Spartan Race Philippines and Aboitiz Land have signed a partnership for the first staging of the Spartan Race-Cebu Leg on June 16 at the Foressa Trails in Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu.

“We have signed a contract with Aboitiz so we can finally announce that Foressa (Trails) is now our venue of choice,” Spartan Race Philippines CEO Guenter Taus said in a press conference at the ECCP building last Saturday night.

Spartan Race is one of the fastest growing obstacle and endurance races in the world. Cebu will be the third place in the country to host the event following Clark, Pampanga in February. The inaugural Spartan Race Philippines was held in San Mateo, Rizal in September last year.

“I have visited the place and I can say that it is a beautiful property. It has a very challenging course, there a lot of natural obstacles as well so it will really provide a good challenge to the participants,” Taus said.

Foressa Trails, which is part of AboitizLand’s 257-hectare Foressa Mountain Town development, is not new in hosting sporting events.

4,000 expected

It also hosted the Salomon X-Trail Run Pilipinas and MotorAce Philippines MTB Trail Ride in November last year.

Taus said that they’re targeting about 4,000 participants for this event. They will be inviting foreign participants.

“One of our advocacies is tourism. Spartan Race promotes sports and brings people to the host place. The event encourages people to being fit and also to promote Cebu City and Foressa as well,” said Patricia Mendoza of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

Taus said that out of the 4,000 projected runners, 20 percent of that would be foreign participants.

The Cebu leg will feature three categories: the Spartan Sprint, Spartan Kids Race, and Typhoon Heat. All the details on how to register and the fee or registration are available at the Spartan Race Philippines website. (RSC)

Source: SunStar Philippines http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/413989/