A Comment From Atty Jon On "Logistics vs. Integrity"

I received the following comment from Atty Jon Lacanlale, one of the top finishers in the 1st Edition of the DBM 102 on my post entitled "Logistics vs. Integrity"

My two cents worth.

Perhaps, you may want to consider raising the fee at a reasonable rate to cover additional expenses? I mean that is what fees are for anyway. This will translate to more personnel and additional aid stations to help those who may not have vehicles to support them especially those foreign participants.

In 1st BDM102, some of us runners were lucky to have support crew and vehicles but most runners did not have. I am sure runners will understand the increase if they know the reasons for it.

Ideally, you may want to have aid stations in close proximity especially during the later stages of the race. Like, 1st aid station will be after 15km, then 25Km, 35km and so on. I will even suggest to have aid stations after every 5km after the 75km mark as this is the time when the sun is so hot and runners are reduced to walking sticks.

Other than few aid stations, the 1st BDM102 was a success. Thanks.

Jon

The following is my reply to the comment of Atty Jon:

Thanks for the suggestions, Atty Jon! Much that we want to apply and add some more aid station as compared as to what we did in the 1st edition, I have observed that 90% of the runners have their support vehicle even up to the extent of having a lot of pacers & support crews. We have observed also that what was good to eat and drink for me as a runner might not be good to other runners as each of these runners had experimented what is best for them during their training and for the race and they have these items with them in their respective support vehicles. One thing more, the food and drinks we prepared were also given to the runners' pacers and support crew which was supposed to be exclusively for the runners.

I just want simplicity in the conduct of this race and foremost, maintain an integrity in this race. Let us raise the bar for this event. The registration fee is just enough for the medals, trophy, finisher's shirt, coordination expenses and a small token to the marshals and my staff. There will be no more cash prizes for the winners. Finishing the race will be for prestige and our contribution in honoring our heroes. If there are sponsors who can help us with the logistics support system and willing to transport them to the race route area, then, we can bring back those Aid Stations.

With the foreign runners, they can arrange for their "rent a car" with driver through their travel agencies and they could arrive here earlier to buy their provisions. If they need a support crew, we can pay somebody to assist them charge to the account of the runner. These foreign runners know already what to expect and they know what to do. Our experience last year was really a logistics "nightmare". Anyway, there is enough time for the foreign runners to make their travel arrangements. This is true also to the local runners, they have enough time to look for their support vehicle or form a team of four runners as I allow a maximum of 4 runners with one Van as their support vehicle. thanks for the comment.

If the readers have any suggestions or comment about the conduct of the 2nd BDM 102, please feel free to post any comment in this blog.

More takbo.ph People Joining The Race

As of 10:00 AM of 30 October 2009, more people from the country's running website, www.takbo.ph, are joining the 2nd edition of this race. There are 92 runner-applicants for this race already with 12 foreign runners.

As we plan to request the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to field at least 10 runners from each of their organization, an additional estimate of 40 runners will be included to this race.

We will be sending also letter of invitation to Running Clubs in Key Cities in the country for them to join this yearly ultramarathon event. We have prepared letters of invitation for Cebu City, Davao City, Cagayan De Oro City, & Dumaguete City.

As of yesterday, we have started giving letter of requests for sponsorship to our friends. We hope to get positive responses

87/11 & Another Indonesian Runner

As of 8:00 AM of 29 October 2009, there are already 87 runner-applicants with 11 runners coming from other countries who have signified their intention to run the 2nd BDM 102.

An Indonesian friend of Jerry Karundeng aka High Altitude is interested to run in this event and I am still awaiting for the submission of his application. He will be applicant #88 and foreigh runner # 12.

Updates As Of 28 October 2009

The following are the updates on the 2nd BDM 102 as of 28 October 2009:

1. The Bald Runner's Events has cancelled the conduct of the BDM 102 Duathlon Challenge and the BDM 102 Hiking Experience due to lack of interested applicants.

2. Based from the trend of runner-applicants who are interested to experience the 2nd BDM 102, we might increase the maximum number of participants to 200 runners, provided they will apply before the deadline date of January 5, 2010.

3. Jonel aka Bugobugo85 @ www.bugobugo85.wordpress.com had made a pledge to support and donate 1,000 bottles of mineral water for the runners of the 2nd BDM 102. I hope more runners like him shall donate any kind of support to this event. Thanks, Jonel!

4. There are already 83 runner-applicants in this event with 10 runners coming from other countries.

Integrity vs Logistics ?

For the 2nd Edition of the BDM 102, our focus in the conduct of this race will be to maintain its integrity. We will see to it that respect and honesty will be strictly observed. Cheaters will be exposed as the race progresses and they will be immdediately disqualified to the said race. These cheaters will be completely banned from future editions of this race.

The Race Organizer will ask the runners to support themselves during the race as limited personnel will be involved in this race. Marshals and staff of Bald Runner's Events will act as time station personnel and security to the runners. Details of the rules and regulations on each runner's support system will be announced soon.

Start Training Now!

1st BDM 102 Videos

In the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race, the inquirer.net was able to make a coverage of the event and it can be seen at:

http://inquirer.net/vdo/player.php?vid=2481

Another video presentation was prepared by one of the Finishers of the event, Ronald Rei Declarador and it can be seen at:

http://ronaldrei.multiply.com/video/item/13/BDM102

Breached 80 Applicants

As of today, October 24, 2009, the number of applicant-runners for the 2010 BDM 102 has reached to 81.

The last day of application will be on January 5, 2010 and there will be no extension.

Application Instructions

You can register by posting a comment stating your complete name, age, date of birth, contact number, and e-mail address at the BATAAN 102 EVENTS Page at www.baldrunner.com.

2nd Bataan 102K Ultramarathon Race is limited to only 150 participants to include foreign runners.

Registration Fee For the 2nd Bataan 102K Ultramarathon Race is Two Thousand Pesos (P 2,000) for local runners and Seventy US Dollars (US $ 70.00) for foreign runners.

Deadline of Registration/Application on this Page (BATAAN 102 EVENTS) is January 5, 2010. (Ultramarathon Race)

After a thorough screening process, runners who will be included in the final list of participants/competitors will start receiving e-mail letters or SMS messages as an approval of their acceptance to join the race effective January 15, 2010. They are given 15 days to pay their registration fee.

Last Day of Payment of Fee is February 1, 2010.

1st BDM 102K Duathlon Challenge Is Cancelled

The plan to conduct the first Bataan Death March 102K Duathlon Challenge scheduled to be conducted on 21 March 2010 is cancelled.

The cancellation is due to lack of participants and sponsors for the event.

BDM 102 Blog

This site will be official blog of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race or simply called among runners as BDM 102.

Henceforth, all announcements and updates on the 2nd edition of the ultramarathon race will be published in this blogsite.

The 2nd edition of the race will be held on March 6, 2010, starting in Mariveles, Bataan and finishing in San Fernando, Pampanga. The race will start after midnite of March 5 and runners must be able to finish the race within the cut-off time of eighteen (18) hours.

Participants are advised to start training now!