La Union Ku Ikaika Marathon – May 19, 2012

@irunners: hindi naman pla mahirap pumunta sa venue kahit hindi mag shuttle. thanks, sir, for the info :)

donpotpot, sir i dont know if we already entertained your query but just the same let me answer that question of yours, we will charge you the charge fee of LBC in case you choose to get your racekit delivered at your office door. but we also suggest that just get the race kit on the day of the event for your convenience.

@stan-sir.request naman po sana maraming ice cube sa hydration stations.especially sa long distance categories like 21 and 42k.thanks

some runners are just too spoiled. kung hindi niyo kaya yung time nung official bus, e di mag commute kayo ng sarili. ang site ay regular na dinadaanan ng commuter buses.

@epal: natamaan ako haha. actually that’s what i’ll do since hindi kaya yung schedule nung shuttle. i was just a bit worried at first of commuting alone to la union ng gabi/madaling araw, and the organizer was entertaining suggestions naman. pero ok na, knowing madadaanan naman pla ung venue :)

see you guys in la union :)

sana sunday next marathon dyan sa inyo :)

runners, friends, we are listening to you because we want to give you the best we can possibly give as marathon organizer, so every suggestion is carefully evaluated now, with regards to the ice, water, hydration stations don’t worry we will set up hydration stations with drum of water, as well as lots of ice cubes to help you especially for the uphill trail and the last 8 kilometer stretch before the finish line, you can count on it! Salamat po,
this is your Race Director Randy Abasolo assuring you that we will take good care of you and will provide your necessities as runners to help you conquer this historic event here in our Province.

@QueenP: apir. peace tayo. ingat po sa commute. :)

sir jhonnycage..ayan po message ng Race Director Randy, he assures you about your suggestions re ice cubes…thanks

epal and QueenP nakaregister na po ba sila? see you po sa event.salamat

@stan.thanks..kita kita na lang.magandang mag-ikot dun after ng run.

@epal.alam mo yung route.baka pwede ikaw na lang yung arkilahin naming driver.

@punksnotdead: ayoko pumatol dahil nag uumpisa ka na ng trash talk. be civilized please. walang lugar para sa mga balasubas na katulad mo ang isang class na marathon na ganito, ok?

@epal.sabi mo kasi spoiled mga runners.kaw nga yung walang class na runner.kaw nga yung basura.walang dating yung advice mo.di naman lahat ng runners katulad mong sanay sa bundok tsaka gubat.

@punksnotdead: huhu cry baby ka? wala kang bilang. tumahimik ka nalang.

@epal.kala ko ba di ka pa patol.tulog kana lang.tapos kamutin mo na lang pwet mo

@punksnotdead: hindi ka ba naaawa sa sarili mo? mababaw ka mag isip, corny ka pa. buti nga at may internet ka at kahit papaano eh na-e-express mo yang maliit mong utak online. clap clap.

sino maliit utak sa tin.basahin mo yung sinabi mo.no:104 comment ba yan ng isang runner.sino di matino sa tin.di ka kasi nag-iisip comment ka ng comment.ogag ang dating mo

Hi fellow Banahaw runners Ms. Mars and QueenP
question:Ano po schedule ng mga buses papuntang La Union? Medyo patay-gutom mode ako ngayon at di ko afford ang hotel kaya derecho sana ako sa venue 1 or 2 hours before 21k gunstart pagbaba ng bus.

Kita kits tayo mga naglalagareng runners sa May 19 after La Union derecho sa Tarlac city para sa TaRun na Tungo sa Liwanag! Kalabanin ang bilbil! Sorry nga lang di yata ako aabot sa race after-party :(

Wow event slippers kakaibang event giveaway!

hahaha!!! pati dito meron pa ring nagtatalo,,,

@punksnotdead: o wala ka na sa composure. baka atakihin ka sa puso ha. tatanong mo sino maliit utak? sige clue, hello captain obvious. its you. wahahahahaha! sarap mo pagtawanan. maawa ka na sa sarili mo. bakit kasi ayaw mo lagi gamitin utak mo? limited edition ba yan?

@epal.out of context kana.pinag-uusapan fun run.comment ka kasi ng comment.di ka naman runner.kung anu anu na puma-pasok sa isip mo.hwag mong kali-limutan yung gamot mo.yung pang-pa kalma.kasi baka maka-kagat ka ng kapitbahay mo

@punksnotdead: the way you speak, the way you think, you are clearly outclassed. there’s totally no sense in talking to you. you are a failure. you started this thrash, let me enlighten you. mga tirada mo pang highschool. wala kang kalaban laban bata. no match ka. siguro sa buhay loser ka, pati sa online no match ka.

@hardkulangot..tama ka at mukhang isa din sila sa pasimuno ng gulo sa ibang thread..

