Thursday, August 25, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The 1st Mayor Benjo Villanueva Half Marathon, April 16, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Baguio 21K Feel the Hill
My 4th race for year 2011 and my 3rd out-of-town race for this year [Cebu 2011 marathon and Clark 21k being my other races]. Joining this race in Baguio City gives another breather for guys like me who need to have a break from the weekly Metro Manila races. This race brings back the excitement that I will sorely miss if I were to join races in the NCR. One thing for sure, it’s nice to be back to where I completed my primary education. Back in the 70’s, my parents “migrated” from Dumaguete City to Baguio City because my father, a civil and geodetic engineer by profession, worked for Benguet Consolidated Incorporated. We stayed in Balatoc Mines [note: Balatoc used to be “one heaven of a place” because back then, it was managed by Americans. We had the Crosbys and other American sounding names running Benguet until the Filipinos took over the management. I would have preferred the Americans running the management like heaven rather than Filipinos running it like hell.] for a little over six years until my parents decided to buy a house in Las Piñas. Balatoc is just a few kilometers away from KIAS, the turning point of the 21k race.
Back to this first ever 21k race in Baguio. Our group was really excited to join this race. Most of us took the Victory Liner De Luxe bus in going to and from Baguio City. Dexter Lim brought along his wife and friends Imma and Nhoree. These three ladies are now serious running enthusiasts, I suppose.
The route
With all the uphills and downhills that the route had to offer, one would think that this would be one of the more difficult races for the past 2 years. But gauging the course’s level of difficulty from the performance of the elite runners and the other fast-paced runners, I would say that the route is just as challenging as the other races nearby Metro Manila [Corregidor 21k, Biodiversity 21k and Makiling 16k]. I am very happy that all my friends did well in this race. Everyone enjoyed this short sojourn to the City of Pines.
21K
Rank Bib No. Name Finish Time Chip Time
46 2143 Quintin II Atienza 1:51:34 1:51:18
65 21128 Herbert Lee 1:56:16 1:55:59
67 2128 Jerome Aragones 1:56:24 1:56:17
72 21358 Lana Jacel Mercado 1:56:55 1:56:43
117 21359 Mark Anthony Mercado 2:06:38 2:06:25
122 2127 Mary June Villamor 2:07:09 2:07:00
193 21325 Grace Rivera 2:20:32 2:20:21
196 21129 Dexter Lim 2:20:49 2:20:33
219 21142 Teodoro del Mundo 2:23:58 2:23:42
10K
Rank Bib No. Name Finish Time Chip Time
37 1046 Maria Encarnacion 1:07:07 1:06:57
Cancio
131 1048 Immaculate Tiong 1:18:05 1:17:55
139 10190 Norielyn Fajilan 1:19:52 1:19:42
145 1047 Josephine Lim 1:21:28 1:21:18
166 1045 Jocelyn Lee 1:27:00 1:26:49
This race deserves a 3 star-rating mainly because of the following:
[1] challenging route and the nice 21k medal;
[2] there was no clogging at the finish line;
[3] medals and certificates were given immediately after a 21k runner crosses the finish line; and
[4] results were promptly released less than a week after the race.
Constructive comments:
[1] Race organizers must always think that the welfare and safety of the runners assume primary importance.
[2] Water stations need to be located within an interval of not more than 2.5 kms.
[3] Very few marshals manned the route. There were many portions of the route where there were no marshals to guide the runners, especially at the zigzag portions. Runners were left on their own. It was a “bahala na kayo” situation in some parts of the route. One good thing though is that runners were not left off to fend for themselves – some runners were kind enough to give warning signals to the other runners, even shouting at the top of their voices that a vehicle is coming their path].
View the results [source: Takbo.ph]by clicking the icon shown below:
Baguio 21K - 21K Results
Baguio 21K - 10K Results
Baguio 21K - 5K Results
Back to this first ever 21k race in Baguio. Our group was really excited to join this race. Most of us took the Victory Liner De Luxe bus in going to and from Baguio City. Dexter Lim brought along his wife and friends Imma and Nhoree. These three ladies are now serious running enthusiasts, I suppose.
The route
With all the uphills and downhills that the route had to offer, one would think that this would be one of the more difficult races for the past 2 years. But gauging the course’s level of difficulty from the performance of the elite runners and the other fast-paced runners, I would say that the route is just as challenging as the other races nearby Metro Manila [Corregidor 21k, Biodiversity 21k and Makiling 16k]. I am very happy that all my friends did well in this race. Everyone enjoyed this short sojourn to the City of Pines.
21K
Rank Bib No. Name Finish Time Chip Time
46 2143 Quintin II Atienza 1:51:34 1:51:18
65 21128 Herbert Lee 1:56:16 1:55:59
67 2128 Jerome Aragones 1:56:24 1:56:17
72 21358 Lana Jacel Mercado 1:56:55 1:56:43
117 21359 Mark Anthony Mercado 2:06:38 2:06:25
122 2127 Mary June Villamor 2:07:09 2:07:00
193 21325 Grace Rivera 2:20:32 2:20:21
196 21129 Dexter Lim 2:20:49 2:20:33
219 21142 Teodoro del Mundo 2:23:58 2:23:42
10K
Rank Bib No. Name Finish Time Chip Time
37 1046 Maria Encarnacion 1:07:07 1:06:57
Cancio
131 1048 Immaculate Tiong 1:18:05 1:17:55
139 10190 Norielyn Fajilan 1:19:52 1:19:42
145 1047 Josephine Lim 1:21:28 1:21:18
166 1045 Jocelyn Lee 1:27:00 1:26:49
This race deserves a 3 star-rating mainly because of the following:
[1] challenging route and the nice 21k medal;
[2] there was no clogging at the finish line;
[3] medals and certificates were given immediately after a 21k runner crosses the finish line; and
[4] results were promptly released less than a week after the race.
Constructive comments:
[1] Race organizers must always think that the welfare and safety of the runners assume primary importance.
[2] Water stations need to be located within an interval of not more than 2.5 kms.
[3] Very few marshals manned the route. There were many portions of the route where there were no marshals to guide the runners, especially at the zigzag portions. Runners were left on their own. It was a “bahala na kayo” situation in some parts of the route. One good thing though is that runners were not left off to fend for themselves – some runners were kind enough to give warning signals to the other runners, even shouting at the top of their voices that a vehicle is coming their path].
View the results [source: Takbo.ph]by clicking the icon shown below:
Baguio 21K - 21K Results
Baguio 21K - 10K Results
Baguio 21K - 5K Results
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)