Condura Skyway Marathon 2012 - Race Day Pics and Review

Last Saturday midnight, February 04, 2012, the first midnight race in the country was held at the Condura Skyway Marathon 2012. The event venue was at Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

For the 42K or full marathon event, the race route covered five (5) cities from Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Pasay and Makati. And having the Skyway for runners only once a year is indeed a great race event aside from running in the first organized midnight run!

Also ran the Skyway for fellow runners Shiela & Rona

Due to the far venue, I opted to be more early in going to the venue, and as early birds, I was the first to buy a Pinoy Fitness singlet at their booth, at the photo above is Michael, a fellow PF peep. During my first full marathon, I wore a PF Tech shirt, this time around a new PF singlet :-)

Before wave D gunstart with PF peeps

Condura also implemented wave starts, the same as last year. Since I registered late, my race bib was already at 42K wave D, or the last wave. But it was all okay because I have a lot of Pinoy Fitness peeps with me. Above photo includes Joebert, Chona, Gerald, Jared, Grace and some fellow runners :-)

Still energetic at around 15K mark

At the first half of the marathon course, Joebert, Edrick, Daniel, Jared, Grace and I maintained our pace group and had some time taking photos. The above photo was taken by Edrick. But as we progressed I observed that there were so few hydration that offered 100 plus or the partner electrolyte drink. This was a thumbs down for the organizers as I have counted only four station with 100 plus all through-out the 42K route.

Obviously at 27Km mark :-)

Approaching the 30K mark, a fellow runner, Gilbert joined our pace group which was already trimmed down to Joebert, Daniel and me. Jared and Edrick made their advance break-away and Grace slowed down.And after reaching 30K plus distance, we already felt the fatigue and cramps. It was good that for the first time I brought a superscent oil and also my ever medicine buddy- mefenamic acid (pain killer).

At around 33K mark, I had my wall which made me felt so tired and just wanted to walk. But I was determined to push myself though our target of finishing sub 5H was already not possible. That time, I made a break away to my pace group and made a solo run for the remaining kilometers until the finish line. My unofficial finish time is 5:30 - 5:35, I was so tired that I forget to check on the clock upon crossing the finish line :-(

After crossing the finish line

It was also great to meet new peeps in the running community like Gilbert from Laguna who joined us in our pace group until the past 32K mark, Randy Miranda, a fellow PF and OK OK runner, Rain Eloriaga and not to forget Doc Gracielle Daya, friend of my wife whom I failed to meet during Run United 2. Nice meeting you guys!

With Doc Gracielle. Credits to her camera :-)

All in all the race was great! In summary, here's the good and bad based in my observation for the full marathon event.

Good:
1.Conquered 5 cities in just one race
2. New route and utilized the whole stretched of the Skyway from Muntinlupa to Makati
3. First midnight run in the country (so were pioneer!)
4. Overflowing Summit water
5. Festive mode with the fireworks
6. Wide event area (that you need to really walk around just to get your medal and baggage)
7. Wave start avoided congestion (but for 42K runners of around 1,700 only, do we really need it?)
8. Post-race massage treat for 42K runners (but I think there should be more tents)

Bad:
1. Only four station with 100 plus drink (long distance runners need electrolytes, not just water). Most runners also did not like 100 plus, as it tasted bad. Powerade or Pocari would be better, but Gatorade would be best!
2. Only one banana station at km20, no more, no less (the DOLE bananas are also not that ripe). QCIM3 only got 1 station but runners passed by that station twice, for Condura it's only at u-turn # 2 at NAIA toll and no return.
3. There should be a dedicated Photo booth or loots for 42K. Running that distance then you need to que again to get your photo taken is a torture (that's why I do not have photo booth pics on my 1st FM also on my 2nd FM at Condura).

Well, that's all for now. Congratulations everyone! Stay safe, run happy, live life!

Photo links:

Runners Toe - click HERE.
Pinoy Fitness - click HERE.
Kewl Runnings - click HERE.
Condura FB Page - click HERE.
Activemoments - click HERE.

More photo links will be added upon availability.

Nike We Run Manila 10K Race Tee

Last Wednesday, October 12, we claimed our Nike We Run Manila10K Race Packs which includes Race Tee, Nike Sports bottle, D-tag timing chip and Race information brochure.

My Nike race tee :-)

Of course, it will not be complete without some photo ops at the Nike claiming center, I could share only some pics due to storage problem here.

Posing with my Nike Race Pack

Running buddy Sam

Nike We Run Manila 10K will be happening this 5PM today, October 15 at the Bonifacio Global City.

See you on the road guys!

35th National Milo Marathon Manila Leg - Race Day Pics

It's almost 2 days after the 35th National Milo Marathon Manila leg which was held last Sunday, July 31, 2011 at the Mall of Asia grounds. This is the time that my leg, foot and body pains appear but all was part of the challenge and fun of being a runner.

This 35th National Milo Marathon Manila leg was a rainy one, and it was my first rainy 21K run. It was great to run in the rain, no worries for heat stroke, just still rehydrate to replenish the body fluids. The negative side is the wet shoes and wet socks which eventually will give you blisters.

As the official results at the Bazu Sports indicated, I finished at 2:17 hours which is around my regular 21K time but I got confused with the timers at the finish line which indicated a different time when I crossed the line. But anyway, its the experience that counts not the time :-)

And I am happy to meet new peeps in the running community like Miss Gracie, Miss Pam and Doc Minnie among others. Thanks and nice meeting you guys!

Running peeps, photo taken by Ms. Gracie

Photo finish! Taken by Miss Rexie

For more race day pics, please visit my FB page or click HERE.

See you on the road guys!

35th National Milo Marathon Manila Leg - Race Day Tomorrow

In few hours from now, the gun start for the 35th National Milo Marathon Manila leg will fire for the different race categories at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

I signed up for the 21K category and it will be my sixth (6th) run on the same category for this year. Milo Marathon has been implementing cut-off time for the race, for 21K the cut-off time is 2:30hrs. 

For my past half marathon races, my fastest time is 2:04 at the Run with the Masters last April 17, 2011 and my slowest time is 2:18 garnered during my first 21K run at the Condura Skyway Marathon last February 6, 2011 as well as during my back to back 21K run at Goldilocks 45th Anniversary Run (May 15) and Greentennial Half Marathon (May 22).


Though, my previous finishes were inside the cut-off time, I am still uncertain especially if the weather would be rainy or wet. I just hope it will be a good and exciting run tomorrow.


Lastly, I would like to share the last few reminders from the race organizers, Runrio, Inc.

~

Hello 35th Milo Marathon Manila Leg participants!

The starting gun for this year’s edition of this legendary race will be fired a number of hours from now. As we end our final preparations tonight, we at Runrio together with Nestle Philippines, Inc. would like to leave you with the following last minute reminders:

RACE DETAILS:

1. The 35th Milo Marathon Manila Leg will be held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. This is a new venue considering that the past Milo Marathons in Manila were held at the Quirino Grandstand area.
2. The following are the gun start times per category, please do get to the race venue (SM Mall of Asia grounds) early to avoid any inconvenience in case you arrive when the affected roads are closed already.

Race Category	Gun Start	Race Maps
3K Kiddie Run	5:30AM	3K map
5K Fun Run	5:30AM	5K map
10K	5:30AM	10K map
21K	5:00AM	21K map
42.195K	4:00AM	42.195K map

3. Open Car Parks within the SM Mall of Asia vicinity are located at:
- Block 12 – event area
- Block 16 carpark
- Imax parking
- Discovery parking
- Block 2
- Block 14
- South open parking facing SMX
- North Parking Building
- South Parking Building
4. Display your race bib clearly on the front of your singlet at all times during the race. Failure to do so will result to disqualification.
5. Please run only in the race category you registered in. If you did not, your timing will not be considered/counted.
6. Do not forget to write your personal details at the back of your race bib. This is essential in the event of emergency.
7. Runners should wear their Milo Marathon singlets during the race or they will not be allowed to run.
8. Official cut-off times for each race category will be implemented. Only those who met the cut-off times of their race category will be eligible to the Finisher’s Certificate (all categories), Finisher’s Medal (21km and 42km) and Finisher’s Shirt (42km).

Race Category	Cut-off Time
3K Kiddie Run	1 hour after official start of race
5K Fun Run	1 hour after official start of race
10K	1 1/2 hours after official start of race
21K	2 1/2 hours after official start of race
42.195K	6 hours after official start of race

9. Baggage Area is available for 10km, 21km and 42km participants only. 3km and 5km participants are advised to bring only belongings that can be held by the hand as they will be expected to take care of their own personal items.

RUNNER SAFETY:

1. The event takes place rain or shine but we would like to advise everyone to take the necessary precautionary measures just in case this will be a wet race. You can refer to this previous post HERE for tips on how to run safely under the rain.
2. Don’t forget to EAT and HYDRATE before running – at least TWO HOURS before running to give you energy to run and finish your race.
3. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If you are going into the race with not enough preparation/training, check your body’s reaction to the activity. Make sure that you are capable of running the race category you signed-up for. If you are unsure and is not feeling comfortable, nobody will be forcing you to run or finish the race because if you are feeling anything wrong, you may not be able to finish it altogether.
4. QUIT at the sign of any unease – difficulty in breathing, cold feeling creeping from below your body going updward, dizziness, feelling of throwing up. For any unusual and uneasy feeling, inform the nearest marshall on-site or anybody who can call the ambulance or medics to assist you.
5. MAKE SURE that you are physically ready to run especially for the long distance categories of 21km and 42km. There is so much our mind can do to make us go over our potentials and/or limits but what our body says should always be a main consideration too.
Runrio Inc. shares in all the excitement and anticipation of all runners and we would like to wish everyone to have a very great and safe running experience.

See you all at the starting line!