IT’S tough enough participating in an “Amazing Race”-like competition, but how about making your way through those challenges while sending real-time updates via your mobile phone (or, in this case, your BlackBerry)?

“Team Leader Leo, cash holder, decides anew not to buy water even after requests from teammates. Just one more hour & we can eat, drink free (Editor’s note: Actual Twitter post has no period due to 140-character limit.).”

This is the latest in the almost blow-by-blow account at twitter.com/talesofthenomad of the Acer Media Challenge 2008 now ongoing in Cagayan de Oro, sent from the field by one of the race participants, INQUIRER.net executive editor Leo Magno, using his BlackBerry.

As you can see, you can also follow the action via the Twitter badge we have here at Tales of the Nomad.

Leo is with our tech reporter Erwin Oliva and multimedia reporter Izah Morales, and they are part of Team Aspire Blue together with Media G8way’s Sean de Jesus and Billy Allardo.

The photo above shows Izah and Leo, and here’s another photo that Izah e-mailed when they arrived in Cagayan de Oro Friday. This is Ridgeview Chalets, where the race participants are staying.