by Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – The municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur will host the Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race from Dec. 16 to 18 where around 300 runners from 20 countries are expected to scale the country’s highest peak.
Municipal tourism officer Julius Paner said that this would be the first international race in the municipality since the pandemic started in 2020.
He said the three-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race is co-organized by the Asia Trail Master, an international trail running organization, which tapped the municipality to host the culmination and championship final of the international Asia Trail Master race.
“They gave the manifestation to hold it in the Philippines for the first time. They have been doing it throughout but not yet here in the Philippines,” Paner said.
He said racers will compete in three categories: 75 kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 50 kilometers.
Romualdo Cabales, race director of Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race, said champions would be hailed as the fastest in Asia.
He said winners of the 100-km category will represent the country in an international race in April.
Paner said hosting an international race is a good mechanism to regain travelers’ confidence, most especially that the municipality is positioning itself as an eco-adventure destination.
“It’s a good signal that Davao region is tourist-ready in terms of international arrivals. We are trying to position Davao del Sur to be an eco-adventure destination. For the longest time, that’s how we brand our locality because that’s the strength of Davao del Sur. Mount Apo is the highest peak and there are attractions within the foothills,” he said.
Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao director Tanya Rabat-Tan said that the region is excited to hold the event because it would give them the opportunity to showcase the region to international delegates, particularly Mount Apo as an “icon of Davao.” “It’s an opportunity for us to make them feel that we are ready. We want to promote Davao as a safe destination for our tourists,” she said.
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