Nuvali to stage first nat’l cross-country marathon

MANILA, Philippines - The Nuvali Dirt Weekend braces for a record-setting staging on Nov. 21-23 as it holds the first UCI National Championships for the Cross Country Marathon (80km) along with the Four Cross Race and the 30km Cross Country Race at the sprawling Nuvali complex in Laguna.

The Dirt Weekend 30km Cross Country Race, one of the two events in the inaugural Dirt Weeked in 2009, is a test of endurance and strength over a challenging hilly trail. The event includes not only racers but weekend and biking enthusiasts. Divided into categories based on age groups, the top three finishers will receive cash prizes and the rest of the 10 riders will get Finisher’s Medal.

The Four Cross Race, on the other hand, provides action-packed scenes where riders vie through jumps of the four cross tracks. Four riders at a time race through the tracks with the first two finishers advancing to the next until riders are eliminated and the last four move on to the final.

Highlighting the event is the National Championships for Cross Country Marathon (XCM). Open strictly to riders 19 years old and above under Women Elite and Men Elite categories, two laps of the 40km Nuvali Bike Trail make up for the required minimum distance of 80km for a national championship XCM event. Up for grabs are XCM National Jerseys for the Top Elite Male and Female Finishers and Finisher’s Medals for all Finishers.

Registration starts on Sept. 20 at Sabak (Makati, Sta. Rosa, Alabang branches), Bike Line, Ross, John Wilkie Bike Shop, 777 Bike Hub and Papi’s Ride Bike Shop.

For details, visit www.nuvali.ph or call 0917-5ASKNUV (275688) or follow Nuvali on Facebook and Twitter @Nuvaliofficial.

The official practice is set on Nov. 21 while the race proper for the Four Cross is on Nov. 22. The UCI (Union Cyclist International) categories are Elite and Masters while National Categories will be according to the following age groups: 19 below, 20-29, 30-39 and 40 and above. The top four finishers in each category will be given medals and cash prizes while the top riders in the UCI Elite and Masters Categories, respectively, will get the Four Cross National Jersey.