Merrell Adventure Run 2012 – Results Discussion

Very difficult. Very satisfying. Thank you!

wow exciting trail run. almost perfect run!unexpected weather and rugged terrain. i really enjoyed the adrenalin rush. I’ve notice lang about dun sa pocari station before the mudpit area, sna nauna muna un mudpit bago ang hydration station ng pocari kc possibleng madumihan un iniinom n pocari since lulusong s mud ang mga runners. pero overall masaya!

sharing some photos for 5:34 – 6:10 Finishers :)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.323618637714955.74743.276907269052759&type=1

There is result now, I had 47mins time in 5k but doesn’t reflect on the official result. To the organizer, is the late registrants does not have official race results?

my first trail run! ang galing! :)

ang galing ng trail run! :) my first trail run! nameet yong expectations ko, sumobra pa nga! hahahah :) ’til next tym

Pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150853342797055.405068.506652054&type=1&l=c93824a1ab

https://500px.com/rabasolo/stories/39620/trail-running

niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……

asteeeeeeg!!!

kudos to Merrell and all finishers sobrang hirap ng Trail run kahit ako nahirapan ako first time first barefoot sa trail run :) pero overall ok ang race nag ka prob lang sa Hydration ng Pocari naubusan na daw tsaka yung sa taas konti na lang yung cups pagdating namin hehe!

Wala po yung race result ng late registrants? or yung mga nahuli pang finishers? (5 hours +)?

kaiingit yung mga 21 finishers. I only finished the first loop tapos dnf na ako. ako yung nasiraan ng sole ng sapatos. bawi ako next year dala ako extra shoes.

Where are the results for those more than 5 hours and 30 minutes? The 100% trail was about 80% mud and very slippery, especially for those who are on the slower side. My most difficult run so far, this 21K was even harder than a full road marathon for me. The first time I really appreciated getting a medal for just finishing a race.

before the event,dami reklamo,,ayaw nila dahil event king daw ang nag organize.But now all of the runners have fun on this trail run..merrell adventure run rocks.looking forward for next year trail run..Good job guys..

If a photographer wearing a pink winged cap took your picture, you may find your photos here. ü

https://www.facebook.com/EllaPerezPhotography

@adventurer i think hindi na po recorded ung time ng mga nakatapos ng more than 5hrs30min kasi tinanggal na nila ung timing map eh.. and 30-40minutes after they turned off the timer na kahit may mga natakbo pa.

To Eventking organizers, here are negative
Insights on Merrell Adventure Run.
1. late departure of shuttle bus. The bus left 5am instead of 4am sharp. Less time to prepare for the run and did’nt catch up for the gunstart.
2. Failed on Medal. 21 k runners got a “sticker medal” , a haphazard-made small medal. We’ve been through such difficult-long- trail course and you want us to expect this kind of medal?
3. Early pack-up. Have you guys check if there are still runners on the trail course? Be considerate to 21k runners. You would be surprised that after finishing the 21 k trail run, all booths have packed-up. No Food, No outdoor showers, and shut-down timer awaited us.

4. Early bus departure goin to market2. Lots of 21 k runners who availed the bus were left behind. What happened to the shuttle bus? Did they fill the bus with non-runners and runners who did not avail the shuttle pass?Did the driver check if all passengers have stubs? Poor 21 k runners who availed the bus, will have to walk another several kilometers to get out the long-stretch of timberlands. We paid 300 pesos for roundtrip but ended up like this!
This is organized by eventking, expect a faulty event.

feeling naman kasi yung ibang runners, nag-register for 21K (ang lakas ng loob), tapos tatapusin lang pala ng 6-8 hours. what do you expect naman, di ba? maghantay lahat ng mga tao para sa inyo?

fyi, the buses left late sa market late kasi madami nag-request to give chance to us runners na binagyo ng sobra. they also left late sa timberland, instead of 1030 they left almost 1130.

ang lakas ng loob mag-21K, sobra namang mga whiner. ewan.

i had fun but STILL disappointed with the organizer. I only had fun BECAUSE of the course.

bus leaves market market at 4am? super late na umalis. yan tuloy late na ko sa gun start ng 21k. mag6am na kami dumating at syempre iihi pa kami, magiiwan sa baggage, warmup etc.

so bakit di naging issue ngayon ang pagkalat ng baso di kagaya ng nat geo?

kasi sila na mismo nagsabi na itapon nalang diyan. kita ko nga na sila pa ang naghulog ng mga baso sa lupa. wala man lang basurahan. kayo rin ba nagsabi na bubuhusan niyo nalang kami ng tubig mula fire truck?

So pag bgc may kalat, malaking issue, pero pag sa gubat na mismo ok lang?

may nagcheck ba kung talagang may bus ticket yung mga sumakay? Wala. so sorry nalang yung mga “naiwan” at malamang “kayo pa ang magiging may kasalanan” ayon sa kanila

Alam niyo na napakadelikado na ng daan dahil super putik pero di niyo na iniisip yung mga mahuhuli lalo na sa bus.

Eventking never na talaga para sakin.

Unable to get my Race Kit… so I just supported some of my running buddies and managed to take pictures inside the Basic – Blue Zone – Nursery – Green Trail of our very own and a Biker’s Heaven… TIMBERLAND!

Check this out!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.449827435028381.110146.100000033862548&type=1

Thank you MERRELL!

I agree with comment number 14, another thing… wala ng cups sa hydration station in the last 9km for the 21k runners…

Correction: I didn’t notice that the number of comment was changed, I’m referring to the comment of runnrmd at comment number 17 which is really true, hoping na natuto na ang merrell sa mga lapses in yesterday’s event…

The organizers did not set a cut off time. It’s unfair for them to pack up when more runners were still in the course. Feeling ba ung mga mabagal sa 21k? Leaving them in the mud would have been fine so long as the organizers told everyone that, “hey, we’re gonna leave you fvcks if you’re not done in 4 hours. fvck you, slow fvcking noobs.”

