THE country’s toughest adventure racers brace anew for the International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge 2015 set on April 25-26 in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Organizers, led by Councilor Andy Ugedonacion expect last year’s field of 17 teams to double this time with five teams from the United States coming over upon the invitation of the Department of Tourism which has included the event in its Visit Phililippines year 2015 calendar. The race is backed by Aboitiz Power, San Miguel Corporation, Franklin Baker, R.0.X. and Seaoil.
There will be three categories in the 120 KM. long race that features four different disciplines: 47.8KM bike, 3.5KM trekking, 5KM water tubing, and 13.7KM of road running, with a cut-off time of 24 hours for all the teams. The race will bring the adventure racers all the way to the peak of the country’s highest mountain where the average temperature is between 8 to 10 degrees.
Last year’s Open Elite champion team of Mark Anthony Ronce, 26, and April John Manuyog, 22, both from Davao del Sur, clocked 13 hours in ruling the race but they will be pressed to duplicate their performance last year with the stronger field this year.
At stake in the event is a total of P500,000 cash prize with the top three teams in the Open Elite division to receive P150,000, P100,000, and P50,000 while the top teams in the other categories, All Male Relay and All Female Relay will also receive cash prizes. The event is now on its 8th year.