Fun run enthusiasts were enraged after a Manila-based event organizer canceled yesterday’s much awaited fourth installment of Color Manila’s CM Challenge Davao.
Participants were shouting “boo,” “scam,” and “refund” after the event, which was supposed to start at 5:30 a.m., failed to begin at SM Lanang Premier.
Color Manila, said to be the country’s number one fun run organizer, apologized for the cancellation, citing heavy rains in Manila that prevented its partner-supplier from sending the logistics needed in the event.
At least 1,500 runners appeared at the site. The assemble time was set at 4:30 a.m.
Some participants came from cities like Tagum and Panabo in Davao del Norte, Digos in Davao del Sur, Tandag in Surigao del Sur and General Santos. Others were even from Manila who came here to join the event as kickstart for the weeklong Kadayawan.
Frustrated runners said they invested time and money just to join in the event. The participants paid based on the categories they would be joining – P599 for deluxe and P799 for rock star.
Some participants were calling for a reschedule while others clamored for a full refund.
What irked more the participants was that the information centers and baggage counters were unmanned when they were about to get their deposited items.
Most participants expressed their disappointment in social media.
On its Facebook page on the eve of the event, Color Manila said the Davao event was “sold out.”
On Saturday morning, Color Manila posted a thank you message, and assured the participants that there would be “lots of thrills and happy pill” during the event that would set to start as early as 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
But on the night prior to the event, a text message was sent to the registered participants informing that the event would be moved an hour late — 6:30 a.m. – reportedly due to safety reasons.
On Sunday, after two hours of delay, organizers cancelled the event as the logistics failed to arrive. Among the expected equipment to be used in the event were an inflatable slide and inflatable tires, among others.
In a text message sent to the TIMES, the organizer said: “we regret to inform you that our logistics supplier did not arrive” forcing them to cancel the event.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you,” the organizer said as it hoping “kind understanding” from the participants.
“We have tried our best to push through (the event yesterday) morning together with our partners but as of 9 a.m., we (were) still waiting for our truck to arrive that was scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m. Friday,” the organizer said. “The delay was caused by heavy rains in Metro Manila where our cargo is coming from.”
Heavy rains hit Metro Manila since Friday last week due to Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Storm Karding. Some parts of the metropolis were flooded.
“Know that we would never mean harm to any of our participants and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience we have caused,” the organizer said. “The fun we bring to participants is our driving force to continue mounting these events despite the evident challenges.”
“Our team worked hard to deliver CM Challenge Davao and we would like to make it up by delivering the best to our runners.”
The organizer said the supplier, whom they worked in a number of events, never failed them before. The supplier, it said, will shoulder the refund.
Color Manila said they would later announce a new schedule of the event, saying those who want a refund are guaranteed to get 100%.
On its official page, Color Manila only said four reasons for the cancellation of the event:
1. Signal No. 2 or heavy rains with government announcements not later than the day before.
2. Earthquake (Intensity 4 and up) occurring from 12:01 a.m. on the day of the run and onwards.
3. Blackout from 12:01 a.m. on the day of the run and onwards.
4. Coup or any violent criminal incident within and around the event venue.
The Sunday fun run was supposed to be the first early morning event of Color Manila in Davao. Previous fun runs were held at nighttime. The last Color Manila event held in the city was last year’s Blacklight Run, which was held on Aug. 12, one of major events within the Kadayawan week.
Color Manila has been organizing fun runs across the country since 2012. Its fun run is known for its obstacle-filled race and the colored powder that gets tossed at participants.
Prior to the failed Davao event, Color Manila held a fun run in Clark, Pampanga last Sunday.