Then yes, it would have been ok to leave the rest in the rain and pack the hell up.

But they didn’t.

I hate guys who always complain in everything they dont expect to happen occured. Be considerate sa lahat ng effort ng mga tao behind the race.If you want a perfect event, why not organize your own, I’ll be more grateful to join your event. Why not assess yourself first before signing on a race you wanted? Strengths,weakness, para hindi ka maxadong mareklamo, nahahalatang novice ka. Dapat nag 10k or 5k k nalang sana kung natantsa mo lang sana ung lakas mo, malamang nakaabot ka bago magsara ang mga booth, whiner!! Hindi mo maikakaila that this run is one of the best run you’ll ever had, its like a bootcamp, not a running clinic, test of strength to bro! kung gusto mo mag-chess ka nalang, para hindi ka hirap. Porke nagbayad ka,pwede ka ng magreklamo? Tandaan mo walang pumilit sayo na tumakbo sa ganitong event,try mo ung 5k, baka dun ka bagay. Tamaan na ang tatamaan, kung guilty ka,why not reply on the comment, atleast pagdating sa pagrreklamo,ikaw naman ang nangunguna, sa race kase huli ka. Im not part of any organizer,also not a elite athlete, just a weekend warrior and very thankful to those guys who organize every race I’m in, just the fact that they keep me safe and hydrated, I appreciate them all. More training brother, baka maling sports ang napili mo, mahirap yan..

@BlackPumaRider:

unfair naman ata ang comment mo para kay gary kasparov

*garry

Speaking for myself, I ran the 10K Merrell last year, I did around 1:27 clock time. I expected to finish in around 3:30 this year for the 21k but I finished around 5:52 or 5:53+. I’m a decent runner with a 21K PR of 1:48, never did I expect to finish this badly. The mud was really slippery, so most of the time I had just to walk. I got some falls with some scrapes on my hands for the river crossing, both of my toes are getting black. In terms of tiredness, I was okay, because of the walks, but there is no way I will risk my limb to make a faster time. There is no way that I can increase my time, I did my best. If I did so badly, how much more others with a lower 21K PR than me? Or those without trail experience, some are even first timers for 21K.

Looking at the comments, of course there will be complaints and “whining”, that’s normal with any course. We all differ as runners, but we still observe the same things.

I’m just disappointed that some comments here put down the runners who finished six hours after gun start. I have met some of them, and the race served its purpose: it was the first trail run for others, some used it to train for another event (they consciously finished slower, wanting to be injury -free), others just came back from an injury, etc.

I have even seen some of the marshalls complaining that they had to wait for the other 21k finishers, and “matatagalan pa kami.” They signed up for it, then they should be prepared to do their jobs. The same goes for the bus, that they should’ve been prepared to wait for ALL runners, and not say “kasi half-day lang ang arkila sa amin.”

There were no water stations during the second loop, and there was just SO MUCH TRASH.

It’s not only a test of strength, but a measure of your maturity as a runner and as a person. It’s never okay to put down the others, kesyo “mabagal” or “whiner”. Remember once na ganyan ka din dati, that you started from shorter distances and easier trails, and who would want to be treated like that?

*** Apologies, correction: the first five or so kilometers of the second loop did not have any hydration.

All trail runs are way tougher than road races – I think all runners should bear this in mind. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own safety and welfare.

BlackPumaRider and Kat – I share your sentiments against runners who constantly complain. Wisdom comes with age, sabi nga. I hope their whining will fade away with time, as they develop the love for the sport.

Sa lahat ng events, merong nagawa nang maayos, at meron naman sumablay. Sana binabasa ito ng mga organizers para next time, gawin ulit yung maayos, at gawan ng paraan yung hindi

Opinyon ko lang ito, at pwedeng iba ang experience ng iba dyan

1. More than enough hydration. Malimit yung water stops, at sa lugar na usually wala access sa saksakyan… Salamat sa mga porters na nagbuhat ng 50+ water containers per water stop… sorry talaga at mas malimit pang ginamit pang hugas ko kaysa pinang inom (kasi may dala akong hydration)

2. Maraming marshal / medic especially sa mga areas na critical… yung sa ilog.

3. Hindi kaya ng trail yung dami ng participants. Sa second loop ng 21k, masyado nang sira yung trail to the point na yung ibang areas delikado na.

4. Ropes on critical areas. Buti naman at merong tali sa ibang lugar… kung wala, talagang hindi makakababa / akyat sa sobrang putik.

5. Mababait ang marshal sa trail. Yung sa finish line, ok rin naman, atat na nga lang umuwi.

6. Nag avail ako ng shuttle galing market market. Hindi lang tama na late umalis. 40 minutes late umalis ng Market, at hindi ko tuloy inabot ang gun time ng 21k. 3:10 pa lang nasa Market na ako at nageexpect na alis ng saktong 4. Sana hiniwalay ang 10k/5k sa 21k ng bus para pwede nang mauna ang may mas maagang gun time. Pauwi naman, wala problema.

7. May mga nag 1 loop na lang sa 21k na nakakuha pa rin ng finishers kit at medal.

8. Accurate time. Kahit na late ng 7 minutes ako sa gun time, na record naman nila ng ayos … at yung chip time, tama naman based sa relos ko

9. walang shower area… Nag-expect talaga ako ng shower area dahil sabi nila meron… Hindi naman tama na bigyan na lang ng 3 drum ng tubig at kanya kanyang salok na lang… buti pa sa gitna ng trail meron pa talagang running water. At dahil kanya kanyang salok, kulay putik na rin ang tubig sa drum.

