Today 16Jul09 is the first day of Race Pack collection for the Globe “Run For Home” as organized by FinishLine located at Bonifacio High Street. For the local race to be abreast and in tune with international road racing standard, FinishLine is adopting two new race procedure locally, the designation of a fix day/s (16-18July) as distribution day for race packs and the application of a “disposable timing chip” which will be used by all runners to determine their timing during the race. A much awaited improvement on local road races.
With the heavy rain experienced the whole day all over Metro Manila, I had my doubts and apprehension if the distribution of race packs will be orderly or the distribution will even push through at that because of the heavy rain.
At about 4:15pm today I arrived at the Bonifacio High Street and proceeded to ROX which was the published location for the distribution. I was re-directed by the guard to proceed to the square bounded by Nike and Krispy Kreme.
I was surprised that even with the heavy rain, there were more than enough staff from Finishline and Globe manning the tents and were actually in the process attending to the needs of the runners in their registration and collection process.
I got even a bigger surprise that the distribution line and procedure was systematic and hassle free. There was a designated tent for “on-line registrants” and those that registered with Globe Business Centres have also a designated tent. There was a designated table for those that have refunds to collect. For information of others, there was a P90.00 “over-charged” during the initial on-line registration. The refund was provided in cash with expediency. As for the P300 Globe Card there was also a designated tent and staff to handle the same.
Overall, I was able to collect my race pack in five (5) minutes and that was in heavy rain. Understandably, you need to equip yourself with your own umbrella or rain gear.
If what I have experience today will be their standard, I congratulate Finishline and Globe for handling this part of the race very well in deed. This is a great assurance that the race will go on rain or shine.
See you all at the starting line on Sunday, 19July09 at 5:00am