Ang ganda ng flow ng tanong ng runners at sagot ng mga organizers , kaya binasa ko from the start,tapos biglang may umepal…kaya yun nagulo na naman….

epal.yung mga katulad mong tao na di naman runner.matulog kana lang.mangulangot kana lang.parehong kaliwa paa mo.kaya di ka tuma-takbo.lagyan mo ng pampers mukha mo.tsaka condom

sa mga nagtatanong po about shuttle…although wala na po yung first 50 registrant half fare promo, meron pa rin naman po yung regular fare shuttle naten going to La Union, sabay sabay po tayu aalis ng manila. If you wantto pay for a back to back fare or half fare its up to you po, sa half fare pag uuwi na kayu malapit lamang naman po ng terminal ng partas sa Kahuna. if you have more queries txt/call Randy at 09491913155 during lunchbreaks only or Stan at 09292914546. salamat runners…

nicknames epal and punknotdead, peace na po kayu. In our sport/passion we do not only get medals, singlets, shirts, freebies, but most of all we also get friends…Salamat po sa lahat ng sasali sa event naten.

tnx sir stan. :)

hi punksnotdead. move on ka na. still hatin? hehe
well, do you have the balls to race me? i’m registered sa 42km dito sa ku ikaika. how about settling our rants over this race? no hatin, just racin. :)
if i loose, i’ll pay for your reg. if i beat you, you’ll pay for my reg. only P900. how’s that for excitement? :)
let’s stop this hate and settle this in a race. game?

@epal.post mo nga yong BIB no:mo dito.o kaya yung name mo,para mani-wala ako sayo na register kana.tsaka tayo mag-race.baka mamaya naba-baliw ka lang.

@ punk: im asking you if you will accept my challenge as a man. wag mong lagyan ng mga ganyang style. sabihin mo lang kung ayaw mo or kung ibang category ang sasalihan mo, then i’ll stop. mahirap kasi sayo ikaw na ang nauna sa asarang ito, inaayos ko na nga bilang atleta, eh pabalang ka parin sumagot. i’m challenging you to a noble 42k duel. my question is are you game? wag mo ako hiritan ng mga public postage. as a man, are you in for my challenge?

@punk: if you are in for the challenge, we can talk it thru email. my simple question is are gonna accept my challenge? i don’t know you so don’t expect me to give my details here, in which i won’t also ask for you. i’m asking you to be civilized. kung sasagot ka pa sa akin ng pang-asaran lang, i will assume that you’re not intrested in my challenge. simple. thank you.

@punk:
1. are you registered at 42k?
-if you’re not registered: then let’s end this conversation politely, but at least answer.

-if you’re registered:
2. will you accept my challenge?

if you’ll answer me sarcastically, you’re giving me the license to call you a coward.
many things have been said, let’s settle this in a nice, athletic, manly manner once and for all. thanks

@epal.ano kana ngayon,sa susunod na mag-ko comment ka,siguraduhin mo na kaya mong panindigan.nag-hamon ka ng race game.accept ko lang yang race game na sina-sabi mo.bigay mo name.di naman kita kilala.yayabang ka lang palpak pa.tanong mo sagot mo.di na lang kaya sarili mo karerahin mo.kasi baliw kana

@punksnotdead:
ang simple ng tanong ko puro kabastusan parin sagot mo.
pagkatapos ng usapan na ito,magagalit ka sa sarili mo.itatanong mo bakit ka pa pinanganak eh wala ka naman kwenta.habang lahat ng tao ay umaasenso,ikaw ay patuloy na mabubulok.tandaan mo yan.sumpain ka.

@punk:

coward.

@ punk:

napaka bobo mo. ikahihiya mo ang sarili mo. tandaan mo yan.

wooo, pinagpapawisan na ako sa inyong dalawa,runners epal and punksnotdead gusto ko kayong ma-meet one day. Okay sige takbo na lang tayu mga sirs, get ready na malapit na ang event naten…let’s rock La Union

Bring your families and friends with you,enjoy La Union, enjoy your Marathon, enjoy the run…

@epal.mag-iisip ka nga,pano ko pa patulan yang race na sina-sabi mo,di nga kita kilala.bakit ayaw mo post name mo dito,nahi hiya ka ba.di ka naman runner.maluwag pa mental para sayo.

epal.payo ko lang,baka sobrang epekto ng init natu-tuyo na yang utak mo.ang mahirap sa lahat na-uulol kana.baka maka-kagat ka pa ng tao.dapat sayo masak-sakan ng anti-rabies.

I think it’s worth considering for the organizers to have another bus bringing the runners to La Union on Friday night (may 18th) after working hours for those who want to join this event pero di makaka-absent from work. That is if there will be enough runners who can fill up at least 80% of the bus capacity.
Otherwise, please advise the bus companies and their respective terminals here in Metro Manila for the runners who will opt to commute by themselves on Friday night and the details ng whereabouts going to the starting line (are transport facilities going to the starting line available 24 hours in La Union coming from the bus terminal pag mag-arrive ang runners ng late night or wee hours in the morning? Suggest to please post more details for the commuting runners para mas mag-attract ng runners who cannot make it on Friday morning to leave Manila.

