Palms Country Club Fun Run: Marshal/Photographer

August 1, 2010

Palms Country Club Fun Run: Marshal/Photographer

Race Event: Palms Country Club Family Fun Run and Roll

Race Date: August 1, 2010

Race Distances: 1K for kids / 5K / 10K

Race Organizers: Palms Country Club in cooperation with Takbo.ph (ANR Alabang) naks, level up 'di lang pang takbuhan, pang race organizing narin.

Beneficiary: I know there is one I just forgot the name of the charity.

It's my first time to be a marshal for a race. It's a different feeling compared to running the race itself. And I think its still better to run than to be a marshal. But doing this thing thought me some valuable lessons on organizing a race (who knows in the future, I will be organizing a race too?):

UNITY. I arrived about 2:45am in the race venue to meet my fellow marshals- members of takbo.ph/ANR Alabang. The group was alive at the wee hours. Amazing! Look at the evidence:

Unity in picture picture. Unity in being on time. Its really good to see these guys from a far and observe that they are doing what they are supposed to do. In Tagalog, "may sariling palo."

PROPER COORDINATION/PREPARATION. I was assigned at the finish line, specifically to give out loop cords for the 10K runners (thanks Micah for the help, galing ng tandem!). With that, I don't know what's happening on the route and runners. I was concerned on the water and aid stations. I heard that at one particular point water run out then when the water was replenished, the cups are all used up. This is one of the critical points in every race and I think this reflects lack of coordination for the water and Gatorade providers. I don't blame them, I think we have to improve on that.

Computing? Tallying? Bib number 0046!

As for the marshals, we were briefed by the able Nao and Jai (way to go guys, kudos!) before we were deployed in our respective posts. It really helps when the marshals and those positioned in the water stations know something about racing/running. If runners are deployed on the H2o stations they know how much is needed to be poured on those cups. If marshals are runners, they know how to do traffic, how to encourage runners, even the giving of loop cords is important, and finally, the getting of number tags as you cross the finish line. We are not saying that everything went out smoothly, but I believe that it was a successful race. So congratulations to all runners and podium finishers.

RELAX. If you did you're best to prepare, then you should relax. Panicking and worrying doesn't help. Try to be calm and leave everything to God. I was just sipping my cup of [Starbucks] coffee while the runners do their stretching.

I remembered that I brought a camera with me, so I got some pictures. Feeling Photovendo ako! I'm no pro in photography, I just love to capture some moments like these: