FWD’s North Pole finisher back in PH
Filipinos have another source of national pride as FWD Life Philippines representative Louie Sangalang conquered the FWD North Pole Marathon, the world’s coolest marathon.
Multi-sport athlete Louie Sangalang, the first Filipino cancer survivor to conquer the FWD North Pole Marathon, was given a homecoming party by Pan-Asian insurer FWD Life Insurance after successfully completing the marathon last April 16.
Sixty-two participants from 23 countries took part in the marathon, which marked the second year of FWD’s title sponsorship and the first region-wide participation of 11 FWD-sponsored runners, dubbed FWD Team Asia.
The marathon participants ran on a 42-kilometer path in a terrain with temperature ranging from negative 30 to negative 33 degrees centigrade.
“Around 75 to 80 percent of the course was in snowy, uneven terrain which made it difficult to find firm footing. As a result, we had to walk on some parts of the race course,” Sangalang said. “We had great weather with clear skies and minimal wind. However, the extreme cold made the race very challenging.”
Despite the highly challenging marathon path and the freezing weather, not once did Sangalang ever think of giving up during the course of the race. He faced the challenges before him, embraced them as he was determined to live his life to the fullest.