10. Maraming salamat sa mga runners na tumatabi kung pakiusapan. Pero meron din mangilan ngilan na talagang ayaw tumabi at may mga sumisingit din sa pila … especially yung pila sa waterfall…

@comment 27 Adventurer
ayos pare at priority mo ang safety mo at ng fellow runners… maraming nagmamadali na hindi nila iniisip na pwedeng silang madisgrasya at maka disgrasya.

ako naman dahil late nga nag start, nahirapan ako mag overtake ng mga nasa tail ng 21k, at sa dulo ng 1st loop inabot naman yung mga nasa 5k. So double whammy :( … pero ok lang, kahit na malaking impact yon sa time ko, hindi naman nakadisgrasya. Majority ng trail pang single file lang talaga at delikado mag-overtake.

Sharing some photos my hubby took while running the trails himself.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3703998970364.149478.1587192593&type=3

Congrats to us, all runners who started & finished the race whether late or not but who ran the rugged & unforgiving trail with stamina & strength. Always remember the runners “unpopular motto” .. ” Run not to complain, but run to obtain, the courage & stamina to finish the race with pride & honor.. It’s your race, run it!! “. Be Blessed all Runners !

congrats sa mga nakatapos.. sino po gustong magpapalit ng finisher shirt from SMALL to MEDIUM size. medium kasi ang nakuha ko eh payatot ako. just contact me 09088842540 near eastwood or ym me [email protected]

Baka any of you here could share the number of eventking. Just wanted to ask them if it’s possible to get a medal coz hindi ako nabigyan but dun sa official results, I made it to the top 50 (I ran 10K). Thanks!

I love every bit of it. it’s my first trail run ever! will do it again nxt year! thank you.

Parang bawal yata magbigay ng sentiments ang mga gusto mag level-up! hehe! Sa mga malalakas dyan, pag pasensyahan nyo na lang sila. Pasalamat na lang kayo mas malakas kayo sa kanila at walang nangyaring masama sa inyo! Kung sakali, baka silang mga tinatawag nyong “whiners” at “novice” pa unang tutulong sa inyo pag nagkataon. Magbigay na lang kayo ng mga tips. Lahat naman dumaan sa pagka “Noob”. Para sa mga tinatawag nilang whiners at novice, resbak na lang kayo next year! hehe. Peace…

Not complaining about the trail itself but more on the handling of the after-event.

I just wish the organizers considered the 6 and 7 hour finishers. Not whining but its easy to imagine that because of the weather and conditions, some runners will sacrifice speed for safety. I just wished the organizers anticipated that and acted accordingly to accommodate everyone who paid the same amount as the faster finishers but didn’t get what they paid for. No shower, no kits, no medals, no food, no shuttle and had to pay for expensive taxi back to BGC kawawa naman sila. And many of them weren’t newbies either, meron doon experienced mountaineers and ultra-marathoners who attended BDM and TNF who sacrificed speed in favor of safety so you can’t tell them na “kulang lang kasi sa training”

…and for their priority of safety over speed on the trail, they’re punished by the scene of the race staff hastily packing up. Nakakaawa naman po.

So if you managed to finished fast, then good for you but that doesn’t mean the slower finishers are not entitled to the same after-event treatment. We all paid the same amount of money, after all.

Where do we get the finisher’s kit for those who weren’t able to get it last Saturday? I called one of the branches, no advice yet. Thanks.

Sapul! May tinamaan ba? That’s why I love running.. Peace.

Easy ka lang Sapul BlackPumaRider! Lawakan mo lang isip mo at maiintindihan mo rin ang sinasabi at sentimiyento nila. Kung ikaw walang naging problema sa event na yun dahil ikaw yata si superman. Sila meron, dahil hindi sila kasing galing at kasing lakas mo! Sana nga lang di mangyari syo kahit sa anong pagkakataon ang mga naramdaman at naranasan nila…

wahhhhhh di ako nahagilap ng mga camera.. wala ko pic..

tama si BlackPumaRider

dami reklamo wala naman pumipilit sa kanila na sumali.. ako nga eh the weakest di nga ng reklamo..

tama si peej. kelangan naman i consifer ang 6 7 finisher..

@InCountry – Ayan reklamo ka nga wala ka pic!(joke lang) hehe

Kung ganun pwede rin pala sabihin ni RunRio sorry na lang sa mga naubusan ng racekit nung RU1. Ang babagal kasi nila! hehe

*finisher’s kit

Pare-pareho lang naman tayo lahat nagbayad ng pare-parehong reg fee diba? So di ba commonsense na mag-expect ng parehong treatment ang lahat ng mga runners?

Honestly, buti pa ang mga Kenyans di mo makikita dito pinagyayabang ang bilis nila sa mga comments at inaalipusta ang mga hindi singbilis nila dahil alam nila ang good sportsmanship at malawak ang pag-uunawa nila. Sana matuto dyan ang mga mayayabang. Kaya may ibang mga taong ayaw nang ituloy ang pagsali sa mga patakbo kasi ang dami rin mga runners na daig pa ang mga elite runners kung umasta.

@blackpumarider
If you love running dahil mahilig ka mag”sapul” ng ibang tao, nakakaawa ka naman. You have put down other people to feel good about yourself. Isn’t that the definition of bullying? ryan anthony chuva ikaw ba yan?

