Philippines International Marathon: Hep Hep Relay

The Philippine International Marathon was my first race ever last 2006.  It was held in February then.  This year, Quennie and I joined the PIM as a relay team with Team Logan.

The team was completed at the last minute but 40 runners signed up.  The relay was broken into 20 legs with two runners in each leg.  The plan is to have Justin passed along the relay points as if Justin was the baton.  We take turns in pushing Justin.  Craig and Michelle wanted to be close at hand during the entire relay.  Thus, both of them run 21K each to be with the entire relay team until the finish.  Quennie and I were assigned at the last relay station at Point 20.

Pre-relay pratice run

We only get to run about 2.5KMS for the relay.  Not a good distance for Quennie and I who are practising for a 21K and a 42K respectively.  Thus we run back and forth in Roxas Avenue and get to see the marathon in progress.

We also get to watch the side events.  The 10K and 5K looks really crowded.  While running in Roxas, we learned that there are several running events also being held.  There was a dragonboat race and a bike race.  Wonderful day for sports.

Quennie and I know that our long run in Roxas will turn about a bit boring if we just stick to Roxas.  So when we passed by the runners, we followed the 10K route up to the turnaround point near EDSA.

Waiting for Team Logan

We finished our pre-run after more than two hours.  Quennie stopped after 17kms and I continued for 6kms more before stopping at the relay point.  At the relay point we met Marga for RunRadio coming in for a relay and Mayi of IamNinoy Runners.  But their team was ahead of us and we waited for a few more minutes.

A little past 9:30 am we saw the runners in black within sight.  There was Justin on his racers with a flank of runners beside him.  It was hot already and here comes the hottest 40man relay team.  😀

Pushing Justin

It was our turn to push Justin for the last 2 kms.  Quennie and I were behind the wheel and Justin was enjoying every minute of it.  Craig and Michelle was close by arguing who had the longer run.  The other Takbo.ph members where in front clearing the vehicles ahead, taking pictures or carrying the banner.  Looks like the team is in for a strong finish.

We reached the finish line a bit late from schedule.  But it was a good finish.  It was a short run for most of us.  But it was the first 42K of Justin.  He did a 42K ahead of most of us.  The highlight of the day.

Justin’s Medal

We arrive without the fanfare at the finish line.  But with the Takbo.ph family, and with other running groups, we made our own celebration.  This is what I always look forward to.

Where are the medals?  I really find it absurd to finish a 42K without a medal.  It’s a full marathon without nothing to hold on to.  Just the pictures maybe.  I wish this won’t happen again.  But still, I believe that a medal for the finishers of a full marathon and beyond that is mandatory.

Anyway, Rico aka Sheerwill, took the liberty to make medals for the group.  Well, not to everybody, but he made one of them for Justin.

I raise my glass

I often said that I only wanted to run a 10K.  That’s how I started.  That was my goal.  But when I saw the finisher’s medal for the 42K in the 2007 Philippine International Marathon, I changed my mind.  I want a medal too.  I have two more months to prepare.

To those who finished a full marathon, I admire your courage and discipline to complete it.  To the support crew, you’re the best!  To the relay team, I’m glad to be part of it, we’re the hottest.  To Craig, Michelle and Justin, your runs is always an inspiration to me.  Have a good time in the US.  See you again next year.  And nail that full marathon in Disneyland, Florida.