Larga Pilipinas is the newest alternative cycling event in the Philippines sponsored by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which fosters rehabilitation and beautification of the well-known estuary in the Philippines, the Pasig River.
The much-anticipated cycling race is the brainchild of chief organizer, Mr. Edmund “Snow” Badua.
The inauguration of Larga Pilipinas was made possible, in cooperation with the Marikina Government headed by Mayor Marcy Teodoro. The inaugural race was held at Marikina Heights in Marikina City on 22 September 2018.
The Philippines’ Shoe Capital was primarily chosen to be the inaugural venue of the launching of the first Larga Pilipinas cycling competitions because of its perfect terrain, a mix of rolling hills, flat roads, and hairpin bend.
Over 700 participants of the 1200 total thrilled registrants turned up in the venue to showcase their skills and stamina as early as 4 am.
As expected, the race started precisely six in the morning with U21 or Under 21 racers as the first category—of the eleven categories lined up in this inaugural race. They were flagged off at the start and finish line situated in front of St. Scholastica’s Academy in Marikina Heights.
The Larga Pilipinas inaugural race became intense at the latter part of the competitions after the Elite and the Professional, attended by some riders from 7-Eleven, Philippine Navy, Army, Go For Gold, BikeXtreme, among others, tussled with each other in the closed-circuit competition in Marikina Heights.
The two seasoned riders, 7-Eleven rider Mark Galedo and PNSI rider Junrey Navara, both climbers, ended the race in a jaw-dropping and spectacular finish. Eventually, PNSI Junrey Navarra won by a slim margin over 7-Eleven Mark Galedo, and the former was declared the overall Larga Pilipinas Pro-Elite Category Champion.
Here are the results of Larga Pilipinas Inaugural Race:
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| U21 | Marcryan Mendoza |
| Amateur 44 Below | Paul Alexes Carillo |
| Corporate Executives | Rey Reyes |
| Mountain Bike | Jerico Rivera |
| Managers | Amman Salundaga |
| Womens | Genesis Maraña |
| Amateur 45 Up | Romeo Camingao |
| Triathletes/ Duathletes | Jarwyn Banatao |
| Masters | Dante Cagas |
| Fixed Gear | John Daniel |
| Pro-Elite | Junrey Navarra |
Larga Pilipinas awarded medals and gave away dry-fit t-shirts and gift packs courtesy of Black Mamba energy drink to the top ten finishers from different categories.
Likewise, Larga Pilipinas awarded champions handcrafted wood trophies, except for the Fixie Category first placer.
Larga Pilipinas, the newest cycling event, is brought to you by Go For Gold, Scratch it, Maynilad, Excellent Noodles, Green Planet, Zen Skin, Black Mamba, Uratex, Boy Kanin, 7Eleven by Roadbike Philippines, 3Q Sports Event and Management, LBC, Quad X, Versa.Ph, Manila Water, CCN, Bike Xtreme, Jay Pogi Bikeshop, Metro Manila Development Authority, Triathlon Association of the Philippines, and Philcycling.
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