Nakakalungkot din isipin na yung ibang mabibilis ngayon, nakalimutan na nila na naging mabagal din sila dati. Kung hamakin ang mga slower runners, akala mo pinanganak silang mabilis. Maybe you guys should run next to the Kenyans so you can re-learn some humility lol

@blackpumarider
sige i dare you to tell any experts, elite runners or coaches na you love running dahil mahilig ka mag-sapul ng tao. Tingnan natin kung ilan ang maririnig mo na “then you’re running for the wrong reason” lol

First and foremost, this forum was created for the purpose of SHARING FEEDBACKS and EXPERIENCES. All the comments, as I personally believe, is for the benefit of brainstorming so as to improve not just their next event (should there be another one), but also other events as well. The comments posted here were not supposed to incite dispute among runners but I guess it could not be avoided because not all of the people who’s posting comments here can fathom that, especially those who knows for a fact that they are not an “elite athlete” but just a “weekend warrior” or so he says. Running in a marathon or a trail-event is a serious thing. Adequate training is required and indeed, self-assessment is needed because it could bring forth serious injury if your reckless. You cannot just say that this is the best run that you ever had because nothing bad has happened to you. MATURE and EXPERIENCED runners does not see it in that point of view. It is not just all about yourself in the run. You evaluate the whole event, see it from everybody’s perspective. Sabagay, dito mo mkikita ung mga totoong novice, ung mga talagang kulang sa training. Not because you finished your category after several hours does not mean that you are not fit. I’ll be mentioning this not to boast or anything, but some who participated in the 21k category including myself, assisted other runners who had a hard time in the trail. That’s how it works bro. ‘Di lang puro sarili. The bus left early leaving behind several runners who paid for its service, most of them not familiar with the place. Have you seen the looks on their faces upon learning that they were left behind and had no idea how the heck are they going to leave Timberland and get to the nearest bus/jeepney station to get them home?! One comment says that you shouldn’t expect others to wait for u because you finished after 6-8 hours. So he would have left his friends or his buddies who were left behind basta makauwi lang sya. See? That’s a sign of maturity and someone who possesses a high E.Q. You also think of others participating in the run. It’s a good thing that some runners acted as good samaritans, who offered their private ride to others who were left by their busses, even letting their back door open so runners could fit in and drop them on bus/jeepney stops. Thankfully also, some drivers of cargo trucks let other runners hitched a ride. This is not just about whining. It’s about being responsible. I’m a chess player and I’m sure that YOU ARE NOT! Well said KAT, I commend u for understanding. Indeed, this is not just a measure of strength, but a measure of maturity. You also use your mind here finishing the trail without injury. Something that any novice participating will not be able to understand.

Really? Do we really think its acceptable na only the faster runners deserve to be treated fairly by the organizers? (shower, kits, medals, shuttle)

To hell with the slower runners? They deserve to be treated shabbily by the organizers because they’re slow? (no shower, no kits, no medals, no shuttle)

Forget the fact that everyone paid exactly the same amount of money for the same services? Na demanding for fair, equal and quality treatment from the organizers are only to be dismissed as “whining”?

Just my two cents in this:

– It was made very clear that medals and T-shirts will only be given to the Top 50 finishers. So if you had a problem with this setup, then you shouldn’t have joined

– I thought that the joy of running was to finish the course. Or to get a PR. If you are a purist and truly enjoy running, then medals and T-shirts are not essential.

– Having said that, being left behind by the shuttle truly sucks. For me, that is unfair. It’s not that Timberland is readily accessible by public transpo. For me, that is an epic fail.

So kung puro whining lang pala ang mga nagrereklamo dito ibig sabihin puro “whiners” din ang mga nagrereklamo sa NatGeo Earthday run? Same organizer pala yon, btw

So pati yung mga nagreklamo sa NatGeo run hindi justified ang mga reklamo at sasabihan nyo na lang na “ginusto nyo yan” or “mag-chess na lang kayo”?

alam nyo, hindi naman sana dapat masabihan ng “whiner” yung mga nag-take ng 8 hrs bago matapos ang race. ang problema lang kasi, alam na nga nila na ang bagal nila sobra, tapos magagalit sa merrell at sa organizers bakit iniwan sila. hindi kayo iniwan. hinintay kayo matapos, even the owners and the big bosses waited for you na makabalik. sobrang unfair na sasabihin nyo na iniwan kayo. oo nawala na lahat ng mga sponsors, pero hindi nyo pwede sabihin na iniwan kayo ng ganon nalang. sobrang late na nag-pack up para sa inyo. nung nag-start ulit sumama ang panahon, at nung naubos na ang stock nila ng food, at wala pa rin kayo, they had no choice but to leave. im friends with some of team merrell’s people and i know for a fact na halos lahat sila walang tulog night before para lang ma-ensure safety ng mga runners sa event nila. they were all wet from the rain, more tired than any of us runners, pero they still waited for the late-finishers. even their big bosses stayed! sobrang unfair lang na dahil sa sarili nyong kagagawan, i-ba-bash nyo na buong team na nagpakahirap para sa event. tama ba na i-expect nyo na hintayin kayo ng bus (which is scheduled to leave 1030) hanggang 2PM? paano naman kaming ibang runners na natapos ng maaga? fyi, umalis ang bus past 11, para lang mabigyan ng chance yung mga nahuli. sobra naman siguro na i-expect nyo na hantayin kayo–kasama kaming lahat na nagbayad din ng P300– hanggang ala-una or alas-dos. mahiya naman sana kayo sa amin, di ba.

amen to that rnnr.

