Consolacion MTB Duathlon 2.0 here we go

Fun run, marathon, trail run, triathlon, and other races that challenge human physical strength are gaining popularity nowadays. From large scale events to localized barangay fun runs, to promoting their products or advancing their advocacy, it makes sense to fitness buffs.

For a race organizer, it takes a lot of responsibility. And topping my list is the safety of the participants, if it’s a road run, are there enough marshalls to man the traffic? Road markings and signage should be visible and traffic advisory should be posted to inform the motorists of upcoming events that would cause traffic. And do I need to stress the importance of a reliable medics and emergency response team that are equipped both from experience and knowledge of life-threatening injuries? Most often the survival of the victim depends on the reaction time of the responder.

Race course design, trail, off-road mountain biking is a notch higher in terms difficulty of planning. Water or hydration stations would be challenging as it’s hard to traverse trails more over bringing those gallons of water to a specific station. Plus the possibility of communication deadspot due to rough and rugged terrains.

But for me, one important factor to be a good  race organizer is ‘passion’. Your passion for the sport, be it running, swimming, run or biking.

After almost 10 long years of absence as race organizer, I asked the question why? Why go back to organizing race again that it takes up a lot of time and makes almost nothing in return. The answer is simple. The  joy and the fun when you see family and friends get together and enjoy the race. Plus when you are able to discover grassroots athletes and show their potential during the race, then bang it hits you! Let’s do this again next year!

SIDELINE: Tomorrow is the second edition of the Consolacion Mountain Bike Duathlon. Sharing our passion of giving our local racers a chance to enjoy the amenities and the feeling of a world-class race with fraction of the cost. Our organizing team composed of avid mountain biker and triathlete Fritz Co and probably the strongest lawyer-cyclist Terence Fernandez who, despite his hectic schedule, manages to make time to train and maintain a body fat of less than 10 percent. Maybe the common denominator of our team is that all of us graduated from same high school that provides Ignatian education that forms servant leaders who embodies Christ centeredness to do more and be more.

We encourage the participants to drop by 5p.m. this afternoon at the 2nd level Cinema lobby of SM City- Consolacion to take part of the race briefing.  And on race day, come in early as bike check opens at 4 a.m. and closes at 5:30a.m. Gunstart is at 5:45a.m.

To make the race as safe as possible, we have teamed up with Cebu's finest safety team, the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), Heart Emergency Responce Unit (HERU), Consolacion Emergency Rescue Team (CERT), Consolacion Emergency Medical Services (CEMS), and Larsen for our communication. Our venue partner is SM City Consolacion, presentor YKK Bikes, Cycle logic and Missing Link. The official motorbike is Motorace, and offical footwear Altra, Oofos, Os1st, Goodr, SingPhil. Our trophies are created by Suarez & Sons, Inc. Yakult and Metafit Tri Team also support out race. 8080 Triathlon and Cornerstone for the Bike Racks. GRAFIXPRO, CT Bacus, and Team No Care Racing (NCR) for the 4x4 offroad pick-up and trucks.