QCIM - Part 2

One the key success factors for the QCIM was the all-out support of the Quezon City local government headed by Honorable Mayor Sonny Belmonte. Here, he gamely went on a walk (he actually announced he'll do a 0.5K walk but he definitely did more than that!!) with members of the organizing group, Runnex.

While the runners were seriously trying to establish new PRs or just gamely finish their events (many were first time full marathoners!), this guy came on a stilt!! It's tough enough running the different distances but to do this on walking stilts, that takes talent and a different kind of physical conditioning. And he arrived with all smiles and full of banter!!

The Finish Line was inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. All the runners started outside the Quezon City City Hall complex. I was watching the runners coming home and it was extremely orderly -- the use of the timing chip helps a lot to decongest the Finish Line. Runners were immediately directed to the Activity Area at the heart of the Quezon Memorial Circle.
The chute leading up to the Finish Line was well thought off -- large enough to accommodate the different waves of finishers -- hardly any congestion. I caught several people I know as they finished their individual categories. I was surprised to see good friend Gerry Buhain, my batchmate in Engineering at La Salle -- looks like a first timer at a running event!!

I also saw Quennie, lovely better half of Jinoe, who takes care of Takbo.ph, plus a familiar member of the Takbo.ph group who always runs pushing the stroller of his son -- really inspiring to see him at every race.

The top ten finishers of each category were herded into a small containment area near the Finish Line. Each runner was given a finishers tag and photographed for evidence. The lady runners gamely posed for pictures -- many of them were extremely pretty!!! Pinays talaga -- when it comes to photos, everyone poses!! Even if they didn't know who I was!!

This was an international race and a number of Kenyans took up the challenge to run the first every QC International Marathon. They definitely dominated the different categories they ran in.


At the Activity Area Stage, it was a familiar face that greeted my camera lens -- QC Councilor Doray, a.k.a. Doralicious!! Having finished her own race, she now was taking care of shepherding the post-race program, together with QC Council Dante.

Various sights at the Activity Area. It was a carnival atmosphere at the Finish Area. It was truly great having the Quezon Memorial Monument as backdrop to a truly amazing race. Congratulations to the Quezon City government, Runnex and the rest of the organizers and, of course, the runners who all made it!!

Next post, I'll focus on the individuals and friends I caught on my camera.