ADIDAS KOTR 2011 - SouthEast Asian Championship

One of the longest and prestigeous running event in the most recent resurging era of running during the late 2000 has been the ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD (KOTR) which started on 2008 as a modest running event. This year 2011 the KOTR is cumminating in the Philippinea where the finals for the regional champions of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia will fight it out with the Philippines and elite runners of Kenya stationed in the Philippines for the KING OF THE ROAD title.

With the ADIDAS KOTR scheduled on 23Oct11, I was able to avail of the promotional free registration for the 21k category sometime in August. However as the event came closer I was in doubt if I was physically fit to run the 21k so I have to select to the remaining category which is either the 16k or the 5k. Not wanting to exert much effort I had no alternative but select the 5k category. I then gave my 21k kit to my wife who gave the same to her friend CARLO BELTRAN.

Prior to the gun start for the 21km category, the UAAP Champion for the Cheering Squad competion, the University of The Philippines Pep Squad gave a trilling performance on the starting line. Video of the performance can be seen below;

At 5:00am the 21km runners numbering over 4000 participants was started. To attest to the great number of participants for the 21km the video below took more than 3 minutes for those in the back to cross the starting line.

The 16km event is the category for the KING OF THE ROAD for SOUTHEAST ASIA. This is the distance event to determine the title of KOTR. Champions from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia with the elite runners from the Philippines and those from Kenya are entered in this even. Again for these category the MC mentioned that there are over 4000 runners. The video below will show you the different champions from the region.

Last but not the least it was our event the 5km. In view of the great number of participants the start for 5km was divided into two waves to avoid congestion. I stationed myself on the first wave and at 5:50am I was off and running. The following pictiures I have taken duting the run.

I compeleted the 5km in 33m03sec (unofficial) the distance was short and wanting but was a great event and race.

It event being held in Manila was but a affirmation from ADIDAS to hold the championship event for the KOTR in the Philippines as the country has never experienced the boom and popularity of running as what it is now today.

As of this writing I do not know yet the result of the KOTR but will update this blog when I do have the details.

 

Official Race Result

Congratulations to ADIDAS and to all those who participated.

MassKara Festival 2011 - My Touring Run

I was registered to run during the Nike Manila Run 2011 last 15Oct11, however, I had a late invitation for an all expense paid vacation to attend the Masskara Festival in Bacolod from 15-17^tth October 2011. Without second thoughts, me and my wife were on our way to Bacolod on the morning of 15Oct11.

Feeling guilty to have missed my scheduled run, I made sure that on the early morning of Sunday 16Oct11 despite of staying late the night before after attending the Masskara Festival Arena Competition at the town plaza, I made sure to squeeze in my usual touring run of the places that I visit.

We were billeted at the Grand Regal Hotel located at Araneta Avenue just in front of the Gaisano Mall. I have in the past only taken the route going northwards, however, this time I decided to be a bit adventurous and head southwards of Araneta Avenue. As I have decided only to take around 10k workout, it was safe to go out 5km and back track to complete the 10k workout.

At around 5:00am with daylight setting in I left the Grand Regal Hotel as planned. Just about 1.5km after I found myself at the old airport terminal of Bacolod which has been decommissioned since the Silay Airport has been in operation for the last 3 years. I do not know who owns this place but it was left idle and wasted. It is a pity being on a prime location for mall or a business center.

At 3km I saw a catholic church in sight which solves my intention on where to hear mass during the morning the day being a Sunday. I stopped for a while and asked the name of the church and it was San Jose Labrador at Tangub and the last mass for the morning was 8:30am. Good there was more than enough time to catch the said mass.

Just before hitting the 5km mark I arrived at Manville Royale Subdivision which to my great surprise is being used by a lot of residents in the area as a running/jogging/walking place with wide arterial roads and plenty of fresh air. I was tempted to join the other on their route but dismissed the same as I need to be back in the hotel to catch the 8:30am mass.

When I hit the 5.1km I backed tracked heading to the hotel. The view is already known to me and the only difference is that the temperature has now risen to about 27C and rising as the sun was clearly up on a clear sky.

