
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 21, 2012) – At least 21 teams have joined the highly anticipated 2nd International Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge set on April 28-29 in Santa Cruz town in the southern Filipino province of Davao del Sur.
The initial roster of teams who will compete in what is touted to be the one of the Philippines’ toughest adventure races include Team Nomads-Conquer from Manila; TRI.NE.MO from Cabanatuan City; Yokeimun, A2A, AMOSS, Junjie Evangelista Team, Lito Esparar Team and Allan Boncato Team from Davao City; Sta. Cruz Team and Franklin Baker Company Team from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; Angelito Sibayan Team and Jonathan Pido Team of Carmen, Davao Del Norte; DMX Dole Phils. Team from General Santos City; Kagrupo, HADAMS and Care Group from Digos City; Roel Ano Team and four other teams from Singapore.
The competition is a 24-hour extreme challenge for up to 35 participating teams, composed of three members – 2 racers and 1 logistics crew – each. The participating teams will endure four disciplines, namely mountain biking, trekking, water tubing and road running, in the course of the country’s toughest eco-adventure race.
The race will start from the beach lines of Santa Cruz as participants navigate themselves through the town’s tough trails and raging rivers, scale the boulder face of Mount Apo, and culminate in the skyline of the country’s highest mountain.
For four consecutive years, the conduct of the Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge has made the Davao Region the leading destination for eco-adventure tourism. It will be running on its fifth year as a local competition, and second year as an international race.
The race aims to create awareness among outdoor and sports enthusiasts and the people on the importance of conserving the environment, cultivating the value of sportsmanship and the spirit of camaraderie, and developing a lasting peace and order situation in Mindanao through sports.
“It’s more fun in the Philippines, and especially in Davao, as the 2nd International Boulder Face Challenge promises to be an unforgettable adventure experience,” said , the Department of Tourism’s regional director. Art Boncato, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
He said more teams are expected to register in the coming weeks. “Interested teams may still register online at www.boulderface.com,” he said.