500km Virtual Bike Challenge launched

By JC Madrid

NAGA CITY --- As part of the celebration of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines and the Years of Missio ad Gentes and St. Joseph, the Archdiocese of Caceres launched the “500km for 500 years Virtual Bike Challenge,” an event that also hopes to raise funds for the aforementioned milestone in the Archdiocese.

The challenge is open to everyone, regardless of location, and is comprised of two categories: 250km and 500km. The virtual bike challenge will be held in a socially and physically-distanced manner, wherein participants will complete the required distance separately and on their own pace. As they finish each segment of the distance, participants must report to the secretariat the total distance they have covered and their remaining distance. In addition, participants are also required to visit and pray in at least one Jubilee Church or a Parish dedicated to the Patronage of St. Joseph.

The challenge will begin on 20 March 2021, with a Kick-off Ride which will start at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral at 6:30 am. This will conclude on 22 May 2021 with a Culminating Ride.

Each participant is asked to pay a registration fee of ₱500.00, inclusive of a finisher medal. Meanwhile, a registration fee of ₱700.00 will include both a finisher medal and shirt. Participants who wish to receive their mementos via courier service are asked to pay an additional ₱150.00 if inside Bicol and ₱200.00 if outside the region.

Participants may register online through a link found on the Archdiocese of Caceres Facebook Page. They may also register on-site at the Archbishop’s Residence, Naga City; Holy Rosary Parish, Bombon; Immaculate Conception Parish, Calabanga; St. Bartholomew Parish, Baao; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Iriga; St. Bernard Abbot Parish, Ocampo; and St. Joseph Shrine, San Jose.

Aside from funding activities for the Jubilee Year, the challenge also aims to benefit the Office for Mission and Evangelization, Commission on Communications and Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary.