FWD Life Philippines launches its “Blaze a Trail in the Arctic” campaign in connection with the FWD North Pole Marathon 2018. The skin-chilling marathon will be held on April 9, 2018.
Guinness: Northernmost Marathon on Earth
FWD will sponsor ten runners from six countries in Asia including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. The marathon will be a test of determination, courage, skill, and survive the extreme challenge in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The runners will be trailing a 42-kilometer path with an average temperature of -30 degrees centigrade that has a chance to drop down up to -40 degrees. The frozen environment is not the only threat. There is a chance that they will encounter a polar bear along the path.
Today, it holds the title of the Guinness World Records as the “Northernmost Marathon on Earth.” FWD is the only insurance company to sponsor such a high-risk event. As their motto quoted, “We are changing the way people feel about insurance.”
FWD President and Chief Executive Office Peter Grimes says, “As a brand that continues to change the way people feel about insurance, FWD saw the North Pole Marathon as a unique platform to empower people to overcome extreme challenges, to pursue their aspirations without worries, and to ignite their passion for life-enriching experiences.”
The Cancer Survivor and the Filipino Pride
The Philippines will be represented by Louie Sangalang, a multi-sport athlete who practices in mixed-martial arts, boxing, and triathlon. Louie is also a survivor of the cancer of the appendix when he was 21. While recovering, Louie engaged in sports and never showed signs of forfeiting his life. His story makes him the perfect candidate to represent the resilience of the Filipino people.
Sangalang is very optimistic and wanted to share his inspiration to all Filipinos. He quoted, “despite the many challenges that life throws, you can come back better and stronger with the right attitude.”
Apparently, there is one thing Sangalang is afraid of. When jokingly asked what he will do when he cross paths with a polar bear, he answered he will run faster (away).
The Training Squad
Louie Sangalang will be physical, mentally, and emotionally prepared with his very own North Pole Marathon squad assembled by FWD Philippines. The squad include triathlon icon Ani De Leon-Brown, coach Ige Lopez, mountain climber Romi Garduce, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and her son Benjamin, and sports-enthusiast Sam YG.
Check out how Louie Sangalang will survive the arctic and other updates about the marathon on their official website.
-Irone of ironeXplores
