XTERRA Philippines Championship this week!!!

There are 2 international events on March 6, 2011 in Cebu. Yes. Two. One is the well publicized Davis Cup for tennis fans and the other, for multi-sport enthusiasts, the Xterra Philippines Championship.

Multi-sport individuals are very much familiar with the Cobra 70.3 Ironman held in CamSur every August. It is one of many international races flocked by swimmers, cyclists and runners. Participants swim 1.9Km in a man made lake at the CamSur Watersports Complex, Bike 90Km along the scenic roads of CamSur then run a half marathon all in one day. This is the Half-Ironman.

The off-road counterpart for the Ironman is the Xterra. Staged in Liloan, Cebuanos are very lucky to have the chance to join or watch an international race without travel expenses. This is the first championship race to be held in the Philippines with other qualifying races held at Laguna and Tagaytay since last year. We also get a chance to see world champion triathletes racing against filipino elites like Team Reborn Coaches Noy Jopson and Lorhiz Echavez. Other Team Reborn members competing at their respective age-groups are Jung Cases, Tenggoy Colmenares, Tyrone and daugher Rochelle Tan. Joseph Miller, after winning the Columbia Trailmasters race last year, will compete against other male Filipino elites like 2010 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines Champion Neil Catiil and Cebu's own Elmo Clarabal. Noy’s wife, Amale, will join and team up with Intercare athletes Martin Camara and Camilla Taylor. The winners will get the chance to represent the Philippines in the World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

Being a native of Liloan, I was given the opportunity to race for the home team. Aside from me (swim), Relay Team Abante Liloan! is composed of Gerard Cabatingan (Bike) and Duke Frasco (Run), the young Mayor of Liloan.

The race will cover a 1.5Km open water swim starting at the waters of Amara then a 35km mountainbike ride in the rugged terrains of Liloan and finish with a 10Km trail run. Everything exactly like the Ironman race except its Off-road. No cyclists on aerobars. Bikes jumping off rough, loose and muddy landscapes. Running along uneven and challenging paths. These are some of the thrills Xterra has to offer. 

Registration ends today. If you are not running or doing anything on March 6, please support the event by going to the race venue and cheer for the participants. Race starts 7am and ends 12noon. Cheer for All Filipinos. Cheer for all Adventure Athletes. See you there!!!