By MARK REY MONTEJO
Hundreds of local and foreign participants are expected to troop to Danao City, Cebu as the Philippine Trail Running Association (PhilTRA) stages the 2025 National Championships on March 21 to 23.
PhilTRA vice president and secretary general Tin Ferrera said the event is also part of their selection process for new national team members.
So far, the Nationals have achieved significant gains since its formation in March 2023.
A total of 22 spots, including in the seniors and youth divisions, are at stake as the PH team is set to compete in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain in September.
“Itong national championships is a result of a very promising performance of the Philippines sa mga international competitions,” said Ferrera in the PSA Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
“Itong pinaghahandaan natin ‘to na national championships is selection din natin para sa upcoming World Championships sa Spain. We’re looking to have it para tuloy-tuloy tayo na maka-discover tayo, and ma-challenge natin ‘yong national team,” she added.
The selection is also based on the athlete’s total points in every event. The PhilTRA board will decide upon the coaching team’s recommendation, performance and votes.
The Danao event is a culminating race among the elite who will vie in races covering 40 kms (short course) and 80 kms (long course), and in the “more enjoyable” 15 kms (five hours).
“This is a culmination ng aming year-long series of qualifying events… and ito pong event na ‘to will determine who will be part of the national team who will represent the country in the international scene,” athletes manager Gerald Tipones said.
Top trail runners Trisha Reyes and John Ray Onifa headline the Filipino hopefuls who come from different parts of the country, mostly from the provinces.
