DECEMBER 27, 2009 RACES

On the last Sunday of the year, Cebu is yet to hold another running event. Three to be exact. Ateneans will host their Blue Eagles Fund Run while SRRC has moved its Kasadya Run to the same date. Talisay City also promoted its Fun Run scheduled on the same day.

What do we hope to achieve in organizing multiple races on weekends? Turnout will be less and confusion will again be a problem.

Who could be at fault here? The organizers? or the people who approve the proposed dates? Anyway, I hope this will not continue next year. The Cebu City government should approve only one race per weekend. 

See you ON THE ROAD!!!

Organizing a Fun Run

Post-Race reviews are a common subject among bloggers. We evaluate and criticize races we've participated and provide recommendations. We start our assessment from the registration period until race day and end with post-run suggestions. We often criticize races as to the convenience of registration, route planned, adequacy of water and food/ snacks and post-race awarding ceremony. The weather and other non-"HUMAN" factors are sometimes included. These are proven helpful to improve the quality of local races and to invite more sedentary people to take up running as a sport or hobby.

(In Photo: Dr. Entera, Race Director, happy with the turnout of Runners) 

Is it really that easy to organize a race? DEFINITELY NOT! I was humbled when I had to help organize a fun run for our medical school sponsored by its alumna. We did not have that much time and had to organize the race in 3 weeks. Yes! 3 weeks. It starts with choosing a race director and a run club which can help facilitate the race. We chose Sugbu Road Runners Club (SRRC) as our advisor. The following checklist was used to facilitate the Race.

(In Picture: CIM Students and graduates register for the Fun run)

PRE-RACE

1. Permits (Cebu City Hall, Barangay, Cebu Sports Commission, etc.)
2. Funds (for Singlets, Registration Forms, Signage and advertisement, Adviser Fee, Meetings and other miscellaneous expenses)
3. Singlet Design and Cost
4. Tarpaulin Design and cost
5. Registration centers

6. Registration Forms
7. SPONSORS!!!
8. Awards (Certificate of Finish, Certificate of Winners, Cash Prize, Raffle Prizes)
9. Route (3K, 5K, 10K)
10. Venue
11. Category - Distance, Open/Executive (3K , 5K, 10K, male/ female, etc.) 
12. Emergency and First Aid Personnel

RACE DAY

1. Water Supply and glasses 
2. Signs and Race marshals
3. Adequate number of Checkers
4. Food or Snacks for runners
5. Pre-Run warm-up
6. Starting Gun
7. Timer
8. Race Program and participants
9. Turn point ribbons or markers
10. Water Stations (tables)

POST-RACE

1. Awards (cash/ certificate) and Medals
2. Post-race Meeting

It is NOT easy organizing a race. As what was mentioned, post-race reviews are of benefit to improve the quality of fun runs we have in our locality. However, we must also consider the difficulty in organizing a race and sometimes need a little bit more understanding on our part. I have joined almost 40 races since I started running and most of them were pleasant. Unless the need arises, I will not publish comments on races I have joined to give credit to the organizers. I just hope they stop organizing 2 or more races every weekend. One big Sunday race is what Cebuano Runners need.