CIBODAS, West Java, Indonesia, (July 24-26, 2026) — Team Philippines closed out the 2026 Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup (SEATRC) in Jakarta, Indonesia, as the overall champion, topping the nine-nation field with a commanding score of 586 points and a medal haul of 11 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze medals— well clear of second-placed Indonesia (506 points) and third-placed Singapore (395 points).
The result reaffirms the Philippines’ status as the region’s benchmark trail running nation, with the team’s 2024 medalists raising their level even further and a new wave of young talent stepping onto the podium alongside them.
Long Trail: A Complete Sweep
The Philippines delivered the standout performance of the competition in Long Trail, sweeping the podium in both the men’s and women’s individual categories. John Ray Onifa took individual gold, followed by Arnie Macañeras claiming silver right behind him, and two-time Philippine National Champion Joebert Elmaguin — a newcomer to the international team — rounding out the men’s podium sweep with bronze.
On the women’s side, Elizabeth Dangadang remained unbeaten, extending her winning streak with another gold medal. Mary Anne Abellana finished a close second for silver and Ruby Joy Oloy secured bronze to complete another podium sweep.
Those individual performances further translated into two team gold medals in both the Men’s and Women’s Long Trail standings, cementing Long Trail as the country’s strongest event of the competition.
Short Trail: Gold Defended, Depth on Display
2024 Short Trail gold and silver medalists Romnick Tongkaling and Larry Apolinario both delivered again, with Tongkaling claiming individual gold and Apolinario proving he also has the speed for the shorter distance, taking bronze. Marlou Agbona finished 4th overall despite competing with an injured arm, providing the crucial scoring finish that clinched the men’s team gold.
The women’s Short Trail squad narrowly missed the individual podium but still claiming the team gold, with Joy Beltran (4th), Kana Antonio (5th), and Alyssa Sumacyab (6th) all crossing the line inside the scoring positions. With no other nation able to field the required three finishers for the team scoring, the Philippines claimed the team gold unopposed.
Vertical Uphill: Day 1 Sets the Tone
The opening event immediately established the Philippines as a championship contender. Christone Dinawanao claimed individual silver in the Men’s Vertical Uphill, joined by teammates Ken Oliver Libo-on (4th) and Rayven Jay Eta (8th) to secure the men’s team gold.
The women’s Vertical Uphill team of Cessa Monterde (4th), Charlotte Muyco (5th), and Juliana Banua (6th) also topped the team standings for gold, giving the Philippines two team golds from the very first day of racing.
Mountain Classic: Depth Across Generations
The Mountain Classic events showcased the strength of PHILTRA’s athlete pipeline, with the same Vertical Uphill trio returning to the mountain on the final day to add individual medals across the Junior and Senior categories:
- Cessa Monterde — silver, Mountain Classic Junior (Individual Female)
- Juliana Banua — bronze, Mountain Classic Junior (Individual Female)
- Charlotte Muyco — bronze, Mountain Classic Senior (Individual Female)
The men’s side saw a similar story in the Junior category, with Ken Oliver Libo-on taking silver and teammate John Rey Daya claiming bronze. Short Trail team member Jhaymore Pugoy also added to the medal count with bronze in the Mountain Classic Senior (Individual Male).
Mountain Classic team results:
- Mountain Classic Junior Team Male — Gold
- Mountain Classic Junior Team Female — Gold
- Mountain Classic Senior Team Male — Silver
The Senior races underscored the sustainability of PHILTRA’s athlete development program, with pioneer team members and newer athletes delivering strong performances side by side. This consistency was also evident across the U23, U20, and U18 age-group competitions.
A Program Built for the Long Run
“This result is the product of years of consistent training, talent discovery, and international exposure,” said Tin Ferrera, president of the Philippine Trail Running Association (PHILTRA). “But winning medals is only part of what we set out to do here. Just as important is what our athletes gain from competing abroad — the friendships built with other national teams, the exposure to a different racing culture, and the chance to explore mountain trails outside our own country that will make an even stronger athlete out of them. That’s what will keep this program growing for years to come.”
With the 2026 SEA Trail Running Cup now complete, Team Philippines shifts its focus to the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships in China later this year, carrying the momentum of a dominant campaign in Jakarta.
