Joined the 7th DND-AFP Gintong PAngarap half-marathon last Sunday at Villamor Airbase. Wait, let me qualify that: I was in the 5 km fun run category. It was my brother, Jerome, who tried his first 21-km event.
Let me just say that this was one of the better organized runs that I've joined so far. I have to hand it to the organizing crew because I really didn't hear anyone complain the whole morning! (Believe me, "bitching" seems to be a favorite emotional outlet for many people).
First thing that caught my attention, were the kilometer markers they put along the way. FOr those without Garmin Personal navigators, this was the next best thing! :) Maybe it's just psychological, but it sure helps when you know how much more you have to go!
They also had marching bands along the route. I saw only one (since I had to turn already at SLEX) but Jerome told me there were still two more in Fort BOnifacio. For a guy without an I-pod, listening to a live brass band play "Itaktak mo" (an Eat bulaga! tune) was just what the doctor ordered.
Villamor was a good choice because of the nice surroundings. The roads are clean and not too many cars.
They also seemed to have a lot of water (in comparison, the run i joined two weeks ago was a disaster!) which is top-of-mind for most runners: I mean who likes dying of thirst?!? I do lug around a bottle of water all the time for insurance.
At the finish, it was a big surprise when someone handed me a plastic bag of goodies: 2 pandesals, saging na saba, and boiled egg. That definitely made me smile. These DND-AFP guys really know how to take care of their runners! Good job!
It was the first race certificate that I saw where somebody actually signed!
I hung around for a while at the grandstand and watched a marching band perform. I took videos on my phone(maybe ill download them later this weekend) and walked around to enjoy the place.
It was a well organized event despite having no big name sponsors. It was also nice to see the top brass of the Air Force attending the event and providing moral support to their troops.
Let me just say that this was one of the better organized runs that I've joined so far. I have to hand it to the organizing crew because I really didn't hear anyone complain the whole morning! (Believe me, "bitching" seems to be a favorite emotional outlet for many people).
First thing that caught my attention, were the kilometer markers they put along the way. FOr those without Garmin Personal navigators, this was the next best thing! :) Maybe it's just psychological, but it sure helps when you know how much more you have to go!
They also had marching bands along the route. I saw only one (since I had to turn already at SLEX) but Jerome told me there were still two more in Fort BOnifacio. For a guy without an I-pod, listening to a live brass band play "Itaktak mo" (an Eat bulaga! tune) was just what the doctor ordered.
Villamor was a good choice because of the nice surroundings. The roads are clean and not too many cars.
They also seemed to have a lot of water (in comparison, the run i joined two weeks ago was a disaster!) which is top-of-mind for most runners: I mean who likes dying of thirst?!? I do lug around a bottle of water all the time for insurance.
At the finish, it was a big surprise when someone handed me a plastic bag of goodies: 2 pandesals, saging na saba, and boiled egg. That definitely made me smile. These DND-AFP guys really know how to take care of their runners! Good job!
It was the first race certificate that I saw where somebody actually signed!
I hung around for a while at the grandstand and watched a marching band perform. I took videos on my phone(maybe ill download them later this weekend) and walked around to enjoy the place.
It was a well organized event despite having no big name sponsors. It was also nice to see the top brass of the Air Force attending the event and providing moral support to their troops.