At 6:18am or about 1h18m00s after I started my workout I was back at the Grand Regal Hotel having logged 10.13km . It was another great touring run that conditioned my body for another hectic day this time to  visit the Mambukal Resort at the foot of Mount Kanlaon. I am looking forward to dip on a hot sulphuric spring a relaxing massage after.

ADIDAS KOTR & NIKE WE RUN MANILA - RACE KIT DISTRIBUTION

For the month of October there will be two popular races sponsored by two equally popuilar running shoes NIKE and ADIDAS.

On October 16^th will be the NIKE WE RUN MANILA and a week after that on October 23rd will be the ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD (KOTR) 2011 which will also serve as the finals for the South East Asia KOTR a major event in the local calendar. The running community are but trilled and excited with most local running enthusiast registered on both races. 

Either by change or for whatever reason, collection of race kit for ADIDAS is at the NBC Tent at Bonifacio Global City from October 10-12^th and NIKE is at Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City from October 11-13^th. Both are just walking distance from one another. Is this only a coincidence and not a commercial strategy?

In this blog I would like to share my personal experience in collecting my race kit for both which I hope is an isolated case and not a general situation.

ADIDAS KOTR – NBC TENT BGC

• -       Collected my race kit on 10Oct11 between 3-4pm.
• -       Presented my claim stub and presented my ID and attendant provided singlet and giveaways in a bag and advised me that my race bib will be delivered to my house as the same is not ready.
• -       Argued with attendant that I received more than 3 email that collection of race kit will be complete. Requested to talk to supervisor to whom I explained incovenience of the matter.
• -       Supervisor asked me if I will accept any race bib number instead of the one that was supposed to be issued to me.
• -       To avoid inconvenience I agreed and the supersor provided me with a race bib 07949 and a timing chip 79649. Only when I went home I noticed the resemblance and difference of both numbers which I hope does not have consequential effect on my actual race data.
• -       Also only after arriving home, I noticed that I was supplied by a size 2XL singlet instead of a size L as is apparent to my confirmation order (refer to copy of registration on the picture above).
• -       The venue and the layout of NBC tent for the distribution as you could see in the pictures are VERY IMPRESSIVE. I hope that my experience is an isolated matter.
• 
  

NIKE WE RUN MANILA – BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

• -       Collected my race kit on 11Oct11 between 4:00-4:30pm.
• -       Presented my claim stub and presented my ID to the attendant.
• -       Attendant advised me that my birthday on my ID is different from their computer which shows January 1, 0000. I told the attendant that obviously that the error is in their computer as there is no January 1, 0000. The same accepted my explanation and revised my birthdate in their computer to my real birthdate.
• -       Learning from my not so nice experience with the Adidas singlet I demanded to see the shirt size in the bag which was a size MEDIUM. I complained and explained that my registration size was LARGE. Attendant could not decide and called the supersivor.
• -       Superviros advised me that he can not do anything but comply to what was indicated on their computer which was a size M. I explained to the supervisor regarding the error on my birthday on their computer which if it was in error then most possibly the shirt size was also in error. Understanding the logic of my explanation, the supervisor agreed to provide me with a size LARGE shirt.
• -       The venue although modest in size and open on the sides was acceptable and well manned and properly laidout. Major complaint I noticed for participants was no issuance of kit to those who who do not have ID to support their claim slips. In fairness to the organizers notice on the ID was well disseminated. 
• -       Again, I hope that my personal experience is an isolated matter. I still am open minded and look forward to a successful race event for  NIKE and ADIDAS. 

       See you all on the races.

My Sentosa Island Run

This week I had to attend a business meeting in Singapore from 29Sep-02Oct. As in my previous trips abroad, I have made it a point that I try as much as possible to sneak in my daily run as possible.

I was booked at the Hard Rock Hotel in Sentosa Island so I was delighted that given the time I shall be a able to do a run around Sentosa Island which is far away from the traffic congeste streets of Singapore and has ben lately developed as a resort island where Universal Studio and so many attraction parks are located.

On Saturday 01Oct11 true enough even with a full daytime schedule I made sure to wakeup earlier to make my run. With my hydration belt and camera on I have decide to make a 10k workout. I started from the hotel lobby at 5:58 am which was still dark as daylight only came at 6:45am. With no particular route in mind, I just took off leading my way to Seloso Point on the the beach fronts of Palawan and Tanjong beaches then to Sentosa Golf Club and backtracking until I found myself back at the Hard Rock Hotel lobby.