Gaganda ng mga photos. Sayang di ako nahagip ng cam. Baka meron pa po kayo photos nung activity pde i upload. Baka nakasama na ako. :-)

Ok lang magcomment ng good/bad or any negative, para sa susunod eh magawan ng paraan or maiwasan.. yun lang yon. Don’t take it too personally, take it as a lesson or something na pedeng iimprove. Pero sana walang whining against any other runners, lahat dumaan sa pagiging novice.

nice one rnnr. personally, i know that i can’t handle 21k yet and am doubtful if i can do 10k. so i decided to go for 5k. good thing, i finished in the top 20. i’m no spring chicken (already in the 40’s) and this is only my 2nd trail run. i consider myself a noob, being only in this sport for about 8 months. my point is this: learn to assess your own capabilities. there’s no shame in running the 5k if that’s what you can do. i always consider the physical impact of longer races, not wanting to overburden myself and/or the organizers. i always keep in mind that i joined a particular race out of my own volition and that i – above all else – am responsible for my safety and well-being. i see no logical point in blaming others for a decision that i personally made. if my memory serves me right, every participant signed a liability waiver/release form upon joining the race. i don’t know any of the organizers personally, but please let’s consider the effort and the sacrifices that they, too, made. they may have earned and we have paid, but ultimately, it is us who should take care of ourselves.

just my two cents worth.

i have just spoken with my friend who is connected with merrell and you wouldn’t believe the lines of some of the 7-8hour finishers when they get back and found out that most of the sponsors’ packed-up already and bus has long left. here are some samples: “p–i– nyo! you guys are f-cking banned sa asian hospital, mga p-ki ng ina nyo!”; another one, “we paid for shuttle service ng two way, gawan nyo ng paraan na makarating kami ng market-market! hello, anong ini-expect nyo, matapos namin 21K in 4 hours?! heller! patawa ba kayo?”(this despite the fact that before they availed and paid for the shuttle service, they were informed that bus will leave timberland at 1030); and another one, “im super f-cking irate dahil mga leche kayo, pinahirapan nyo kami sa trail tapos iiwanan nyo kami ng gutom at putikan?! punyeta kayo!”

those are just samples. and lahat ng yang mga linya na yan narinig ng mga big bosses ng merrell dahil, as i’ve said, they waited sa expo hangga’t hindi naubos ang runners sa trail. yung ibang naiwan, pinahatid nila sa san mateo hanggang sa may shed where they can get transpo. some of them were invited by the bosses to have lunch with the rest of the team sa pinakamalapit na chowking. sobrang unfair for some people to say na pinabayaan sila. tsk, tsk. sumali sa trail run expecting to be babied…mali na kung mali to call them whiners. pero ano ba pwede mong itawag sa ganyang klaseng mga tao?

Okay let’s look at this way from the customer’s perspective. Kung ikaw nagbayad ng full 800 pesos for 21k reg at additional 300 for shuttle… tapos after mo magcross sa finish line ay walang naghihintay sa’yong food, shower, kit, medal, shuttle at yung iba naubusan pa ng tamang singlet sizes at kailangan pang gumastos sa taxi para makaalis lang sa Rizal, pakiramdam mo ba you got the full value of what you paid for?

Some people who quit after the first loop still got their shirts and medals. While many of those who did the whole 21k and truly finished 6 or 7 hrs later didn’t get anything. Fair ba yon?

Sinabi mo pang umalis ang bus ng 11. And still complain because the bus left less than an hour late? Swerte pa nga kayo you still got your money’s worth sa shuttle pabalik pero yung mga naiwan, papano na? “Sorry di kayo nakasama sa bus pero sa amin pa rin ang full na transpo na binayad nyo” How is that fair to those left behind? Umaasa sila na magkaroon ng konting rebate kahit papano for being left behind by the shuttle. They talked to the staff but they’re doubtful if there’s really ever going to be a partial rebate

They’re in the business of customer satisfaction diba? That means equal and fair treatment for all the participants fast or slow because we’re all paying customers.

Yes the marshalls and staff were all tired, as you put it, maybe just as tired as the runners or even more but keep in mind they’re being paid for doing their job and we’re paying them pero tayo gumagastos para dito di tayo kumikita ng pera dito at hoping and praying we’re treated equally as paying customers for the money we give them. Is that too much to ask?

fyi. many first time runners weren’t even aware of the cut-off until they got to Timberland despite repeated questions in fb about the subject which were all unanswered there by officials.

@JP

i don’t anything about the natgeo earthday run. i wasn’t there. i haven’t spoken with anyone who participated there. ang pinag-uusapan dito merrell adventure run.

correction: i DON’T know anything about the natgeo run… hindi ako pumunta doon, hindi ko alam what happened there. why do you ask?

Chill folks =)

Let’s provide CONSTRUCTIVE feedback and recommendations. This should not be a place for bickering etc. Nakakastress LOL

I dont understand how some more skilled runners can be so arrogant and resort to attacking persons rather than deal with issues. The constructive comments are not to bring down merrell. I think this run has gained enough loyal following to get morer runners next year. Which means, more noobs. Hope that next year, the organizers get to fix the gaps. Sali uli ako.

that’s my second trail run but my first 21k run. never expected that it would be that challenging! it had truly tested my limits! gotta train myself more for next year =)

Lessons learned: Do not join a Run (especially a TRAIL RUN) if you are not prepared or sure that you will finish in time. We cant blame the organizers, we cant blame anyone either. We can only blame ourselves. Example, kung first time ka sa Trail or Veteran pero nagdadahan dahan at sa tingin mo eh matatagalan ka bago matapos ang chosen distance mo ay wag ka nang mag expect na may aabutan ka. Given na yun sa mga races. Even yung mga bigtime runs ay nauubusan din dahil sa either nagkulang sa supply or madami lang talagang taong swapang at walang pakialam sa iba na garapal kung kumuha ng mga freebies,etc. We dont have to resort sa mga murahan and stuff.

