. Through an email response from capstonesystems168@gmail.com, we learned that on site registration is available up to 4:30 A.M. on race day.
After a meeting in Carmona Cavite on the 14th of April, I decided to proceed to Amadeo to view the race route. I followed the race map and found out that the route will pass through several barangays [Barangays Pangil, Halang, Banaybanay, Dagatan, Bucal, Maymangga, Minantok, Buho, Maitim, Talon, Salaban and Loma]. Unlike in other half marathons, this one does not have a u-turn at the mid-point. That means that you will only get to see your friends at the starting line and at the finish line. There were a lot of uphills and downhills along the route. A 4-kilometer uphill stretch along a highway [km. 10 to kilometer 14] is an indication that this is no PR route for non-elite runners. After going back to the Amanahis Oval where the start and finish lines would be located on race day, we were surprised to find out that the distance covered reached 24 kilometers. We surmised that we could have traversed a wrong direction along the supposed route but the additional distance was not something to frown upon. As a matter of fact, we were happy that for a P300 registration fee, we will be running more than a half marathon. Anyway, we told ourselves that the exact distance would be known on race day through our GF 305s. The route has much to offer except one main concern – presence of so many stray dogs!
Race day
By 3:30 A.M., we were already there at the Amanahis Oval. The very cold weather forced us to wear our jackets. The Samar brothers [Attys. Audi and Red] were of course present because of my constant prodding 2 days before that they should not miss this half marathon.
A few minutes past 4 A.M., on site registration started. The starting line could hardly be noticed because of the absence of bright lights, loud speakers and music, and the other usual things that you get to see in races organized by coach Rio. There was not even a short program before the start of the race. The politician for whom this race was named after was a “no-show” before or after the race. But what do you expect from politicians? One joke has a politician saying the following words: “pinangakuan ko na nga kayo, gusto niyo pa tuparin ko.” Anyway, with or without the mayor or any of his representatives, the race must go on.
There was no gun to start the race, only a guy using a megaphone shouting: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go, go, go, go. Race started at 5 A.M.
As expected, the route was just as we surveyed. What we didn’t expect is the organizer’s failure to coordinate with the barangay leaders to put away the stray dogs from the race route. In the CAMSUR marathon, there were many stray dogs we saw along the route before race day. On race day, however, the CAMSUR organizers made sure that there was not a single stray dog that would be seen along the route. Not for this Amadeo half marathon, though. Runners were forced to slow down or even walk because of the presence of so many dogs.
Another problem was that water stations were located at very far intervals. Two runners I passed by at the 6km. mark were complaining because of the absence of a water station up to this point. Imagine finding the first water station at the 6km. mark and you will understand the trouble that some runners had to experience. I made the right decision to bring along with me my hydration belt otherwise I would have ranted a lot while running.
At the 18 km. mark before passing through a bridge and an uphill, I was certain that the distance would be more than 21 kilometers. I reached the 21k mark with a time of 01:52 on my GF 305 but the finish line was still way far ahead.
The road going to the finish line was not even closed to traffic. At the finish line, I was handed over the 21k medal. Distance covered as shown in my Garmin is 22.1 kms. It was pleasure to meet some of the 21k runners from Manila who went here just for the fun. I also met the youngest 5k participant, Armil Jansen Esguerra, a 6 year old kid from Barangay 12, Amadeo Cavite. With his parents giving him all-out support, Armil finished the 5k race faster than a lot of grown-ups [official time to be shown as soon as results are out]. June covered this 22.1 km. race in 2 hours and 9 minutes while Atty. Audi finished it in 2:30 after suffering leg cramps. Ultramarathoner and BDM 160 finisher Atty. Red decided to wait for us at the finish line after experiencing severe stomach problems at the start of the race.
The only saving factors for this race are the challenging race route, the finisher’s medal and the finisher’s certificate for the 21k runners. Sadly, it failed in the following aspects:
[1] cash prizes were awarded only to the top 3 overall finishers without regard to gender;
[2] water stations were located at very far intervals;
[3] absence of coordination between the race organizer and the barangay officials;
[4] lack of concern for the welfare and safety of the runners;
[5] so many stray dogs along the route; one runner almost got bitten by a dog at the 8km mark; two motorcycle riding marshals save the day for some runners by driving away the dogs;
[6] road to the finish line was not closed to traffic.
To the organizer of this race - better luck next time. There is always a next time where the organizer can implement the necessary steps to improve on future races. And to the municipal officials, you could have shown your collective support on this race by not being a no-show. Sayang, nagsipag sana kayo at gumising ng maaga dahil first half marathon pa man din ito. Sayang, tsk, tsk, tsk.
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