The workout was more of a touring run on a relaxed pace giving myself opportunity to take photos along the route. The site and route is really superb and attractive with clean air. I logged 10.60km in 01h43m51s.

An early morning run Sentosa Island in Singapore is a great place to get yourself ready for a day of work ahead.

FAM On The RUN - Medical City Department Of Pediatrics

The MEDICAL CITY Department of Pediatrics are the sponsors for the FAM ON THE RUN held at Venice Piazza at Mckinley Hill Taguig with the RUN FOR CHANGE as organizers for the run event covering 10k/5k/3k categories.

When I arrived Venice Piazza at 5:20am today 25Sep11 most of the participants have already arrived although some where still queued on the parking lot. Unlike on other venues that pay parking is the name of the game, in Venice Piazza parking is FREE for participants of the running event. I am not expecting much of this race not being the commercialized running events of the usual but more of a fun run and fund raising event in particular for the Medical City Department of Pediatrics Charity Patients. If I may say this is a very worthy cause by the doctors of Medical City.

At 6:00am the 10k runners were started making use of the usual Mckinley Hills route which is very hilly then to Lawton both ways before proceeding to Bayani road all the way to Heritage Park and back to Mckinley Hill ending at Venice Piazza. There were more than ample supply of hydration fluids and marshals stationed on major intersections to guide runners. The organizers RUN FOR CHANGE did their job well and for a fun run this race was well handled.

I completed the 10k with unofficial time of 01h 15m 31sec. To my surprise after crossing the finish line I was handed a FINISHERS MEDAL which was very generous of the sponsors to make the fun run a memorable one.

To the Doctors of Medical City Pediatrics Department thank you for a great Sunday morning. Take of of those sick little children who have less in life.

AXN Runs Philippines - Great Route/Race, Personal Injury, Expensive Parking Fee

The Race Event Sponsor – AXN

AXN is the leading action and adventure cable channel in Asia. AXN is but only one of the six channel brands in the region that is wholly-owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The others being Animax, ONE, Sony Entertainment Television, AXN Beyond, and PIX.

The Race Event – AXN Runs Philippines

The race event was held today starting at F.Ortigas Jr. Road at the Origas Business Complex covering 21k/10/5k/3k events. This event’s main attraction is veering from the usual road race venues in MOA, BGC, Diliman, Roxas Boulevard instead shifted to Ortigas Center in Pasig using Julia Vargas Street, C5 and Katipunan Road in Quezon City. The 21k event made use of four flyovers namely Rodriiguez, Ortigas, Santolan, and Katipunan with even a tunnel run at the Santolan-Katipunan Tunnel. Both the 10k and 5k were also very scenic making use of the Ortigas Flyover in C5.

My 10k Experience

This being my first experience to join a race event in Ortigas Center I made time allowance to be able to find a suitable parking area near the starting line. It was not difficult as the organizers provided enough info on where to park giving varied options for participants to select their parking areas. At 5:00am I was already at the starting holding area and was very much surprised that the venue was well glittered by various tents for race support, exhibitors booths and race essential requirements and a big stage with massive sound system. There was great excitement in the air. Although I was only expecting a modest number of participants the actual number was beyond what I expected as there were quite a substantial number of particiapnst for the 21k and 10k (I did not see the start of 5k and 3k). The 21k event was gunned off at 5:30am and followed by the 10k at 05:45am.

My Personal Accident

Barely 0.8km from the starting line along Julia Vargas Street I was taking advantage of the down hill run. While on a careless uncontrolled downhill speed, I accidentally stepped on the REFLECTOR STEEL MECHANISM STUD that are rivetted on the road as lane separators causing me to lose footing and fall on my fours injuring both my hands and my right knee. I immediately stood up and was graciously assisted by three runners and feeling more embarrassed rather than the pain at first, I told the runners that helped me that I am ok and proceed back to my run. After just about a minute back on my run I could feel numbness in my right hand but after assessing my overall feeling decided to proceed with the race.

