Published on: July 19, 2023
By Rodrigo Victoria
The staging of the La Routa Adventure Race 2023 on November 20-24, this year, in Biliran will definitely jumpstart the branding of the island province as the top nature adventure destination in the region.
Biliran, as the host province,is ideally suited since it offers gorgeous vistas, beautiful beaches, mountainous and rugged terrain, and selfie-perfect landscapes. It has good safety and security features. In addition, the province has the necessary accommodation, transport, food, and other tourism-related services to support large events.
The four-day, non-stop La Routa Adventure Race challenge in Biliran, which is part of the Department of Tourism’s program to promote local, nature-driven adventure destinations, will cover approximately 350 kilometers. As a physical sport, adventure racing involves trekking, swimming, paddling, climbing, and rappelling in the wilderness, rigorous workouts that nature thrill seekers love to undergo.
Teams from the Philippines and several international countries, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, New Zealand, and Australia, will be participating in the race as they aspire to qualify for the Adventure Racing World Series Championship in Ecuador in 2024.
The objectives of the adventure race are to promote nature-adventure tourism in Eastern Visayas and the Philippines, support Biliran province as a premier nature adventure destination, establish Eastern Visayas as the top adventure racing venue in the country, and showcase a homegrown race to the world.
During the launch of La Routa Adventure Race 2023, Karina Rosa S. Tiopes, the DOT-8 Regional Director, emphasized that the investment in positioning and promoting Biliran as a nature adventure and mountaineering destination is a shared responsibility. She urged the Biliranons to showcase their unique brand of hospitality and service excellence to visitors, as seen during previous successful events hosted by the region.
Jason B. Garrido, the event organizer of La Routa Adventure Race, stated that Biliran was chosen as the venue due to its safety features and scenic locations. Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina personally invited outdoor adventure enthusiasts to participate in the race, where they will have the opportunity to explore the province's picturesque landscapes by running, paddling, swimming, and navigating through a 300-kilometer distance over three to four days.
Adventure racing has a rich history, with its modern era beginning in 1989 with the Raid Gauloises in New Zealand. Eastern Visayas, with its vast wilderness areas, pristine beaches, and numerous islets, has been an ideal location for adventure racing since the Elf Authentic Adventure race held in Samar and Biliran Islands in 1999.
The region is strategically located and easily accessible by land, sea, and air, with the necessary tourism infrastructure to support such activities, including accommodations, transport, and event organizing services. Eastern Visayas hosts several annually organized adventure races, such as the Sangyaw Adventure Race in Tacloban City, La Linea in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Rurumba Adventure Race in Northern Samar, Taragobay Adventure Race in Palapag, Northern Samar, and the LA ROUTA Adventure Race held in Tacloban City and neighboring municipalities.
The La Routa Adventure Race has played a significant role in developing the local adventure racing scene in Eastern Visayas. With its long history and continuous participation from teams in the region, it has become the longest-running adventure race in the Philippines.
The La Routa Adventure Race 2023 in Biliran province carries the theme of "Racing Further" from Eastern Visayas, Philippines to the world, promoting a homegrown race that showcases the region's natural beauty. (MMP/RSV/PIA Biliran)
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