At A Glance
- The Philippine national trail running team asserted its dominance over its rivals to capture the overall championship at the 2026 Southeast Asia Trail Cup held recently in Cibodas, Indonesia recently.
Philippine national trail running team (PhilTRA)
The Philippine national trail running team asserted its dominance over its rivals to capture the overall championship at the 2026 Southeast Asia Trail Cup held recently in Cibodas, Indonesia recently.
Powered by John Ray Onifa's gold-medal performance in the men's long trail, Team Philippines -- composed athletes from Davao, Bukidnon, Antique, and Baguio -- amassed 11 gold, which eight coming from Team Gold, six silver, and seven bronze medals to finish with 586 points to best host Indonesia, which tallied 506 points, and Singapore with 395.
Onifa, a two-time Asia Trail Master titlist, is delighted over the country's recent success in the sport, saying the continued growth of trail running not only inspires many, but also gives boost to further elevate the country in the global stage.
“Masasabi ko po sa mga young athletes natin, masaya po ako na na-achieve nila ‘yong mga goals nila at sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Onifa. “Talagang na-inspire ako kasi marami nang susunod sakin na maging katulad ko at marami na kaming mag-compete over the world.”
Settling for silver and bronze behind Onifa were teammates Arnie Macañeras and Joebert Elmaguin, while the Nationals also swept the distaff side with Elizabeth Dangadang ruling the event, and Mary Anne Abellana and Ruby Joy Oloy bagging silver and bronze, respectively.
In the men's short trail, Romnick Tongkaling bagged the top honors while Larry Apolinario took home the bronze.
Also delivering podium finishes for the PH team were Cristone Dinawanao, who bagged silver in the men's vertical uphill; Ken Oliver Libo-on (silver) and John Rey Daya (bronze) in the junior men's mountain classic; Cessa Monterde (silver) and Juliana Banua (bronze), the youngest member of the Philippine contingent at just 13 years old, in the junior women's mountain classic; and Jhaymore Pugoy and Charlotte Muyco, who both earned bronze medals in the senior men's and women's divisions, respectively.
According to Philippine Trail Running Association (PhilTRA) president Tin Ferrera, the competition also served as an evaluation event for athletes vying for spots to represent the Philippines at the Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships in Fujian Province, China this November.