The Race Support

There were more than sufficient race marshals along the route. In particular I am very much impressed that the organizers were able to get the full cooperation of the MMDA and the Pasig traffic group that you could kind in clusters along major intersections to ensure safety of the runners. The distance along the route were well marked for every kilometer marker with complete directional signs. Along the route, there are even portalet facilities for runners who wishes to relieve themselves. The hydration support for water and sports drinks is well provided (there is even a banana station for the 21k). This race event was diligently prepared and executed and I wish to congratulate AXN the sponsor and the rcae organizer Finishline.

Again I would like to mention that the race route is the best for me that could be made available in metro Manila.  I hope other organizers and race events would make use of Ortigas and C5 route as an alternative to the usual.

I completed my 10k event iunofficially at 01h 115min 52sec. Even with my injury sustained I still am thankful that I did this race.

Race Downside

I have only one negative comment for the race event which is not actually race related but that of the PARKING FEE. I was all smiles driving my van to the exit of the parking lot when I submitted my parking ticket I was asked to pay P100.00 for a 2 hour parking. Usual parking fee in BGC or MOA is only P30.00 and at Ortigas Ruby Prestige Parking I was receipted by Secure Citiparking Philippines Corporation OR 130023618 amounting to P60.00 as Flat rate and OR130023619 as VAT and 12% VAT amounting to P40.00 for a total of P100.00 This was something for the books. What a downer!

Fort Striders Run 2011 - Another Race By Runners For Runners

Three weeks has passed since my last road race not that there has not been any road races since then but rather that the past three weeks has been raining and the weather has not been endusive to running.

This Sunday with good weather forecasted I made sure that I had myself registered in the Fort Striders Run 2011 which is a local running club who are based at Fort Bonifacio Global City. You may check their website here  The race event consisted of 16K/10K/5K/3K and was flagged off with the16K runners first at 5:30am followed by the other categories every 5 minutes interval. As what was expected the number of participants were not that spectacular but would be on the modest scale.

I was enetered at the 10K event and at 5:35am we were gunned off with basically the normal route in Bonifacio Global City however extending a third of the Katipunan flyover span as an added attraction. Hydration support are more than enough with well maintained security and marshals on stratigic points. I have all praises for The Fort Striders Running Club in sponsoring a well organized road race. Fort Striders used as their race organizer MIB Road Race Specialist. I have one minor comment which I hiope the sponsor and organizers could improve, the distance for the 10k was short of 0.25km maybe a more diligent distance measurement in the future. However, the distance markers were positioned along the route. The main attraction of this race was that the registrration fee for 10K was only P400.00 somethoing that you find very unusual now a days particularly on commercialized races. FS Run 2011 is another race event by runners for runners.

I completed my 10K in 01h16m38sec (unofficial) nothing spectacular but a well spent morning with fellow runners.

To Fort Striders Club Congratulations for a good race.

Run United 2 - 16000 Runners

Today 21Aug11 as early as 3am all roads were leading to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for the Run United 2 which is the 2^nd Leg of the Runrio Trilogy. The event marks also the 4^th year of RUNRIO in organizing local road races who are primariy one of if not the main driving factor in the popularity of running in the Philippines today which has never had it as big as what it is now.

In 2007 when Runrio did their first race event there were only1888 registered runners which at that time was already considered a big crowd. Today, after 4 years Run United 2 generated 16000 registered runners (21k/3500 10k/5000 5k/3k/500m/balance). For a single day event I think this number is something for the records. In this magnitude of participants a major factor is crowd management which I would like to congratulate RUNRIO to have a done a good job in making sure of safety and orderliness during the event.

Participants that joined the event have their own individual reasons for picking up the sport of running. Whatever they may be, it is still a step forward for the well being of each individual person. What has fascinated me were the smile and glow in the faces of the participants and even the non-participants who came along to see their family and/or friends.

As I was entered in the 10k event I was able to watch the gun start for the 21k which was a sight to behold with all 3500 runners just for the 21k event. The 10k event due to the number has reached 5000 the gun start was in two waves starting from 5:30am and folowed 3 minutes after for safety reasons. This was followed by the 5k/3k/ and the 500m events for kids.

I completed my 10k event in an unofficial time of 01h11m51s and a ton of joy in my heart to share the road with the different runners in all walks of life.

