Race Review: Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run 2009

Race: Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run 2009
Date: November 22, 2009
Venue: SM Mall of Asia
Organizer: CEMG

Two weeks ago S, A and I decided to join Del Monte’s Fit ‘n Right Fun Run. The fact that it was going to be held at MOA was reason enough for me and S to join it. It was in MOA where we clocked in our record breaking 10K PR, which is 00:52. I was thinking that if we run in MOA again, we just might just clock in a new one. So without hesitation, S, A and I registered ourselves for the race and eagerly waited for November 22.

The 2009 Timex Run was the race to beat. It was very well organized and everything that the runners needed were there. It wasn’t perfect (nothing is) but it was a GREAT race nonetheless. My expectations for Del Monte’s race are the same with that of Timex. I was hoping, no I was sure, that Del Monte will give us a great race just like Timex did. The mere fact that it was being backed up by a major multinational manufacturing firm tells me that this is one race I shouldn’t miss. I mean, Del Monte wouldn’t put their name and reputation on the line, right? I guess I spoke too soon.

Witness the tragedy that is Del Monte’s Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run 2009.

Registration

• S was the one who registered the group for the race. According to S, registration was a breeze. She just went to Del Monte’s BHS office to register us and that was it. Fast and Easy. She was just asked to come back a few days after to pick up our race packets.
• When S registered, she saw how organized the race packets were arranged. Every packet was sealed she said and had the names of the runners indicated on the seal strip. When she mentioned this to me, I must admit I was impressed on how neatly and orderly the registration was.
• Come race packet claim day, S went back to the BHS office of Del Monte to claim the race packets for us three but unfortunately she was only able to get hers. According to the staff that helped her, she would have to come back that afternoon for mine and A’s race packets.
• S was a bit disappointed when she found out that she had to come back but left with no choice she returned that afternoon to get the packets. It was a good thing that S lives near BHS.
• As promised S was able to get my packet and A’s that afternoon. Kudos to the organizer for being able to keep their promise.

Route

• I have always liked the flat race that the MOA grounds give to runners. I’m pretty sure a lot of runners PR’ed this morning, thanks to the great and flat race course.
• I have and will always be a water baby, so running in MOA, is really something I look forward to. I like the cool sea breeze that hits my face every time I run there. Now, if only that sea breeze would also smell good but then again, that’s already asking for too much.

Use of Technology

• Del Monte and CEMG introduced another hi-tech way of tracking runners during a race this morning. Instead of using the champion chip, they used an RFID (radio frequency ID) device to track everyone.
• A clear plastic sheet was attached on the top part of our bib. If you look at it first it’s just that, a sheet of plastic but if you turn it over, it will reveal very thin sheets of metal that is embossed inside the plastic.
• Good job to CEMG and Del Monte for introducing an alternative way to track racing times. Nice!

Logistics

• Now for the most important part of this race review.
• Portalets?

• When S and I arrived at MOA at around 5:15am, we immediately felt the need to relieve ourselves. So we immediately went to the Starbucks near the starting area but unfortunately it was jam packed with people who also needed to go to the john. So we just decided to use the mall’s comfort rooms. When we got to the mall grounds we were told by the guard that the CRs were still closed, so naturally we asked the guard where can we pee, the only answer we got is a blank face. Ugh.
• So anyway, we asked another guard and he pointed us to the walkway bridge. We weren’t sure if we were even being led to the right direction but we followed anyway. When we got there, there were portalets all right but there were long lines as well. So S and I just sucked it up and fell in line. While waiting in line, I thought that as long as I can get to pee it’s no big deal. I should be even thankful that they have portalets.

• Starting Time/Crowd Control?

• According to the flyers the call time for the race was 4am and official start time was 6am. When I first saw the flyer for the race and saw that there was no distinction as to the start times of the 3 different routes, I was surprised. I immediately asked myself, “Are they going to let everyone run all at the same time?” Well, I guess that was the plan.
• When S and I arrived at the starting line, we immediately saw a huge crowd gathered around the starting point already. It was as if almost all the 3K, 5K, and 10K runners were already there and ready to start. It was really crowded but you can’t blame anyone since there was no distinction that was made beforehand when it comes to the starting times for the different routes.
• At around 5:50, 10 minutes before the race, the host started announcing that there will now be a gap of 5 minutes for every route. The 10K runners will go first then the 5K and 3K respectively. The host politely asked the runners to vacate the starting area so they can sort out the runners. No one moved, including me.
• They didn’t control the crowd at the onset where it could have been manageable. A simple announcement from the host that only the 10K runners are allowed to stay on the starting area would have done the trick but nnnooo, nobody thought of it so now they have to deal with hundreds of runners who are already itching to run.
• The flyer said that the official gun time would be at 6am. 6am passed but no gunshot. We just kept hearing the hosts talking about something while most of the runners are now starting to get agitated.
• 6:10, still no gunshot. What we got instead was a warm up session. As the instructor showed us how to warm up, everyone was already shouting:

“Tama na yan! Start na!
“6:15 na hoy! Takbo na!”