LETS INVADE LA UNION!!!!! HEHEHE..SANA PAGKATAPOS NITO.. SASABIHIN NG MGA HINDI NAGPAREGISTER DITO…””SAYANG”…

parang aksyon komiks ang usapan dito ah :)

naghihinayang lang ako. . di ko masasaksihan kapag natuloy ang karera nila :)

hope its sunday next year. .

Good luck runners

@epal
@punksnotdead

summer na summer ang dating nyo parahas
masyado kayong maiinit,
magpalamig naman muna kayo,
peace,,,

@epal
@punksnotdead

summer na summer ang dating nyo parehas
masyado kayong maiinit,
magpalamig naman muna kayo,
peace,,,

tryx,
Mam, this is the answer to your concern,we recommend Partas Bus Station which has frequent (EVERY 15 MINUTES, MAGDAMAG PO) travel from Cubao to Laoag, Vigan and Abra, all of these destination will traverse in-front of Kahuna Resort. Saktong sakto po sa harap ng KAHUNA.
This is the address and contact number of the Partas Bus Station in Cubao: Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City, Tel: 02 725 1740.

@JP
Hello again.
for bus schedule, pls. refer to comment#145.
iRunners is recommending Partas Bus.

Kita kits sa LaUnion next month!

see you in la union fellow runners.thanks to STAN of Irunners for assisting us from registration,transport to accommodation

Registered yesterday @ ROX..thanks stan for accomodating my inquiries..Hope to enjoy my marathon @ la union..see u next month…

Registered na kami!!! 21 km Yey!!!

Questions po:

1. How long is the travel time from Manila?
2. Ilang km yung beach run sa 10k and bafefoot ba kelangan dun?
3. May list ba kayo ng Hotels for accomodation?

thanks!

Sir William, Sir Stan my bro like us is one passionate runner like you Sir and that the reason why he can relate to the needs of runners like you Sir. Thank you and see you here in La Union, this is Randy Abasolo your race director and Founder of iRunners, God Bless!

suzetteDL, Thank you and see you here in La Union. This i assure you Mam you will have the greatest running experience here in our province here in the first ever full Marathon in our mother soil – The La Union International Marathon/ku ikaika (only the strong will endure)

pong pagong
1. How long is the travel time from Manila?
ANSWER: on the average its six hours sir on night travel
2. Ilang km yung beach run sa 10k and bafefoot ba kelangan dun?
ANSWER: for 10K the beach run is 1.9kilometers and you dont have to run barefooted but if you wish to then you can do so sir bec the trail is safe for barefoot-running
3. May list ba kayo ng Hotels for accomodation?
ANSWER: pls visit our fanpage at facebook, just type:irunner

sir.randy i want to see you in la union to thank you personally for organizing this 1st international in la union.sana marami pang-mag-pa register na runners.

sir.randy i want to see you in la union to thank you personally for organizing this 1st international marathon in la union.sana marami pang-mag-pa register na runners.

@Ms. Mars
Takbo ka rin sa La Union ate? Good luck sa’tin 21k!

@irunners
When can we expect pics of the medals and slippers? Are you using the double-decker bus you mentioned at comment#14? Atat na ko pumunta after seeing the route pics. Pwede ba pumitas ng tobacco? hehehe

sir JP yung medal pic po nasa irunners facebook page na po, yung actual prototype pics po ay wala pa, ginagawa pa lang. Yung Slippers po ay still pinag uusapan with sponsors, yung double decker bus po ay hindi na magagamit, Partas or Genesis bus na lamang po as per major sponsors.

sa tobacco po, ay hindi po namin ipinaalam sa may ari na kukuha tayo ng leaves nila, kaya sorry po!

@stan: registered yesterday, sir :)

@ JP: hi, JP. natawa naman ako sa comment mo. masama yang tobacco satin haha :D nag register ka na po? see you sa la union :)

Sir william, same here sir gusto ko rin kayo mameet kaya wag po kayong mawawala sa event, keep your self fit and well trained for the event pero hinay hinay lang po para fit na fit kayo on the day of event. Sana nga po maraming pumunta especially tourist runners like you dahil yan po ang advocacy ng iRunners; to showcase to the rest of the world the pristine yet less explored beauty of La Union, because here in La Union. God bless you and your family Sir!

to all interested participants of La Union International Marathon, Please be advised that the Deadline of Registration is on May 15, 2012.
On-site registration will be on May 18, from 10AM to 9PM only, late registrants will not be accepted, ito po ay para po sa kaayusan ng sistema ng ating event. Maraming salamat po and we’ll see you here in La Union, Join the La Union La Union Invasion!

anung date po namin kukunin sa ROX yung mga racekits namin, salamat po at mabuhay…GOD BLESS ALL…..

@JP
yups, kita kits again po.
i was thinkin bka mag-10K lang ako dito, hehe…so ill have more time to enjoy the place.

