Davao team wins Mount Apo Boulder Challenge

Filipinos again ruled the Third International Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge, which ended last Sunday, with two runners from Davao winning the P150,000 top prize and shattering the record of the previous winners.

Mario Ecalner and Ronalad Dagaang of the People’s Park Runners Club of Davao clocked in with a time of 12 hours, 22 minutes, and 58 seconds over the race’s 113.3-kilometer route. The Dota/Columbia team, composed of Dexter Nonato and April John Maniyog, took second place with a total time of 12:32:21. The two, who are from Davao City, brought home the P100,000 cash prize.

Just late by 15 minutes (having a clock time of 12:46:51) was Dioscoro Genunsalao, Jr. and Romeo A. Mascardo, Jr. of Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, based in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. They were forced to settle for the third place and a P75,000 cash prize.

Last year’s winners, brothers Cresenciano and Gerald Sabal, both policemen, took 15 hours, 38 minutes, and 33 seconds to reach the finish line.

The extreme adventure uses four disciplines, namely mountain biking, trekking, water tubing, and road running.  Each participating team is composed of two racers and one person in charge of logistics. Over a span of 24 hours, each team passed through several hurdles, including rugged terrains and raging rivers of Sta. Cruz, before climbing up to Mount Apo.  

This year, 31 teams competed against each other to win what is touted as one of the toughest races in Asia.  28 teams were from the Philippines and the remaining three were from two countries, the Netherlands (one team) and Indonesia (two teams).

Last year, the competition drew a total of 29 local teams and 11 foreign squads from Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Aside from Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, other Philippines teams this year were from Manila, Bukidnon, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Digos City in Davao del Sur, Mabini in Compostela Valley, Polomolok in South Cotabato, and Antipas in North Cotabato.

Three schools, all from Davao City, joined the competition, University of Mindanao, University of Southern Philippines, and Brokenshire College.

This year’s event is actually the sixth of its kind.  The race was initiated by the municipality of Sta. Cruz as the highlight of Pista sa Kinaiyahan in 2008.  In 2011, the local government and the Davao regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) teamed up together to encourage international participation.

The event is also part of the government’s advocacy, “Save and Protect Mt. Apo.”

“Through Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge, we aim to develop responsible ethics among outdoor enthusiasts, create awareness among outdoor people [sic] the 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,” explained DOT regional director Arturo Boncato.

Mount Apo is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the country with the summit, on the average, taking two days to reach.

Several trails lead to the summit, coming from North Cotabato and Davao provinces. Arguably the easiest route to the National Park is through Kidapawan City with an average hike taking three to four days round-trip. - AMD, GMA News