Lets just all face the facts na wala namang perfect runs. Tayo na lang mag adjust as runners. Happy Running.

isa lang naman ang problema sa mga reklamador na runners na yan… hindi naman talaga sila mahuhuli na aabutin ng mahigit 6-8 hrs kung tlgang race ang layon nila… ang hirap kasi sa iba ginagawang pasyalan ung venue, hindi naman sa pagod sila tlga kaya naglalakad kundi nagsa-site seeing sa paligid at panay ang picturan kulang na lang magtayo ng tent at magpicnic dun. kung ganun ang purpose nyo ng pagsali, magpunta na lang kayo sa mga parks para kahit abutin kayo dun ng maghapon e ayos lang.kaya wag nyo sisihin yung mga organizer kung bakit napag-iwanan na kayo… mga pasaway kasi kayo!!! dapat lang sa inyo un!!!

sana sunday na next time ito para ma-experience ko din :)

para dun sa malalakas at walang reklamo dito sa event na ito. . hmm just post positive comments about the race at kung ayaw nyo namang makabasa ng mga “whining” comments. . I suggest them to join BR’s or Jonel’s races. . . and if you still read whining comments it just means they dont know how to read kasi isa sa mga rules nila “NO WHINING” :)

Sa discussions positive and negative comments will naturally be posted. just don’t force your opinion to everybody. Every comment here has merit.

May hiking experience ako so share ko lang na dapat talaga prepared. running in the mud takes skill and experience so I know how newbies feel when they are “too careful”. kahit ako nung bago palang sa bundok, takot na takot madulas lalo na sa pababa. Experience gave me confidence to run downhill on safe parts.

Don’t beat newbies up for being slow. But no swearing please. it’s not a perfect event and yes, they do need to hear about it. but not the most unreasonable demands and in such a vulgar manner.

not all complaints about the bus were from newbies. I myself made it in time but were concerned about the rest left behind. maybe others were waiting for their friends.

Siguro suggestion ko lang, delay the cut-off for a reasonable amount of time. At may “sweeper” pagmalapit na cut-off.

Running brings about the camraderie of even strangers. Helping those in a bad spot, catching those who have slipped and lost control, sharing food, jokes shared along the way, yan ang isa sa mga naeenjoy ko talaga sa long distance trails.

I’d rather see big smiled newbie at the finish, who pushed through pain, who took the courage, who will eventually inspire others with their never say die mindset rather than those who run to impress and look down on others. kala mo ba may pakialam sila sa oras mo?

Sapul.

@rnnr, could you please tell Team Merrell they did a good job in waiting for those who were left behind? :) I know marami na silang narinig na masasama, but they should be proud for staying behind.

I waited for a friend, and she was telling me that the marketing associate she talked to and other members of the team were very cautious on how they treated her. Maybe they were expecting her to go wild and magsungit, but my friend just smiled at them and said thanks for at least waiting for her and the many others still behind her, and for helping her get her finisher’s kit.

Of course she was disappointed she didn’t get the kit at that time, but hey, she will get it eventually, so what’s the big effing deal with all the others na galit sa Team?

Honestly, nakakainit ng ulo ang trail, lalo na kapag pagod na pagod ka na, but we all signed up for it. We are all different as runners, but the trail will kick our asses just the same, novice man or seasoned. I just hope we don’t forget our good manners and proper conduct kahit basag na tayo.

We really enjoyed the trail. May mga lapses lang na sana ma address ng maayos, di namin sinasabi na ibaby kami kasi ginusto namin na mag register sa 21k, at ginusto nyo ring mag organize ng trail run.

Here are some of my personal comments:

– may mga nainjured kaming nadaanan, to be exact 3 sila, my friends and i tried to check on them pero di namin kayang tulungan kasi sa klase ng injury nila, ang problema napakalayo ng nahingan namin ng tulong para masabi na may nainjured, nakakaawa sila sa totoo lang, specially yung natwist ang ankle at natanggalan ng lahat ng toe nails nya. Siguro di naman nila kasalanan na mainjured sila?

– di sana kami tatagal sa trail kung ang mga marshalls ay di nag packed up sa mga critical areas specially sa river na sobrang mabato at di namin alam kung alin ang malalim at delikadong daanan, at sana di na namin hinintay na ikabit ulit yung rope sa may vertical area, kasi tinanggal na.

– maraming tubig sana kaso wala sa mga hydration stations, nakalagay sa isang tindahan along the trail, at sabi itatapon na lang daw ang tubig kasi mahihirapan silang ikarga ulit sa sasakyan. Sana lang naconsume ng mga runners yung water para hindi kami lalong bumagal at hindi sila natagalan sa paghihintay sa amin.

– sana rin wala kaming narinig na nagsabi na “nagpumilit pa silang mag 2nd loop” kaya dapat iwanan, di kami nagpumilit, ako personally, sinabi ko sa sarili ko, kapg dumating ako sa entrance ng 2nd loop at sinabing di na pwede, i wont feel bad, ganun talaga DNF as runners called it, pero sinabihan kami o isang loop pa di pa kayo tapos, pasok pa sa cut off, so tumuloy kami, and as far as i know walang namention na may cut off, pero during the race sinabi nila may cutoff ok we submit, pero wag nila kaming sasabihan na nagpumilit..

– walang problema sa akin yung wala na ang mga sponsors at booth when we finished, ok lang yun and even the race kit will be picked up sa store again ok lang yun, ang di ko lang nagustuhan wala kaming area na pwedeng panghugasan, sasabihin mabagal kami, e yun ngang nauna sa amin na nagfinish around 6 hours di na rin umabot sa shower area, nagkasya na lang kami sa 2 small bottles of mineral water, at sumakay sa dala naming sasakyan.

– although may mga nangyaring di maganda na naexperience namin, still di kami nagalit or minura or nagsisigaw sa mga organizers, we didnt demand anything from them. Kasi we understand its part of the event, ganun talaga. Pero wag naman sana nila icondemn yung mga mababagal tumakbo/walk, nagbayad din naman kami ng tama at sumunod din sa mga rules, we dont deserve thise drastic words. We respect others opinion, therefore we deserve equal respect in return.