@stan
Thanks po! Di pala matutuloy yung picture-picture ng double-decker bus pero ok lang.

@QueenP
Di para sakin. Inisip ko lang kung pwede ko pasalubungan ang mga tao sa bahay ng sosyal na cigar. Di pala pwede hehe

@Ms_Mars
Oo nga, i’m considering on registering for 10k instead now that PATAFA leg 1 has rescheduled for May 20.

registered for 42k. pwede finisher shirt nalang para pwede at proud isuot pag-wash day namin sa office.

@singkodose..me point ka dyan..hahaha..

stan?randy?..pwede ba sirs??

How big is the medal?

To the runners and organizers:

Any recommended places to stay near the venue? Maraming salamat. :)

@kat,text mo na lang si randy abasolo.nasa contact details.taas lang nito.taga roon sila.

Thanks. However, sa mga places lang ba nila pwede? Kung nagkataon na puno na ang accommodations nila, naghahanap rin ako ng alternatives. Salamat!

sirs. im one of those runners na balak mag commute on the night before the event, and go home immediately after the event..Tanong ko lang sana if meron ba kau provided na mga washrooms or shower rooms na pwede maligo or magpalit ng damit ang mga runners before going home, even if they dont avail of any accomodations…your reply will be very much appreciated..tnx,,

Isp isip pa! Mgkno pamsahe mula cubao to kahuna?

Kat…marami po tayo options ng maaari naten matuluyan sa La Union, please browse our fb page nakapost po yung mga list ng hotels, transients, resorts, malalapit lamang po yan sa Kahuna our event venue…ple do check and qoute for their rates, and make your reservations. Thank you

James…makigamit na lamang po tau ng facility ng Kahuna resort, they will be kind naman sa mga runners to accomodate our request po.

Cocorun…cubao to la union approx.+/- 430pesos po one way

cocorun pamasahe po from cubao approx P420+/- po…

Kat..please recheck po post namin sa fb page ng irunners andun po lahat ng options ng mga hotels, transients and resorts na pede nyu tuluyan, wala po lahat problema sa accessibility ng mga yan sa venue, may mga masasakyan naman po 24Hrs at di rin namn kalayuan ang iba…

james…we will ask kahuna para ipagamit ang facilities nila, they will be kind enough to attend to our request naman po

ok po ,,tnx…

To all runners, friends, we have to halt the registration of La Union ku ikaika Marathon on May 15, 2012 to secure an organize and systematic handling of data of the event. For those runners who failed to register on or before May 15, you will have the chance to get your slot on May 18, from 10 to 9pm, but pls be informed that we will only open 30 slots on the 18th of May so pls be advised thank you and see you in the finish line!

@irunners: sir, mga ilang percent po kaya ng route ang road?

guys, road shoes po ba tau o all terrain/trail shoes? :)

ROAD shoes na lang po

sana po paki-inform kami kelan namin maku-kuha bib namin tsaka singlet.thanks

Ah closed na po reg? Barefoot friendly po ba ang riad na dadaanan for 21k?

@irunners: sir stan, dumaan po ako sa rox, bgc kanina. ang sabi sa la union na daw po makukuha ung race kits, and pwede naman daw po na sa race day na mismo kukunin ang race kit. but base on your fb page, hanggang 12mn lang ng 18th ang claming. so, wala ng claiming on the race day? i don’t know if meron pang iba, pero i’m planning to leave manila friday night pa. hindi ako aabot ng 12mn ng la union. sana po pwedeng before the race na lang magclaim. thank you :)

I’m from Cavite and registered @ ROX BHS, and I was told that race kit distribution is either early or within this week @ ROX. Now they say distribution is on the race day itself.

Haisst! Promises!

May I suggest na yung distribution i-extend hanggang before gunstart? Para naman yung mga manggagaling sa malayo, hindi ma-obliga na mag-undertime sa work or mag-absent para lang makuha yung race kit before midnight ng 18th.

QP pls text me ur full name pls at 09292914546…i will be releasing the kits on May 17 3pm onwards at ROX…

A friend of mine won’t be able to join the event due to a family emergency.

Anyone interested in buying her slot 3K – Medium singlet size (Transpo and reg fee) pls txt me. 09053321539.

Thank you.

@sir stan
Can I still register when you release the kits at ROX on May 17?

