If you think that you conquered all series of fun run then I challenge you to try and challenge yourself to a military-inspired obstacle race, it’s a Philippines’ first organized race by TN-Guerilla Race Inc., they host the race in different locations in Luzon every year, but for this year they are hosting the race here in Corregidor Island.
The Guerilla Race Panther – the Corregidor Challenge is another event hosted by TN-Guerilla Race Inc with Sun Cruises Corregidor Tours and Corregidor Foundation. The race will lead all runners around the island of Corregidor added with obstacles that can challenge the runner’s body, mind and strategic style. Its no longer just running, this time, you need to strategize your run, jump, landing and also test your limit of patience.
The race will be a two day race composed of different categories – individual runners and team runners.
May 21
Guerilla Sprint (individual)
5k distance with 12 obstacles
Guerilla Warrior (individual)
10k distance with 24 obstacles
May 22
Guerilla Panther (individual )
21k distance with 37 obstacles
Guerilla Panther Team
(5km, 10km and 21km)
The registration fees are Php1,000 for 5km Sprint, Php 1,300 for 10km Warrior, and Php 1,500 for Panthers race kit excluding the ferry fare which can be booked with Sun Cruises and just like previous Guerilla Races, part of the proceeds will be donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO) to assist the education of the orphans of our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the service to the country.
The Guerilla Race team decided to bring the obstacle race to Corregidor not only for its race and obstacle worthy trails and route but more importantly, for its historical value in which the Guerillas fought the country’s freedom from its oppressors with their sweat, blood and future. Free the country or die trying.
During the Japanese occupation of the islands in World War II, there was an extensive Philippine resistance movement, which opposed the Japanese with active underground and guerrilla activity that increased over the years. Fighting the guerrillas – apart from the Japanese regular forces – were the Japanese-formed Bureau of Constabulary (later taking the name of the old Philippine Constabulary during the Second Republic), Kempeitai (the Japanese military police), and the Makapili (Filipinos fighting for the Japanese). Post-war studies estimate that around 260,000 persons were organized under guerrilla groups and that members of anti-Japanese underground organizations were more numerous.
Such was their effectiveness that by the end of World War II, Japan controlled only twelve of the forty-eight provinces. The Battle of Corregidor, fought May 5–6, 1942, was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II.
I got to try and see a preview of the Guerilla Race Panther – the Corregidor Challenge
Its not easy and this will require you more leg muscle and upper body power to finish all the race distance and also the obstacles.
I was planning to run with the runners, but then I got chickened out when I saw the fire hurdle and also the long uphill ahhaah.
As the organizers says, this race will be a life changing to some runners for sure.
Some specifics that you need to know before you join the Guerilla Race
Race Director Lt. Col. Dennis Bumanglag said that this is their 6th Guerilla Race and they are the 2nd organizers to bring a race here in Corregidor. The race is not just about you, but think of our heroes who died here in Corregidor during the battle with Imperial Japan on World War 2.
The Philippines surrendered to Japan, but not Corregidor, it continued to fight the Japanese until it last strength. Our Filipino soldiers, nurses and other civilians fight along side with the Americans to combat the Japanese. After a series of bombing, Corregidor surrendered on May 6, 1942, but it was later recovered by the Filipinos and Americans from the Japanese after the Americans showed their strength by blasting an atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the war ended and it changed the lives of many.
Below is a preview of the race.
Going to Corregidor island, we boarded the Sun Cruises Ferry docked in SM MOA Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride is around 1 1/2 hours. It’s a long ferry ride and I felt the motion sickness very unpleasant when the ferry leaves Manila Bay and nearly dock at the port of Corregidor.
If you got motion sickness, then I suggest you carry some candies or medicine.
Runners will ride the tramvia going to the race venue.
If you arrived early then you can do more warm ups and body stretching before the race.
Gun start is long the beach of Corregidor, it’s the lowest part of the island, and expect an uphill right away and also 1 obstacle above the hill
Fire hurdle
Its one of the craziest obstacle ever. I suggest you wear a long running shorts for this. The heat of the fire when you jump is a bit hot on our thigh. A long and fast jump can do the trick to escape a fast burn.
Runners can also go through the Malinta Tunnel. It’s a dark and cold tunnel where a lot of Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers died during the war. For me it’s the spookiest place here in Corregidor.
I tried running inside the tunnel, I felt relax but it really gave me some spooks.
If you saw some large guns along the way, it means that you are in the highest point of Corregidor.
Rope climb
This obstacle slowed down our runners. Before the race, practice on how you can pull yourself up with a rope and how you can quickly go down in a wooden stair.
Wall Climb
Another tough obstacle, use that upper body power to pull yourself up and over the wall. The most scary part is when you go down from the wall. Will you climb down or jump from the top ?
Just be careful.
Here’s an obstacle that can give you serious injury, the barb wire is no joke. Its real, it’s a wire with spikes. You crawl down under and race your way to the other side. Im not sure how many barb wires they have throughout the race.
Medics are on stand by just in case you wounded yourself.
So Good luck and more power to you!
At the media preview, Im so thrilled to meet Jamie Dempsey, host of the adventure travel show “Ride n Seek Philippines”, airing in History Channel. We recognized her because of her body tattoos ahahah.
#EATGetaway mission accomplished!
check out also the feature blog post of Ted www.wazzup.ph and Enzo of www.juanmanilaexpress.com
Thanks to TN-Guerilla Race Inc, Sue Jose and Matrix for bringing us here at the Guerilla Race media preview.
GUERILLA RACE® CORREGIDOR 2016 is presented by TN-Guerilla Race Inc. in cooperation with Sun Cruises Corregidor Tours and Corregidor Foundation, Deuter, Reebok, Milo Nutri-Up, Mares, and our major sponsor - Matrix. It is also supported by our gym partners CrossFit Cabalen, CrossFit Salcedo, CrossFit PR City, CrossFit Ortigas, CrossFit Mad Minute, Primal Ape, Elorde Alabang Boxing Gym, Affiliate Alliance. F45 Training and Chris Sports with our media partners Balls Channel - Game Day Weekend, ABS-CBN Sports and Action, ABS-CBN News Channel, Reach Knowledge Magazine, Endurance Sports, Run Rocky, Travel Plus, Zen Health, Zinergi, Pinoyfitness.com, WheninManila.com, Team Run Direction, and our official TV Station partner 8 Trimedia Pro Inc.
For media and marketing information, kindly contact:
Veronica Ramos at 0927-8484533 or 0998-9565231 or email us at guerillaracephils@gmail.com
MORE PHOTOS OF CORREGIDOR AND THE GUERRILA RACE OBSTACLES
