First BOSS Ironman Challenge outside of Manila

In just a few days, the BOSS Ironman Challenge Mindanao will take off with some 500 participants at the SM Lanang Premier in Davao City and will be flagged off by no less than the President, His Excellency, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte — an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

The BOSS Iromnan Challenge Mindanao is the first staging of the event, in its 13-year history outside the island of Luzon. Lito Flores, the committee chairman for the 2018 BOSS Ironman Challenge confirmed that the Palace had expressed their full support for this event while BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) president, Tey Usis, said that the Ironman Challenge Mindanao is in line with President Duterte’s “Go South” tourism campaign.

President Duterte to flag off BOSS Ironman Mindanao

The BOSS Ironman Challenge started some 13 years ago in 2005, inspired by the Iron Butt Challenge of the US, where riders must traverse 1,000 miles within 24 hours as a test of endurance. The Philippine edition challenges participants to take on a 1,200-kilometer ride within 24 hours, with the Northern Luzon Loop as the route. Back then, NLEx was only until Dau and there were no SCTEx and TPLEx to make the ride through Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan smooth and traffic free. Since its inception, the challenge has since been opened to any adventurous rider, and later on, cars in the years that followed.

While the challenge is to finish a designated route, usually more or less 1,200 kilometers, within 24 hours, BOSS stressed that all traffic and safety laws should be observed at all times. The BOSS Ironman Challenge Mindanao will showcase the best of what the region has to offer, with scenic towns and vistas along the route. It also hopes to prove that traveling through Mindanao is worthwhile and safe endeavor.

The President’s daughter and current Davao City Mayor Atty. Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio is expected to welcome the participants in the awarding ceremonies that will follow shortly on Sunday.