At ano po ang cheapest non-airconditioned bus ride papunta sa San Juan, La Union? On a very tight budget kasi thanks

PLEASE once and for all can you give us COMPLETE AS IN COMPLETE STATEMENT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE?! yung MALINAW. paunti unti ang release nyo ng sTatement e 16 na ngayon.

una, saan sa market market ang pick-up point?

second, yung mga mag oonsite registration sa day event are they expecting a medal ba o wala na silang medal na makukuha?! baka kasi may mga magregister on the event day itself na mabibilis tumakbo tapos ang mawawalan pa ng medal e yung mga early registrants. dapat markado ang mga bib numbers ng mag oonsite para sila ang to follow ang medal if ever kapos din sa medal.

third, if ever na hindi nga maideliver sa inyo ang singlet.. are we still getting it? via courier?! oks lang na ibang singlet ang isuot namin sa day event PERO KASI PRESS RELEASE NYO YUN NA MAY SINGLET kaya yun ang tanong ko makukuha ba namin kahit after ng event?

steve,okay lang kung may mabi-bilis na tumakbo.kahit ma-ubusan ng medal.ang importante matapos namin yung marathon na walang injury.

FYI po, I received a text last night informing that the race kits will be released at Kahuna starting May 18 at 4pm until May 19 at 4am :)

Any news? Natuloy ba? Stories? pics? results?

Sorry di ako nakasama ang dami kasi dito nagsasabi sa’kin “ang layo nyan!” “ang gastos nyan!” at “pag pumunta ka jan, outside da kulambo ka” hayy nobody understands us runners :(

Oh, man. I can’t wait to hear the feedback on this race.

Consolidating feedback I got from my colleagues:

What could be improved for the next Ku Ika Ika Marathon:

1. Proper measuring ng distance. 42K was actually 45K. Or kung yun talaga yung route, sabihin nila na 45K – pwede nilang i-market yung hard challenge.
2. Race kits (bib # and singlets) should have been given ahead of time
3. 42K should start earlier. Runners could have collapsed due to heat exhaustion.
4. Heard feedback that not enough energy drink/banana/water/water stations along the last 8K.
5. Gun start should have started on time. Person announcing the gun start should have used megaphone so that the participants know that the X km race is starting.

Febs, Mam 1 and 2 comment are undeniable correct and we will remedy the number 1 comment by acquiring or using a more sophisticated gadget. the number 2 comment will be remedied by looking for a more efficient supplier(definitely not BRGP Trading(By Mr Benjie Penzon) anymore! because of what they’ve done to us nangako ng nangako pero saka lang tinapos ang singlet ng last minute na(as in 1hour before the race namin natanggap ang singlet at kami pa ang sumundo sa Bulacan). We are sorry for this and this caused us collateral damaged, inalagaan namin ang name ng grupo namin pero dahil sa isang supplier lang nanganib na mawasak lahat ng pangarap namin. Mahirap lang po ang iRunners, pero kahit pobre po kami ay mayaman po kami sa pangarap at yun ay maipakita, maipromote at maipagmalaki ang Probinsyang La Union sa Madla at Mundo.
Regarding the number 3 comment, ang Ruta ng La Union Marathon ay sobrang dilim at 4AM at magubat pa(Ask Ms.Mars about it andun po sya at kasama naming tumakbo) di namin isasakripisyo ang safety ng runners na makagat sila ng ahas. Aside from this, before the day of run ay 1week na umuulan dito sa amin at di totoo na napakainit at magkocollapse ang runners sa init, ask other 42K runners whom i personally interviewed pagkadating nila ng finish line and they will tell you that they are well rehydrated at di sila nanganib na magcollapse. To attest that the comment is baseless, the event even have a 70years old priest/runner participant(Father Camilo Villanueva) who practically walk for almost 11hours pero hindi nagcollapse because we provide enough hydration stations(every kilometer and every 500meters in uphill areas)we also have 2banana stations but have to admit that energy drinks are all located at the finish.
Finally on the last comment, we adjusted the time from 4:15 to 4:45 simply because of the reasons i cited above, ayaw naming mangapa sa dilim ang runners at makagat sila ng ahas and we know that even if we adjust the time for 30mins walang kaso dahil tag ulan na sa aming probinsya.
WE have lapses and we admit it and we ask apology from it. This is the biggest event iRunners have hold ever and we learn a lot from it. I Hope may positive feedback din ang mga taong nainterview nyo mam, just open the iRunners fanpage at fb and you will know the other side of the story. Again we ask for apology for our shortcomings and we promise to give you a better, more fun and well organized SuperMarathon next year! Marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat na sumoporta sa amin maging gayon din po sa aming kritiko, nakatulong po ang ilang pansin nyo para sa aming improvement. God bless us all and we will keep the passion of running alive!

tama naman na mainit talaga pero nakaya naman and may mga tubig naman… dapat pala pinagpipiktyuran ko mga nadaanan kong water stations na mga barangay tanod pa ang mga nagbabantay… meron pang nag-offer sa akin ng mangga tapos pambuhos sa ulo galing sa isang baldeng tubig… Ku Ikaika is a run for the strong and this has been made true because only the strong did endure… i myself finished the run for 6 hours and 18 minutes but my only comment is that mainit lang pero nasa runner na lang kung mag-give up… yun ang challenge sa akin aside sa uphill (personally challenging talaga yung run)… if ever na 45K naman yung distance, at least, all 42K finishers should be proud to say “na nakaya ko ang 45K”… priest pala yung nasa huli na nakita ko pa paakyat pa lang at tinanong pa ako kung how many kilometers pa yung sa part na uphill ng pababa na ako galing Bacsil… sabi ko lang, malayo pa sir… hmm, no wonder di ko na nakita ng pabalik na ako kasi naglakad na lang… hmm, 11 hours, not bad for a 70-year old… only the strong will really endure… also, on a personal note, this is one of my preparations for the BDM next year… :)

