Race Details:
La Routa Adventure Race

Overview

La Routa Adventure Race is a landmark event in Eastern Visayas and proudly holds the title of the longest-running adventure race in the Philippines. First launched in 2000, the race was held annually until 2010, before making a comeback in 2019. Since its revival, La Routa has reestablished itself as a key event in the adventure racing community.

In 2023, La Routa marked a major milestone by joining the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) as the inaugural Asian Championship Leg under the ARWS Asian Circuit. The ARWS is a globally recognized organization that hosts and sanctions premier adventure races across continents, drawing elite international teams competing for a spot in the prestigious ARWS World Championship.

In 2025, La Routa Adventure Race will once again host the 2nd AWRS Asian Championship, reinforcing its stature as a flagship event on the global adventure racing calendar. The champion of the 2025 La Routa ARWS Asian Championship will earn a highly coveted slot, and free entry to the 2026 ARWS World Championship, set to take place in France.

The Race

The La Routa Adventure Race is the official ARWS Asia Championship 2025. It is a four-day, non-stop, full-on expedition type adventure race spanning approximately 350 kilometers. Designed as a point-to-point course, navigation is a critical component, with teams replying solely on a map and a compass to guide them. Teams are responsible for choosing their own route provided they locate all control points in the correct sequence.

Navigation is the cornerstone of adventure racing. In La Routa, navigators must demonstrate proficiency with a variety of map types and be adept at accurately establishing gridlines and plotting control points using given coordinates, bearings, and distances. Compouding the challenge, the official map employs a non-standard, user-defined scale, necessitating a high degree of accuracy, spatial reasoning, and technical competence.

The race tests a wide range of disciplines, including trekking, mountain biking, ocean swimming, paddling, and high-elements. To add a unique cultural twist, a selection of traditional Filipino games is integrated into the course for both novelty and excitement. Competitors will traverse a variety of terrain, from paved roads and narrow single-track trails to small villages and dense tropical jungle.

The Date

The La Routa Adventure Race is set for November 17-21, 2025, and will take place in Biliran Province, Leyte, Philippines. The island province is renowned for its vast wilderness, pristine beaches, and a scattering of scenic islets.

Race Mechanics

The rules and regulations of La Routa aim to ensure a competitive, safe, and sportsmanlike race, while promoting openness, ecological responsibility, and respect for local culture.

Please note that it is impossible to create rules covering all eventuality, and certain stages of the race will have specific verbal instructions. It is team’s responsibility to carefully note and follow these stage specific rules.

Team Composition

• Each team must consist of four (4) members, with at least one (1) member from the opposite sex.
• All participants must be 18+ year or older, mentally sound, and physically capable of competing the race
• Every team member is required to sign a liability waiver and photo release form before participating.
• Final team members list must be submitted prior to race start
• Only officially registered teams are allowed to compete

Categories

In La Routa, teams do not select their racing category; placement is based on performance at designated control points and cut-off times. The race has three (3) progressive tiers: Aspirants, Candidates, and Elite categories, each with increasing distance and difficulty. Only the fastest and most strategic teams advance to the Elite Category and take on the full course. Course adjustment may be made for weather or safety, and team will be notified at the soonest possible, time.