Twin Lights Half Marathon : Race Review

The Twin Lights Half Marathon is my first 13.1 mile run for this year. It was held in Gloucester, Massachusetts, just at the north side of the harbor and famous for the movie, The Perfect Storm. The breathtaking view of the shore plus the friendly town atmosphere makes it a good location for  any running event.

Similar to all the events I joined here in Mass, I always go for the online registration and similar to other events race kit pickups are scheduled during the event itself. The race was scheduled to start at 9:00 AM on a fine sunny yet cold morning of May 5. Race kit pickups are open from 7:00 AM to 8:45 PM. Contrary to what was on the original schedule, the walkers category did not start at 8:45 , rather, they joined the runners at the start line.

33rd Annual Boston Tune-Up 15K : Race Review

Race events need not to be overshadowed by the commercially-motivated gimmicks and freebies. The best race events are those that connects directly to each and every runner and the running community. These are some of the valuable things I have learned so far with the few races I have joined in Massachussetts. Yes , they are not widely hyped and smaller that what I was accustomed to. No celebrity endorsements nor flashing fireworks, just good old race events.

Run For Japan : Race Review

While the world was busy helping out Japan after the tragic earthquake and tsunami hit them, I was contemplating on what can runners do to help, even in just our own little ways. Not for long, this event came up on the Takbo.PH forum. I guess everyone got the same thinking as mine. With just a few weeks of preparation all system was ready to go for a run for good cause!

Takbo.PH NightFest : Race Review

Last year, I only had a single chance to join a night race, the Rock And Run ( eventually it became Rain and Run ). Running at night  gives you the benefit of a cool weather , nice refreshing breeze, the comfort of  the sleeping sun and the beauty of the moonlight. The Takbo.PH NightFest is the first race event to be held at night this 2011. I wasted no time and registered early for this event, aside from the nice Takbo.PH dri-fit shirt , I was in hurry to avail of the free shirt that comes with the registration. What made this run unique for me is the location. It  is also my first time to run in Alabang. With all the excitement that came with this event, I was not disappointed. Here are the reasons why.

Hyundai Run for a Cause : Race Review

Originally advertised as the Hyundai Accent Fun Run, the Hyundai Run for a Cause was the first free big event for the year. When I say free, i mean FREE REGISTRATION. From a conservative estimate of less than 2000 runners, the number of registrants skyrocketed to almost 30000! Quite skeptical at first , thinking that a free race with almost 30000 registrants would be chaotic. Thoughts on hydration, safety and crowding became more of a concern when we claimed our race kits. Queuing for almost 2.5 hours just for the kit turned out to be a disappointment  adding the fact that the claiming was not that organized. But the forums received mix reviews, some were happy and commented that the process was quite fast, others were a bit disappointed and some just don't want to complain because it is free anyway. Amidst all this skepticism, I decided to join anyway. The idea of being a part of this first free big running event and the thought of pacing a friend who will be running his first 10K took the better side of me.

Globe Run for Home 2011 : Race Review

The Globe Run for Home 2010 was one of the events that I missed last year. This year, I planned to skip it again because of the skyrocketing price of registration. Fortunately, I was in my lucky times when I won a free race kit for any distance category courtesy of the KulitRunner's blog contest.  With little training, I joined the 21K category. This is my way of making sure that I cover well. Luckily, I was not disappointed.  Here are my thoughts regarding the race.

Run United 1 2011 : Race Review

The trilogy has started again for year 2011.  The Run United 1 2011 is the first installment of the run trilogy for RunRio. Like last year, the event  is one of the much awaited races to start off the year. RunRio, being one of the premiere race organizer in the country today, promised a new overall experience and they started it right with a new RunRio theme song “Running For Love”, which targeted each runners during the event. Unfortunately, until now, the song is not yet available for download.  So how did the Run United 1 2011 fair in Trashvins’ own opinionated standard? Read on.

Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 : Race Review

The Condura Skyway Marathon ( formerly called the Condura Run in 2010 ) Run for the Dolphins , is definitely the first major event in the Philippine running community this 2011. The race promised unmatched running experience in the skyway and a great opportunity to help in the protection of dolphins of Baclayon, Bohol. An annual event organized by the Concepcion brothers, this event was one of the most talked about and anticipated event to start 2011 with a blast.  The categories were complete, from 3K run to a marathon. This years event also promised longer skyway experience for 42K and 21k runners and skyway experience for 16K and 10K runners. With all the good feedbacks coming from last years race and the rants on this years registration fees, here is my personal review on the said event.