The Ku Ikaika marathon was a running event I can’t wait to experience again… although there were some flaws – it was just really minor issues. Late singlet delivery – the organizers were very professional and updated the runners through text regarding the situation, I received 3 or 4 text messages and all my calls and text inquiries were answered honestly and on-time. I also heard that the 21km race was actually 23km – well I would agree with the comment of JEB… the 21km runners could say “Kaya ko pala ang 23km”… hehe. It was my first time running 21km and I enjoyed the scenery. I was afraid that I could not finish the race and that the heat could be a problem but Water stations were widespread and visible every 500 meters. Even the people were friendly, smiling and cheering for the runners. The marshals and cyclists who were escorting the runners were nice and very positive (Thanks sir Jun! Nakakwentuhan ko pa during the run…) In general, I can only say thank you for the organizers of this run. I enjoyed it and I can’t wait for next year! Thanks irunners…

Thank you iRunners for exerting best effort – kitang kita how you tried very hard to give us a good race.

There may be some race amenities (such as energy gels, sports drinks, etc) that were missing – but quite frankly, a real marathoner won’t care. I was really happy with the provisions for hydration – kung di ako nagkakamali, less than 1km yung interval. Salamat sa mga bara-barangay for taking care of us. I remember being offered a seat by one of the townsmen at the 28K mark. :)

The race started late – which somehow made it harder because of the really warm weather. But then, seriously, the 30-minute delay didn’t make a lot of difference. It’s summer, mainit talaga!

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, sabi nga. This race brought out the ‘tough’ in all of us. Personally, it made me realize how much of a dedicated runner I have become. (I reached La Union at 1AM after travelling 7 hours from Manila. I initially thought of not doing the race due to lack of sleep and exhaustion from the trip. But then the passion prevailed, sabi nga.)

Congrats again iRunners, and maraming salamat!

This would have been a very interesting activity except that:
a. the distance is NOT exact
b. the kits, awards and give-aways mentioned in the registration form were not given to many participants. there were no medals distributed to many 10K and 21K runners. these were all paid for and therefore, we deserve to get them.
c. some of the staff were NOT friendly and accommodating; when asked why the shirt sizes were smaller than the size we have reserved, one of the staff said “Pareho rin yan!”; when asked why many were not given medals, they could not even give acceptable answers (“We did not anticipate the sudden increase in registrants” is a VERY LAME excuse! The number on the race bib is practically your control number and thus, from there alone, you have an idea of the participants)
d. the race kits were not distributed as agreed upon. in fact, after waiting for a couple of hours, we were told that kits will be distributed on race day.
e. race bib was collected after the race. it’s the first time that i experienced such. the very reason why we registered early was to have our race bibs personalized. and since the race bib was part of the payment, we deserve to keep it.
f. there were few hydration stations(compared to LUUM); i am from San Juan and i was lucky that some of the people i know from the place were kind enough to give water and some assistance which otherwise were not readily available.

Runners, Friend, this is your Race Director for the La Union ku ikaika Marathon Randy M. Abasolo now composed and ready to tell the story on the side of iRunners because as much as you deserved an explanation we are also obliged to tell the truth because only the truth can liberate us and render us the deserved judgement of people who are affected by the issues

Issue No.1: Delayed release of Singlets

What really happened: The singlets should have been distributed on May 15, 2012 if not with the trouble we suffered from our supplier (BGRP Trading) who promised to deliver the singlets but failed and only able to finish the singlet on May 18, 2012 exactly 10:30PM, and the JCI President (Niki Valero) have to spend on gasoline just to pick up the singlet at Bulacan para po mahabol lang na masuot ito ng Runners before they run. For the record we paid 70K as advance payment but despite the said supplier failed to deliver the singlets as agreed and scheduled. For the record, Niki Valero, a good man as he is paid the balance on time despite of the trouble brought by the delay of the said supplier.

Lesson Learned: Look for a more reliable supplier

Issue No.2 : Shortage of medal

What really happened: The event should have used a Barcode system. What was planned was the registration will stop on the 15th of May and will only accept 30 onsite participants on the eve of the event, this way the needed medals are well accounted and budgeted as well. On May 6 the estimated quantity of medals have been ordered from our supplier. However, on May 8, upon computation/assessment it was found out that the event need to raise more fund to augment the need to pay some obligations of the event, so the Financer decided to shift from Barcode to Manual timing (which is cheaper) coupled with the plea to open the registration until the day of the event in the hope to raise the needed fund. What contributed more to the shortage was the unaccounted and surprise request of the financer (two days before the event) to get atleast 40 medals as his reserved medals for his friends. Because of the turn of the event, the result was, on the day of event medal count are already short by 100plus medals.

