Filipino trail runners go for glory at worlds in Spain

MANILA, Philippines — A 14-man team will carry the country’s colors in the coming World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain.

Led by veteran team captain Arnie Macarenas, the Filipinos are competing in the long trail (men and women), short trail (men and women) and in the Under-23 and Under-20 categories in the September 23-28 meet.

The delegation is set to leave on September 10 for training, preparation and acclimatization, according to Philippine Trail Running Association Vice President and Secretary-General Tin Ferrera.

The Philtra official said the team is tempering expectations as almost half of its members are competing internationally for the first time.

“For most of the athletes, this will be their first time to get exposed in an international competition. Their performance (in training) I think kapag tiningnan natin, nasa Top 20 and Top 30,” said Ferrera in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Members and officials of the team were with Ferrera in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT and ArenaPlus, the country’s 24/7 sports app.

Macarenas banners the entries for the long trail that also include Larry Apolinario, Joebert Elmaguin, Elizabeth Dangadang, and Angelie Cabalo, while the short trail team is consists of Randolf Gonzales, Romnick Tongkaling, John Ray Onifa, Joy Beltran and Noime Fernandez.

The mountain classic-junior (Under-20) meanwhile, has Ken Olver Libo-on and Evan Dian Sitoy, and the mountain-classic-senior (Under-23) is composed of Samuel Manuel and Charlotte Muyco.

The officials are Ferrera, team manager Gerald Tipones, team coordinator Mandreza Lyra Valles, support crew Manuel Magbanua, and physical therapist Ann Camille Jacinto.

The 34-year-old Macarenas is among the most experienced in the group, having been part of the Philippine delegation to the 2023 edition of the same meet in Austria where the country finished in 12th place. He also won a silver medal in the last Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships.

A total of 75 countries are seeing action in the six-day competition, with United States — led by Jim Walsh — France, Italy, Germany and Spain among the top contenders for the gold medals.

“USA really prepared for this kasi may mga professional trail runners sila,” said Ferrera.

As for Asian countries, she mentioned the likes of China, Japan, South Korea, and Nepal to crowd out the Philippines for top honors.