1st Adination 5th Sunday Run : Race Review

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Fun runs should be fun as the name implies. It does not need to be a high profile event with thousands of participants. The 1^st Adination of Runners (aNR) 5^th Sunday run is a good example of what a fun run really is. The event was organized by the Adidas running community ( Adination of Runners or aNR ) . This will  be a series of events every 5^th sunday of the month leading to this years Adidas King of the Road 2011.  The event featured a 5K fun run, 5K race where aNR groups can compete and a 5K relay. Being a part of aNR UP, I was part of this one of a kind event that was held at Newport City , Pasay. Here is my brief review of the event.

The Route.

Newport City at Pasay is something new to me. It was my first time to run at the area. Unlike Bonifacio Global City, the route is almost a flat route with only a single uphill and downhill section. The 5K route composed of a double loop around the area.  Air quality is good within the compound, but it gets worse as it hits the major road. The distance was accurate. As far as the 5K route is concern, I am giving it a 3.5 out of 5.

The Run.

It was my first race for the year and the experience was overwhelming. It was fun to see a lot of familiar faces around and the festivity is high because of the competition between aNR groups.  Road signs was all over the place. Marshalls did a great job controlling traffic. Hydration is enough and medical aids are visible around the area. The 5K race and relays were also organized and all had fun joining the event. A perfect 5 for this category.

The Pre/Post Event.

Three letters to describe the pre/post event, WOW. Right from the start , you sense a good and fun atmosphere. Since members have their own group to cheer for,  the energy of competition was in the air. The pre event was organized and complete with warm up exercises. The post event was even better; with each aNR group giving a big cheer everytime their group wins a category or a prize from the raffle draw.  Everything went perfectly fine and it could have been better if the post event was held  near the start/finish line and not in the hot indoor parking lot . Thus, a 4.5 out of 5 for this event.

The Freebies/Kits.

For a PHP50.00 registration, never expect freebies and race kits to be great. The registration came with a bib and a number of add ons. The add-ons includes a breakfast and a loot bag. The breakfast was a simple bread+egg+banana meal and the loot bag was almost merely a paper bag. What was great was a 20% discount on  adidias running gears at Adidas Resort World store. Great raffle items were also given, unluckily, I did not get any. I am giving a perfect 5 for this category.

The Organizers.

If I am not mistaken, Takbo.PH played a major role in this event. It is another example of an event where runners are part of the organizing body. This means, they know what their fellow runners want in a race. The event did not fail the participants. Everyone went home with a smile in their face. A perfect 5 gain for this category.

My Conclusion.

The 1^st Adination 5^th Sunday run is a great way to start the year. It is a simple fun run with a blast. Runners need were provided and a little more. As I mentioned before, this event is indeed a fun run. Add the 5K race and 5K relay to it and you have a wonderful event. The competition between aNR groups made it more fun and energetic. Looking forward for the next Adination 5^th Sunday run on May.

Overall Rating.

Pictures.

Nearing the finishline ( image courtesy of KB )

aNR UP ( image courtesy of KB )

Six:30 in the house  ( image courtesy of KB )

2nd Quezon City International Marathon : Race Review

The 2nd QCIM was the first "international" event that I participated in ever since I started to make running my newly found sport. Much has been said about the commonwealth route, but I was more excited to run it than mind about the pollution. This was my 4th official half marathon this year and yes, I was definitely gunning for a PR. Given the different feedbacks about the event, I am making this review on a 21K runner perspective.

The Route.

Commonwealth is a new route for me. As expected, it was not a flat route as I once predicted. Its a combination of rolling uphills and downhills and a doze of flyover terrain. The road was wide, a much welcome change from running in some narrow streets of Global City. The UP section of the run was the most relaxing part of it all. Despite the challenging route, wide road and refreshing UP route, one can complain about the pollution and the not-so-acceptable odor on some areas. Minus these issues, the 21K route is almost perfect. Almost perfect , except for the distance. Despite the organizers claim that it is PATAFA certified, most runners using GPS watches oddly registered at least 23+ kilometers, 2KM+ from the official half marathon distance. I welcome additional kilometers but on an event marketed as an "international event" , this inconsistency is not acceptable. Thus, I am giving a 3.5 score for this category.

