It was a poignant moment as I watched on TV the arrival of flagdraped caskets of the slained members of Philippine National Police Special Action Force (also known as SAF 44) carried over by their comrades’ shoulders. This scene lingered in my mind, which triggered the desire to join last Sunday’s Condura Skyway Marathon ‘Run for a Hero’ in support with the fallen heroes. What better way to honor these gentlemen than by running in solidarity withthem in strength and sacrifice even at the wee hours of the morning.
Finding a Race Kit: Any Distance Will Do!
Prior to the marathon right up to Friday night, I spent a great deal of time thinking how I can possibly join the race considering registration had closed many months ago (as in last year). It was like a ‘suntok sa buwan’ (punch to the moon) or an impossible idea or thought. I knew I had an extremely slim chance of getting any available kit. Still, I tried to inquire from a good friend and fellow runner. I think the stars must have connived with me that night. I was overloaded with elation and jubilation when that friend of mine told me that he still had an extra FREE 21K race kit for me. ln my mind, it was a resounding ‘YES!’ Indeed a success for securing a kit. I was blown away!
Race Day: This is It!
Woke up at 2 AM. Enough time for me to take a trip to Alabang where the Start is, deposit my stuff at the baggage area, and proceed to Skyway Alabang Tunnel along Alabang-Zapote Road where the half marathon runners converged at their designated Wave. Truly, l was surprised to see such a huge crowd in a race. l had to go through it to reach the ‘C’ Wave. There’s nothing like a good run on a nice, cold, windy early morning. When the weather is perfect–not too hot, not too cold. Yeah, it has been four years since the last time l have run the long stretch of the Skyway. To start running from Filinvest and back was a pretty novel experience for me.
Lost in thought, somewhere in those moments, I felt a hand gently tapped my right shoulder and snapped me out. It was Patrick ‘PatCon’ Concepcion aka Running Shield, fellow Happy Feet and runner, who happened to be one of the key players of Condura Marathon. We exchanged pleasantries and shook hands as he wished me well.
Honoring the Fallen SAF 44 Heroes
Half marathon runners started in groups and released at approximately two-minute intervals. When it was our turn to leave, maintaining a jog pace, l watched from afar soldiers, 44 of them, were lined up on the left side of the road, each holding a photo of the slained SAF 44 member while runners saluted as they passed by, a moving gesture of mutual respect. This simple act gave almost everyone that warm feeling. I was glad to have witnessed it.
Runners saluted as they passed by the soldiers (Photo by Mercy Herrera)
The Route and the Road to FINISH
Skyway is relatively flat, with gradual ascent, and free of cars. Turnaround point was at Bicutan (10.5K). A short fireworks display came into view while l was still running the last few kilometers. Finally, with less than a kilometer to go, there was a gradual ascent before hitting the finish line. Again, PatCon, was there to congratulate the finishers. Overall, l felt great and happy of my running performance and with how the race went.
It’s an honor to have run via the Running Shield. Thank you so much for the complimentary kit, the welcoming smile and hug before the race started and as l crossed the finish line. Congratulations to you and your brother Ton, and the rest of the members of the Condura Skyway Marathon Organizing Committee. Kudos to Runrio Team! What an awesome way to run the Skyway after four years. I salute!
Run for a Hero Finisher’s Medal
The beneficiary of the race event is the HERO Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children and siblings of Filipino soldiers killed in action or disabled while in line of duty.
Hey, fellow runners! Want to complete the Trilogy this year?Have you registered yet for the 2015 Run United 1? Registration is now open. Make sure you book before March 1.
The 2015 Run United 1 will be held on 8 March 2015 with 5k, 10k, and 21k race categories. All categories will have a start and finish at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Here’s a gentle reminder on payment schemes:
For online (credit card) registrants: complete race kit will be delivered. Singlet/Finishers’ shirt sizes will be available online on a first come, first served basis. Delivery of race kit will be on or before 1 March 2015.