Happy 4^th anniversary to RUNRIO and may you continue to deliver world class road races in the Philippines.

Run and Leap - Making a Difference

This weekend was another of those small scale running event for awhortwhile cause, for the benefit of OLOLH CHARITY PATIENTS. Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital Medical Staff Organization, Inc. sponsored a ( click on distance to see route) 3K  a 5K and a 10K run and and organized by Run For Change.

The venue was at Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill, Taguig City. When I arrived the venue at around 5am officers of the sponsoring organization were already on the stage and providing the needed informations to participants and encouraging words to set the tempo before the gunstart. There were welcoming speeches, prayers and aerobic warm up to liven the crowd. At 6am the 10K event was gun started and followed in intervals by the 5K and 3K events.

I would like to congratulate the organizers for a sucessful and well organized event. For possible improvement in future the following could be improved, correct positioning of the distance markers which were not consistent to the actual distances. In particular,  the 6km marker and the 7km marker was less than 0.5km apart and the total 10km distance was short being only 9.81km. However, marshalling on street junctions, hydration stations were well handled. Again, for a non commercialized road race it was a success.

I completed by 10k (9.81km by my Garmin 310xt) after 01h12m53s it was a struggle on my part considering the route was hilly comparative to the usual BGC route and that the race started already at 6am which brought about temperature at 28F by 7am considering the clear skies.

Conratulations to OLOLH Medical Staff Organization, Inc. - you made a diffenece.

35th Milo Manila Elimination - Singing Dancing Running In The Rain (sidelight KSwiss Kwicky Blade Light)

In the Philippines when you mention the product of Nestle’s MILO it is but synonymous to RUNNING. Milo Marathon is on its 35^th year and on July 31, 2011 it was the Manila Eliminations.  The 42k and 21k events had their qualifying time that will eventually culminate to the 35^th Milo National Finals. As always there were also the 10k 5K and 3k events.

This year the weather was not as cooperative as in the past for this morning it was not only raining, but, it was pouring hard very hard. However, there were still a great number of runners who braved the rain for all the categories. It makes me wonder what can prevent these runners from running?

Due to the rain and the traffic congestion on the junction at Macapagal Highway and EDSA leading to Mall Of Asia (MOA) I barely made it to the starting pen of the 10k event.  It can be considered some sort of a blessing as I need not soak it out in the rain while waiting for the gun start. At exactly 5:30am the starting gun was sounded amidst heavy rain and streets littered with ponds of water.

Milo Marathon in past has generated one of the most well attended if not the most attended road race. However, due to the weather condition, I would safely say that more than half of the usual number preferred to stay at home. For those that endured the rain, it was a great experience. It was singing, dancing and running in the rain.

01h13m26s after the start I crossed the finish line. The rain did not let up from start to finish and I was astonished to see that they were still runners and supporters awaiting for the awarding program to start despite of the rain.  I did not bother to linger around the activity area, but choose to proceed to my car and head home for a well deserve hot shower.

The 35^th Milo elimination in Manila was a rain experience. Singing, dancing and running in the rain. Congratulations to all runners and to Nestle’s Milo Marathon Team. 


Posted hereunder is my official 10k results;

SIDELIGHT – K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Light

Last 21Jul11 I bought myself a K-SWISS KWICKY BLADE LIGHT at their Glorietta 4 outlet store. Today at the 35^th Milo Elimination I tested the shoes. It had a nice fit and ride all throughout my event. However when I arrived home I noticed that yellow lining of the front foxing at the uppers of the shoe has separated. I love how the shoe responded in the rain run, however, it’s a great disappointment for the durability. Considering the cost is P6,500.00+ I brought the shoe back also today to the store. Being a Sunday I was promised that the quality control of their head office will give a feedback by Monday. I hope and pray that I get a replacement shoe. Let us see what is the after sales dependability of K-Swiss. 


(update as of 1Aug11 KSwiss outlet in Glorietta informed me that my defective pair of shoe will be change soonest the new stock of Kwicky Blade Lights arrive from USA)


(update as of 13Aug11 I received my replacement Kwicky Blade Lights from KSwiss Glorietta - Great after sales support and special thanks to store staff Richard and Fatima, I highly recommend this product in particular the professional after sales support)