CIHM : Our Most Enjoyable Half Marathon in 2010.
by: Vicboy de Lima
For the year 2010, Batch 83 runners joined seven half marathons in the Philippines : Condura, Greenfield, Rexona, Unilab Run United, QCIM, Milo Nationals and Corregidor. Of the 7, Corregidor International Half Marathon (CIHM) is the most enjoyable and most memorable.
Being my first 21K run, the 2010 Condura Run could have been my most memorable but the organizers made a booboo in running out of finisher medals at the finish line. I am sure they would have learned their lessons and would have sufficient number of medals come the 2011 edition.
The Greenfield Run could have been my most enjoyable as I had my fastest time there but it is hard for me to enjoy this run. This is because the night run at Greenfield caused a massive traffic jam in Sta Rosa.
Rexona Run and Unilab Run United were well organized 21K fun runs by RunRio but the venue (Mall of Asia) and small medals pale in comparison to that of Corregidor.
QCIM and Milo Nationals are premier runs but the main attraction of these 2 running events is the full marathon and not the half.
Which brings us to Corregidor International Half Marathon, a sports event venture of Phenomenon - Edward Kho (Race Director) and Atty. Raymund Martelino (Race Manager) . Mind you, the CIHM is our most enjoyable and most memorable half marathon not just by elimination but more so for the following trio of reasons:
First, the CIHM offered runners the unique opportunity to run in a very historic place -- the Rock fortress island of Corregidor. And the 21-km route did not disappoint. Running thru Malinta Tunnel twice and in the dark at that. Passing by thru war memorials of 3 countries. Getting up close to all those big artillery pieces. And the organizers saved the best for last , the lung busting ascent up Malinta Hill. I should have expected this when the race director declared at the start of the race that it is their goal to make CIHM the local version of the Boston Marathon. If Boston has Heartbreak Hill at the 20-mile mark, Corregidor has Malinta Hill at the 19Km mark.
Bob at the Km. 1 marker on the island.
Second, the pre-race and post-race activities captured the spirit of camaraderie among the runners. The bonfire the night before the race was cool. Carbo-loading needs improvement but what the heck, runners don’t care that much for gorging food night before a run.
Vicboy posing in front of the tents which serve as accommodation for many of the runners.
Third, the huge finisher’s medal. Really it is bling bling big. The CIHM medals stands out of all the finisher medals in 2010.
Batch 83 runners showing their Corregidor hardware.
Given the hilly topography of the island, we expected to have a relatively slow time. Our main goal really was to run the first 10 kilometers within the cut off time of 1 hour 45 mins. This we did comfortably and when we finished the whole 21 kilometers, we were surprised to have registered respectable time:
Bob Castilla 2 hrs 4 mins Rank 42nd out of 306 finishers
Ruben “Fards” Fajardo 2 hrs 30 mins Rank 119th
Vicboy de Lima 2 hrs 34 mins Rank 136th
Congratulations to the Phenomenon team for organizing a wonderful race. Thank you also to Vimz of Kulitrunner blog for informing me and encouraging me to join the CIHM. Batch 83 runners will surely be attending in greater number for the 2011 edition of the Corregidor International Half Marathon.
You can bet on it.