For in-store registrants: complete race kit will be given upon registration for actual runners. Singlet sizes will be on a first come, first served basis. Please refer to 2015 RU1 Registration Details and 2015 RU BUNDLE PROMO for more information. Below are the designs of the finisher’s medal and shirt.
Complete the Trilogy by running all the 21Ks
Or, complete the Trilogy by challenging yourself to finish three distance categories: 21K, 32K and 42K, and get those elusive finsher’s medals this yearFinisher’s Shirts
It was not only after four years after that l had the chance to run the Corregidor lnternational Half Marathon (CIHM) event since its inception in 2010. Proud to be invited by a high performance Corregidor International Half Marathon team to test run the route a few years back. Note: Both the Corregidor Marathon (CM) and CIHM events, however, were rescheduled to January 11 and 12 respectively instead of December last year to give way to relief operations in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda.
El Lobo supports Corregidor marathon training
Yes, running races back to back, a full marathon on a Saturday and a half marathon on a Sunday of the same weekend in January 2015, is slightly nutty and a new challenge which l haven’t tried before. To prepare myself on this, last Sunday, l joined the last batch of participants who went to Corregidor Island to train with them and run portion of the race route. Training started with a three-part warm up exercises led by the CIHM founder, Edward Kho. For our main training, we did seven repeats up a hill, increasing effort each time until we were confident enough to continuously run the hill. So glad to have come and learned new ways to tackle it. Training ended with cool-down stretch exercises. This is it! No more backing out!
Corregidor Marathon and CIHM participants and soon-to-be-soon-to-be Corregidor brave warriors
Super duper thanks to El Lobo Energy Drink through Sir Willy and Sun Cruises for the warm support. Also, kudos to one of the lady Philippine Masters athletes who assisted Edward and took beautiful photos during the training session. It was also nice to meet newfound friends. See you at the starting line!
Yours truly has been an urbanathlete since. I started out with a 10K distance sometime in 2010. [Related: Urbanathlete Diva 2010, please click here] Well, I did miss joining this race for two years in a row as I was into ultra distance then and had a hiatus from racing. In 2013, instead of signing up for the 21K race, I opted to do a 5K only courtesy of Men’s Health Philippines, and skipped the following obstacles: climbing a net over a bus, climbing a rope, monkey bars, and the dreaded eight-foot wall. [Related: Urbanathlete Diva, second edition or 2/e, please click here]
Urbanathlete Vicente Blue about to tackle the monkey bars. (Photo by Leadpack)
I wasn’t able to attend the Men’s Health Urbanathlon (MH URB) media event two months ago being out of town at the time of its launch yet so lucky still to have been invited to be part of the MH URB race this year in Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna. Many thanks to fellow bloggers, Queenie of Lifeofque.com and Jinoe of Takbo.ph for the complimentary kit that they gave not only to me but also to a fellow ultramarathon runner, Norvs.
I think I’ve messed up in the last few weeks before the big race that it became a race week summed up as a stressful stretch days. I had to strike a balance between work life and social life. A bit sleep-deprived getting into the groove of consistent nighttime workouts (running and swimming), weekend racing, attending media events, and updating this blog. Not that I’m complaining on all of these. In those moments where I am so challenged by these activities, I am thankful for the love, opportunity, and support of my family and friends.
Yours truly, Jinoe of Takbo.ph, and Norvs of Team Soleus at the activity area. Vibrant shirt colors make us look so Christmassy. (Photo by Leadpack)
I found the route a new experience for a 21k for MH URB being used to running this event on the roads of Metro Manila. The first 15 kilometers included gradual uphills and the latter part, which to my surprise, included a route of two or three kilometers of the trail reminiscent of the last few kilometers of the Soleus Valley 30-kilometer Trail Challenge in June this year. There was one obstacle to tackle before the turnaround point at approximately KM10 or 11. Water and energy drink stations were set up in just the right areas to keep us hydrated, and with very friendly and courteous staff. Both the road and trail route marshals cheered on urbanathletes as they passed them on their way to the next obstacle challenge, and they are just as courteous as the water station staff. Medic Rescue is on standby the day of the race.
