Cebu will host the fifth installment of Carrera Habagat, an esteemed multi-day adventure. About 30 teams are expected to join this year’s action-packed event, which will be held from November 21 to November 25, 2012.
Carrera Habagat is deemed as one the toughest adventure races in the country. The four-day, non-stop race is spread out in numerous locations at a chosen province or island. It basically showcases the natural beauty of the place and increases awareness on the vulnerability of our environment. Participants this year will marvel on Cebu’s enchanting natural treasures.
Participants go through a series of control points that they need to locate with the use of a map and a compass. At these control points, their skills are put to the test through a chain of basic outdoor activities including running, mountain biking, kayaking, rappelling, and swimming. In different stages of the event are other challenges such as solving puzzles, walking with stilts, climbing greased poles, and a whole lot more.
Participating teams are allowed to have four members, plus two support crew. At least one of the four members should be of the opposite sex. All the teams have to carry mandatory equipment throughout the race. These tools will allow them to accomplish all their tasks effectively.
The registration fees are as follows: Php12,000 for local teams, US$300 for international teams and Php12,000 + 5,000 for teams with corporate sponsors other than the event sponsors. Teams may avail of the early bird discount of Php2,000 if they register on or before October 31.
Habagat Outdoor Equipment, Inc. started the Carrera Habagat in the year 2000. Testing the outdoor skills of participants, the event is also considered the training ground of respected Filipino athletes and outdoorsmen including Pastor Emata, Leo Oracion, and some members of the Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team. It is noteworthy that Carrera Habagat 2001 champion Team Santorini performed remarkably at the 2002 Eco-Challenge in New Zealand.
The last Carrera Habagat was held in 2008 in Sto. Domingo, Albay. Approximately 18 adventure racers from across the Philippines joined the event. The reigning Carrera Habagat champion is the Team Mulatto Davao, comprising of Paulo Dino Ouano, Keith James Argones, Jeffer Jatico, Cherryl Araneta, and support crew Marjun Balaite and Charlito Esparar. They were awarded with a trophy, medals and cash prizes at the Black Sands Beach Resort in Sto. Domingo.
Habagat event director Randy Su, general manager Eduard Solana, chief course setter Ramon Vidal, and director Efren Muaña graced the adventure race’s press launch in August. According to Su, a navy seal officer initiated adventure racing, combining rigid military training with adventure and fun. “After learning about the multi-sport, we thought of putting up one because not only can this test the endurance of our racers but boost the race venue’s sports tourism,” he added.
Vidal told the media that this year’s event include a very challenging obstacle, which is a 300-meter ascent. The participants are set to cover 300 to 500 kilometers of adventure racing around the island of Cebu involving Toledo City, Talisay City, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City. Adding more thrill to the vigorous event is the fact that the final race course remains unknown as it will only be revealed a day before the race.
The past Habagat races were held in Camotes Island (Carrera Cordura, 2000), Camiguin (Island Paradise Traverse, 2002), Biliran Province (Battle of Biliran, 2004), and Bucas Grande and Siargao Islands (Siargao-Bucas Grande Traverse, 2007).
Habagat Outdoor Equipment is one of the leading outdoor gear makers in the country. This Cebuano brand was established by Muaña, Su and Dindo Sugatan in 1987. It aims “to be a leader in the manufacture and distribution of quality, innovative and affordable outdoor products and services for the advancement of an outdoor lifestyle guided by social responsibility and a deep respect for nature and the environment.”
The brand that started out in a borrowed garage currently has stores and dealers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Aside from selling a full range of Habagat equipment, a typical Habagat shop would consist of other high quality brands of outdoor recreational equipment. They include mountain biking accessories, camping and caving gear, and climbing sandals, shoes, carabiners, ropes, harnesses, and others.
Carrera Habagat 2012 is also one of the major activities of the celebration of Habagat’s 25 Years of Adventure.
Join the Carrera Habagat 2012 and don’t miss this opportunity for you and your friends to showcase your outdoor adventure skills. For more information, you may call the Habagat main office at (032)231-5651 or visit their official Web site at www.habagat.com. You may also subscribe to www.facebook.com/habagatoutdoor
Map Indicators:
A) Toledo City
B) Talisay City
C) Cebu City
D) Mandaue City
E) Lapu-Lapu City
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