A Day of Total Wellness, Thanks to Unilab 07 March 2010
With only two weeks to recover, evaluate, and apply all our learnings from the previous event, the pressure was on to correct all mistakes and have another shot at mounting a perfect race at the Unilab Run United for Wellness. From my perspective, a lot of things improved this second time around. First, we placed a cap on the total number of participants at a maximum of 8,000. We felt that we needed to take baby steps and perfect our skills at managing a crowd of this size first before we make another attempt at organizing a race as massive as the previous one.
To better manage parking and traffic flow, advisories were in place much earlier since we already had a template and only needed to make minor revisions. Provisions for bus transport courtesy of BGC were also announced ahead of time. Total manpower was beefed up not just in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality by making sure that all head marshals had the different routes memorized even with their eyes closed and could effectively pass on the knowledge to their respective subordinates. Larger kilometer markers, directional signs, arrows, and distance flash cards were produced to make sure all directional paraphernalia were sufficient and clearly visible. More marshals were equipped with megaphones to ensure that verbal directions could be clearly given and heard by all participants. As for easy navigation through the village, a huge village map was provided before the entrance as well as on all the passports given to the participants.
The very crucial issue of gun start timing accuracy was addressed by pristine coordination among the timekeepers, technical director, stage director, stage manager, emcees, and Fitness First instructors, with all watches synced beforehand to ensure that proper timing of stretching, race briefing, countdown, and gun start was on the dot. As expected, when proper gun start timing for the 21K, 10K, 5K, and 3K was implemented, convergence of participants from different distance categories was avoided and the flow of runners was smooth, distinct, and organized.
To facilitate ease in claiming of loot bags, Summit Mineral Water, and 100 Plus Isotonic Sports Drink, claiming tents were increased, with a total of 6 tents per distance category, shortening the lines and speeding up the pick up process. And with the huge and highly visible distance category signs for each set of finisher’s tents, runners were sure to find their way to their respective claiming areas. As much as we would have liked to provide cold drinks right after crossing the finish line, we’ve learned through experience that due to the large number of runners crossing the line at the same time, this would only create clogging and long lines within the finish area, which will cause chaos, inaccurate finish times, and delay in the flow of runners at the exit. For convenience, drinks were given together with the loot bag so that runners only need to line up once.
These were just some of the improvements we focused on during this morning’s event. Once again, we were fortunate to have found a client willing to give their company’s 101% support throughout the whole process. We cannot thank the whole Unilab team enough for their complete trust and confidence in the RunRio & Finish Line teams. Special thanks to Unilab’s Ness Mendiola, Faith Manzanero, Barry Barrientos, Jack Orendain, Alex Panlilio, and Mr. Clinton Hess for their all-out support every step of the way. It was really both an honor and a joy working with all of you.
Also, this race would not have been as smooth and organized without the combined effort of the RunRio and Finish Line core teams and marshals. Special mention to Kaye Lopez, Joar Calvadores and the rest of my coaching staff; Vince Mendoza, Cristel Mendoza, Louella Magro, Rolly Magro, Merlyn Teves, and the rest of the Finish Line marshals; and Jonathan Teves, Jun Lacena, Christian Yaranon, and the rest of the MYLAPS team.
To all our suppliers, thank you for providing us with quality equipment and service during every race. Special thanks to my technical team, Video Maestro’s team of videographers, the Photovendo team headed by Ben Chan, and my ever-dependable supplier and friend Jay Em. Your bouncers definitely commanded attention for the benefit of all our participants.
Thank you to the different security management and medical agencies who ensured utmost safety in terms of road and traffic management, parking availability and security, and first-aid medical assistance to all runners and guests. Special mention to those who regularly provide their services to us during our races: FBDC Security, MAPSA, PNP-Taguig, and Army marshals.
Thanks to all these people for making my job so much easier through your cooperation and enthusiasm, always giving your best and always aiming for perfection. Their competence, coupled with my own passion and enthusiasm, are the key ingredients to organizing a great and world-class event, which, at the end of the day, makes all the sleepless nights bearable and worth it.
