Every year, the town Jagna in Bohol holds the Calamay Festival to celebrate their famous delicacy. But that isn’t the only thing Jagna is known for. The town also boasts their infamous hill called Mayana. Riders from different towns in Bohol and even from other provinces visit and tour the place.
To promote the town and its eco-tourism efforts, the Mayana Uphill Challenge was started in 2016 by Robert and John Smith with the help of the local government and other sponsors. They came up with a plan of organizing a 14.2km uphill time attack challenge for motorcycle riders that love racing in Visayas and Mindanao. Eventually, the Isle of Man-inspired event began to be heard even in Luzon. The event had participants like Mickey Mazo, a controversial rider and “king of marilaque” who won P1 million in a death-defying race back in 2016, and famous female rider Yang De Castro.
The open scooter category started the race against time challenge followed by 110-125cc, 150-200c, 300-400cc, Big-Bike Category, Pro Category, and, lastly, Ladies Category. People from Bohol gathered to witness the much-awaited and main category, the Fighter Wine Pro Category.All displacements starting from 200cc to a liter bikes were welcome to join.
As the pro riders competed to reach the top of the mountain, Kirby Digal, a Yamaha r3 Rider who passed on both Jacob Cabahug and Mickey Mazo, finished 10 minutes and 14 seconds to bag the 1st position in his own pace, making him the King of Mayana 2019. This position was held by John Smith for the last three consecutive years.
Organizers from the event are looking forward for more riders next year to unite all motorcycle racers nationwide.