The Run.

The organizers seems to be addicted to giving more than what was expected, this time, it was a very welcome addition on hydration stations.  This is one of the good points about the race. Hydration stations was more than enough and the management on each station is commendable. The water shower is also a good addition. Medical supports seems to be overflowing too. The traffic management was excellent. Imagine the whole Fairview bound road of Commonwealth being closed for us runners. The organizers nailed this category (as far as 21k/10K/5K runners are concerned) except for 1 issue they , again, failed miserably. some kilometers markers are way off their specified distance. Was this to make up for the inaccurate measurement? There were instances where I registered almost 13 minutes just to finish 1 kilometer, I was asking myself "have i been walking?". Hell no, I was working a sweat running. with this I am giving the event a 4.

The Pre/Post Event.

The pre-event program was ok. The little talk and warm up exercise was acceptable. I dont really attend post-event program for any races, unless I'll be receiving an award or perhaps a podium finish (hehehe). But reading reviews from other runners gave me a good view of what it was. A 4 for this category is but deserving.

The Freebies/Kits.

Registration fee was within the budget. Simple freebies was given during the claiming of the race kits. The singlet was indeed a good quality, worth keeping , if I may add. The medal for 21K and 42K is a memorable one. Probably the best medal I have for this year. Thus, I am giving a 4.5 for this category.

The Organizers.


The organizers effort during the registration is worth commending. They were accommodating in answering most of the questions. They even created a fan page at Facebook to reach out to the participants.  The organization of the actual run was good and efficient ( as far as I saw it ). But knowing the concerns that was raised after the event, I think that the organizers should have been brave enough to face them after the event. Sad thing, they seem to failed on this. They even closed down their Facebook fanpage  few days after the event.  with this, I am giving them 3.5 for this category. Oh, and do I have to mention about the advertised "supposed to be fair" during the claiming of race kits.

My Conclusion,

The 2nd QCIM , as far as I saw it, is a mixture of  success and failure. Success in the sense that it was commendable in providing the basic things needed for a safe run. However, the post event issues proved that the event was indeed not perfect. Complaints on the inaccurate distance, the cut-off time for the marathoners not met, complaints on the results and other inefficiencies that may have occurred. More or less, it was a fun run and nobody got hurt. Will I recommend this to a friend next year? Definitely, the QCIM is a race event that is worth looking forward. It's a race that is close to my heart since it is just near my place. We do hope that the organizers have learned a lot from the 2nd QCIM so that they can improve come 2011.

Overall Rating.

Pictures.

Barneys with Boy Runner

Six:30 with ChiCem runners

Sulyap sa Ulap Moment

McHappy Run 2010 : Race Review

Last November 28, 2010, McDonalds Philippines hosted the 2nd McHappy Run at McKinley Hills, Taguig City. This run is for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC). A very simple event for a very meaningful cause. I was lucky enough to get a free race kit courtesy of the Running Atom. It is my only second 5K race to date. Hell yeah, I had a blast. Here is my "delayed" review of the race that was.

The Route.

Who can question the challenging route of McKinley Hills. Anybody who have raced in this venue will say probably say "Those hills were a killer". For 5k'ers, the first few hundred meters of the race already showed us what to expect. Right from the start, a hard descend towards Lawton made us breathe like hell with just a few meters away from the starting line. Nonetheless, the hill combinations of McKinley Hills, Lawton and Bayani Road won my heart. Thus, I'm giving it a 5.

The Run.

It was an event for families to enjoy a run. It was one of the best example of the term fun run. families had fun, runners had fun. Ample hydration stations, happy marshalls, proper route signage and near perfect traffic management. Lawton anf Bayani Road were shared by McHappy and Run BGC runners yet I did not notice any issues on this. Good job everyone. A perfect 5 for this category.

The Pre/Post Events.

One of the secret of coming with a well applauded pre and post event is the choice of event host/s. McHappy day run was right on the spot choosing Donita Rose and the other TV anchor guy. The pre event was really fun and funny. The warm up exercises was also great. The post event is equally comendable as well. All in all it was really a McHappy Day event for everyone. Another perfect 5 for this category.

