Davao’s latest lifestyle and recreation destination, Northtown Center, became the center of excitement on June 25, 2023, as it proudly hosted the 2023 Dayaw Obstacle Course Race (OCR) in partnership with Team Kwago, a local sports events organizer.
The race attracted participants of various ages and skill levels with its kids, team, elite, and open divisions. Athletes and OCR enthusiasts from all over the region gathered at Northtown Center to participate in the thrilling four-kilometer race, featuring a total of 40 challenging obstacles.
Sandi Abahan, national OCR athlete, SEA Games 2019 and 2023 gold medalist, 3x Guinness World Record Holder, 2021 Spartan World Championships Top 21 and 2021 World’s Highest Obstacle Race Gold Medalist, skillfully passing through the monkey bars.
Elias Tabac, national OCR athlete, SEAG 2023 Gold Medalist, 2021 Spartan World Championships Top 19, and 2021 World’s Highest Obstacle Race Gold Medalist, giving his all on the multi-rig.
Glorien Merisco 2019 SEAG Silver Medalist and fitness coach, powering through the tire wall despite a year-long hiatus from the sport.
OCR enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels conquered the course with determination.
A highlight of the event was a special 100-meter exhibition sprint, showcasing some of the Philippines’ OCR champs who traveled all the way from Manila. Renowned athletes like 2023 SEA Games (SEAG) OCR Gold Medalists Elias Tabac, Marites Nocyao, and Sandi Abahan; 2019 SEAG OCR Gold Medalist Jeff Reginio and; 2019 SEAG OCR silver medalist Glorien Merisco displayed their skills and determination in a head-to-head competition. The five national athletes also excelled in their respective elite categories in the four-kilometer race.
The winners of the Elite Men and Women’s categories were awarded various prizes from the competition. The Philippines’ very own national OCR Athletes, all received a podium finish, together with local OCR aficionados.
Dayaw OCR is a qualifier event recognized by the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF) which is headed by Atty. Alberto Agra. No less than the country’s very first Ninja 100 champions, Jenny Gabriel and Nathaniel Sanchez of Team Kwago, designed the race to include a variety of challenging obstacles such as walking dips, multi-rig, pole dancer, pendulum, and a wild card slingshot station. Sanchez, also a 2019 SEA Games Gold Medalist and member of the National OCR Team, personally oversaw the set-up of the course at Northtown Center.
“It is an honor to hold the third Dayaw OCR at Northtown Center and to partner with a prestigious developer like Alsons Dev. We hope to continue this partnership and have more events that will provide Mindanaoan athletes a venue to showcase their abilities, and allow more people to experience the adrenaline of obstacle racing,” said Sanchez.
Northtown Center was transformed into an obstacle course playground for the 2023 Dayaw OCR. The obstacles remain at the area until further notice for Dabawenyos to try and enjoy the sport.
The Dayaw OCR event marks a significant milestone for Northtown Center’s developer, Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), which has been building commercial and residential projects in Davao City for over 60 years. “Our developments are designed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, which is why we were more than happy to host Dayaw OCR at Northtown Center. We support this partnership and welcome other opportunities to participate in community engagement,” said Alsons Dev Director Miguel Dominguez.
The obstacle sets will remain open to the public at Northtown Center for all Dabawenyos to try and feel the thrill of obstacle course racing. Northtown Center is also open for use for outdoor activities and pop-up events in the interim. For more information, visit alsonsproperties.com/northtown.
