Solar Earth Run
Pros:
-really cheap registration fee for only P350 for early birds and P400 for regular registrants
-an "ok" singlet with good design and color scheme and a unique fabric to go along with it
-comes with a finishers medal and a loot bag
-correct me if Im wrong, I think all the proceeds will go directly to the beneficiaries
Cons:
-not so famous run as compared to the other one
-a typical 21km route-nothing new, nothing great
-if ever, it will be my first time to join this race and am still clueless how good/frequent hydration stations, marshalls. etc will be
NatGeo Earth Run
Pros:
-this was the first race Ive joined, this is where the running bug bit me
-more commercialized run
-basing from previous NatGeo runs, ok naman sila
-also has different singlets for different distances
-well organized registration sites in GB3
-the 21km route was pretty exciting because if ever, it will be my first time to run in Bayani road near McKinley Hills
Cons:
-pretty expensive registration fees
-no medals
-no loot bags
With all these listed down, I chose the cheaper one. Yes, its not that famous as the latter. Yes, Im clueless about the event. But somehow the price, the medal and the cause of the event made me say "go!".
April 15, 2012
4:45am
BHS
Come race day, there I was in the starting line with my hydration belt in tow just in case there is a lack of hydration stations. Bang! In no time, we were sent off. I can say I trained hard for this event. I had time to log in 4 20min tempo runs, 8 LSD runs and some hill runs here and there. My game plan was to stick to a pace of 6:30 at the first half of the race (which I think I did), then the next half would be a bit faster pace of 6:00 to 6:10 per kilometer. Come the 10th kilometer mark, I checked my Garmin to see my time and I got 1:01 (a new PR!). Knowing this, It got me more energized and pumped up for the next half and I was able to stick with my planned pace all through out. I finished with a new 21km personal record of 2:12:29! After two 21km runs I finally reached my goal of getting a better PR.
After the race, all I had was nothing but praises to the event organizers. They gave the runners ample hydration stations (wala nga lang energy drinks like Gatorade but I understand, considering the reg price and all), sufficient marshalls and kilometer markers, they even had bananas in some stations! I mean, hey! Now thats how a race should be! Mura, masaya, good cause, kumpleto, sulit! Kudos to the organizers and to the sponsors, you now have another avid supporter (not a brief!) of your running events.
After that, I had a call from my friend Jeck asking me to run with him at the NatGeo Earth Day Run happening the next Sunday. I said yes. I wanted to compare and see for myself. Although I didnt register for the event, I just wanted to see how it went (I told you, Im cheap!).
April 22, 2012
5:30 am
BHS
We were 2 minutes late from the gun start. I had my hydration belt with me just so I wont take any from the race event and from the runners, just the route (hehehe). I was "puyat" that day so I felt a little sluggish during the race. But it still didnt kept me from noticing the lack of hydration stations, the short tables that made runners bump each other just to have their water (some said its tap water). No bananas, no sponges, no loot bags, no medals. After the race I couldnt help feeling sorry for the runners who joined and spent 950 to 1150. They got robbed of their hard-earned money. In a way I was glad I joined Solar's run. It just goes to show that even goliath brands like NatGeo can be taken down by david-esque running events like Solar Earth Run by giving runners their bang for their buck. So next time, dear fellow runners, choose your races wisely, dont be fooled by their big names and commercial appeal, read, listen and ask first.
Until then, run hard, run safe, run happy!
:)
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