The Freebies/Kits.

For someone who got a free race kit, I should not be complaining and indeed, I am not. Even those who paid for it may not be complaining at all. The PHP350 registration was, I believe, worth the penny. The post event meal was good (at least I was not expecting for a buffet this time ). The post event free drinks was there. The race kit did not provide a singlet but I think it was totally unecessary. If there is one thing that I could have asked for is a cheaper McHappy Day run shirt. I bought mine at PHP250 and the material is great.  Nonetheless, still another 5 for this category.

The Organizers.

The organizers knew how to put up a memorable fun event. The marshalls were friendly, the event itself is well organized. Registration process was ok. I think the only part where they need to improve is on the race results. I have to wait for 2 weeks to see the actual result. More or less, a 4.5 for this category, to make room for improvement.

My Conclusion.

Once again, this race proved that an event need not to be so grand to be memorable. More importantly, a great cause and a great deal of fun in the most organized way can land an event to a runners heart. Definitely, this is one of the races I can consider as memorable this year. Will I run this event again next year? Yes and I will make sure that I will recommend it to my friends.

Overall Rating.

Photo Section.

Sulyap sa Ulap Moment

Run United 2 : Race Review

The  Run United 2 is the third of the RunRio Trilogy for 2010. A much awaited event from  probably the best run event organizer this year,  RunRio. Similar to the previous RunRio Trilogy, the event was held at Bonifacio Global City. Since this is the last of the three runs, it was held for two days, November 20 and November 21. Here is my review on probably the best race event for 2010.

The Route.

The event made use of the variety of possible routes around Bonifacio Global City. I must admit that most of my runs were held in BGC, thus I have an idea what roads are challenging and which roads are a big “ no-no”. The good thing about it is that RunRio knows them too. The result, therefore, is a combination of flat routes and uphill/downhill roads that made it challenging.  The route information was also provided several weeks prior to the race and more importantly, the distance were accurate. For this, I am handing a perfect 5 for the route.

The Run.

Nothing beats RunRio events in terms of the attention they give to the essentials in a race. The run was overall smooth, minimal clogging of runners at some turn around points especially where different categories meet. Its also a good thing that the organizers  made it a two day event, thus,  minimizing the possibilities of crowding because of the large amount of runners flooding the street. Hydration was superb, long tables were provided to accommodate runners efficiently. Stations were provided at every 1.5km and there was no shortage even on the last kilometer of the 21K route. Bananas and cold sponge were also provided to runners on some categories.  Ambulance was also visible and race marshals are visible on most part of the routes. Did I mention that your name is also displayed on the widescreen as you cross the finish line? Thus, another 5 for this.

The Pre/Post Events.

This is another plus to the event. Baggage counter is organized, no queuing and no lost bag were reported. The pre event program was also a good one, another thing that we see in most RunRio events. Warmups and big screen display on the route and countdown is deserves a thumbs up. The post event was also one of a kind. Distribution of loot bags and drinks was  hassle free, some staffs were also roaming aound the event area to give the bags and drinks, no need to line up. The rest nest that was provided was great, I enjoyed staying in there, freshening up while drinking the free pineapple juice.  The awarding ceremony was also good. Another 5 for this one.

The Kits/Freebies.

Thank you to Unilab for providing nice freebies during  the registration and after the race itself. No to mention the other freebies that were given away after the race and the discount coupon for  New Balance products on some selected stores. The race kit is also commendable, an accurate timing device using D-Tag technology and a nice/comfy  singlet to go with it. Another perfect score for this criteria.

The Organizer.

Kudos to RunRio for delivering what was expected. The marshals were not smiling but were efficient on their job. The big disappointment of course was the release of singlets. None the less, Coach Rio dela Cruz made an apology and tried to make it up for the brouhahahas. For this, I am giving them a 4.5.

My Conclusion.

My review was based on day 1 of the event but I believe these observations are true also to day 2.  With all the praises and good reviews that floated around for this race, we can only conclude that runners knows what races are commendable and what races are forgettable regardless of the registration fees.  The event is a great example what a good tandem of an organizer and a sponsor can deliver. RunRio is a remarkable race event organizer and Unilab is indeed a great sponsor. If only other races learn something from this race then we can only expect thousands of happy runners every end of a race.

