All is set for the 8th edition of the Olango Challenge open-water swimming event on May 23 at the Pacific Cebu Resort in Suba Basbas, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.
The Olango Challenge is the country’s first open-water swimming meet spearheaded by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Philippine Swimming Inc.
The event aims to raise funds to build classrooms in Olango Island which is a world-renowned sanctuary of migratory birds. The event generates funds for classrooms through corporate sponsorships and pledges from individual swimmers.
This year will be the first time that the event will be certified by the Department of Tourism.
The annual event that started in 2008 also looks to promote open-water swimming as a sport and raise awareness on the prevalence of drowning incidents in the Philippines.
According to coach Mark Joseph of the Philippine Swimming Inc., swimming has become the third most favorite sport of women in the Philippines, and 5th for men. He said the competition is one of the ways to address drowning accidents in our country, which is common during summer.
“Drowning is estimated to be up to 80 percent unreported,” Joseph said.
The defending champions in the 6-kilometer competitive category are Loren Dale Echavez (women’s) and Keith Ashley Ocampo (men’s).
The 8th Olango Challenge is sponsored by the First Philippine Holdings, PRIMER Group of Companies, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc.(Gatorade), PASAR Foundation, Philinsure, Boyla’s Dive Center, San Miguel Corp. and Cebu Trip Rent-A-Car.
Interested participants have until May 15 to register online through the Olango Challenge Facebook page. Registration fee is pegged at P1,000 for the competitive category and P2,500 for the fun swim.