Unsung heroes ensure success of Cebu Race

Putting up a race with close to 20,000 runners competing is indeed every organizer’s nightmare. Concerns about traffic management, runners’ safety, the weather, down to the minutest pre-race details are enough to drive any organizer nuts.

But not in last Sunday’s Cebu leg of the 35th Milo Marathon which drew a whopping 19,013 racers. It’s major success drew praise not only from those who are involved in running but even from those who are not remotely close to the sport.

So, when Ricky Ballesteros declared that last Sunday’s race was the most organized Milo race under his watch as chief local organizer, he thankfully gave credit to the so-called support group who worked hard to ensure the success of the event. They are the nameless individuals whose volunteer work resulted in a smooth run.

These people don’t get certificates or medals. Not even a pat on the back or a simple thank you from race participants. But their specific tasks spell the big difference between success and failure.

They are the race’s unsung heroes.

“Dako jud silag tabang. There were minor kinks. But overall, the race went smooth and its largely because of the contribution of the support group,” said Ballesteros, who started handling the Cebu leg of the annual race in 1992.

“The race was good. No traffic and the roads were clear,” said Ethiopia’s Mikael Tesfaye Kahsay, who won the 21k men’s race. Kahsay’s compatriot Genet Agtew topped the 21k distaff side.

There were lesser runners who registered this year compared to last year, but last Sunday’s race was the most attended leg held in the country.

Ballesteros said several sectors were tapped as volunteers to make sure that concerns are attended to.

The support group was composed of at least 800 individuals from the Southwestern University, SRP Bikers, ANS-Rescue Group Inc., Canine-Amateur Radio Club, Abellana National School-Interact Club, University of Cebu-Junior Jaycess Inc., Cebu City Fire Station, City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), Cebu City Police Office, LDS Seagull Rescue, Dept. of Public Services, Disaster Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Red Cross and health personnel from the Department of Education.

Also, a total of 142 technical officials tabulated the results.

MONTHS OF PREPARATION

Lawyer Rafael Yap, executive director of Citom, said the agency had started preparing three months ago. “The preparations included the making of portfolio traffic, sign boards and publication of the rerouting,” Yap said.

He said 67 persons, excluding mobile personnel were deployed in the race route, especially in major intersections.

Also providing help was the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf).

Eruf’s Jean Almasol said eight personnel divided into two groups were deployed during the race.

“Usual cases during races are dehydration and cramps and we make sure that we’re there to apply first-aid treatment,” said Almasol who added that during last Sunday’s race, they treated four persons who suffered dehydration and seizure.

Equally important was the role of those tasked to install streamers, railings and traffic cones.

Carlo Flores said he and his co-workers were already at the venue a day before the race. Flores said the railings meant to put the runners in their proper areas.

Managing a race involving thousands of runners is no mean feat. But organizers of the Cebu leg of the Milo Marathon have proven time and again that they are up to the task. And with the ready help of the race’s countless unsung heroes, Cebu will continue to host the most successful and most attended leg of the Milo Marathon.