A personal thank you to Mr. Mart Miranda for being my personal “coach” and mentor as a race organizer, as far back as when I was just starting. You and Ma’am Lala have made a huge impact on my career and I will always take all your helpful advice to heart. I will be forever grateful to you both.
And of course, there would not even be any race to speak of without all the runners who attended this morning’s event. With running events left and right, I can just imagine how difficult it is nowadays to pick and choose which event to join. We greatly appreciate each and every runner who chose to join the Unilab Run United for Wellness and for giving us a chance to continue improving with every race that we organize. Thank you for your trust and support in us as well and for helping the running community grow through your active participation in our races. Hope you can all keep up your healthy lifestyle for many years to come. You not only help and enjoy yourselves, but through our beneficiaries like Children’s Hour and K.I.D.S Foundation, your participation goes a long way, literally and figuratively.
And last but not the least, a message of thanks to all our sponsors: Alaxan FR, Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Enervon Multivitamins, Myra Daily Sun Protect, Skelan, Solmux Chewtab, Timex, Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar, New Balance, Runnr, Photovendo, The Bull Runner, Fitness First, Summit Mineral Water, and 100 Plus Isotonic Sports Drink – the official sports drink of Run United for Wellness.
For all those who still felt dissatisfied and sent formal written complaints, I apologize in behalf of my team and will address your concerns accordingly. To those whom I may have offended at any time during the race, particularly the bandits who were banned from running on the course, please understand that it was not my intention to offend or embarrass you. But in all my races, I do my best to make it clear that bandits are not allowed to run on the course. I am merely protecting the interest of our registered participants. Race amenities along the course and at the finish, such as fluids, medical care, and traffic safety, are provided based on the number of official entrants. Any addition to this by way of unofficial participants, adversely affects our ability to ensure a safe race for everyone. This is why we ask that you respect the event’s sponsors and participants, and cooperate with the race organizers in our efforts provide the best racing experience for our paying customers.
Official race results will be available for viewing here on my website within the day, March 7, 2010, or tomorrow, March 8, at the latest. Results will also be uploaded at www.finishline.ph and www.unilabwellnessevents.com.ph. For any comments or questions regarding race results, please contact feedback@runrio.com.
Other comments, suggestions, and preferably non-violent reactions are most welcome. I will do my best to reply to all of them but even if I am unable to do so, rest assured that each and every comment is read and taken into consideration in order to further improve our service to all our race participants. See you all at the Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010!
Life hasn't always been a bed of roses for everyone's favorite Afroman running guru and event maestro, Coach Rio. With nothing but his lionheart courage and sheer determination, he chose to be the master of his fate, defying all odds to get to where he is today. His dreams were big and seemingly impossible but his no-guts-no-glory attitude took him off the streets and on the road to success.
Read more of Rio's posts on Rio's Blog
For me, the kid’s run nicely complemented the regular adult runs. It made the entire event one in which my whole family – which includes a 6- and an 8-yr old – participated in. Our family bonded not only at race day but on days leading up to the event – practicing, shopping for running gear, surveying the site, etc’.
I hope there are more kiddie runs in your future events. Congratulations on a well-organized race.
Job well done! Congratulations to your team! thanks coach Rio. and for Unilab hope for another run next year.
It was the best race event for 2010 so far and maybe one of the best in the past 2 years that ive been running,
congrats coach rio, good job!!!
The best race I’ve ever joined! The Kiddie race made it more fun for me
Hope to have more races for kids as well in the future.
Hi!… Coach Rio also organize the Alaska Ironkids which is a run for Kids only… you might want to check that out. The last event was so cool!
My son and I had a great time. Thanks for making running fun and exciting at the same time. I do hope more running events for kids too.
Good Job…
I’ve only attended 3 races and this was by far the most organized! Now I’m afraid to join a race not organized by Coach Rio because I don’t want to be disappointed!
I love how the race results are so detailed. Plus being able to access our own photos is so great!
[...] Review on the event from its organizers can be read on this site. [...]
It’s almost 2 weeks but a lot of 21km runners don’t have yet pictures in the Photevendo. We made it sure that we wear it properly just like the Century Run and to our surprise, not even a single picture was posted. Even the 1st and 2nd placers don’t have.
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