Unilab Active Health Bike United slated at Subic

MANILA, Philippines - Cycling enthusiasts troop back to Subic, the new venue of the Unilab Active Health Bike United slated Oct. 21-23.

This is the third cycling event organized by Bike King for this year after the successful Bike King Cycling Classic and Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic held last February and July inside the Subic Bay Free Port.

Unilab is throwing its support to the three-day festival along with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines.

Alexander Panlilio, Unilab consumer healthcare division vice-president and head of Unilab Active Health, said Unilab is supporting the project as major sponsor to support biking which, aside from running, is one good way of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The previous six stagings events were at Matabungkay in Batangas but Bike King executive and TRAP director Raul Cuevas decided to move it to Subic for safety reasons, since racing along Matabungcay’s two- lane national highway has become dangerous.

Organizers are expecting to match the 2010 turnout of more than 300 cyclists.

“We wanted to address the safety concerns and overall convenience of our participants. With the race now at Subic Bay, cyclists can now run on traffic-free and wide open roads with the excellent organization of Bike King,” said Cuevas.

Subic Holiday Villas and Subic Homes are providing as much as 50 percent off on their room rates for the participants while Pocari Sweat and Crystal Clear Water will provide hydration in the race routes.

To ensure balanced competition for all ages, racers will be categorized into four groups (Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3, Cat 4) for male, female and junior divisions.

Competition opens on Oct. 21 with a 90-km road race suited for strong climbers. Riders will be testing their stamina in Day 2 with the staging of an 80-km road race in the morning and a 20-km time trial later in the afternoon.

The final day will be a 40-km individual time trial passing thru scenic spots of SMBA. The cyclist and team with the fastest accumulated time in the three-day event will be declared overall individual and team champions.

Entry fee is P1,000 per stage or P3,000 for the four stages while a fee of P300 will be collected for leisurely riders who join the 15-km sunset run ride Oct. 22.

So far, 100 cyclists from Team Bike King, Shell Cycling Club, Fitness First, Yellow Cab, Polo Tri, David’s Salon and Xycos have registered with organizers and more are expected to register with still a month left before the actual race.