First things first! Overall rating for the Men’s Health All Terrain Race held today 21Jun09 at the Sta Elena Estate was “An Outstanding Success, a race organized and conducted to International Standards”. To the Sponsors Men’s Health Magazine, Sta Elena Estate and all other major and minor sponsors, your money’s worth was well spent! To the organizers Finishline.ph , the whole group of Coach Rio Dela Cruz you did it again, better yet, I would say that this is your best of the best. Congratulations to all of you.
(late posting 22Jun09 1200 hrs) - I received a comment on my blog from a certain LET GUIEB that he/she is personally aware that a participant in the race had their car opened and lost some personal belonging. To put matters on the right perspective, I deem it right to add this late posting in my blog and call the attention of FINISHLINE to investigate the matter and come up with a report and possible corrective measures to satisfy the needs of the running community)
From Parking arrangement, security, race starting line chute, water stations, support of Sta Elena Estate, photovendo staff, booths and the numerous marshals in the field it was a perfect set up. The route was challenging to beginners with a lot of twist and turns. The course track is more like a “Snake Trail Run” as could be seen on my Earth Google Map from my Garmin 405. This is one race that even though it was a trail run, it was next to impossible that a runner will get lost or be out of track as the trail was cordoned and marshals well positioned on critical points and/or on two way traffic sections.
Great as it was, two points that could further be improved would be (a) sound system – a much louder/bigger sound could be considered in the future to booster a festive atmosphere (b) further improvement of the trail course to include possible creek and muddy areas to lift the bar of course handicap. These two items are not complaints, but, only recommendation to further enhance the race standard. Even as early as now they have already announced the same venue for next year! Take a bow guys!
I have been to Sta Elena on numerous occasions, but, primarily as a golfer wherein Sta Elena is well known to have “fast greens” and “professional greens keeper for maintenance” so much so that their services has been used by various golf course s in the country. The trail route lives to the same level of standards that Sta Elena is known. A segment of the trail run was running alongside the fairway which was great. This is one time I can say that “I was out of bounce but well within the trail running rules with no penalty to take” great view of the fairway from a lost ball perspective on the out of bounced area!
I completed the 10K trail run in 01h20m54s nothing spectacular, but, it was a race worth the money and effort to travel. The crowd was great and seeing familiar faces was an assurance of being at home. My only regrets was that today was Father’s Day” so I have to leave as soon as possible and be with the family. To all the fathers that run today, that was our gift to ourselves a relaxing early morning run, no need to do the household chores today! That’s only today mind you.
Let us get spoiled for the day. Happy Father’s Day!
