SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Even the rains could not dampen the fun and excitement in this premier adventure tourism enclave as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced on Tuesday various events in time for the rainy season.
The biggest thriller scheduled so far this month is the Subic leg of Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas, an all-terrain running race that will take an expected 3,000 participants to some of the wildest, wettest, and most wearying nature trails in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on July 22.
“Just when you thought Subic would rest because of inclement weather, it now hosts extreme adventure events to make your visit as enjoyable as during summer,” SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma T. Eisma said.
“We also have races, animal shows, exhibitions, cruise-ship arrivals, and festivals practically the whole year round, so there is never a long lull here even during the rainy season,” she added.
The upcoming Salomon Xtrail is one of the most anticipated races today, as it is reputed to be a more technical trail running race, with a mixture of different terrain surfaces including dirt, rocks, sand and concrete paths.
It is held throughout Southeast Asia with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines hosting the event.
SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba said they expect around 3,000 local and foreign participants this year for the event organized by Primer Group of Companies and Extribe, Inc.
After the Luzon leg in Subic, the race will be run in Davao on August 12 for the Mindanao leg, and in Iloilo on September 16 for the Visayas leg.
Camba said this year’s competition in Subic will involve two race categories — the trail run category for beginners with 6-km and 12-km distances; and the more technical mountain run designed for experienced runners with 24-km and 32-km distances.
It will take participants along rocky dirt roads, muddy mountain trains, and across swollen streams and overgrown grasslands.
“These trails might be technical and challenging to some, but they will always showcase the beauty of the forests, rivers and mountains in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Camba said.
Last June 3, Subic hosted the Ironman Full Distance and 70.3 triathlon that kicked off the start of the rainy season here with the first full-distance Ironman to be held in the country.
This was followed by the qualifying race for the Youth Olympic Games organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines on June 17; the Tri-United Leg 1 by Run Bike Swim, Inc. on June 29-30; and the Tri-United Leg 2 on July 1. (Ruben Veloria/PNA)
