P85T at stake in 5th Olango open water swimfest

CEBU, Philippines - Close to P85,000 in cash prizes are available to the top performers of the 5th Olango Challenge, the country’s premiere open water swimming competition, slated on May 19 at the Tambuli East in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

The organizing Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA) hope to raise more funds out of the event to build more classrooms as well as provide livelihood projects for the families of Olango.  

PSBP chairman Antonio Aboitiz reiterated that PBSP’s core mission is “to uplift Filipinos from poverty”.

For this year, the organizers said in a press conference yesterday at Casino Español that they are targeting their third two-classroom building in Tungason Elementary School.

The race features the 2K and 6K for both the competitive and fun swimmers. The course is the same as last year, which is a box-type design.

“It's going to be more or less the same course as last year but the tides are different and it's being held later in the year, so we are anticipating it to be hotter,” said Aboitiz.

On the other hand, PASA representative Alexander Reyes forewarned those who are interested to join that they will be barred from taking part in the event if they fail to attend the orientation.

The champion in the men and women's 6K open will receive P10,000 each, while the second and third will take home P7,500 and P5,000, respectively.

In the mixed fun 6K action, top three finishers will get P7,000, P6,000 and P5,000, while the top three in the 2K will pocket P3,000, P2,500 and P2,000.

Registration fee is pegged at P500 for the competitive level and P2,000 for the fun division.

Those who will register after May 11 will have to pay a higher fee of P600 for the competitive and P2,250 for the fun side.

Members of PASA, TRAP and PHILSPADA will get P50 off, while a group of four in the fun event will enjoy a P250 discount upon registration until May 11. (FREEMAN)