Over 500 Runners Brave the 1st TNF Outdoor Challenge in PH

The first ever TNF Outdoor Challenge in the country was a success as more than 500 runners answered the call to “never stop exploring” their physical and mental toughness. The trail-obstacle race was held on November 18, 2017, at the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The local government was in full support of the event, spearheaded by Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte. With the province’s uncharted eco landscape consisting of majestic mountains, lush forest, large rock formations, clear rivers and white sandy beaches, CamSur proved to be an ideal venue for the trailblazing event.

A Unique Outdoor Race

Fitness and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country flock the event to test the boundaries of their strength, speed, endurance and team spirit. The participants were a mix of runners, hikers, athletes and climbers who accepted to take on a grueling course composed of four different ecosystem zones – earth, forest, endurance, and water.

Aside from running in the nearby trails of CWC, participants also crawled, climbed, lifted, balanced, and swam their way towards the finish line.

The race was divided into two events. The 22-km race boasts a total of 12 challenging obstacles, while the 11-km challenge consists of 7 difficult obstacles. The contest was also divided into two categories- team and individual competition.

Here is the list of winners of the TNF Outdoor Challenge 2017:

22-km Team Category

1st place- Team of Eugene Postarado, Ernie Payong, and Jeric Payong

2nd place- Team Lodi (Carmelo Serrano, Christopher Gaco, and Mariano Basagre Jr.)

3rd place- Team of Mariano Lagyap Jr., Billy Biag, and Rene Brecenio

22-km All Women Category

Overall Champion- Camsur Tri Team 2 (Regina Rosquites, John Marie Bigcas, and Lorena Agnas)

22-km Mixed Category

Overall Champion- TNF PH Team (Kyle Antolin, Yob Red, and Arlene Agulto)

11-km Individual Category

Male

1st place- Jeffrey Reginio

2nd place- Sonny Jaen

3rd place- Chris Berdejo

Female

1st place- Cynthia May Nas

2nd- Camille Sintos

3rd- Sheila Mae Salazar

11-km Team Category

1st place- Team Camsur Tri Team 3 (Rafael Vargas, Antonio Salamanque Jr., and Jade Albar)

2nd place- Team Caramoan Boyz (Ely Ojena, Jeonel Teoxon, and Rogene Clores)

3rd place- Team composed of Richard Nijal, Jundy Dialogo, and Nelee Nacario

 11-km All Women Category

Overall Champion- Team Fu Naga (Mariel Ester Federis, Yolanda Almonguera, and Ira Hernandez)

11-km Mixed Category

Overall Champion- Mayon Tri Team (Karen Kaye Baldon, Christopher Rodriguez, and Arne Buere)

What I Trained For

Before the event, The North Face held several Outdoor Training Sessions across Metro Manila to help participants prepare for their races. Each session involved a 1.5-hour full body workout designed for specific muscle groups that are crucial to the race. The sessions were lead by TNF brand ambassadors- Kyle Antolin, Yob Red, and Arlene Agulto, who are some of the top trail runners in the country.

TNF Philippines also tapped the expertise of Hongkong based trainer and founder of the Powerful Human Movement, Ruben Payan Jr. Previously a member of the US Marine Corps, Payan is a respected name in conquering the outdoors. He overcame the Seven Summits challenge, which requires a person to climb the highest points in the world such as Mt. Everest and Mt. Vinson in Antartica. He is also the Master Trainer for TNF’s Asia Pacific region.

The TNF Outdoor Training sessions were actively supported by the local trail running community. Aside from being a training session, the weekly event also served as a platform for outdoor enthusiasts to socialize and meet like-minded people. The North Face is one of the most active brands in promoting and empowering the local outdoor community, especially for trail running. Through the TNF Outdoor Challenge, the brand hopes to attract more people to go beyond their boundaries and never stop exploring.

 ABOUT THE NORTH FACE

We are named for the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain. We have helped explorers reach the most unfathomable heights of the Himalayas. But The North Face® legend begins, ironically, on a beach. More precisely, San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, at an altitude of only 150 feet above sea level. It was here in 1966 that two hiking enthusiasts resolved to follow their passions and founded a small mountaineering retail store.

Now, more than 40 years after its humble grand opening, The North Face delivers an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear. We push the boundaries of innovation so that you can push the boundaries of exploration. We remain deeply proud to be the first choice of the world’s most accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders, endurance runners, and explorers.

There’s little telling what the next 40 years hold for us. However, there is one bedrock certainty: The North Face will maintain an unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of design, so that you can push your limits outdoors. Never Stop Exploring.

Established in the Philippines in 1985, the Primer Group of Companies is engaged in the retail and distribution of the world’s top and premium consumer brands in outdoor, travel, footwear, fashion, wellness and urban lifestyle. It has also established a solid ground in the industrial products and services landscape, with companies in digital and silkscreen printing, air-conditioning and creative graphic design and services.

The company is aggressively pursuing new grounds to become the leader in the global distribution and innovation of premium goods and services. Its retail authority alone has grown to over 150 premium brands, with over 300 stores in 8 Asian countries — making it a force to reckon with. To date, the Primer Group employs over 3,000 and has established businesses in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.