INSEAD Dash #2.5

A few of the hardcore Dashers in the class of Dec 2004 got together on their final day at INSEAD for one last Dash.  Here's the video.

INSEAD Dash # 2

Spurred on by the early pioneers, the momentum of the Dash was raised ever higher for Dash II. 

It was a lovely sunny Friday morning and despite a heavy night in the bars of Singapore the participants were ferociously keen to get to Amphi M.

During the pre-race warm up a dark shadow was cast by the surprise entry of Darth Vador together with his storm troopers. 
Little did they know that the spirit of the Dash is made of stronger stuff which easily overcame Darth's deep howls and frightening pair of socks. 

The race went on with an all star field that was twice the size of Dash I. The stars of Dash II were the Trash King, Darth Vador (Nick Gleeson), Dash 4 Ca$h banker (Wouter Belmans) "... if we don't win it, will buy it!", the Orange Flame (Mark Roth), the blue hooded Spaniard (Vicente J-G) and a golden duck (Angus Booth).

Ultimately, despite a poor start, Duckie over came all the odds to storm home to a strong victory -- his immortality is now assured. 

Here's the video.  

The Inaugural INSEAD Dash

Early in the morning of the 11 June 2004, 19 brave souls assembled at Heritage View.  They were not here to join the old man doing tai qi gong next to the pool.  No, these pioneers were here to start a tradition that would continue for many years and grow to a scale that they never imagined.  These brave souls were here to take part in, watch and record for posterity, the inaugural INSEAD Dash from Heritage View to the INSEAD campus.  

The Dash was originated after a conversation by a couple of P5 students. Click here to see the video of the inaugural INSEAD DASH.  (Thank you Thierry Ferey for doing an absolutely wonderful job of compiling and editing the video footage!)Here's the route map...

For the record, the founders of the INSEAD DASH were as follows:
Nuno Delicado (winner)

Nathanial Jonah (runner-up and infamous Human Cannonball)

Joseph Barribeau (cameraman and member of the Human Cannonball  support team)

Shane Chesson (member of the Human Cannonball support team)

Stephen Pickup (competitor on motorbike)

Hian Goh (competitor dressed as ice-hockey player on rollerblades)

Enrico Del Prete (competitor wearing red shoes)

Erik Somelar (competitor on bicycle)
Jean Nabaa (competitor, motorbike and on-foot)
Christpohe Bridoux (Jean Nabaa support team)
Anthony Houlahan (commentator)

Rafael Orta (spectator)

Roger Chi (spectator)

Nick Gleeson (referee)

Ranjit Dandekar (referee)

Cedric Gouillardon (referee)
Thierry Ferey (cameraman and director)
Anel Lentz (cameraperson!)
Candy Sing (cameraperson)

James Fulton (general DASH support and organization)

See more photos here

How it all began...

The inspiration for the INSEAD DASH came to Anthony Houlahan following a conversation between two P5 students - Nuno Delicado and Stephen Pickup - in June 2004.  Here's how it all got started....

It was June 2004 and a typically lazy morning for the 40 or so 'P5' students completing the final months of their INSEAD MBA.  Two such students were sat in one of the study cubicles on the third floor.  

It was around 11:30am; Nuno Delicado, having just completed his third nap of the morning was contemplating preparing for his Advanced Applied Corporate Finance class that afternoon.  Stephen Pickup, not usually spotted on campus at such an early hour, was still wiping the sleep from his eyes.

'Morning' grunted Stephen to Nuno as he took a seat next to him.  Nuno looked up startled to see his friend on campus well before his usual arrival time of around 3pm.

"Wow, Stephen!  What are doing here so early?" said Nuno. "Did you wet the bed?"

"Not exactly.  I'm turning over a new leaf" Stephen said proudly.

"After failing Marketing for the second time, I've realized it's time for me to make a change in my life.  No more mornings spent in bed for me.  From now on I'm going to be on time for class every day.  I need to get my grades up."  Stephen was renowned on campus not just for failing Marketing once, but for failing it twice and, furthermore, for achieving a significantly lower score on the second attempt than the first.  

Nuno tried hard to control his laughter as he thought of Stephen trying to figure out what the 4 Ps stood for.  Saving his sides from further pain, Nuno quickly changed the subject and asked: "And exactly how are you going to ensure that you arrive here on time Stephen?"

"Ah", said Stephen.  "I'll be riding my motorbike to school every day.  I've done the journey from Heritage to INSEAD several times and have calculated I can arrive in less than 3 minutes with a 95% statistical confidence interval.  As such, I just need to roll out of bed in time to get on my motorbike by 8:27am in order to be almost certain of making the 8:30 am class."

Nuno began laughing again.  Everyone knew that Stephen had not only failed Marketing but Statistics as well.  The thought of Stephen correctly calculating confidence intervals was about as likely as Professor Pierre Hillion writing romantic poetry.

Resisting the opportunity for increased ridicule on Stephen's expense, Nuno thought he may be able to lay down a challenge to Stephen.  Nuno was an accomplished long-distance runner.  He'd completed several marathons, including the Singapore marathon only months before.  

