to make Coca-Cola LONG RUN 2013 (the maiden event) a success, TfG had to ensure that the event will become one of the most organised events of its kind. careful planning and successful coordination among various parties had to play a major role in achieving this task.
thursday the 14th of february, we issued the runners with a race info kit, which included their bib number, the timing chip, the LONG RUN Route and some additional information regarding race day.
two ferries leaving from jetty No. 7 was organised by TfG to escort as many runners as possible. first ferry left at 1430hrs whilst the next left 1500hrs on race day 15th of february. if these ferries were missed, normal scheduled ferries were still available leaving every 10 minutes from 1400hrs. this was also well communicated in the information kit distributed to the runners.
when they arrived at the ferry terminal (in hulhumale), event organisers was their to greet them and escorting them to the registrations desk found right in front of the hulhumale ferry terminal.
one of the most important messages highlighted throughout the entire campaign was about the start times of the races. the Half Marathon was to begin precisely 1645hrs whilst the 10k was set to begin 1715hrs.
soon after the registration desk, most had already walked towards the start area (some 1.3km).
around 4pm, almost everyone attending the event has registered and found their way to the start point. an amazing atmosphere was already present, with runners warming up and their families and friends anxiously awaiting the start. loud music was warming the participants all too easily. the freedom of wearing whatever suits the runners best was proving to be one of the most colourful decisions of the entire run.
precisely 1645hrs with Maldives Athletic Association firing the gun (to start the run), 52 runners kick started the half marathon. half an hour later, precisely 1715hrs, the 10k kicked off their run with 158 runners taking part. 210 total runners took part in the first ever LONGRUN.
the support from the crowd gathered near the finish line and at various points around Hulhumale was an indication that such events was rare in the Maldives. as every runner completed a lap, the crowds cheered them, gave them high fives, and DJ Umar added a few more beats to the journey.
once the runners crossed the finish line, timing chip’s inserted in their shoes was already recording their race finish times. the first occassion in which Maldives saw timing chip technology used in a running event. and this was also the very first event in the Maldives that gave away a medal for every runner (challenging the norm that only the first three or the first few was to be awarded a medal).
and that was the 15th of February, 2013,