Uphill bike race for mental health awareness set Feb 20

An uphill bike race for mental health awareness has been set on Feb. 20 in Itogon, Benguet and Baguio City.
Originally set on Jan. 9, the event organized by the JCI Baguio Sunflower, pushed back the schedule to make way for improved race safety and for more participants to join the activity.
With the theme “Redefining fitness, elevating mental health awareness,” the event features male mountain bike with 16 years old and below, 17 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and up; female mountain bike open; road bike male open, and road bike female open.
Starting line will be in Midas, Itogon and will end at the Wright Park Lake in Lualhati, Baguio City.
Bikers will go through a 13-kilometer distance with an elevation of 775 meters.
Registration fee is P700 inclusive of decal, race bib, and snack.
Winners will receive cash and trophy per category while finishers will get medals for top 10 per category.
Organizers said the uphill cycling event, as a physical activity, is one way to boost mental health especially in this pandemic.
It also aims to highlight support for those who have mental health conditions.
Proceeds of the event will be used to cover psychological care of selected clients of Baguio-Benguet Services and Consultancy, organizers said.
Registration sites are at Toyville Bisikleta, Kapihan Center Mall, and at Albergo Condominium; Highland Bike Shop South Drive; The Ridge Cafe, Tublay; Bike Planet and Aid Station Pico, La Trinidad. 
For more details, visit the Itogon Uphill Bike Race Facebook account, or contact Dheiryl Tombali at 0917-678-1145. – Ofelia C. Empian