Lesson Learned: Ideally, Stick with your horn and fight for your runners and for their medals no matter what the cost or
Practically, implement a ‘first hundred basis’ or the lower categories runners (3k, 5k, 10k) is only good for first hundred finisher and prioritize the half marathoners and full marathoners by making sure they all get their well deserved medals

Issue No. 3 : Inaccurate measurement of the route

What really happened: I have to admit that due to our incapacity to acquire a more sophisticated gadget we got the route measured incorrect. We use a car in the measurement and later we found out that there is a big difference when you use a car especially if you took the right side of the road instead of taking the middle or center of the road during measurement. So an additional 2k was added to the 42k and an additional 1k or so is added to 21k. With regards to 5k we intentionally lengthened it to 200meters to get across to a Resort that is very supportive of our group and promised to help us out in the event.

Lesson Learned: Buy a sophisticated gadget or borrow one.

The truth (is on part of the iRunners) there are only two major issues that haunted us on this event; the chaos brought about during and by the release of singlet can be remedied if and only if the supplier delivered it on time, as promised and agreed by them. The medals that broke the heart of some of our runners (and Us as well) could be remedied if we only have enough sponsors to finance the event and the shift from Barcode to Manual timing could have been avoided and that could prevent the demise/shortage to happen.
I have to admit that in the part of iRunners and AKO personally ay nagkulang dahil, tinanggap ko po ang project na ito na alam ko na napakaiksi ng preparasyon. The project was offered to me 1months and 28days prior to the event. I learned, we learned a lot from this experience and i know that i grow and will continually grow from it. Given a chance i will never let myself and my people go into a battle with little preparation. Given a chance again i will see to it that 6months is the minimum planning period for an event with such a magnitude.
Sana po mapatawad nyo po ang aking pagkukulang, sa mga damdaming nasaktan patawad po. When Stan and I conceptualized the event we thought that at the end of the event the runners will be the one dare to say ‘i stand strong’, nagkamali ako/kami dahil the statement is aptly and more applicable to me, to us because this is what is promise to you my friends and fellow runners, iRunners will stand strong in the midst of it, to stand strong against the trials and adversary to continue give you fun and more runs here in La Union.
We ask for your forgiveness and we hope to see you again (given a chance) here in La Union.
Maraming salamat po.

Sincerely,

Randy M. Abasolo
iRunners
Founder

Hello Randy/Stan and the rest of iRunners:
Thank you for your recent statement. Despite of what happend, c’grats pa rin to a great event! I myself had fun with my first run in beautiful LaUnion esp sa shoreline. so loved the beach.

Thank you for the accommodation and pls make sure there is a follow up run event again dyan sa SF or San Jose. I’ll definitely come back! Great meeting you guys ^__^

