Rules and Regulations For 2nd BDM 102

Rules and Regulations
2nd Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race (BDM 102)
March 6-7, 2010

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.

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 # 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 # 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 # 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 # 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 # 7: Only One Support Crew For Each 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 # 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.

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 # 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 # 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 # 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 # 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 Director 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 # 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.

Reminders:
Reflectorized Vest & Flashlight/Headlight
Runners who will participate in the BDM 102 are encouraged to wear a reflective vest or wear a running apparel with reflectorized markings or tapes during the early part of the race until sunrise.

Runners also encouraged to carry with them flashlight or wear headlight from the start up to sunrise.

The route on the first half will be dark as there are no lights or lamp posts along the road.

Find time to "test" your reflectorized apparel/vest, flashlight, or headlight during your night runs.

Bring extra batteries for the flaslight/headlight during race day.

First Aid Kits:
Runners are advised to bring their own First Aid Kits just in case of any emergency during the race. First Aid Kits should include bandages, alcohol, cotton, betadine, neosporin ointment, petroleum jelly, immodium/diatab tablets, pain reliever, adhesive tape to secure dressings, scissors, and disposable towels.

Guidelines For The BDM 102 "Test Run"

One of the glaring lessons learned during the conduct of the 1st BDM 102 was for the runners to know the exact route of the race especially on the first 50 kilometers of the race where everybody was running under darkness. Some of the leading runners were not able to accurately went through some roads that led to the other kilometer post markings of the Bataan Death March's original route. And some did not mind going inside the towns of Limay and Orion and instead ran along the Roman National Highway, shaving off considerable distance from the race.

In order to be fair to everybody and accurately run through the exact route of the BDM, the "test run" will be conducted from Km #0 in Mariveles, Bataan up to Km #50 in Abucay, Bataan on January 23, 2010. The assembly time will be at 6:00 AM at the Bataan Death March Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan. The test run will immediately start at 6:30 AM.

It is in this "test run" that the new rules and regulations will be tested and applied and it is a must for the participants to bring their respective support vehicle and for them to run on the left side of the road, facing the incoming traffic. There will be no pacers and runners shall run on a single file on the edge of the road. If runners would be able to bring their support crew, it would be better.

Due to the unavailability of ambulance or medical personnel to assist in this run, the runners are advised to bring appropriate FIRST AID KITS in case of any injuries or emergencies during the run.

After the start of the run, the drivers of support vehicles are advised to immediately proceed to the vicinity of Kilometer Post #7 where there is an ample space where the vehicles would park and wait for their runners. Support vehicles will be advised NOT to "leapfrog" from Kilometer Post #1 to Kilometer Post #7 because of the lack of road shoulders most especially from Km Post #3 to Km Post #7. With this situation, the runners are also advised to bring their hydration belt with them on the first 7 kilometers of the route.

The first critical intersection or Y-road is at Kilometer Post #14 that goes inside Barangay Mountain View, Balantasan, Cabcaben, Bataan. All the runners should turn right on this road and be able to reach Km Post #16 as runners would go back to the main highway.

The second intersection is at Kilometer Post #23 where the runners must turn right towards the Limay's National Power Corporation and Limay's Poblacion. Runners must be able to run again along the main highway after reaching Kilometer Post #31.

The third and last critical intersection is at Kilometer Post #32 where all the runners must turn right again towards the Municipality of Pilar. On this road, the runners would be able to reach Balanga and Abucay. The Finish Area is at the vicinity of Kilometer Post #50 near the Abucay Public Market.

All these critical instersections will be properly marked with yellow-colored ribbons.

Runners are also advised to be careful and completely stop and observe the incoming traffic on both sides of the road/highway before crossing the highway and towards these intersections along the route.

After running through this part of the route (Km #0 to Km #50), the runners would be able to memorize and be confident to run through these intersections even during darkness which will be the actual situation during the race.

The local runners who will join their first BDM 102 race are highly encouraged to join this "test run".

See you at Km Post #0 on the early morning of January 23. Good luck to everybody.

Application For 2010 BDM 102 Is Closed

Effective January 6, 2010, the application for the 2010 Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race is closed.

There are 186 runner-applicants for the said race and another 40 slots are reserved for the runners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

For the past days, I sent letters of invitation/acceptance to most of the applicants. For those who received such letters through their e-mail addresses, they can send us back their accomplished and signed application form and deposit their registration fee of Two Thousand Pesos (P 2,000.00)in the name of BALD RUNNER's EVENTS with ALLIED BANK Account Number 0251-07156-8. A copy of the deposit slip shall be scanned and transmitted to our e-mail address as a proof of such payment.

For the foreign runners, they can send their registration fee of Seventy Dollars ($ 70.00) through Western Union in the name of Bald Runner's Events c/o Jovenal D Narcise.

Deadline of sending the accomplished application form and payment of the registration fee is January 22, 2010.

All runners are highly encouraged to read the rules and regulations as posted in this blog.

Runners are also encouraged to join the "test run" which will be conducted on January 23, 2010. The details of this "test run" will be posted in a separate article in this blog and at www.baldrunner.com.

Finally, runners are also advised to submit a copy of their medical certificate or a doctor's certificate/written approval that the runner can endure such long distance race. This certificate should be submitted on or before March 1, 2010. An e-copy of the certificate will be enough.

Latest 1st BDM 102 Video

The following is the latest BDM 102 Video posted by Jerry Karundeng of Indonesia who finished the 1st BDM 102. He placed #29 out of the 63 finishers. The video could be seen on the following link:

http://highaltitude.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/65-days-to-bdm102/