By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Philippines will send 14 athletes to the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships scheduled from Sept. 23 to 28 in Canfranc, Spain.
Arnie Macañeras is among the experienced in the team, having competed in the 2023 edition of the tournament held in Innsbruck-Stubai, Austria, where the Philippines placed 12th.
The 34-year-old native of Digos City, Davao del Sur, was also part of the team that won the silver medal at the Asia Pacific Trail and Running Championships in Ulju, South Korea last year.
He placed third behind Hong Kong’s Jeff Campbell and Japan’s Hisashi Kitamura at the 2024 Asia Trail Master Championship in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
In Spain, Macañeras will compete in the long trail category along with Larry Apolinario, Joebert Elmaguin, Elizabeth Dangadang and Angelie Cabalo.
Entered in the short trail category are Randolf Gonzales, Romnick Tongkaling, John Ray Onifa, Joy Beltran and Noime Fernandez, while competing in the Mountain Classic category are Ken Oliver Libo-on, Evan Dian Sitoy (junior division), and Samuel Manuel and Charlotte Muyco (senior division).
“I will do my best and try to keep up with entries from other countries,” Beltran, who will be making her debut on the world stage, said.
The runner from Tupi, South Cotabato won the 42km short trail event at the National Championships in Danao, Cebu last March. She also got the silver medal in the 10,000m run at the 2025 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Championships in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
Philippine Trail Running Association vice president and secretary-general Christine Ferrera 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 if we look at it, it’s in the Top 20 and Top 30,” said Ferrera, who accompanied the athletes during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum Tuesday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) conference hall inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Also present were team manager Gerald Tipones, team coordinator Mandreza Lyra Valles, support crew Manuel Magbanua, and physical therapist Ann Camille Jacinto.
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 because they have professional trail runners,” said Ferrera, adding that China, Japan, South Korea, and Nepal will crowd out the Philippines for top honors.
The delegation is set to leave for the competition on Sept. 10 for training, preparation, and acclimatization. (PNA)
