DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/10 August 2026) – Thirteen Mindanawon athletes shone as part of the Philippine delegation that dominated the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup (SEATRC) in Cianjur, Indonesia, last 24-26 July 2026. The PH team captured the overall championship title with a historic medal haul of 11 golds, 6 silvers, and 7 bronzes, outperforming eight other countries.
In the demanding 75-km Long Trail category, featuring a 5,500-meter elevation gain, the PH team swept both men’s and women’s divisions. Gold medals went to John Ray Onifa (Antique) and Elizabeth Dangadang (Mountain Province), silvers to Arnie Macañeras (Digos) and Mary Anne Abellana (Cebu), and bronzes to Joebert Elmaguin (Iloilo) and Ruby Joy Oloy (Magpet, South Cotabato). Both men’s and women’s teams secured Team Golds for their combined performance.
In the 42-km Short Trail, Romnick Tongkaling (Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur) won gold, while Larry Apolinario (Antique) claimed bronze, contributing to the men’s Team Gold alongside Marlou Agbona (Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur). The women’s team also earned gold thanks to Joy Beltran (Tupi, South Cotabato), Kana Antonio (Baguio), and Alyssa Sumacyab (La Trinidad, Benguet).
In the 7-km Vertical Uphill race, Christone Dinawanao (Davao City) secured silver, with Ken Oliver Libo-on (Antique) and Rayven Jay Eta (Don Carlos, Bukidnon) helping earn Team Gold. The women’s team, composed entirely of Mindanawons—Cessa Monterde (Maramag, Bukidnon), Charlotte Muyco (Tupi, South Cotabato), and Juliana Banua (Bansalan, Davao del Sur)—also secured Team Gold.
The 10-km Mountain Classic saw Jhaymore Pugoy (Maramag, Bukidnon) take bronze in the Senior Men’s division, while Libo-on and Daya won silver and bronze in the Junior Men’s category. Monterde and Banua added individual medals in the women’s division, and Evan Dian Sitoy (Impasugong, Bukidnon) contributed to the Junior Women’s Team Gold.
The Philippine team amassed 586 points, clinching the overall championship, while Indonesia followed with 506 points and Singapore with 395.
PhilTRA president Christine Ferrera highlighted Mindanao’s terrain and athlete accessibility as key advantages. Many runners, including Tongkaling and Macañeras, live near mountainous trails, which translates to superior conditioning. Despite challenges, the athletes demonstrated resilience, with Oloy, Pugoy, and Dinawanao overcoming injuries to achieve podium finishes.
The team’s success was fueled by discipline and passion, but Ferrera emphasized the need for sustained support, particularly funding, to maintain momentum. The athletes, including Macañeras and Muyco, stressed the importance of local government backing in elevating trail running further.
As trail running gains popularity, Ferrera sees it as a way to foster appreciation for nature. The PH team now prepares for the Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships in China this November. (Kat Petines-Rabino / MindaNews)