• As the poor guy continued to show us his moves, some people are already booing and shouting unkind words. I couldn’t blame them. The instructor was asking everyone to move to their left and to their right, but how can we, when there was barely enough room for us to even turn around.
• The guy continued his routine, when it came to the point where he started saying:

“Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa!” as he jumped up and down. S and I heard one runner say;

“Pag di ka tumigil dyan, pa-pa-papatayin kita!”

• S and I couldn’t help but to feel sorry for the guy. We know he was just doing his job but I can’t blame the runner also, more than 15 minutes have passed since the indicated start time but still no gunshot was being fired.
• Then out of the blue, with no warning at all, the gunshot was fired. It caught everyone by surprise so the natural reaction of almost everyone was to just run for it.
• What a way to start a race…

• Distance/Route Markers?

• The organizers placed ample road signs for all the runners. They were very easy to see and read. The signs were color coordinated which made it easy for all runners to follow their route.
• What I do miss from the signs though is the distance marker. It didn’t say how far have we gone thru the race but it’s okay, I have my Nokia Sports Tracker with me to help me out on that one. Again, no big deal.

• Water Stations? (Breathing deeply, really, really deep).

• WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?!
• CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE WAS NO MORE WATER TO DRINK JUST AFTER THE 5K MARK?!
• CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN, HOWCOME THERE WAS WATER IN ONE STATION BUT NO CUPS?!
• CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THERE WERE FREEBIES AT THE END OF THE RACE BUT NO WATER DURING THE RACE ITSELF?!
• EEEXXXPPPLLLAAAIIINNN! (Breathing deeply again, this time really, really, really deep).
• Okay, now I feel better. I’m going to throw this question to Del Monte and to the race organizer, CEMG. I’m not sure if this is the first time that you have organized a running event, but did someone tell you how important water is to us runners? I cannot believe what just happened back there! After the first 5K lap, it was as if El Nino just arrived and it made all the water in MOA evaporate!
• There were no more water for anyone, at all. ZERO. NADA. NULL. WALA.
• There was one station, I think somewhere along the 6K mark that had one jug that had a little water left in it. Problem is that the station had no more cups. So one poor thirsty runner had to drink from the spout of the jug. WTF?!
• I know we’re in a third world country but this is just pushing it! You guys are unbelievable! I have never joined a race that asked its runners to drink from the spout of a jug! Not even the small races that we joined in the past did this to us! (Breathing deeply again).
• Is it really that hard guys to get at least 10 jugs of water at each water station? I’m pretty sure that there was no single station in the entire route that had more than 6-8 water jugs. I’m so sure about that!
• Water is the most basic necessity in a race and for you guys to neglect it is simply UNFORGIVABLE. No amount of apologies is going to satisfy me, or S or the other runners who felt that they were treated as dirt this morning.

• Extras
• I was so mad and thirsty when I finished the race that I didn’t even care about the freebies anymore.
• Though, I saw a lot of people carrying big clear plastic loot bags with tons of stuff in it. So I guess, they had lots of freebies after the race.

Updates:
I just received a couple of emails from other Fit ‘n Right runners this morning. All of them were congratulating me for not bothering with the freebies anymore. According to them the claiming of freebies was also a disaster in itself. Why am I not surprised?

• Summary
• This has got to be, without a doubt, the WORST race that I have ever joined this year!
• This event had everything going for it, it had a major multinational company backing it, it was held at a great location, and 4,000+ runners were genuinely excited about it, but I guess the very poor planning and lack of foresight in the part of the organizers ruined it all.
• I really have to say that the guys from the UP Circle of Entrepreneurs who organized the Race against Cancer last November 8 did a much better job and they were just students! Aaarrrggghhh!
• Here’s a thought from a runner, I’m more than willing to give up my freebies and even my singlet if it means that I’ll get my water during the race. Yes, that’s how important water is for runners.
• In your next race, if you have no plans of giving out water, just say so. Runners prepare for their races. We would be more than happy to bring our own water next time.
• I’m really glad that the sport of running is experiencing a renaissance lately but what really irks me though is how some race organizers (I’m speaking in general here) are blatantly taking advantage of the situation. It seems like some are just in it for the profit. Their utter disregard for the welfare of the runners are so obvious that it makes me want to run as fast as I can to their offices and snap the necks of the people who are managing these firms.
• To Del Monte and CEMG, don’t you DARE say that the event was a success. IT WAS A TOTAL FAILURE! You are both UNFIT and definitely NOT THE RIGHT team to organize a race.
• AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!

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