By Paul David L. Gelario
The third Allianz Conquer Challenge’s affordable price attracted hundreds of running enthusiasts from different walks of life—from Aetas to cancer survivors —as they joined the obstacle race at the Clark Global City in Clark, Pampanga on Sunday.
Allianz PNB Life’s Brand Communications and Digital Director Rei Abrazaldo said that the purpose of the event was to make obstacle courses more affordable to all.
“We wanted to bring OCR (obstacle course race) to a level to which more Filipinos will enjoy it, because we have a usual misconception that the sport is elitist because of the price,” said Abrazaldo.
The obstacle course had a registration fee of P2,500 for a 10-kilometer course with a total of 25 different obstacles.
Despite the sheer number of obstacles, there are far distances in between that can alleviate the physical strain among the participants.
“Ito lang ang 10k na may distances in between,” Abrazaldo said.
Due to the affordable price, different people from all sorts of backgrounds participated in the event including a one-year cancer survivor.
“Happy ako, because I’m a survivor and I can do these things. Cancer picked the wrong girl because I know I can do it,” said breast cancer survivor and East West Bank Senior Manager, Rina Gonzales.
With her obstacle course team, Kerry’s Sports Mandirigma, she said that her team always relies on each other.
“Even if we don’t know each other, they’ll really help,” she said.
“Walang nagco-compete sa isa’t-isa. Tulungan,” said Kerry Sports team member Onin Sayud.
“We have to support the group. There is no star. The star is the whole group,” added Nigel Cheng, founder of Team Kerry’s Sports Mandirigma.
Some 21 Aetas from Villa Maria Integrated School in Porac, Pampanga were also invited in the event, along with 21 Allianz employees.
All participants who finished the obstacle course were given a medal and finisher shirts.
Approximately 700 people signed up to compete.