hindi napahalagaan ng mga organizers o yn incharge sa mga tumatakbo ang kanilang participants, in connection sa 42kms run, gusto ko lang magcoment regarding sa previous na comment sa taas. Yun 73 yr old na si Father villanueva from agoo was not well hydrated, ang aming medic team ang nagconvoy at nag-escourt sa kanya pababa ng bacsil going sa turning point sa legleg. Concern lang namin dito ay hndi kame napuntahan agad ng organizer o kahit sino ng incharge sa event, 8:40 am kakaikot lng ni Father sa bacsil turing point, (diba my rules regarding sa time frame o yn hrs ng takbo?), going down nakarating kme ng pacpacac nanginirelay na namin ang problema sa mga organizer, tirik na ang araw (10:30pm) in this case a 73yr old male is prone or pwde itong magkaheat stroke, we the medical team ay di kme nagwithdraw and even we cather first aid kay Father para di cya magcollapse. may pumanta ngang tagapicture from the organizer ata yn, sbe ko na yn situation pro ang sabe niya tawagan n lng daw namin kc wala siyang load. the team relay the concern to our base para icontact sa organizer pero busy daw ang organizer kasi awarding na, (Guys bakit ganon, hinayaan nila ang isang runner na tumakbo samantalang nagstart na pala ang awarding) ipinapakita lang nila na wala silang pakiaalm sa mga runners nila, then hinayaan lng namin kasi baka saglit lang yn awarding at pupuntahan na din kme, Pero hindi nangyari, nasa junction na kme ng nagsaad (going to san gabriel) ala pa rn sila at may nkasalubong pa kmeng 2 runners ng 42k going back sa starting point. we contact again yn organizer, aorund 11:30am si Father Villanueva ay gusto pa rin neang tapusin yn run, Fahter told me that “Ang sabe nun nagEntertain sa akn a organizer, pwde ko itong tapusin till 5pm” (in this case wala ngang nasunod na ruling sa time)pro dapt andun yn mga organizer or isang representative nila para makita o pacheck nila ang huling runner ng 42k. nakatanggap dn kme ng order galing sa isang organizer ng run, “sabihn niyo na tapos yn event, kausapin neo na sumama na sa inyo bumalik d2, kung ayaw niya iwan neo na lang siya” (in our medical protocol and standard pre hospital setting, di nmn pwdeng pabayaan ang isang matanda sa gitna tirik na araw at sobrang init na panahon, even my order na gnun hindi nmn iniwan si Father because we know that we are laible in that case. we relay the message na di nmn pwdeng iwan si Father kng pwde kayo po pmunta d2 at magexplain sa kanya ( Orginizer lng po cguro ang pwdeng magsabi or pagexplain sa kanilang runners tungkol sa mga rules, defaults and anything na concerns sa event) hindi po cguro tama na kme pa ang magexplain at magsabe kay Fahter na tapos na yn event. Even Father Villanueve told us papuntahn neo yn organizer dto sila dapt ang magsabi sa akin nean. from nagsaad to san gabriel isa na water station ang nadaanan nmin, at dumating yn punto na si fahter na mismo ang naghhouse to house para makahingi ng tubig. (sa ambulance na rn nmn wala ng tubig because we make sure that the 73yr old man was well hydrated, and even we brought ice at i first aid sa kanya laban sa sunburn at heat stroke)
when we our to enter the town of san gabriel, may tumawag sa amin, isang organizer kinausap nea si Fahter Villanueva, pro mukang si Fahter Villanueva ay ayaw pa rin niyang sumuko at pursigido pa siyang tumakbo. hangang nakarating kme sa town of san gabriel and sabe ni Fahter “Stop muna tau at bibili ako ng pagkaen natin” (para sa inyong kaalaman , Ang amin medical team ay hindi pa nagbreakfast, ni nagsnacks at di pa naglunch. ang instructions sa amin ay my iproprovide ang organizer ng free breakfast lang) Father Villanueva brought gatorade ang pinapay for us para marehydrate kme kc pansin nea na exhuast na rn kme at d pa kme ngbreakfast. we agian contact the organizer and even our boss para malaman na nila yn situation namin, our boss call us na pamunta na yn organizer dyn at mga pnp para palitan na kayo, that was around 1:45pm. Nagexplain ulit kme kay Fahter na sakay na siya sa ambulance kasi sobrang init at pwde siysang maheat stroke but Father Villanueva insist, ayw nea at tatapusin daw nea yn 42k. so we escourted father villanueva until San felipe. aun sa wakas dumating din ang mga organizers. (they check father Villanueva at nagpapicture pa sila) naconvince din nila si Fahter na Stop na yn race. and our team went back to kahuna, wala man lang sumalubong or kumausap na organizer sa amin dun at they are having thier lunch, kumakaen habang kme nakatayo nagpinapanuod sila, the team team decided to pack up and proceed to base. (even yn naiwan dun sa kahuna na team namin na nagfirst aid ay di nagbreakfast at di man lang iofferan ng snacks or lunch man lang).

Wala po kmeng intention na sirain kayo at kung anu man. ang gusto lang nmn maging eye opener to para sa inyong organizers na dapt kasama ito sa inyong planning, at para di neo mapabayaan ang mga runners or participants neo. marami pang mga negative commnents na dapat pang sabihn pro ito ang main concern nmn, as a medical team in our institution, di po kme nagpapabayad or humihinge ng anu mang material na bagay pro sana naman isipin neo rin yn safety at kalagayan ng mga naededeployed na medical team and even mga other volunteer teams (barangay officials and PNP and volunteer personnel)

….

I-runners,
I’m really one of those runners who was really frustrated on not getting the race kits (singlets and bibs) on time. Imagine the time, effort and fuel wasted just to go back to La Union one week before the event to pick up the race kits but none of it was available as promised to us when we registered almost a month earlier.
Tapos sasabihin the day before the race makukuha ang singlet so we decided to go to La Union the day before para Lang makuha pero sabi wala pa daw singlet, bib lang ang binigay makukuha ito at 2am on race day… Sabi ko sino namang runner ang gigising ng 2am para lang makuha ang singlet. So we joined the race without getting the singlets.
Then after finishing the race, we asked kung available na ang mga singlet pero wala pa daw, the lady was instead giving us singlet of LUUM pero I declined to get it since I think I should be getting what is due.
Then dumating mga daw mga singlets pero wala na sizes na available at puro daw medium… So tired, yet disappointed.
But to be fair, the route was one of the best na natakbohan ko since I started running half marathon last December at Corregidor. Ganda talaga ng route.
I know there are things that caused the problems and we runners got furious about it, but at the end of the day we just realized that above all, we just want to enjoy running and that’s what I-runners want to give us since they are runners like all of us too.
Many lessons were learned and that adds up to the colors of our running.
Let’s just keep on running.
God bless us all!

i-runners thanks po and nice route!