Botak Paa-Tibayan Takbo 100km Press Con

Saturday, 30 May 2009  |  Race Announcements

Isport Botak recently held its press conference for Botak Paa-Tibayan Takbo 100k Marathon at R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street last Thursday, May 28, 2009.  

The Botak Paa-Tibayan 100k Marathon will be held on June 28, 2009 with the race starting at U.P. Diliman, the beneficiary of the race as proceeds from the race will go to the rehabilitation of the U.P. Track & Field Oval.
 
Among the speakers during the press conference were Mr. George Tan of OlymPlus Sports, Ian Alacar of Botak, Eric Pasion of Run For Change, and Mr. Edwin Barbers, U.P. Sports Director.  Mr. George Tan shared photos and anecdotes of the adventures he shared accompanying legendary runner and founder of Botak, Mr. Cesar Guarin, as he ran across the Philippines, U.S. and Europe.  Amazing!  Mr. Tan even talked about an ultramarathon they once organized in Baguio where runners ran 1km laps around Burnham Park 100 times over!

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– Mr. George Tan of OlymPlus Sports – 

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– Ian Alacar of Botak –

Since the Botak Paa-Tibayan Takbo 100k will have three separate events led by three different race directors, each director discussed the route and other important details for his event.  Neville Manaois, team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners and technical consultant of recently held TNF 100, will head the 100km race, Edmund Mangaser will manage the 5- and 10-mile races,  while Ben Alacar will lead the first ever street mile challenge held in the country.  

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Edmund Mangaser, Ian Alacar, Neville Manaois, and Ben Alacar

The race directors fielded direct questions from runners, such as “Will your water stations have cups this time?” or “Will your marshals actually know the race route?” and they assured the audience that lessons were learned from Botak 42k.  I paid particular attention to Mr. Edmund Mangaser who discussed the 5- and 10-miler.  These were his comments about the route: 1) covered by trees, 2) passes through subdivisions, 3) there are short but steep climbs, and 4) there will be water stations every 2km.  The three race directors seemed to be on top of their game and we’re only hoping for their success.
 
To register for the Botak Paa-Tibayan 100k Marathon, visit:
– Botak Sports Shop, 131 Kamuning Road, Edsa QC
– ROX
– Fitness First
– ROC, UP Diliman, Bahay ng Alumni
– Paul Calvin’s Deli, The Fort
– PATAFA Rizal Office
– All Terra Bike Shop, Club 650 Libis
– Second Wind Store, Maginhawa St. Teacher’s Village QC

 For inquiries, call 414-8892 or 921-5947 or email paatibayan100@botakphilippines.com

TNF 100km Briefing

Thursday, 14 May 2009  |  Race Announcements

I was among the 50 plus runners who attended the The North Face 100 briefing last night at R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street. The brief focused on the TNF 100km race but I was intent on getting more info about the 10k race to convince hubby—as I had been doing for the past few days—to join the event with me. Since it’ll be an out-of-town race, there was no way that I could register for this on my own.

By the time I arrived, Jundel Llagas of TNF, along with race organizers, Coach Rio de la Cruz and Vince Mendoza of Finish Line, were already discussing the prizes for the 100km winners. While the ultra runners listened, I stayed in the sidelines doing my own informal research with the race’s technical consultant Neville Manaois, and Dr. Paolo Punsalan, another experienced trail runner.

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– with Marga (the Changeling Child), Mark (Mark’s VO2), Mariel and Jun (Sole Mates) –

My takeout: the race was going to be tough mainly due to the water and sand inevitably seeping into the shoes and making it difficult for anyone to run. But, it was going to be a different and exciting adventure for runners used to the road.

What outfit should one wear? I was told not to wear my Skins as they may be ripped apart. Hmm, I would rather get a cut in those compression pants rather than my own skin. I haven’t decided yet on this one.

Does one need to carry a hydration belt? Vince of Finish Line assured us about adequate water and Gatorade and more than enough water stations. When it’s Finish Line who says this, one has no reason to doubt. I’m definitely leaving my amphipod behind for this race.