With Yael Yuzon, vocalist and guitarist of the band Sponge Cola, also a MH URB finisher. (Photo by Running Photographers for Leadpack)
It was also nice to see long-time friends Michelle and Craig Logan, and had the chance to pace with them albeit a short one before they ran past me. Good to also see familiar faces among the gathering crowd at the finishline. Thank you Bave DC and fab Vicente Blue for the cheer as l crossed the finish line. Pretty much appreciated. Thanks also to Norvs for the support. A shout-out to Running Photographers, especially, to Reggie Cruz and RJ Knight Runner for the nice photos.
Urbanathlete Michelle Logan looking so fit and about to try the monkey bars. (Photo by Leadpack)
To sum it up, yeah, I enjoyed the MH URB so much! Out of nine obstacles, I only skipped the monkey bars. That I had to climb over the van with the net twice and the dreaded eight-foot wall, I successfully redeemed myself. Super thanks to the attending marshals including Coach Joar who assisted me to complete the obstacle challenge.
Congratulations to Men’s Health Philippines, Doc Lyndon of Leadpack Race Organizer, their media partners, sponsors, and to all finishers and winners for a job well done. By far the best Urbanathlon race l have had experienced! Looking forward to the next one!
Beginning this coming 2015, race participants to both Corregidor Marathon and Corregidor International Half-Marathon will only be paying for the race itself. Team Run Corregidor is giving back to race participants the option to choose their mode of transportation to the island.
The race registration fees will have the following schedules:
2nd CORREGIDOR MARATHON
Regular (Aug 21 – Oct 31)
42K Full Marathon = P2500 (USD 55)
5K Blitz = P1000 (USD 22)
Late (Nov 1 – Dec 31)
42K Full Marathon = P3000 (USD 65)
5K Blitz = P1250 (USD 28)
Last-Minute (Jan 1-11, 2015)
42K Full Marathon = P3500 (USD 75)
5K Blitz = P1500 (USD 33)
42K Full Marathon
17 January 2015
Gun Start: 6:00am
NO qualifying time; NO race finishcut-off time
Race Registration inclusions:
Finisher’s Medallion (0.5kg, 5-in diameter)
CM Dri-fit Race Shirt
Race bib w/ RFID timing chip
CM Race sling bag
Runners’ Briefing (Jan 10 & 11, 2015)
CM Post-Race Party
CM Digital Finisher’s Certificate
P1,000 SOLEUS Gift Voucher
*For race participants attending the Carbo-loading Dinner (Jan. 16,2015), Carbo Dinner ticket may be availed at P250.00 at the Runners’ Briefing.
5K Blitz
17 January 2015
Gun Start: 8:00am
NO qualifying time; NO race finish cut-off time
Race Registration inclusions:
5K Blitz Finisher’s Medal
CM Dri-fit Race Shirt
Race bib w/ RFID timing chip
CM Race sling bag
Runners’ Briefing (Jan 10 & 11, 2015)
CM Post-Race Party
5K Blitz Digital Finisher’s Certificate
P1,000 SOLEUS Gift Voucher
*For race participants attending the Carbo-loading Dinner (Jan. 16,2015), Carbo Dinner ticket may be availed at P250.00 at the Runners’ Briefing.
