Running Cavitex via 7-eleven Run 800

I know it has been 6 months since the original race but me thinks I should give this race a try. Since, I've heard it is hard to get the refund, so I just did the race. I made it my first run for the year, since, this will be a new route - Cavitex or the Cavite Express Way.

Cavitex Toll, there are even planes nearby, I wish I've taken them

This is supposed to be my second 16k for 2012, but it has been rescheduled and I think it was worth the wait. Why was it worth the wait? Let me enumerate the good things:

1. Of course, it's Cavitex! I've been on the look out for new roads to run (see my blog post - Running Where) and this road is just as exciting. It's flat - at least for 16k route - and it has some good views to share. The view of the wide road, sea and landing planes and of course, the people busy at the port while we are all busy running. I am enjoying every meter of it. It's not even that polluted, I thought that the smell of the sea combined with the smell of smoke coming from vehicles passing will be a problem, but it didn't. Cavitex is now off my roads to run list. (Let me scream - OH YEAAAH! Woot woot!)

2. Hydration stations are everywhere! Stupid me brought myself a Gatorade during the race, and there were free Gatorades everywhere. How ironic? But hey! at least it just gave me the reason not to stop the whole 16 kilometers. But this is a good thing, hydration is really REALLY important for all racers.

3. I think, at least for me, the race was organized properly. Of course, they failed having the race on time, but they made up by having an organized starting line. Warm ups were led by Noelle de Guzman or Ms. Kikay Runner. The starting line was far from the entrance, just enough to have it as your warm up run, (I am almost late so I ran to the starting line that's why I think this way. hehe. Biased!) but I think it's because everything is logistically arranged - baggage counter is near the starting line, the foodie/freebie booths are at the entrance, etc. So, I think the race organizers redeemed themselves on this.

4. Plus factor was, of course, the freebies! We all love freebies. After the race, there were free Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, Selecta Ice Cream, Century Tuna, Women's/Men's Health Mag, Runner's Mag, etc. I think everything that is being sold by 7-11 was present on the race event. After all these, I totally forgot what they did already! (Hello Giddy Abi, the bloated girl after a 16k race! Haha!)

What I did not like on this race though was just one thing, there were unlit parts of the road on the start of the race. I hate running in the dark, so I slowed down on these parts. But this only happened on the break of dawn though, of course, given my slow pace, I finished the race at almost 2 hrs (1:55 hr to be exact) and the sun was already up at that time so, it was no biggie.

All-in-all this race was a success and I'm glad I chose it as my first race for 2013. Next stop 21k Skyway!

Me with my fellow PEX Runners  :)