HONG KONG – Filipina trail runner Sandi Menchi Abahan is hoping that her achievements in various competitions locally and internationally translate in more Filipino runners trying the sport.
Abahan is competing in the elite category of the 2016 edition of the Asian Skyrunning Championships scheduled tomorrow at the scenic island of Lantau, which is south of Hong Kong.
The event is only the third international competition for the 26-year-old Abahan, but she expressed optimism that her participation here would aid in promoting the trail run sport.
“That’s the goal naman po, na ma-promote yung sport sa atin,” said Abahan, an education graduate at the University of the Cordilleras. “Marami naman po tayong trail runners sa Pilipinas, pero konti lang talaga ang suma-sali sa international competitions.”
“Sana po madagdagan lalo sa international competition, sana ma-promote sa Pilipinas kasi magandang sport,” added Abahan, whose participation here was made possible through the sponsorship of Hong Kong-based German runner Andre Bloomberg.
Abahan is fresh from her successful stint at the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon last October 29 where she ruled the 26K female division – her first title in an international event.
After this event, Abahan is also set to compete in next week’s The North Face 100k trail run.
“Part na din po ng preparation koi tong event na to sa mas malaking event, yung TNF 100k,” said Abahan, who hopes to continue competing as along as she is healthy and able to perform at a high level.