Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Agapito “Terry” Capistrano and secretary general Edward Kho formally welcomed the participants of the Philtra Trail Running Camp, the future talents of the sport in a dinner hosted by Heroes Hotel last January 16.
The Philtra Trail Running Camp is a week-long intensive development program for the Philippines’ elite trail running athletes and candidates for the Philtra National Development Team.
The training camp is made possible through the concerted efforts of the Philippine trail running community, led by Philtra.
Capistrano shared the tremendous pride of bearing the Philippine flag on one’s uniforms brings and how it boosts an athlete’s motivation to train for competitions.
Philtra vice-president Tin Ferrara announced that the Philtra Championship Finals, to be held in Bontoc on February 25 and 26, 2023 shall serve as the final selection ranking points race for the participants. A team of runners will be chosen to represent in the World Mountain Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck, Austria and other selected overseas competitions where they can represent the flag.
While not all the running camp participants will be chosen, Philtra vice-president for Legal Francis Baclay emphasized that the activity paves the way for a formal athlete discovery, development, and training program.
After welcoming the participants, Philtra recognized several Philippine trail running athletes for their exceptional performance in 2022 international races, despite having to compete in their personal capacities.
They are Ces Wael, Angeli Cabalo and Majo Liao, Larry Apolonario, Koi Grey, and Arnie Macaneras, who topped the race in Malaysia; Ces Wael, who ranked third in her category in UTMB World Series Race in Thailand; and Arnie Macaneras, who won the Asia Trail Master Championships.
A special recognition was likewise given to John Ray Onifa, who has consistently ranked among the world’s best trail running athletes.
Onifa represented the Philippines at the 2022 WMTRC as endorsed by PATAFA and facilitated by Philtra.
John Ray Onifa is also participating as trainer/mentor in such running camp.
Registration is at https://register.raceya.fit/event/bontocmountainrun2023
To know more about Philtra, visit Philtra.ph
