Registration on for Baguio ‘laban ng lahi’ marathon

BAGUIO CITY – Registration is on for the Cordillera qualifying leg of the “Laban ng Lahi” marathon to fire off on Aug. 25 here as part of the 109th Baguio Day celebration.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan endorsed the event dubbed as the “mother of all marathons” which will feature the 10K run to cover the stretch from the Philippine Military Academy in Fort Del Pilar to Melvin Jones, Burnham Park and the 5K from the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) office in Pacdal to Melvin Jones.

“The top 31 finishers will have the privilege to represent the City and the Cordillera Region in the Laban ng Lahi Finals which will be held at Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on September 11, 2018.  They will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the finals, gift certificates and a chance to win handsome prizes that includes P3 million in cash,” event marketing director Pluto Cabalteja said.

Registration areas are at the City Mayor’s Office; Baguio City Sports Department, Athletic Bowl; Ebai’s Coffee Shop and Narda’s; and LABAN ng LAHI office at #34 Easter School Rd. or call 09771600620 or 442 3868 or check out their FB page @carLABANngLAHI201.

Registration fee for the 10Km run is P700 and P500 for the 5K inclusive of one raffle ticket for the Laban ng Lahi raffle draw and a singlet. 

During the finals, all the participants from each region or province or municipality or city or their organization or work force will run as one team or platoon covering an 18k route while carrying their own team banner or guidon in keeping with the event’s aim of “uniting the multi-colored tribes and groups in our country.”

“This sporting event challenges us to wear proudly the badge of our identity and thus become One Nation, One People, One Philippines,” Joenel Pogoy, founder of the Camboayon Sports Events Management which is organizing the nationwide event said.

Event prizes in the finals are a whopping P3 million cash, P1 million worth road concerting project and P350,000 for charity beneficiary for the first prize; P800,000 cash and P100,000 charity benefit, second prize; P500,000 cash and P75,000 charity, third prize; and P100,000 cash and P50,000 charity benefit for the fourth to tenth prizes. 

“It is the mother of all marathons because it is not an individual event and the first of its kind in the sporting world. This race requires the team members to run side by side as in a platoon. Hence, it fosters unity, oneness and in harmony with one another,” the organizer explained.

“It also challenges their strength and stamina not only for the length of the run but also in carrying a weighted banner or guidon. It is a physical test as it entails stamina and strength. It is a psychological test as it motivates the runner to be running as ONE with the other members and an emotional test, as it enables the runner to rein in their excitement as an individual racer and instead race together as a group;

“Laban ng Lahi likewise aims to achieve Guinness’ Book of Records as the first platoon marathon of its kind. This event has the support of Senator Manny Pacquiao. He is sending two teams, Sarangani Gladiators and GenSan Warriors to the Finals. The People’s Champ is likewise running in the race as part of Sarangani Gladiators.”

In line with this event, a raffle draw dubbed as Love for Country Raffle Promo will also be conducted.  A P100 worth ticket will have the chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi Strada GL for the first prize; motorcycle, second prize and household appliances, third prize. – Aileen P. Refuerzo