Sana lang maaddress tong mga issues na ito para maiwasan sa mga susunod na events.

Keep running peeps, to the organizers more powers and there is always room for improvement!

To all runners – Next time while we were enjoying the mountains in our trail run, don’t leave your trash along the trail ( cups, bottles and food wrappers ).

We are tirelessly saying about the beauty of the terrain but still we are uneducated on how to dispose our trash.

Moving forward, we can leave our cups or empty bottles in the designated hydration station.

Remember, we are only visitors in the mountain and we should respect and keep it in-tact God’s creation.

tama na muna bickering. you can enjoy and laugh watching this video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb_rHhkz2qQ

Trail run po ito, hindi ito trail walk or sight seeing. yung pong nakatapos ng 7 to 8 hours, for sure hindi lang naglakad, baka dami pa stop over. imagine thats 21 to 22 mins per kilometer na speed? be considerate din sana yung mga late finishers na nagbubunganga. guys it only takes 12 to 15 minutes to walk 1km.

This was my first trail run. It was bit frustrating when the guy from merrell market market didnt proactively offered the shuttle service. I said ok, that’s fine its my fault. So I went there. Took a cab and left at exactly 3:15 and arrived at cubao at 3:45. I ate at chowking and waited for the free jeepney service but apparently i was not able to find one and so I was forced to ride an FX and tricycle to timberland heights but when we arrived at the gate the guard said that the venue is still far about 1 more kilometer walk luckily an ambulance passed by and gave us a hitch. So far the trail run is great and fun. After the run I was able to get a quick shower along with some 21k runners who were kind enough to share their styro bowl to get water from the drum. They also gave me shampoo and liquid soap to wash the mud and dirt. After the run there was no guide telling where to ride to go back to the town proper and so I went ahead and walk up to the gate and little did I know that there was no tricycle nor any means of transportation but to walk to the nearest town. Luckily as I walk downhill there was a “karenderia” and an APV stopped marked with merrell reserved vehicle in front and so I asked the driver if its ok for them to give me a lift up to the nearest town and so he asked one of their truck drivers to give me a ride in front of the truck with A/C on… YAHOO! They even dropped me at Ortigas since I live at Taguig city. I enjoyed the whole experience and that’s what I call the “MERRELL ADVENTURE!” :)

@ZERBENZ
tumakbo ka ba sa MAR? Some runners talaga will sacrifice speed in favor of safety talaga kaya nabagalan. Tuloy-tuloy lang din ang mga last finishers kahit mostly lakad na lang sa 2nd loop tumigil lang para sa mga water stations kung meron pang naiwan and shower sa route and the occassional stop or two sa mga injured sa tabi ng daanan. Pero aside from that, tuloy-tuloy lang sila sa route and didn’t make unnecessary stops. I was there and saw it myself.

“for sure hindi lang naglakad, dami pang stopover” Sorry po kung tumigil kami ng sandali para sa mga injured di tulad ng iba jan na mabibilis di na pinansin ang mga injured sa tabi ng daan at sumisingit pa sa pila ng shower after the 2nd mud pit para lang mabilis sila makatapos.

galing ng merrell…adventure talaga! pati mga comments dito adventure din basahin! ha ha ha next year ulit!

init ulo?! itakbo mo lang yan!

alam mo peej,before ka magpost, try to get your facts straight first. eto part ng update sa fb page ng merrell posted May 31, 2012 at 2:56pm: Hello runners!! Please see below our final updates for the coming Merrell Adventure Run 2012:

Date and Venue: June 2,2012 at Timberland Heights, San Mateo,Rizal

Transportation going to Timberland:

1. Merrell Adventure Run Shuttle pick up(to those who availed of the shuttle service via our Concept Stores):

2. Shuttle pickup location: Market! Market! Global Bus Terminal Area.

3. Shuttle Pass distributed are numbered according to the respective bus.

4. Buses are identified with Merrell Adventure Run logos

5. No Shuttle Pass, No Ride policy. Same bus will be availed going back to Market! Market!

6. Bus departure schedule: 4:00AM. (Market!Market to Timberland)

7. Bus departure schedule: 10:30AM. (Timberland to Market!Market!)

And where in my posts did i ever complain about bus leaving past 11? Masyado ka ng blinded sa hatred mo sa Merrell. Mali naman yata yan, dude.

There are many parts on the trail, kahit maglakad ka lang, napakadulas parin, kahit konting incline or decline lang. Even sa patag, basta may putik, madulas parin. Kahit sa tabi, na may cogon grass na tinapakan na, madulas parin. Madaling mahulog, o mainjure like twist ng ankle. Talagang dahan dahan ang lakad, kaya maraming bumagal more than 15 minutes per kilometer. Its not the same as walking on the street, or even ordinary hiking, itong trail is hiking on slippery mud, kahit may bakal ka na spikes sa madaling panahon, dudulas ka parin dahil sa daming putik na kakapit sa sapatos mo. Baka ice shoes pa ang kailangan.

I’m sure maraming runners, lalo na yung nahuli diyan, can attest to this observation. Personal experience ko iyan at kitang kita ko rin yung iba, nag barefoot paglakad paakyat o pababa na nadudulas parin. This adds to the energy exertion, hence nauubos ang lakas kahit maglakad lang.

My 1st MAR experience was fun and full of challenges. It reminds me of my training days as a rookie policeman way back from the year 2001 most specifically obstacle course area (the barrel pass thru and mud pit area). Although I only registered for the 5Km category because I’m still nursing my back pains from my 1st 10Km Discovery Trail Run in Tanay Rizal last Sunday (May 27, 2012)of which I finished 9th place overall in 10Km Category.

