Last January 25, 2011, I visited Takbo.ph website to inquire information on the Condura Skyway Marathon. The first thing I checked was the registration fee because this has become my first requirement if the run is worth joining. As expected, the 10k run fee is too expensive at P950. If you are a practical runner, you would never settle to this unreasonable pricing. Anyway, joining a race these days is a matter of choice. When I am about to leave the site, there is something that got my attention.
“TAKBO.PH SUPPORTS RUNNING EVENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES. NO TO BANDITS. NO TO CHEATERS.”
I have nothing to object really except for one thing. “NO TO BANDITS.” Clay! Who or what are “bandits”? I first heard it from a running mate, a very experienced full marathoner. He said that bandits are those runners who run along the route of an sponsored and organized run. He or she is unregistered, which means this runner has not paid the registration fee. Now the question is, is it righteous not to allow bandits to run together with the registered runners? It is NOT.
On the other hand, there is another observation with bandit running. Since they are running together with registered runners on the same route, bandits can get freebies along the road like water, energy drink, or even light snacks. This is, I think, prohibited by organizers, and this is I think the reason why the organizers and other registered runners do not like bandits in their runs. Now the question is, how significantly annoying these bandits are to the running event? It is NOT SIGNIFICANTLY ANNOYING.
Bandits on a running event are runners. They are not street punks who would barge to the drinking stations and forcefully get what they want or gang up an official runner to extort something. They are runners who like to run the route of an organize run to test their physical ability at a measured distance. They are runners who are not able to register either because they failed to register on time or they simply refuse to pay the unreasonable fee. I don’t see anything to disallow them to run. I must say, if they want to avoid bandit running, then lower the registration fee of the runs. If not, “YES TO BANDITS”.
Today, March 23, 2011, I visited Takbo.ph again and I noticed that no slogan of “NO TO BANDITS” gracing on its pages. Or I just missed it.
Next: Why is it that there are Topics that are private in the Takbo.ph Forum?
2 comments:
i personally don't find anything wrong with bandit running, especially in the philippines. Bandits taking part in resources allocated to registered runners aside, i think organizers want to also limit their liabilities if in case accidents happen, tho i dont think they take responsibility even if things DO go wrong. in international races abroad, i know it's all about keeping things in control. the support groups hired to assist during runs are just enuf for all those who are running, accomodating bandits, i guess, just screws up their math. all those pointed, i really dont believe bandits cause that much trouble. when i do it, i just bring my own water para walang hassle. heck, i even end up getting my picture taken!!! :D di ko na kasalanan yun. LOL
but i do understand that there are also sponsors in these events that make the expenses of the organizers bearable. but with bandits, i think they are not significantly disruptive.
"heck, i even end up getting my picture taken!!! :D di ko na kasalanan yun. LOL" <<< photogenic ka kasi. pang physique model. di mo lang alam baka kumalat na ang mga pic mosa internet. hehehe
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