Overall Rating:

Photo Section.

Sulyap sa Ulap moment

Medal and Bib

Run Trashvin Run

Adidas King of the Road 2010 : Race Review

After a series of marketing promotion, the much hyped race of the year happened last October 24, 20010 at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Even non runners knew what the Adidas King of the Road is, and a lot have registered for it despite the PHP850.00 pricey registration fee for all race distances. The event boasted 10000 plus runners flooding the streets, excited to run and be considered as the King of the Road.

Registration

I must admit, I had great anticipation for this event. News about it came as early as July on Takbo.ph, the prime online community for runners in the Philippines. It produced raves and rants from runners, both newbie and oldies, because of the high cost of registration involved. Adidas was up for the challenge; they made sure that runners would be lured to running in this event via a barrage of excellent marketing campaigns and gimmicks. The much advertised “buffet meal” , the nice Adidas climacool singlet and other items included in the race pack was more than enough to make the race look good on paper.

Then came the registration days. AKOTR 2009 was marred by chaotic registration procedures, this year they made it sure that it will be improved. Yes, it was a welcome improvement, several registration areas was opened and the race kit can be claimed during the registration day itself. Good news for all wanna be runners like me. Or did I speak too early to appreciate it. Just 2 days after the opening of registration period, 21K slots are already depleted. What! As far as my experience will tell me, shorter distances usually run out of slots first before any other distances. But this one is phenomenal, 21K slots are selling like hotcakes. While others were happy knowing that a lot are into running, some were afraid that a percentage of those who registered for the 21K are only running for the medal. Yes, with equal fee for all distances anyone who wants a value for his/her money would go for the 21K because of the medal. We, in the takbo.ph forum, only hoped that no one will be injured during the race and that everyone will train hard for the event.

 I was in the province when I heard the news. The first thing that I did when I got back is to proceed to Greenbelt or Glorietta to register, keeping my fingers crossed that 21K slots will still be available. Unfortunately, slots were no longer available. I was almost tempted to run the 10K and shoot for the PR mode but my patience got the better part of me. The next few days, Adidas release additional slots for 21K, lucky for me, I got the last one from Runner BHS. My training officially begun …

My Review.

With all the bells and whistles that runners expected, a lot ware disappointed after the event. Let me share my own review on the race and how I looked at some important areas that made the Adidas King of the Road 2010 the most overrated run so far this year.

The Route.

Legions of Black Runners

I would say, any route with challenging hills would mean thumbs up. If there is one thing that makes AKOTR worth running, it is because of the challenging route. What more can you ask for, you have the Kalayaan flyover and the deadly hills of Lawton and Bayani Road in the list.  Needless to say, the route itself deserves a high five. But, when you put runners on it (10000+ at that) plus the small numbers of marshals to guide and control traffic,  this affects the overall look of the route. There were two main bottle necks in the race route. The first one was near the 3Km mark, the potholes and mud was bearable (it actually adds to the fun) but the converging of 21K and 10K runners in a rather narrow street was disastrous. Say goodbye to your PR goal, you will be walking and waiting in a queue for probably a minute.  Another choking point is the Kalayaan flyover, since a lot of the 10K runners preferred walking when they hit the flyover, 21K runner going back to The Fort area had to slow down and sometimes walked because of the congestion. The route was great but not enough to handle the sea of runners in it. Because of this I am giving it a 3.5.

The Run.

Coach Rio and other runners

My run was  smooth, except for the clogging at the two areas mentioned above. I did get a PR, so I am happy. The use of a timing chip is a plus. Visibility of an ambulance was acceptable. Kilometer markers were present, but runners with GPS mentioned that some were placed inappropriately. The hydration system for 21K runners was a big disappointment. No water on the last few kilometer stretch of the run, similar to the 34^Th Milo event. I did bring my own water to keep me hydrated during the last stretch but pity those who did not have any. Since hydration is a prime need for any long distance races, I believe that the organizers should have prioritized it. I was about to give them a 3.5 rating because of this but I remember the cheerers along the way that made the run enjoyable. Thus, a 4 is decent enough for it.

The Pre/Post Event.

