135 Runner-Applicants & AFP/PNP Runners

As of now, there are already 135 runner-applicants for the 2nd BDM 102.

Last Monday, I gave my request to the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the Major Services to allow their runners to compete in this ultra running event. A slot of 30 runners is already reserved for them.

Hopefully, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be able to participate in this event. If they can contribute another 10 runners, this will make at least 40 slots for the armed & police services to participate.

With the inclusion of 40 slots, there will be 175 runner-applicants for this event as of the present. However, these applicants will still undergo screening process.

Rule # 13: Medical Issues

All runners must be willing to submit to a drug urine test before, during, or after the race. If any banned substances are detected, the runner will be disqualified from the competition and listed as DISQUALIFIED FOR DOPING in the final standing of the race.

Crew members may not use illegal drugs, stimulants, or dope, as well as alcohol of any kind, during the race or at any official race events or activities.

I.V.s (intravenous fluids) are not permitted during the race. If a runner receives an I.V. during the race, for any reason, then that runner is disqualified and must withdraw from the race and the race course.

Rule # 12: Leaving The Course Or Withdrawing

Every inch of the race course must be traveled by each runner-participant. In the event of a routing error, wrong turn, the runner may be driven back to the exact original spot where he/she left the course and continue running from that location. There will be no allowance made for lost time or kilometers run in the wrong direction.

If a runner-participant needs to leave the course, his/her crew must take note of the exact location where he/she left and make sure that the runner should resume the race from the said place or point. Runners may only leave the course for appropriate reasons such as rest or medical attention.

Runners are no longer allowed to leave the race course to eat in commercial establishments or fastfood stores. If runners intend to eat the food from these fastfood stores or commercial establishment, they have to instruct their crew to buy the item for them and have the food given along the race route.

If a runner withdraws, he.she or his/her crew must contact the Race Dorector or Race Marshals in the nearest Time Station immediately. The name of the runner, reason for withdrawal, time of withdrawal. and number of kilometers completed must be stated.

All runners and crew who drop are encouraged, and expected, to come to the finish line and both post-race events to greet and celebrate with their fellow runners and crews.

Rule # 11: Media Broadcast & Coverage

There will be no TV, film, or video crew, person, producer, director or other broadcast media representative may accompany or cover any runner-participant or the race itself without the specific written permission of the Race Organizer/Race Director.

Rule # 10: Time Stations, Instead of Aid Station

At designated points, there will be TIME STATIONS along the race route. The said stations will be manned by Race Marshals who will take note of the runner's arrival time at the said point. The runner must be able to affix his/her signature on the time stated or recorded.

The runner's order of arrival in the said time station will also be recorded.

It is a must that a runner stops at these time stations.

Non-appearance and no signature on the time of arrival would mean disqualification from the race.

Rule # 9: Race Bib Should Be Visible Always

The runner's Race Bib/Race Number should be visible always during the race. The runner has the option to wear the Race Bib on the front portion of the body by pinning it on the race singlet or running shorts. It can be attached to a "fuel belt" provided it should not be covered by the runner's shirt or singlet.

Rule # 8: Cut-Off Time Is 18 Hours

This race was initially planned to have a cut-off time of 15 hours. However, due to the hot weather and humidity in the country during the summer months, I gave an additional 3 hours so that more runners would be able to finish the race.

The Comrades Marathon Race, which is a 90-Km Road Race in South Africa, has a cut-off time of 12 hours! The next year's edition of this ultramarathon race will be its 85th staging of this annual event. In the coming editions of the BDM 102, we will study and try to reduce the cut-off time to make it more challenging and interesting. However, we are also trying to study to come up with different classification of finishers depending on their Finish Times and receive distinguishing medals for their excellent performance/accomplishments.

For the 2nd edition of BDM 102, we will maintain the cut-off time which was started last year, 18 hours to finish the race. Anybody who is still on the road after the cut-off time will be considered as DNF (Did Not Finish). Runners who DNFed will be picked-up by our Official Vehicles or Ambulances along the route and they will be brought to the Finish Line.

Rule # 7: Only One Support Crew For A Runner

Only one (1) support crew is allowed to be dedicated for every runner-participant in the race. The duty of the support crew is to hand in or give to the runner the necessary drinks, food, sponge, water, or any part of the runner's apparel if in case he/she needs to change during the race.

The support crew will not pace with the runner. His duty is simply to give any item needed by the runner.

Support crew must take extra care and vigilance when crossing the road from the right side of the road where the support vehicle is parked to the left side of the road.

Support crew will also make sure that littering of waste along the route is not allowed.

Rule # 6: Runners Shall Ask Permission To Display Corporate Sponsors

If a runner-participant is being sponsored by a corporate entity, no corporate logo or symbol shall be displayed on the runner's support vehicle or apparel without the permission of the Race Director. A written request for permission is a must.

