Make Your CIHM Participation One for the Books

For those who are joining, or are still contemplating to join the Corregidor International Half Marathon 2010, the CIHM Organizing team came up with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that would answer your, well... questions about the race.

Q: Is the Php2500 (early-bird rate)/Php3000 (regular rate) too expensive for a race in the Philippines?
A: Not so. Relative to the ever increasing registration fees of races in Metro Manila, the participation fee in CIHM is actually very reasonable, and almost a steal. Sun Cruise’s regular rate per person for a daytrip to Corregidor that includes round-trip ferry, a group-guided tour of the island, and a lunch buffet is Php1,900.00. The CIHM package, excluding the guided tour, offers all participants round-trip ferry, a full lunch buffet on race day, a genuine dry-fit race shirt, race backpack, race bib equipped with an RFID timing chip, a classic Finishers’ Medallion, access to the Carbo-loading Bonfire Party, and a ticket to a mercury-rising after-race bash that is the CIHM Victory Party.

Q: Does the registration fee cover accommodations in the island?
A: No. Accommodations, however, range only from P1600 to P2400 per night per room. A standard room could accommodate three persons comfortably. It may be arranged through Sun Cruises at these numbers: 8346857/8346858 / 5275555 loc 4511 or 4512.

Q: Is there any other option for accommodation if I were to go overnight?
A: Yes. CIHM participants may opt to camp out with their own tent. They only have to make a one-time payment of Php200 per tent to Sun Cruises. The camp site is at the parade grounds adjacent to the South Dock and facing the beach. Those who will camp out need not worry about their lavatory needs. Though spartan in nature, there are more than ample clean washroom and restroom cubicles that are very proximate to the tent grounds.

Q: Still concerning those going overnight, where could they avail of their meals?
A: Sun Cruises operates Corregidor Inn where CIHM participants may dine out in a welcoming restaurant. Alternatively, there are several kiosks in the island such as that in McCarthur’s Inn where participants may check out other meal options.

Q: Will CIHM participants camping out be allowed to bring camping stoves?
A: Mini camping stove or similar devices that will produce a relatively minimal combustion may be allowed to be brought in by participants who will camp out.

Q: Are bikes allowed to be brought along?
A: Owing to space limitations in and weight restrictions of the ferries, CIHM participants are disallowed to bring along their bicycles.

Q: Will Corregidor be open to regular tourists on the day of the race?
A: No. The island will be exclusive to CIHM participants on Dec 18 and 19. This means that CIHM racers could totally enjoy a traffic-less and urban-nuisance-free race amidst a dramatic backdrop, and that is only in Corregidor.

Q: Where can foreign nationals, residing outside the Philippines, intending to join CIHM get information on Philippine visa requirements?
A: They may check out the tab “Philippine Visa Information for Foreign Participants” in the CIHM website www.corregidor2010.runningmate.ph or other veritable websites on the net.

Q: Can registered participants have their own pacers?
A: Yes but only if the pacer is also a registered CIHM participant. The race will strictly adhere to the “No Bib, No Race” policy.

Q: Will there be a sweep time for CIHM participants?
A: None. CIHM participants need not worry about being swept off the race course after a particular time. However, for a participant to finish the race, he/she needs to reach the half-way checkpoint on or before 1hr45min from gunstart. Participants who will be unable to do so, however, will be awarded with a 10K Achiever medal and will be brought to the Finish area onboard the Sun Cruises tranvias. All participants who will successfully finish the 21k distance will be awarded with the CIHM Finishers’ Medallion

Q: How many hydration stations will there be on the race course?
A: There will be 8 hydration stations, including one at the finish area, at 2km interval from each other.

Q: Will there be first aid stations along the race course?
A: Yes. First aid, actually, will be integrated with the hydration stations. Aside from this, a mobile paramedic team will also be in place.

Q: What is the unique selling point of Corregidor International Half-Marathon?
A: It is the idea that all CIHM participants will have the rare opportunity to run on sacred grounds and all their determined efforts will be cheered on by the glorious memory of heroism of our noble predecessors. Then there’s the bonus of an after-race Victory Party where participants could let their hair down to celebrate their achievement.