What shoe should one wear? Of course, TNF trail shoes if one can afford. We discussed wearing Vibrams or sandals when passing through rivers, but Doc Pao said he tried this last year and sand went into the sandals making it difficult and uncomfortable. Jokingly, he said trash bags would probably work for a few minutes but rocks would probably rip them off too.

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– Celebrity runners, Coach Rio and Sir Jovie (Bald Runner), and Vince Mendoza of Finish Line –

By the end of the night, I got confirmation from hubby via a brief phone call that he was in. Just this morning, I booked the hotel at Clark. Woohoo, TNF here we come! Am I the only one experiencing butterflies in my tummy?

Botak’s Paa-Tibayan Races for 2009

Thursday, 2 April 2009  |  Race Announcements

Running bloggers were invited by Botak yesterday for a lunch meeting to discuss the upcoming races of Botak for 2009, namely:

  • May 10: Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42k Marathon (5k/ 10k/ 21k/ 42k)
  • June 28: Paa-Tibayan Takbo 100k (1m/ 5m/ 10m/ 50k solo/ 100k relay/ 100k solo)

I was looking forward to meeting the people behind Botak, especially famed cross-country runner, Mr. Cesar Guarin, but my schedule wouldn’t permit.  Fortunately, good friend Jun accepted my invitation to come as proxy and eat a hefty meal for me at Red Box while he immersed himself in the race discussion.

Jun reports that the races seem to be well-planned and organized.  People behind it are experienced: for the marathon, it will be led by one who helped Rudy B. organize races for years, and for the 100k, it will be headed by no less than Pinoy Ultra Runner Team Principal, Neville Manaois.

So, who’s game for the 1st Marathon of 2009 this May?  Raise your hands, please?

Below are details/posters for upcoming Botak Races:

PRESS RELEASE

Isport BOTAK sets the stage for marathon milestone

Isport BOTAK, in cooperation with OlymPlus, presents Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-kilometer marathon traversing the cities of Taguig and Makati on May 10, 2009.

 

Set to be a milestone in the sport of running, Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-K marathon responds to the increasing popularity of the sport both as a competitive field and a hobby for Filipinos.  As the event further promotes the sport, it aims to help the country achieve its goal for an Olympic gold in 2012 by providing runners a competitive environment.  In parallel, the event seeks to raise public consciousness of running as a fitness activity and an alternative hobby for a healthy lifestyle.

 

As the patron of the Paa-Ligsahan Takbong Pambansa Running Program, Isport BOTAK expects this marathon milestone to draw members of various running clubs, race enthusiasts, Sunday joggers, and even first-timers.  The centerpiece 42-K marathon starts at the back of the NBC Tent at The Fort Global City in Taguig at exactly 4:30 am.  Its route will pass through C-5, Ayala, and Rockwell then back to The Fort for the finish line.  In recognition of the runners who complete the whole 42-K stretch, Isport BOTAK will award each of them a finisher’s medal. 

 

Meanwhile, the 21-kilometer half-marathon starts at 5:45am, covering the Kalayaan flyover, Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Rockwell and ending once again at The Fort.  Further, two side events, the 10-kilometer run to start at 5:45am and the 5-kilometer run to start at 6:00am will both take their course around The Fort.  In support of Isport BOTAK and the running community, Manila Water will provide sprinkler showers along the Makati route and at the finish line.

 

Interested participants can register at ROX (Recreational Outdoor Exchange) and Fitness First at The Fort, Sports Connection in Pasong Tamo, Makati and at the Botak Sports Shop at 131 Kamuning Road, Quezon City.  The registration fee for the Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-K marathon is Php 400; Php 350 for the 21-K half-marathon; and Php 250 for the 5-K and the 10-K runs.  The first 250 to register can have the privilege of having their names printed on their race jerseys.  For inquiries, contact the race director at 4156096 or 4106966.

 

Following this race is Botak’s 100K marathon to be held on June 28,  2009 at the University of the Philippines.  Watch out for it!

PAA-TIBAYAN TAKBO 42K FLYER

42K Event Flyer May 10

BOTAK PAA-TIBAYAN 100K FLYER

100K Event Flyer June 28

100K Event Details