WHILE Filipinos would be enjoying the summer heat, triathlete Luisito "Louie" Sangalang II will brave the cold weather in the Arctic Region this April to represent the Philippines in the FWD North Pole Marathon 2018.
FWD Life Insurance sponsored 10 runners, including Sangalang, from six countries across Asia in the journey to the 42-kilometer path with a temperature that could drop to -40 degrees centigrade.
"I'm very happy, quite excited kasi this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I'm very happy to represent the county," Sangalang told the media after he was announced as the Philippine's representation in the April 9 marathon.
Sangalang, a cancer survivor, was interviewed by the media after FWD Philippines announced that he will represent the country in the FWD Northpole Marathon 2018 (Mind Museum, Taguig, February 20)
Representatives from countries including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan will also be joining the race.
Sangalang said that he is now doing a lot of runs with his personal coach Ige Lopez, an endurance athlete, to prepare for the marathon.
"In terms of the cold, we're doing it in phases. The first phase is basically terrain and mileage the second phase is going to be acclimatizing to the cold," he bared.
Sangalang, who won the Featherweight Champion title at the Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC), considers the North Pole marathon as the greatest challenge in his career.
"Yes it is because aside form the distance, the danger of freezing to death and encountering a polar bear wherever you are adds to that risk. I think this is really the most challenging race that I've participated in," he said.
Aside from the risks mentioned by Sangalang, runners in the forthcoming race were cautioned that they will be lodging on an ice floe that is 6 to 12 feet thick on top of the Arctic Ocean. Any sudden change in current can lead to cracks and can expose the ocean anytime.
They were further warned that prolonged exposure to the polar environment can cause loss of finger, toes and other body parts due to frostbite.
Moreover, the athletes could die due to hypothermia, dehydration or polar bear attacks.
Asked what MMA move would he use if he comes across a polar bear, Sangalang said he would stand no chance.
"I'd probably do a bear hug," he jokingly said.
To help Sangalang, FWD Philippines formed a five-member squad who will support his physical and mental preparations.
Included in the squad are triathlon icon Ani De-Leon Brown for the physical training; mountain climber Romi Garduce, who will share his insights on surviving extreme weather conditions; Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and son Benjamin for emotional support; and sports enthusiast and host Sam YG.
The public can view the marathon updates via official website: npmarathon.fwd.com.ph
Sangalang said he wants to finish the race to prove that Filipinos are resilient, "that we can do anything if we put are hearts and minds into it."
"I won't make any race predictions but ill do my best to run it as fast as I can," he said. (SunStar Philippines)