This MAR experience is my stepping stone in preparing for the 2nd Leg of the Discovery Trail Run this coming September. Better try this one guys if you want to experience a near perfect Trail Run Experience. This trail run is organized by PIMCO Sporting Events. Tama na yung away, lets take this negative experience as a positive one of which (and hoping) that some of the problems will be addressed well and we may get some positive results on the next staging of MAR.
Unlike PIMCO, they only have two categories the 10Km(500entries) & the 21Km (500entries) so it’s not over crowded.

But in fairness to Event King the MAR organizer, my big congratulations to you guys, keep up the good work, just take all the negative comments positively.

To my fellow runners (Beginners or Veterans) be cool guys see you on the next run.

I finished this MAR 13th overall in the 5Km category..

Here are my comments on the run:

THE POSITIVE:
1)THE ROUTE…. very technical but unfortunately made worse by the mud due to rain… i had come to expect mud on the trail but was surprised by the volume of mud along the course… but still the scenery was fantastic!!
2)HYDRATION…. lots of water…. except for 1 station (the one after the culvert crawl wherein the station ran out of cups)… there were not enough sports drink for 21K runners though…
3)MARSHALS…. they were helpful esp. guiding runners during the river crossing
4)ADDED SAFETY…. setting up ropes for runners to pull themselves up slippery incline or to rappel down a slippery slope was very considerate on the part of the race organizer

THE NEGATIVE:
1) CUP DISPOSAL…. there were simply no bins for cups.. although i myself was guilty of littering but i was left with no choice but to litter… i just tried my best to use the least amount of cups along the way

OVERALL: MAR was FUN, TIRING yet REWARDING

comparing merrell advnture run and salomon run s 21k, ano mas mahirap na trail?

HI Rusz, if we are to compare just the trail per se, I’d say the Salomon trail is tougher.

But then, half of the Salomon Trail Run involved flats, so overall, I guess the Merrell trail was harder to complete. And what made Merrell even harder was that there were a lot of mud, which made the route really slippery.

salomon is tougher. nagpasaya lang sa merrell is ung mud…the slippery trails, obstacles, and 100% trail s’ya. but salomon is still cooler.

@ jp i knew salomon trail is even harder coz i run 24k there. i didnt expect matataas n talahib s timberland compare last 2 years ago. pero overall mas mahirap ata ang merrell.

Who wants to trade their small to a medium shirt? I got the medium, I think the race made me lose weight, HAHA. Kindly sms me: 0917.8686.511. We can meet up at Eastwood or Ayala. Thanks!

I think the muddy condition of Merrell made it much harder. But if the trail were dry, it would have made a significant difference in difficulty level.

If you guys want a more difficult challenge, try Rapu-Rapu trail run in Albay. It was dry but still 10 times harder than Merrell. Think 60 to 70 degree rock climbs add that to a strict sweeper with 6k mark cut-off and half-way cut-offs hehe.

Napansin ko lang wala silang walkie-talkies. Tuwing may makikita kaming marshall e nagtatanong pa ng “meron pa ba sa likod?” Kung may walkie-talkies lang sana sila, mas coordinated at hindi na kailangan magtanong sa runners.

BAKIT NAPUNTA YUNG RANK AT TIME KO SA 5K…EH 10K PO ANG CATEGORY KO AT TINAKBO KO…SINO AT ALIN ANG MALI.SANA MA CORRECT PA YUNG RECORD KO.SALAMAT PO SUPER ANG SAYA…KAYO NA ANG MERON NG GANITONG RUN SEE YOU AGAIN FOR MY 3RD TIME .I HOPE 21K NA AKO…SANA LAHAT NG FINISHER MY MEDAL:)

BECOZ “I FINISHED 2011,I SURVIVED 2012 AND NEXT I WILL CONQUER..2013” GOD BLESS PO:)

@ peej May dahilan ako kung bakit ako tumatakbo, kung ano man un, wala k ng pakialam dahil hindi nman kita kilala. Sorry kung tinamaan ka ah. Hahaha.

@runnrmd Very well said bro, mukhang hindi na tungkol sa run ang reklamo mo ah,parang sa tao na, haha. Kahit na halatang matalino ka, hindi lang ikaw ang may isip dito. Dun ka mag-reklamo sa baranggay este sa organizer pala, nakaligtaan yata nilang i-babysit ung iba.

@ boknoy Paxenxa na ngaun ko lang nabalikan lang trend eh kaya ngaun ko lang nabasa. Alam mo ung ideya sa “kuyog”, pag may nakitang ginugulpi eh nakikisuntok din kahit wala silang alam sa mga bagay? Is that all you can say “still comprehend with all those arguments”? Baka ikaw ung walang utak..

Sa dami ng complaints dito about finishing in 6-7 hours, I won’t be surprised if next year e magkaroon na ng cut-off time.

I enjoyed the run immensely. I could’ve finished early but because I’m going to Famy the next day, I opted to choose safety over speed. It was a good decision coz’ I got to help out a friend.

Before the run, I already posted about the hydration station problem from the previous year. You should have been warned.

I understand why a lot finished really late (incl me) and I find it rude that some posters appear to bring them down. But still, it was clear that the bus would leave at 10:30am, you should have made the necessary precautions. Instead of being reactive, you should have been proactive. Baliktad naman ang nangyari sa akin, a van was supposed to bring me to Timberland at 4am but because of the rains, I came late and so they left me behind. Instead of complaining, I used my brain to find a way to get there. I did my research ika nga.

For me, the beauty of a trail run lies in the challenge to complete the course while embracing nature for all that it can offer. Everything else is secondary. “I am not going to say wag kayo sumali kung di nyo naman pala kaya” coz’ i find it really arrogant. One needs to understand that there will always be one ahead of you and one behind you all the time. Just be prepared. A failure to prepare is preparing to fail.