Fit and Run.Info

THere’s no better way to enjoy the team spirit in Boracay than with the Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival 2013! The 7th edition not only brought in 906 participants from different places like Manila, HK, Singapore, Canada, China and the USA, but it has also brought to the fore 9 competing dragon boat teams from the island itself.

What’s more interesting is that not only did these local teams lord it over in all categories, Boracay All Stars was even selected by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to race in that territory this June. What’s striking though was that these teams are mostly composed of Boracay residents, native Ati’s (especially the Nami team), hotel employees and workers.

The event was indeed a world class race. There were new champion boats of the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation, Dr. Luk Wei Hung, chief official of the ITO, together with Coach Len Escollante and Jonne Go, Sec Gen of Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation made sure that the race followed international rules.

Friday and Saturday were 500m and 250m distances, respectively. And with the introduction of the 10 paddler category, allowed smaller teams to compete. There was also the Masters Small Boat Category (minimum age 40) which made other teams come.

The 8th BIDBF tentatively scheduled for April 24-26. The partnership, Gigi Piit, Tootsie Ronnholm, Nenette Graf and Candy Perez de Tagle from BIPA thank all the participants, sponsors and supporters for helping to make this year a success.

Team preparing for the race and heading to the start line

Teams during the farewell dinner and awarding of winners

One of the overseas teams who joined the festival

Waiting for their turn

Early win

Beach goer taking photos of one of the teams

Check out the images at the Fit and Run Facebook page album.

2013 Participating teams (27)
Teams by race category (21)
Race results (22)

The 7th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival opened last 25 April 2013 with a parade in Station 2 from Boracay Beach Resort to the beach strip infront of the Regency, the program venue. With 27 teams in attendance from Boracay, Manila, Singapore, Guanghzou, Hongkong, US and Canada.

Opening night was fun with the different teams presenting something on stage. Mostly were team dancing with the bolder ones, like the Singapore Dragons increasing the night temperature with their well shaped bodies with the ladies gasping at the sight of the men.

Nami ati Boracay, one of the Boracay teams with mainly indigenous Ati’s, the original inhabitants of the island and Panay who are such a great team players, had their sirena that gained the judges’s approval and winning one of the categories of the program contest on closing night.

The dragon boat players are a closely knit group and its not only the friendly competition that identifies these sportsmen but great camaraderie as well.

Check out the images at the Fit and Run Facebook page album.

Boracay Sea Dragons during the parade

Dragon dancing during the parade

DLSU during the parade

Singapore Dragons presenting during the opening night program

Singapore Dragons presenting during the opening night program

The island resort of Boracay played host to the 7th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival opening last 25 April and closing with a the awards night and farewell dinner last 27. With a total of 27 teams from the Philippines and a few teams based abroad, with as far as Canada and the US, it was a success!

As I’m still preparing the images, more than a thousand taken during the three day event, I am posting some teasers below.

Bugsay Boracay paddlers show off after a victory

A dragon boat team in the heat of the race

Dragon boats awaiting the teams

Bugsay Boracay celebrates as they win one of the categories in the finals

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Project Happy Feet Slipper Race 2013 at the Crimson Resort, Cebu.

The Globe Cordillera Challenge 4

This should be epic! I said to myself as I was listening to the emcee during the launching of the Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 outside the Ayala Museum. But the more I listened, the more I got envious. Yes, I don’t bike. Although I know how to ride a bike, the Globe Cordillera Challenge is too technical for me. But God!

What is the Globe Cordillera Challenge?

This is not a race. Period. From the FAQ: It is a Cyclosportiv/Randonee timed event designed for recreational bikers to be able to measure their performance and explore the local environment while showcasing the ecosystem and culture of the Cordillera region, as well as raise awareness on the need to protect and rebuild our mountains’ forest areas.

If that will not pique your interest, what will? Just imagine, the mighty Cordillera, its rugged fastnesses, the pine trees, the cliffs and ravines, the fog rising early in the morning and the cool mountain air, a good respite from the hot and humid Metro. Its the adventure! Pure and simple. I will give an arm and a leg just to be here. If only I got the technical prowess to ride such a challenge.

Compared to the previous three years, this year’s challenge is a good 65 kilometers with breathtaking sceneries and takes you on about 3,000 meters of elevation gain and loss!

In return for you registering, you help build seedling banks for reforestation. You help green the once denuded mountains. You give your contributions to keeping the environment. You also help educate the students and community in the schools where these seedling banks will be built.

With your registration you will get a cool and well designed jersey made from recycled PET bottles, race number as well as transportation of your bike from Manila – Baguio – Manila.

You can participate in two ways:
1. Participate as a biker in the Globe Cordillera Challenge.
2. Donate funds for the establishment of 20 seedling nurseries to the Cordillera Conservation Trust via GCASH or Bank deposit
a. GCASH; Dial*143, select GCASH option/OTHERS and then DONATE in the menu.
Key in P1,000 and enter your 4-digit MPIN.

b. Cordillera Conservation Trust BDO Account
• Account Name: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera
• Account Number: 5180031673

Cool jersey design. CLICK TO ENLARGE

You should really join this one!

For more info, check the following for routes and other details:

ROUTE: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2240765
Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 FAQ (88)
Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 Press Release (78)
Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 CoP (68)