TV5, TxR link up for obstacle course race

MANILA, Philippines – TV5 and Tough X Rough (TxR) Asia the other day forged a partnership that will bring the TxR Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) series to the country starting with the first of many boot camps in Intramuros, Manila on Jan. 23 next year.

TV5’s Chot Reyes and Rod Nepomuceno and Tough and Rough Asia founder David Voth formalized the historic partnership Wednesday during the event launch at the NBA Cafe at the SM Aura in Taguig.

“It is more than just a race, it’s about experience, hard work, perseverance, teamwork and the sense of community,” said Voth, also the man behind the world-renowned international sporting events like Challenge Family Triathlon, F1 Night Race, First Youth Olympic Games, iRB Rugby, Standard Charter Singapore Marathon and IronMan Triathlons.

The OCR, which will make its first appearance in the country, is patterned after military-type commando training and will involve eight race events – three short courses and four long courses, four boot camps and one national championship.

The top male and female individual and team winners will win a free trip to the OCR World Championships set Oct. 15 and 16 next year at the Blue Mountain Resort, considered the largest mountain resort in Ontario, Canada.

Reyes, for his part, said the competition will be aired over TV5 starting March 27 with Derek Ramsey hosting the show.

He said he will even endorse Gilas and other PBA teams to participate in the event.

“I will definitely recommend this to Gilas Pilipinas and other PBA teams,” he said.

For Ramsey, he is looking forward to not just hosting, but also joining the event.

“I am very excited about Tough X Rough. I’m sure it’s going to be an adventure that sports fans and enthusiasts like me will enjoy,” said Ramsey, who played for the national ultimate frisbee team and also the head ambassador of the national beach football team.

After the Jan. 23 boot camp, the race proceeds to Intramuros for the sprint courses on Jan. 24, then in Laguna on Feb. 28, Subic March 20 in Subic with a second boot camp April 23-24 in Carmel Rey, Laguna. The long courses will be held April 24 in Carmel Rey, then May 29 in Subic, June 26 in Alabang and back in Laguna again on July 24.

The race will resume with the third boot camp Aug. 26-27 at the Subic Jungle Camp, culminating in the long course finals on Aug. 28 also in Subic.