Biliran to Host International Adventure Race La Routa 2023

Biliran – The province of Biliran is set to host the La Routa 2023 adventure race from November 20 to 24, attracting local and international participants. Race director Jason Garrido, in a phone interview on Tuesday, detailed that eight teams from countries including Poland, New Zealand, Malaysia, India, and Japan, along with eight Philippine teams, will compete in the event.

Each four-member team will navigate through Biliran’s challenging terrain over 350 kilometers, covering disciplines like running, hiking, swimming, paddling, mountain biking, ropemanship, and land navigation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garrido, the race will span four days, with teams navigating non-stop in any weather condition and the option to rest at night. Each team will be equipped with a GPS tracker to monitor their location throughout the race.

La Routa 2023 serves as the Adventure Racing World Series Asia Regional Championship and marks the first time a Philippine race is featured in the world series. Garrido emphasized Biliran’s high safety standards, citing its island geography and the absence of insurgency problems. Participants, if lost, would remain within the province’s boundaries, easily finding their way to the circumferential road.

Biliran, one of the Philippines’ smallest provinces, presents a unique opportunity for adventure racing, as noted by Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes. She expressed optimism that the event would promote Biliran and the Eastern Visayas region as a destination for nature-adventure travel. Hosting the event is expected to bring financial benefits to the province, attracting competitors, supporters, and spectators to local businesses.