I was almost late going to the event. Lucky me, a lot of 21K runners were also hurrying up to make the 5:30 gun start. The initial problem was the baggage counter. Yes, most runners don’t have cars to keep their belongings during the run, thus, a baggage counter is important. Anticipating the number of registrants, the organizers should have considered increasing the number of baggage counters and people manning the area. Or at least, should have put up separate baggage counters for each distance. The distribution of the “packed lunch” was organized, medals were given just after crossing the finish line, and the post program was acceptable. If only no one complained for the chaotic baggage counter management (some even reported that they lost their baggages), I could have given it a high mark. Never the less, I am giving it a 3.5 rating.

The Kits/Freebies.

I will be assessing this one basing on the registration fee. The singlet was a winner. The “buffet breakfast” was a disaster. Freebies? What freebies? I was too happy after getting PR for my 21K that I did not bother much on it. They did mention a donation to a foundation, but given its high cost of registration, I think the runners expected more. Did somebody mention finishers medal what ? Another 3.5 on this criteria.

The Organizers.

I am not sure on who is to blame on the hydration issue. As far as I know, Extribe was the organizer, Powerade  took care of the hydration and Adidas is the main sponsor. Regardless of who to blame, I think all of them a responsible for making sure that it meets the expectation of the registered runners. Sad to say, they did not, the main reason why a lot have expressed their disappointment towards the event. An open letter to Adidas has also been published by a blogger.  I do commend them for the fast release of the unofficial results. With all these issues on the line, I’m giving them a flat 3!

My Conclusion.

Much has been said on this event. The hype-that-was leading to October 24, 2010 was superseded by disappointments. I also expected a lot from this run, but got disappointed at some point. Never the less, I am not complaining so loud because I am happy with my performance  (I got a new PR for 21K) , the one that matters most.  I must admit that the free Adidas singlet and medal were an added motivation, but the main reason why I joined the event is because I believe the Adidas King of the Road is a "must attend" event of the year (aside from the fact that I dig adidas products). For me, it is not the medal, the free buffet and the freebies that makes an event spectacular, it is your performance that matters most. But given the cost of the registration fee and the sad experience that we had during the last 34^th Milo Eliminations here in Manila, I believe that the organizers/sponsors should have done better. From registration to the actual run, there were flaws. Below are some of them:

1.       Equal fee for all distances. This could have been acceptable if all race categories have medals. This could have avoided the sudden depletion of 21K slots. I am just afraid that some registered for 21k only for the medal without minding the distance.

2.       Inconsistent media promotions. Why should they advertise a “buffet” if they will only provide a packed breakfast. Other information that was contained in their original press release was not followed during the actual registration.

3.       Poor/lacking baggage counter. With 10000+ runners, I think the counters are not sufficient. The people manning the available area is not enough even. If they have only been more strict, reports of missing baggage could have been prevented. Lastly, they could have categorized the counter areas by distances.

4.       Poor hydration station management.  No water in the last few kilometers of the 21k leg and a lot of powerade bottles were wasted because they allowed runners to have the bottle instead of just a cup.

5.       Route Planning/Marshalling.  The route was indeed challenging and has also been used on some events aside from AKOTR. There were no problems with it for some events because the number of runners were not as many as we had in AKOTR. I believe that they either miscalculated the number of runners that can be accommodated on these roads or they were not able to field ample marshals to control traffic. Cheating was also possible because of the lack of marshals and the lack of split timing. They could have used the old reliable straw or string marker to at least prevent rampant cheating.

Just like many Takbo.ph forum people have said, runners maybe yelling their complaints now but come next year they will still go out and register for this run and I cannot blame them for doing such. If only Adidas could improve their handling of AKOTR, I believe this can still be the most hyped and most anticipated running event for 2011.

Here are some of my photos during the event :

Running at the Kalayaan Flyover

Me and My Medal

With the Six:30 running group

With the RunningShield

Fort Striders Run : Race Review

This is my long overdue review on the FS Run held last 09.12.10. So here it goes.

The Route

All the while I thought it will be similar to the Miles for Smiles run but some last minute revisions changes the whole thing. The much anticipated Heritage Park visit was axed from the map. The route became a lot flatter than the original but the none the less it is still a good route. There were some turns in the route that caused some merging of runners and a greater chance of cheating (yes, there were cheating as observed by some runners) More importantly, the distance is still accurate.  Thus, I'm giving it a 4 rating.

