Lake Danao Natural Park launches sportsfest

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — Come June 28, the Lake Danao Natural Park, in Barangay Lake Danao of this city, will open its doors to sports enthusiasts, guests and visitors for its first Sports Festival, as one of its eco-tourism activities in the city.

The one-day Lake Danao Sports Festival is also one of the activities in line with the city fiesta in honor of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29.

Organizers promised the event will be filled with challenge, fun, and enjoyment starting from the city all the way up to mountains of Ormoc and ending up at the cool Lake Danao Natural Park.

Kicking off the festivities early in the morning of June 28 will be the 21-km half marathon, followed by the 18-km mountain bike challenge, a 6-km trail run in the park, a tandem kayak race around the lake, a stand-up paddle (SUP) clinic and fun race.

A clean up drive activity by the community of  Lake Danao before, during and after the activity will also be held, as well as a biodiversity awareness campaign by the DENR.

The festival is a partnership activity between the private sector, led by the Ormoc City Chamber of  Commerce and Industry with the support and cooperation of the city government of Ormoc City, and the DENR.

As of yesterday, many registered participants to the various events came from the cities of Cebu, Tacloban and Baybay, Palompon town and host Ormoc City.

This is the first time an organized sports event will be held in the lake, which was declared a “protected area” by presidential proclamation during the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos. (FREEMAN)