Philippines to host Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is gearing up to welcome Southeast Asia's trail running elites as it prepares to host the prestigious Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup in the locale of Bontoc, Mountain Province, from June 19-23.

Tin Ferrera, secretary-general of the Philippine Trail Running Association (Philtra) and head for the Southeast Asian Trail Running Confederation, expressed her excitement about bringing the biennial competition to the country. 

"We, as Philtra, and our athletes have joined the World Mountain Trail Running Championships and other big events outside the region and across Asia and we believe it’s time we show what we have. That’s why we are grateful to SEATRC for choosing our country as host,” Ferrera said.

About 200 athletes are set to compete in various categories, including the Long Trail, Short Trail, Mountain Classic and Vertical Uphill. Participating countries will also vie for the coveted Team Champion titles for the long and short trail categories.

The SEA Trail Running Cup, organized by SEATRC, is the pinnacle of mountain trail running in the region. It gathers the finest trail runners from eight countries across SEA, showcasing their skills and endurance in the challenging and awe-inspiring terrains of mountainous landscapes.

John Ray Onifa and Arnie Macaneras — who are both Asia Trail Master Champions in 2022 and 2023 — will pilot the Philippines' men's team, while the women's team will follow the leads of ATM 2023 runner-up Angelie Cabalo and Spartan Trail — Asia Pacific 2023 winner Elizabeth Dangadang.

All four captains have earned their spot as spearheads after their stellar run at the World Mountain Trail Running Championships 2023 together — with Philippine team members Randolf Gonzales, Larry Apolinario and Godwin Mirar, and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Christabel Martes emerging as the top-performing Southeast Asian participants and lead the rally for Asian countries alongside Japan and Korea.

Joining them are Skyrunning Champion Trisha Reyes and multi-awarded local Ultra distance athlete Rhys Pawid. U20 athletes Lance Naral, Rayven Eta, Sam Bango, Charlote Muyco, Luisa Cuerpo and Loida Domanog are