The Run.

The run went smoothly, I think the smiling marshalls did their job. Hydration is ample but not overflowing. The last water station was still serving water when I got pass it and the visibility of the ambulance is ok. Kilometer markers are again not enough and I think the last 1Km marker was innacurate. Because of the cheap registration, no timing chip or band was used. Rating, 3.5.

The Pre/Post Event

There were no amazing Post and Pre event for this but good thing it started on time. The distribution of  freebies was at least organized and acceptable. Thus, I'm giving it a 4.

The Kits and Freebies

This race has one of the cheapest registration to date. Taking this into consideration I expected a not so satisfying freebies and kits. I did not have the chance to taste the overflowing "taho" and when i tried to ask for another round of Pocari Sweat , the supply was already depleted. I got the "freebies" but it was lacking an energy bar. The singlet was, however, nice, smooth and has a great design. Rating, 3.5.

The Organizers.

Hats off to the organizers for putting up a fun, organized and cheap run. Marshals were smiling all the time. I just wished that they had been more watchful of the cheaters. But they should not be blamed for those shameful runners, the organizers did their job (from registration to the event), some "runners' or to be specific, "running club" just don't have the respect for the sport. Thus, Im giving the Organizers a 4 for their effort.

My Conclusion

In todays running scene where registration fees skyrocketed  to sometimes unreachable prices, the Fort Striders rose above it all and organized a  cheap but commendable running event. Yes, there were some areas for improvements and the event was tainted by some cheating issues but overall, the event is a success.

Overall Rating :

Miles for Smiles : Race Review

Last Sunday, another run for a cause was held at Bonifacio Global City, the Miles for Smiles run.  Here is my overall insight on the event. This will be  my first time to rate any running event that I join in, thus, before I write on I have to lay down the basic things I look for in a run. These are not fixed, it may changed depending on the purpose.

My Criteria

The Route. This criterion is based on the  my overall appreciation of the route. This may include the terrain, the surface, the scenery or the complexity of the route which may annoy the runners or introduce a good challenge to them.

The Run. This is the actual run and all the essentials that comes with it. This does not refer to the persons  but focuses on the factors that have affected the run like the traffic, kilometer markers, hydration stations and safety of the runners.

The Post/Pre Event. This refers to how the opening , closing and all non running events.

The Kit and Freebies. Do I still have to elaborate this?

The Organizers. The people behind the scene and how they handled the race. This may include the marshals along the route.

My Review

The route is a straightforward route. I hate routes with so many U turn slots which becomes very crowded especially if 2 or more categories are merging  on that particular point. For this run, there was just one U turn and I have to like it. The terrain inside BGC is rather flat but the road to Lawton and Heritage Park was challenging because of the series of uphills along the way. A plus would be the loop inside the Heritage Park. The scenery was at its best and pollution was nowhere to be found. The route deserves a 5 rating.

The run is ok. Traffic were managed at the start. This reduced the risk of runners being ran into by cars in the area. Marshals were smiling. The location of hydration station is also good. The way they managed it was also commendable. An improvement would be to make sure that hydration is available until the last stretch of the run. The last 2Km water station does not have water when I passed around them. There were only 3Km markers along the way (Last 3,2 and 1 Km). Having them would be a nice improvement. Ambulance was also visible during the run. Thus, I give them 4 for this.

I found the Pre Event somewhat slow and boring. The gun start for 16K was late because of it. I never attended the post event by I saw a lot enjoying the post events. For this, they got 3.5.

Since this is a run with beneficiaries, I did not expect too much freebies. The singlet is good, the texture is awesome. The finisher shirt was one of the best thing I got from the race (plus the blisters and dead toe nail). Freebies were limited but since this is for a cause, it’s understandable. For this I gave it a 4.

The organizers did their job. The race was more or less organized. The distribution of kits were ok ( I got my registration at ROX). Distribution of finish shirts was also ok . The result came 2 days after the race. A 4 for this criteria.

My Conclusion.

The Miles for Smiles is a great event. The main plus would be the uphills within the route and of course the finisher shirt. There were some aspects that needs improvement but none the less the show was great.

Overall Rating: