DOT 11 confirms int’l teams in toughest adventure race

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao recently confirmed that international teams will be joining the country’s toughest adventure race dubbed “The Second International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge” on April 28 and 29 here.
DOT Regional Director Art Boncato said the event is the major highlight of the annual “Pista Para sa Kinaiyahan” (Feast for the Environment) celebration of Sta. Cruz municipality in Davao del Sur.
The race will start on the beach lines of Sta. Cruz and the racers will navigate through the town’s trails and raging rivers, scale the boulder face of Mt. Apo, and culminate at the skyline of the country’s highest mountain.
“We’re expecting 35 teams–local, national and international. We have already five confirmed teams from Singapore and still awaiting two more from Indonesia and Malaysia,” Boncato said.
The 24-hour extreme sports challenge will entail four disciplines – mountain biking, trekking, white water tubing and road running.
Race director Albert Gabriel said each team will be composed of two racers and only one logistic crew. Entry fee is P5,000 per team. The champion will receive P150,000 while the second and third placers will pocket P100,000 and P75,000, respectively.
“This is the fifth time for local competitors and second as an international contest. Various teams from all over the country and even from as far as Canada participated in this annual race to the highest peak of the Philippines,” Gabriel said.
Boncato said the event aims to develop responsible ethics among outdoor enthusiasts, create awareness among outdoor people and importance of conserving Mother Nature, cultivate the value of sportsmanship and spirit of camaraderie and develop a lasting peace and order situation in Mindanao through sports.
It is supported by the regional offices here of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), San Miguel Corp., AboitizPower Corp.-Hedcor Sibulan Inc., Columbia Sportswear Co., Primer Group of Companies, Recreational Outdoor Exchange and Zest Air. [PNA]