5th PNM Climbathon and Mountainbike Challenge on March 20-21 in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - It’s all systems go for the 5th Paghandum ni Magsaysay (PNM) Adventure Race Climbathon and the 7th PNM Mountainbike Challenge on March 20-21 at Mt. Manunggal in Balamban, Cebu.

The event features four categories: open/elite, executive, women’s and local.

The PNM Adventure Race Climbathon will be a tougher race this year as the organizers stretched the distance from 15 to 18 kilometers. The rest of the categories will tread the race length of 14 kilometers.

Registration fee is pegged at P150 for open/elite, P100 for executive and women’s and P50 for local participants.

The champion in the open/elite category will pocket P10,000, while the second and third placers will get P7,000 and P5,000, respectively.

The top finisher in the executive, women’s and local will receive P5,000, while the second and third will take home P3,000 and P1,000.

Event chairman and municipal councilor Dave Karamihan said the two-day tilt is aimed at showcasing the beauty and the eco-tourism potential of Mt. Manunggal and its environs.

“Through all these events that are lined up for the commemoration of the death of a beloved president year in and out, we may be able to put Manunggal in the map of must see destinations for foreign and local tourists alike in Cebu. This could help out in both ways: more economic activity in the area, and more consciousness on environmental issues for locals as they would tend to take care of their resources more to keep tourists coming in,” said Karamihan during the press briefing the other night at the Outpost in Brgy. Apas, this city.

“This all started with a mountain, which happened to embrace a great man in his death. It is ironic that with Magsaysay’s death, a new life is born. New life for the constituents of Barangay Gaas and Manunggal,” he added.

Karamihan also pointed out the place is safe since they already had tight security within the area.

“Security is not a problem. We have different levels of security, from batuta-weilding tanods to Humvhee-riding Scout Rangers from the 78th infantry Battalion. We have standby medical personnel with ambulance just in case. This event has been on-going for the past 16 years so you can be assured that all precautions have been put in place,” said Karamihan.

The event is in commemoration of the 53rd death anniversary of the “The Guy”, President Ramon Magsaysay, whose plane crashed in Mt. Manunggal in 1957.

It is supported by Governor Gwen Garcia, Congressman Pablo John Garcia, San Miguel Beer, Smart Communications, GAMA Eco-Tourism Development Center Inc. and the municipality of Balamban.

For more information, one may call Dave Karamihan at 09228234518 and 4652399 or Jackie at 333-2190 or 465-0355 local 115. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil   (FREEMAN NEWS)