Will Joyette Jopson Be The 1st Filipina to Conquer the North Pole?
Last year, cancer-survivor Louie Sangalang conquered the 2018 North Pole Marathon as supported by FWD Life Philippines, one of the country’s fastest-growing insurer.
This 2019, FWD Life continues the tradition as they recently announced the title sponsorship of the “FWD North Pole Marathon” to be held this coming April 9, 2019 – for the third time. But what makes this more exciting is the goal of having our 1st Filipina to conquer the North Pole; and the name to remember is Joyette Jopson!
Fearless Filipina amongst FWD Team Asia
Playfully known as the ‘World’s Coolest Marathon’ to be set at the extreme 89° latitude North, the FWD North Pole Marathon is expectedly no easy task.
So in the FWD Philippines media launch event held last March 5, the “Fearless in the Arctic” campaign was unveiled while FWD introduced its representative runner – Ms. Joyette Jopson!
The 39-year-old Jopson is a triathlete, 2014 Ironman 70.3 Philippines Filipino Elite Champion, and FWD Financial Wealth Officer. She will be joined by FWD representative runners from Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, collectively called FWD Team Asia, as well as runners from around the world, in what is dubbed as one of the world’s most challenging and grueling sporting events.
Moreover, she will be supported by this years FWD Life Philippines North Pole Marathon Squad consisting of Mr. Romi Garduce, Margielyn Didal, Carmela Pearson (and of course, the whole FWD Philippines crew)! They will train and support Joyette in her journey!
“FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and one-of-a-kind event, as it resonates our core values of empowering people to pursue their passions and explore a lifetime of limitless possibilities,” said FWD Life Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Grimes said.
Conquering the World’s Coolest—and Toughest—Marathon
The FWD North Pole Marathon participants will be running on an ice sheet of 6 to 12 feet thick and above 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean, literally on top of the world. They will be running a 42-kilometer path with an average temperature of negative 30 degrees centigrade, even going as low as negative 40 degrees centigrade at times.
“We chose Joyette as the Philippines’ representative to the FWD North Pole Marathon this year because of her indomitable spirit, something that will help her conquer the North Pole. As the first Filipina who is set to conquer the marathon, she will proudly bring both FWD and Filipino Pride to the world stage,” Grimes added. “Joyette has broken her own barriers as a triathlete, competing with the most experienced athletes in the world, and this is why we believe she is perfect to be the country’s representative this year.”
What makes the marathon unique is that it is run on a small 4.22-kilometer (2.62-mile) loop about 10 times, over hard snow or ice. The marathon is recognized by the Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) and is the only certified marathon that is run entirely on the frozen water of the Arctic Ocean.
“As an FWD Financial Wealth Officer, I take to heart our mission to take care of our customers’ financial future and change the way people feel about insurance,” Joyette Jopson said. “I am truly grateful to have been chosen to represent FWD and the Philippines in the North Pole Marathon as this really will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me! Inspired by the FWD’s Get Ready to Live brand spirit, I will bring with me relentless courage and determination against the world’s harshest conditions as I aim to make my country proud.”
The North Pole Marathon has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Northernmost Marathon on Earth” and is generally considered one of the toughest marathons ever because the runners do not only contend with their own physical limitations, but also with the freezing temperature, the biting wind, and the snow-filled path.
“Joyette has rigorously trained in running, cycling, and swimming and has all the traits needed to succeed at the race,” FWD Life Philippines Head of Marketing Roche Vandenberghe said.
Jopson has been joining local and international triathlon events for the last 13 years. She is a three-time Filipino Elite Champion and has won multiple championship triathlon titles including the Ironman 70.3 Phil, Challenge Philippines, and XTERRA Philippines.