5TH CORREGIDOR INTERNATIONAL HALF-MARATHON
Regular (Aug 21 – Oct 31)
21K Half-Marathon = P1500 (USD 33)
10K Challenge = P1250 (USD 28)
Late (Nov 1 – Dec 31)
21K Half-Marathon = P1750 (USD 39)
10K Challenge = P1500 (USD 33)
Last-Minute (Jan 1-11, 2015)
21K Half-Marathon = P2000 (USD 45)
10K Challenge = P1750 (USD 39)
21K Half-Marathon
18 January 2015
Gun Start: 8:00am
NO qualifying time; NO race finish cut-off time
Race Registration inclusions:
Finisher’s Medallion (3-in diameter)
CIHM Dri-fit Race Shirt
Race bib w/ RFID timing chip
CIHM Race sling bag
Runners’ Briefing (Jan 10 & 11, 2015)
CIHM Post-Race Victory Party
CIHM Digital Finisher’s Certificate
P1,000 SOLEUS Gift Voucher
*For race participants attending the Carbo-loading Dinner (Jan. 17,2015), Carbo Dinner ticket may be availed at P250.00 at the Runners’ Briefing.
10K Challenge
18 January 2015
Gun Start: 8:15am
NO qualifying time; NO race finish cut-off time
Race Registration inclusions:
10K Challenger Finisher’s Medal
Race bib w/ RFID timing chip
CIHM Dri-fit Race Shirt
CIHM Race sling bag
Runners’ Briefing (Jan 10 & 11, 2015)
CIHM Post-Race Victory Party
10K Challenge Digital Finisher’s Certificate
P1,000 SOLEUS Gift Voucher
*For race participants attending the Carbo-loading Dinner (Jan 17,2015), Carbo Dinner ticket may be availed at P250.00 on Jan 10 & 11 during the Runners’ Briefing.
Registration Procedures:
1) Pay the corresponding ADVANCE RACE REGISTRATION fee by way of a bank deposit at any BDO branch using the following details:
BDO Checking Account
Account Name: Big Big Big, Inc.
Account Number: 000410417114
*For international participants, as follows are the details when depositing corresponding race registration fee through bank transfer:
BDO (Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc.)
Branch details: 041 Bel-Air
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Acct details: Checking Account
Account Name: Big Big Big, Inc.
Account Number: 000410417114
2) Send the photo-captured copy of the deposit slip as a direct message/private message to the Corregidor Marathon FB fan page indicating your full name and chosen distance category.
3) In 24 hours, an alpha-numeric code reply to your message will be sent to you by the page moderator. This code CAN NOT be shared with another person. This code is needed for the filling up and validation of your on-line registration form.
4) Once you have received your alpha-numeric code, on the applicable FB page, complete your registration for the race by clicking the on-line registration form link.
5) Once race registration is validated, you will receive in 48 hours your race inclusion confirmation via email. On the confirmation email, you will be notified when you may claim your race registration kit. It will coincide with the Runners’ Briefing. The venue will be announced via personal email and blog posts at a later date.
*CREDIT CARD payment facility is being finalized. Announcement of its availability will be announced in the coming weeks.
BONUS for CM & CIHM Race Registrants:
Running the full and half-marathon distances in Corregidor is no easy feat. Serious preparations must be undertaken.
To all race registrants, Team Run Corregidor is providing a free monthly training (training session is free but Sun Cruises will charge a fee of P1000 for the ferry transfers and island entrance) on the actual race course, on the following dates: Sep 28, Oct 26, Nov 23, and Dec 28. For more information, visit the FB fan pages of Corregidor Marathon and Corregidor International Half-Marathon.
RUN CORREGIDOR P.R.o.m.o (Personal Record obliteration motivational offer)
All race registrants for the for the CM 42K and CIHM 21K will be given a 50% REBATE of their paid registration fee if they get to break their personal record in the same distance they have registered to.
42K and 21K race registrants fill out the on-line race nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TxIssSLmk86EA8FnPSrsA4CjH7mQGe5pYaiIS050Jug/viewform?usp=send_form
On the form, along with other details, indicate the race distance, name and date of race to be nominated, and official race finish time.
The race to be nominated must have been run during the period of January 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014 only.