However, a runner-participant is allowed to display the name of his/her running club only, whether in his/her apparel and/or the designated support vehicle. A Runner-Participant is allowed to use his/her Running Club's Uniform.

Support Crew is also not allowed to display corporate logo of his/her runner's sponsor without the approval of the Race Director.

Display of Corporate Logo as Sponsors of Individual Runner without Permission from the Race Director will outrightly disqualify the runner.

Rule # 5: Runner MUST Submit Medical Certificate

All qualified runners must submit their Medical Certificate taken at least two (2) months before Race Day.

We will start receiving Medical Certicates on January 16, 2010 and the Last Day of Acceptance will be on March 1, 2010. Please send Copy of Medical Certificate through e-mail at bdm102@hotmail.com or send it through the Post Mail at:

Bald Runner's Events
115 2nd Floor M.H. Del Pilar corner E. Angeles Streets
Barangay Santo Tomas, Pasig City 1600

If the Medical Certificate will be sent through the Mail, make sure that it will reach us before March 1, 2010.

NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, NO RUN

Rule # 4: Pacer Is Not Allowed During The Race

Every runner will not be allowed to have any Pacer during the Race.

If two competing runners would pace each other, the other runner is either on the front, back, or far left side of the runner.

Rule # 3: Runners Must Stay On Left Side Of The Road

Runners MUST run on the far left side of the road or off the left side of the road, facing the incoming traffic.

Running MUST always be on SINGLE FILE.

Runners must progress under their own power without drafting, helping, pushing, supporting, or any type of physical assistance.

Runners may not use walking sticks, ski poles, or the like. So-called "cooling vests" or toher types of artificial/technological cooling system may not be worn or utilized by runners while making forwatd progress on the race course.

Runners may not carry an Umbrella or allowed to be shaded with a Cover by a Support Crew.

Rule # 2: Every Runner Must Have A Support Vehicle

Every runner in the race must have his/her dedicated support vehicle. The support vehicle must be a Car, MiniVan, SUV, or pick-up Car. However, for those who do not have the resources to rent a vehicle or have their own, we will allow two runners up to four runners for a single support vehicle or Van.

One runner could not exceed one vehicle as his/her support vehicle.

We will not allow two-tired vehicles, like motorcycles and bicycles as support vehicles.

The support vehicles MUST "leapfrog" the runner at all times. The driver of the support vehicle must see to it that the vehicle must "leapfrog" at least one kilometer or more in length ahead of the runner. Runners may not be "shadowed" (driving a vehicle at the runner's speed) and vehicles must not "caravan" (drive together, like a train, at any speed). Driving may never be at the speed of the runner. Driving must be done at the speed of traffic, never slowing down to encourage, talk to, or lend assistance to any runner while moving. All assistance must be provided by pedestrian crew members; handing off supplies from the moving vehicle is never allowed.

Vehicles must be parked completely off the road surface whenever they are stopped. WHEN STOPPING/PARKING, VEHICLES MAY NOT STOP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL STOPPING/PARKING MUST BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, OFF THE ROADWAY.

All support vehicles must have their headlights ON whenever the engine is running and throughout the route during the race.

The Race Director will provide the appropriate signages for the support vehicle stating "CAUTION: RUNNERS ON ROAD/RACE IN PROGRESS" and the runner's name & race number visible on the side or back.

Rule # 1: "Cheaters" Are Automatically Disqualified

As a Race Director & Runner-Competitor in the 1st BDM 102, I was a witness to cases of cheating acts of runners during the race. I know these runners but I have not exposed them in my report/blog but for the 2nd edition of this race, I will be more strict on this rule & regulation. Hence, this is the most important Rule of this Race.

If there is a single doubt or information that a runner had cheated during the race, the runner will be immediately disqualified and removed from the race. Henceforth, the runner will be permanently banned to join/participate in this race, even as a driver, support crew or volunteer.

Cheaters will be exposed in this blog; in my blogsite @ Bald Runner; and at the official website of Bataan 102.

Let us maintain the Integrity of this race.

BDM 102 Race Rules and Regulations

For the 2010 BDM 102 Race, I will be adopting the Badwater Ultramarathon Race Rules as my reference. Most of the Rules and Regulations will be coming from the said Race. For complete list of the Badwater Ultramarathon Rules, please visit www.badwater.com.

Starting today, I will post each Rule & Regulation on a daily basis.

96/13 Runner-Applicants And Counting...

As of November 2, 2009. there are already 96 runner-applicants for the 2010 BDM 102 where 13 runners are coming from other countries. With at least 2 full Marathon Races to be held this coming months before the deadline on January 5, 2010, more runner-applicants will be expected to beat the scheduled deadline.

If ever the maximum limit of 150 runners will be reached, we will allow additional slots up to 200 runners to allow the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (Philippine Army, Philippine Navy/Marines, & Philippine Air Force) and the Philippine National Police to join in this historic ultramarathon event.

(Note: Complete List of Runner-Applicants Is Shown on the Side Bar of this Blog)