"3 minutes?" mused Nuno.  "You know I can run from Heritage to INSEAD in less time than that, don't you?"

"Surely not" retorted Stephen, "my powerful motorbike will ferry me here significantly more quickly than your skinny legs."

Seeing Stephen warm to the challenge, Nuno said "Well, why don't we have a race and see who wins?"

"Sure" said Stephen."What about next Friday?"

"You're on."

Listening intently to the friendly banter from an adjacent cubicle was fellow P5 student Anthony Houlahan.  Anthony, always looking for ways to combine scientific experiment with entertainment, thought he might have spotted an opportunity to do just that.

"Excuse me lads", Anthony said as he entered Nuno's and Stephen's cubicle, "I couldn't help hearing that you're planning a race from Heritage to the INSEAD campus next Friday.  Would you be open to allowing other people to enter?"

"Who else?" asked Stephen.

"Well, if you're racing each other from Heritage to INSEAD maybe there are others who could join in?  In particular, we could open the race to other people using alternative means of transportation.  For example, who's to say that a person on a bicycle would not beat you both.  What about roller-bladers?  Horseback riders?  People riding in a car?  Who's to say what is the quickest form of transport?  If we let others join we can truly find out which is the quickest mode of transport from Heritage to INSEAD."

By now several other P5 students had joined the conversation.  They all laughed at the prospect of a veritable re-creation The Wacky Races right there on their own doorstep.  They agreed to open it up to other competitors and so, on a morning in June 2007, the INSEAD DASH was conceived.

The date was set and Anthony proceeded to write an email to all students on the campus inviting their participation.

Several others agreed to help.  Thierry Ferey agreed to film the event and create a video.Permission was sought from and granted by the INSEAD administration.

Over the next week or so, the participants gradually signed up.  And so on the morning of 11 June 2004, the inaugural DASH began.

Final email to competitors on the eve of the inaugural Dash

From: HOULAHAN Anthony 

Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 5:52 PM

To: DL_S_MBADec04_All_P3; DL_S_MBAJuly04_All_P5

Subject: DASH: 8:27AM Friday Heritage View

As the tension mounts to fever pitch, I hereby confirm that the DASH will place tomorrow as scheduled.  Runners and riders will depart from Heritage at 8:27AM.

If you are a contestant or volunteering to be either a steward, cameraman, starter, finisher or anything else, please be there between 8AM and 8:10AM.  We'll be doing pre-race interviews with the competitors before the start as well as filming the competitors as they limber up, verbally abuse one another and prepare themselves mentally for the big event. 

As noted previously, the finish will be Amphi M.

We are still searhing for cameramen.  If you have digital camera and are willing to help (or let us borrow your camera), please contact me or Thierry Ferey.

DASH - SUMMARY:

When Friday June 11th 2004

Start time: 8:27am

location: Heritage Tower C, lobby 1

Finish Amphi M, ready for class

(Note, competitors and volunteers, don't forget to attend tonights technical briefing in Amphi M at 7PM - essential information will be shared, so be there!)

The Dash is on.

-----Original Message-----

From: HOULAHAN Anthony 

Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 4:10 PM

To: DL_S_MBADec04_All_P3; DL_S_MBAJuly04_All_P5

Subject: DASH: Technical Briefing for all competitors (7PM tonight!)

IMPORTANT:  ALL DASH COMPETITORS, PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE.

As you know the inaugural INSEAD DASH will take place tomorrow (Friday 11 June) at 8:27AM from Heritage View.

To ensure that all our contestants are fully informed of the route, procedures and rules we'll hold a technical briefing this evening at 7PM. 

The meeting will last around 20 minutes and will cover

- Route

- Start and finish procedure

- Other rules

- Questions and answers 

If you're competing in the DASH you need to be in this meeting!!!!

(If you're not competing, you can also attend if you wish.)

DASH Technical Briefing, details...

Venue:      Amphi M

Time:       7PM

Date:       Thursday 10 March

Attendance: All DASH competitors!

I look forward to seeing you there and if you're not competing in the DASH I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning!

The Dash is on.

-----Original Message-----

Cohorts:

I have an update for you regarding this Friday's DASH.  

I have consulted with Pierre Hillion who has confirmed that his Applied

Corporate Finance class will indeed be the finish line for the DASH.

However, Pierre expressed (a very valid) concern that he did not want a

bunch of sweaty people causing his amphi to stink.  As such, Pierre has

imposed a requirement that all contestants must bring their own their

own deodorant and apply it liberally following the race.  The DASH

organisers have thus endorsed this request.   So, in addition, to the A4

size binder, pencil case and calculator, all participants must also

carry a deodorant.  The rules (below) have been updated to reflect this.

I have received many entires including a much wider spectrum of modes of

transport than I ever expected.  Some of the most innovative include a

shopping trolley, pantomime horse and "on a lady boy" (I am not

completely sure what this entails...).

So, if you have not done so already, get your entries to me ASAP.  The

closing date for entries is this Wednesday 9 June.

SUMMARY:

When Friday June 11th 2004

Start time: 8:27am

location: Heritage Tower C, lobby 1

Finish Amphi M, ready for class

Entry Mail Anthony Houlahan (closing date for entries: 9 June)

Fee Free

The Dash is on.

The invitation email for the inaugural Dash

From: HOULAHAN Anthony 

Sent: Monday, June 7, 2004 5:52 PM

To: DL_S_MBADec04_All_P3; DL_S_MBAJuly04_All_P5

Subject: DASH: 8:27AM Friday Heritage View

After much suspense and speculation, I am proud, honored and excited to announce the inaugural HERITAGE VIEW-TO-INSEAD DASH CHALLENGE.

OVERVIEW:

The 'Dash' (as it shall be called) is a race from the Heritage View Condominium on Dover Rise to Amphi M at INSEAD.  The  inaugural Dash will take place on the morning of this coming Friday 11 June and will

start at 8:27AM from Tower C, Lobby 1 of Heritage View.  The objective of the Dash is to be the first competitor to arrive at Amphi M at INSEAD in a state deemed ready for class.  Any means of transport is acceptable for the Dash (see list below for current entries).  The winner of the HERITAGE-INSEAD DASH shall be the first person (having departed the Dash start at Heritage View, Tower C, lobby 1 at 8:27AM) to take his place in Amphi M in an acceptable state ready to attend Pierre Hillion's elective class on Adavnced Corporate Finance (those who have not signed up for this class and have no interest in sitting through the class will be permitted to leave shortly after the start).

ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF TRANSPORT / CURRENT ENTRIES:

So far, we have entries in the following categories:

1. On foot (i.e. running as fast as one can)

2. Motorbike

3. Pedal bike (bicycle)

4. Skateboard

5. Roller-blades

6. Taxi

7. Heelies

8. Private automobile

9. Shopping trolley

10. Pantomime Horse

We are also hoping for entries in the following categories:

11. Scooter

12. Horseback

13. Ambulance

The organizers will also consider applications for entries in other categories not listed here.

OTHER RULES:

1. At the start, contestants shall assemble at Tower C, Lobby 1 of Heritage View.  Upon release they will proceed to the place at which they normally park their mode of transport, board their mode of transport and proceed to INSEAD in the fastest manner possible.

2. En-route.  Anything goes with the exception of any behavior deemed by the course stewards to be dangerous to other competitors, spectators, or other vehicles and passers-by.  As noted below, stewards will be present at the Buona Vista Road traffic light junction to ensure that no competitor 'jumps the lights'.  Anyone deemed to have jumped the lights will be disqualified.

3. At the finish.  Before proceeding to Amphi M, competitors must first properly secure their selected mode of transport.  E.g. bikes should be placed at the bike rack and properly secured, horses should be tethered,

scooters parked in the appropriate place, motorbikes parked appropriately.  Contestants on roller blades should note that roller-blades, pads and helmets must be removed prior to entry to Amphi M.  Likewise other contestants wearing safety equipment (e.g. helmets and pads) must remove them before entering Amphi M.  All competitors must also carry a minimum of one A4 size folder, a pen/pencil,  a calculator and deodorant such that they enter class in an appropriately prepared state.  Competitors may carry these items in a bag / rucksack or other means.

THE WINNER:

The winner will be the person who arrives in class first in a state deemed appropriate for class, having followed the rules and behaved with absolute fairplay (e.g., not trying to delay others; jumping traffic lights, etc)

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

In the interests of avoiding a major accident, stewards will be deployed on the traffic light junction at Buona Vista Road to prevent contestants jumping the lights.  Anyone found to jump the lights will be disqualified.  The stewards decision shall be final.  Competitors should assemble at the start wearing their normal gear for their selected mode of transport.

HOW TO ENTER:

Entry is free.  Please let Anthony Houlahan know if you wish to enter. Mail Anthony, stating your full name and selected means of transportation.  

PRIZES:

The overall Dash winner shall win a bottle of Champagne.  Category winners shall receive three bottles of 'Reef' alcolohic soda each. Category prizes shall include fastest on each mode of transport, best dressed, most creative means of transport, etc.

SUMMARY:

When Friday June 11th 2004

Start time: 8:27am

location: Heritage Tower C, lobby 1

Finish Amphi M, ready for class

Entry Mail Anthony Houlahan

Fee Free

VOLUNTEERS WANTED:

On a final note, for the Dash to take place safely and fairly and to be recorded for future generations, I want to appeal for the help of volunteers in the following categories:

Stewards (x6): To conduct the start, monitor foul play en route, and determine the winner at the finish.

Cameramen (x6): To record the race for future generations. (Need your own video camera).

Time keepers (x2): To record the official finish time of all competitors.

Race Reporter (x1): To write up and publish the official results and commentary.

Video editor (x1): To edit and publish the race video 

Prize presenters (x2): 1 x beautiful female plus 1 x beautiful male (both scantily clad)

All of these roles are critical.  If you're not competing, please do volunteer.  Send me your name and the role you want to perform if you are interested in volunteering for one of the above roles.

The Dash is on.

(Click here for the video of the Inaugural INSEAD Dash.)