January 31, 2010 Road Races - Test Your Choice

On January 31, 2010 runners will have 3 options to select which road race they would like to participate. It is now up to each individual which event they wish to support and participate into. Selections are as follows;

Takbo Para Sa Libreng Kolehiyo (1k/3k/5k/10k/21k) at MOA
Run Assumption Run (3k/5k/15k/21k) at MOA
Book Run 2010 (3k/5k/10k) at the Fort

The first two events will be at the Mall of Asia (MOA) and if their race route maps will be our reference, they will both be overlapping and using the same street at the Coral Lane just in front of the catholic church at the MOA. Who, How and Why such a matter was allowed by MOA administrators is an issue by itself. As of this writing both events are not giving in from one another so it is a definite ingredient for a chaos. Further, Takbo Para Sa Libreng Kolehiyo organizers have insisted on a projected figure of 50,000 participants! The figure is statistically improbable for a running event and an unrealistic venue and race route for 50,000 participants. As both and all events have worthwhile charitable causes, I still hope for the success of all. However, given the facts for the races at the MOA grounds, it is a sure formula for a chaos.

This now leaves “Book Run 2010” at the Fort. I do not say that this event will result to a better race come January 31, 2010. However, if marketing flyers and promotions will be the basis, this race will offer your money’s worth. For a registration fee of P450 it has a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for its timing mechanism, finishers’ medals for 10k participants and a singlet. Further, the race event will be the only event at The Fort on the said day. For these reasons, I selected this race to participate in.




I have already with me my race bib, race route, singlet and the RFID tag. Alas and behold, the RFID tag does not have any explanation or accompanying guide for correct usage except that it has been stapled to the race bib. This is the second time RFID is being used locally and we all know what happened and resulted during the “Fit and Right” run the first time it was used. There was no accompanying instructions so much so that runners did not even know what was that plastic strip stapled on their bib. Unlike the championship chips that uses the foot mat sensors for sure signal pickup, the sensors for the RFID tags needs to be in line with the overhead sensors that will be installed on the start/finishing arc. It also requires a runner to make sure that when he crosses these sensors either his head or hands are not blocking the line of sight. I just hope that the organizers will take extra effort to provide the required information to all runners without resulting to delay during the race day itself.

To fellow runners, it is now up to us to choose the race event to support. In the end, even if we have selected a failed race event, our consolation is that we have supported a charitable cause. Running is not only good business now a days, but, to these charitable organization it has been a open field. I just hope and pray that they do actually receive their actual share of the proceeds.

If none of the 3 events fancy you, then just RUN its FREE only RACE EVENTS cost money. For charitable purposes, allow P100 and give directly to your choice oof charitable instituton.