Friday, November 21, 2008

Race Day!

Zihua doesn't do the best job advertising some of its events, and most of the time we end up finding out about something two days after the fast. Well yesterday was an 8k race - Ibis found out a whopping four days ahead of time. He's a runner (he's run three marathons) but took a break at some point over the summer. About two weeks ago, he started running again in the mornings, and that's when he found out about this race.

The runners started near the entrance to Playa Larga, then ran along the main highway into town, ending at the downtown plaza. I went down to the plaza to wait for him, not really sure what to expect.

First, I couldn't find the finish line. I asked several shop keepers and a woman standing near a cooker full of water, and they all said the "meta" was the finish line. (Notice I finally got a picture of the police with their machine guns.)


I was confused. Do they climb the stairs after running 8k in 90+ degree weather? "It's very disorganized," another woman told me. I guess.

While we waited for the runners to appear, traffic continued passing on the street. I kept waiting for the police to come through and block it off, but they never did. A few people even stopped to look at the spectators, and a couple cab drivers asked me if I was waiting for a ride. *shakes head* Here's one of the first runners (he's wearing black & is between the two cabs):


Here's the stage. I assumed there would be a ceremony there afterwards, but they started taking it down after the first couple runners came through. By the time Ibis got there, the sign was gone and the runners just kind of stopped running in the middle of the crowd of people.


Ibis was around the 17th person to cross the finish line. They only wrote down the top three of each category so they couldn't tell him exactly. We figured out that number by counting sweaty competitors in the crowd. We also don't know his time because 1)they started late, and 2)I forgot to check my watch when he crossed. Here he is:


And once he got some water. Notice the police are dismantling the stage:


There were doctors on hand, and third person to finish needed medical attention (he was fine). Shortly after the race ended, an ambulance cruised by:


They gave away trophies to the winners and running outfits to the second and third place people. He says he probably won't do it again because it was so disorganized, and especially because they didn't block traffic while they were running on the main roads. Scary!

Finally, here's a picture I took while I was waiting for him:

21 comments:

Robin said...

The beach is so pretty!

Yay for Ibis! That's so funny about the complete disorganization. I wonder if everyone felt that way, or if other people thought it was perfectly normal to have to dodge taxis while you're running a race.

It almost seems like no one steps up to the plate and says, "OK. Here's what we're going to do..." I'm sending my mother down there.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Wow, that sounds incredibly lame. But Ibis still rocks for having participated! Pat him on the back for us. :)

And I love it when you post pictures of your area. It's such a different world. I can't help but think of the amazing life experience (even the not-so-good stuff) this is for you.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on Ibis not only running the race but coming in so close to the top! I'm surprised how disorganized it was also. Glad you guys had a good time!

Anonymous said...

FYI, I still have issues with the RSS feed.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, would you believe there were actually organizers? I have a picture of them but didn't include it.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, I'm glad you enjoy the pictures. And you can see the cobblestone streets!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Aaron. I just fixed the feed thing. I'd forgotten about it. Sorry!

Jen said...

Well, that's no way to run a railroad! Or a race. Sheesh. Good for Ibis, though!

And cool pictures, btw. I'd love to see that beach. Sounds great right now...it was 22 degrees this morning.

*shiver*

Robin said...

(He Robin) Kudos to Ibis for competing. I'd would have fell out with a heart attack in the first 100 meters.
Not knowing about race day here is not a problem. I know that every other Friday is race day. That's when I race to the bank to try to get there before the checks that I've written do.

Anonymous said...

Next time you should arrive in a cheerleader outfit. That could liven up the finish line. Just sayin.. :)

Congrats to Ibis! It would have been dark by the time I crossed the finish line... Of course I probably would have been hit by a car too.

BTW - my word verification here is 'beaters' *hehe*

Spy Scribbler said...

How bizarre! That is just beyond bizarre! I'm shocked they didn't keep his time. I'm also shocked they took down the stage after the first few runners. I'm also shocked they didn't block off the roads.

You sure are right about disorganized!

PS: Your RSS feed went back to normal for me. Yay!

Robin said...

I can't believe there were organizers! That's hilarious! (I still think they need my mother.)

Rachel Burton said...

Congrats to your hubby! And so funny about the race "organization!" The beach shot is gorgeous; love the light.

colbymarshall said...

They don't block the traffic, maybe, because they think if you're dodging cars you'll run faster and make better time :-)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Jen, today we drove the same stretch that he ran and he pointed out all the places that were really scary (ie - close to cars).

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, really? That many races?

I wouldn't have made it either. I did an 8k in Chicago and thought I was going to die at mile 4. I made it, but that was enough accomplishment for me.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, I think I would've had a bit of unwanted attention in that. I did think it was funny that the people I was talking to were the family of the guy Ibis was running with - totally random.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Spy, yes. The entire production was a mess and this was like the 20th annual one or something.

I was playing with my settings the other day for no real reason, and several people complained. Sorry about that!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, are you trying to find excuses to get BOTH your parents down here?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Rachel! I couldn't see the viewfinder when I took the picture so I didn't know how it came out until I downloaded the pictures.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Colby, that is a thought... ;)