Any form of MISREPRESENTATION will automatically disqualify the race participant from the promo.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Sun Cruises as our event partner is generously giving special rates for race participants of both the 2nd Corregidor Marathon and 5th Corregidor International Half-Marathon: P1300/person EXCLUSIVE to race participants ONLY (inclusive of round-trip ferry, lunch buffet, and entrance fee to the island).
Room accommodations are limited. In consideration of this, Sun Cruises will be offering Camping Tents for rent (P500 flat rate).
Sun Cruises will start accepting ferry and accommodations booking for CM & CIHM participants beginning August 21, 2014.
For booking concerns, please contact Sun Cruises (8am to 5pm – Mon to Fri; 8am to 12nn Sat) at 5275555 loc 4511 and4512, 0917-5459917, 0917-8084641, 0922-8475418.
Rainy Day Promo!21K registration fee reduction from P1000 to P900. At the same time, 21K participants will be given a finisher’s medal and shirt. See poster for details!
13 July 2014 — When I looked at my mobile phone clock it said it was 3:24 AM and I have a race at 4 AM. Failed to set the alarm. Yikes! Luckily, I had everything readied the night before. That was the quickest dress changing ever done by me! Whew!
I arrived at the race venue with just 10 minutes to spare. From afar I could see the start arch where frontrunners have congregated. I was finding people I knew who were running but couldn’t see any familiar faces except the ones on stage. A lady marshal approached and instructed me to have my bib checked. When all of a sudden, I heard my name being called. It was Jez D., my choirmate. Beside her is another familiar face, that of Ferdie from the earlier batch of Takbo.ph runners whom I’ve met years before. Didn’t even know they knew each other. What a surprise!
My goal for this race is “to run by feel” since I intentionally didn’t wear my Garmin watch. Then the countdown begins…
I have run this race route quite a number of times already. More or less, it was familiar. A much preferred route actually. After the first turnaround point along Buendia near the South Superhighway, a runner said to me, “I think I know you.” It was Patrick Concepcion aka Running Shield or PatCon to us, Happy Feet. We’ve known each other from the forum site called Impromptu Runners way back in 2007. Suddenly, I found myself running with PatCon. Unbelievable! Running Shield is a fast runner. No way could I run with him. Yet here I am, running with him. And we conversed. Epic! Thank you Running Shield for the opportunity. Eventually, I had to slow down a bit and let him go ahead. We saw each other again along Lawton Avenuenear McKinley Road, did a high five and cheered. Him done with the second turnaround point. And me, still on my way there.
Impromptu pacing with Tagumpay Bros/Triabetics Reggie S. (Photo courtesy of Flat Ironman)
With a few remaining kilometers, approximately 7 KMs to go…it was here that I chance upon again with another founding Takbo.ph forum members and now an accomplished sports person himself, Reggie or Rej to his teammates. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision to run/pace together. Rej is an ultra distance runner. He finished the Bataan Death March 160 (BDM) ultramarathon recently and is also into multisport events. I had the chance to run with him in past races and LSDs (long slow distance) especially during training runs prior to my Bataan Death March 102 ultramarathon race in 2011.
We attacked the remaining kilometers by combining power walk and running, and targeted each hydration station as a good break or rest. The last kilometer where the new overpass to C5 northbound from BonifacioGlobalCity, we tackled it by walking the uphill, stopping at the last water station, and running all the way to the finish line. Just a few meters ahead, we bumped into another Team Boring ultra runner, Doc Topher on his bike, who exchanged jokes with us and was kind enough to hand us a bottle of energy drink which we gently declined. The finish line is not too far, anyway. Then there it was, the Finish Line right before our eyes. Done! What a great half-marathon running!
A personal congratulations to Jinoe and Queenie Gavan of Takbo.ph, and the rest of the crew of the Leadpack Team for organizing such a good race yesterday. It was my first time to run the new overpass to C5 and to me, a best feature of the race. Two thumbs up! There was no problem with hydration, bananas are a plenty, energetic cheerers and volunteer marshals. I had a blast! One of my favorite organized races I have done so far.
