About Us

Formalized in September 2021 and launched in a general assembly in November 2021, Philtra is a non-profit, independent organisation composed of volunteers to develop trail running as a sport, represent the needs of its members and vote on policies and rules for their benefit. It was eventually affiliated with PATAFA in February 2023.

The Philtra Chairman of the Board and President leads the proceedings with the trustees and officers while the Secretary General together with the Vice President for each island (Luzon & GMA, Visayas and Mindanao) is responsible for bringing forward the major decisions for implementation within the association and its working committees and volunteers.

TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

PHILTRA COMMITTEES

Scroll below to learn more about what each committee does.  If you’re interested in volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.click here. 

In the photo are the Founding Trustees and Officers during the first PHILTRA Championship Finals in Bontoc Mountain Run, February 2023:  Francis Baclay (Corp.Sec),Jerome Tan, Majo Liao, Lala dela Cruz, Rons Nebre, Thumbie Remigio (President), Aldean Lim (Vice President), Tin Ferrera (Secretary General), Marc Molina. 

PHILTRA is dedicated to creating a comprehensive and inclusive ecosystem within the trail running community.

Stakeholder Engagement

We bring together athletes, organizers, enthusiasts and supporters, to foster a community that represents all aspects of the sport. This collaboration ensures that decisions and initiatives are representative and considerate of different perspectives.

Setting Standards and Guidelines:

Collaborating with member-organizers and athletes to establish standards and guidelines for trail races and events is crucial in maintaining fairness, safety, and consistency across the sport. This helps in creating a high-quality and reliable trail running experience.

Athlete Support and Programs:

We are committed to supporting athletes through activities, programs, and collaborations. Our focus areas include:
1) Providing Safe Spaces for all athletes;
2) Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity; and
3) Embracing Environmental and Community Responsibility.

Representation

Philtra shall provide representation for the sports in the local and international events within the trail running community.

National Athlete Development

Training and developing national athletes for trail running is a pivotal step toward achieving excellence in the sport. As an affiliate member of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (a member of the World Athletics Federation and with support from the Philippine Sports Commission), we train and develop national athletes for trail running, and officially represent the country in the international trail running community.

Local Accreditation

Aspiring to be the local accreditation body for trail races and activities demonstrates our commitment to maintaining high standards within the sport. This role ensures that events adhere to established guidelines, fostering credibility and safety within the trail running community.

AFFILIATION

Major Activities

"PHILTRA encompasses not only the competitive aspects of trail running but also the broader impact it can have on athletes, the environment, and the community. We are dedicated to advancing trail running in a responsible and inclusive manner."

SEPT 2021

OCT 2021

NOV 2021

MAR 2022

JUNE 2022

JULY 2022

OCT-DEC 2022

JAN 2023

FEB 2023

MAR 2023

APRIL 2023

JUNE 2023

"Philtra was formally
registered."

"The 7 founding
members conducted
dialogues with IATF to
allow trail running
activities in the middle
of the pandemic.
"

"PHILTRA opened for
sign-up.

PHILTRA conducted a
general assembly.

"

"PHILTRA hold the
Mt. Pulag Trail Run.  The event was held a day after the Altitude OCR event of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF)."

"Philtra launched the
PHILTRA Championship
Series with Timberland Mountain Marathon as first event supported by Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF).

"PHILTRA started the
regular meetings with
event organizers in
order to collaborate
and come up with a
trail running
standards. The
meetings were moderated by
Tin Ferrera,
Rons Nebre and Marc Molina."

"The Philippines was
represented for the
first time at the World
Mountain Trail
Running
Championships in
Thailand by John Ray
Onifa.

Two other championship qualifier was held: Sta Cruz Mt Apo in Davao and Spartan Trail in Pampanga."

"Philtra conducted a
training camp for the
top runners from
several provinces in
the Philippines.


The camp was led-
organized by Majo
Liao with Kristian
Joergensen as Camp
Mentor.
"

"PHILTRA conducted its
first PHILTRA
championships in
Bontoc, Mountain
Province with Tawid Multisport Team as the local partner.

Philtra became an
official affiliate
member of PATAFA.
"

"PHILTRA launched its
2023 PHILTRA
Championship Qualifiers with the first event in Antique.."

"PHILTRA conducted a
training camp for its pioneer
National Team members. The Athlete Development Program was headed by Marc Molina with Andy Dubois as Head Coach and Christabel Martes as Assistant Coach. The Championship Qualifier second and third qualifierrace was held in Banaue, Ifugao and Timberland in San Mateo."

"The Philippines was
reprented by 12 top
trail runners in the
Philippines at the
World Mountain Trail
Running
Championships in
Innsbruck, Austria.
read more here.
 The 4th Qualifier was held in Tawid in Bontoc."

JULY 2023-NOV 2023

DECEMBER 2023

JAN 2024

FEB 2024

MARCH 2024

APRIL-MAY 2024

JUNE 2024

JULY 2024

AUGUST 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

OCTOBER 2024

OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2024-

"Batang Philtra was launched and the Philippine Trail Running Championship Qualifiers for 2023 was held in Cebu (Pamutan), Cagayan De Oro (Impasugong), La Union (Spartan) and Davao (Sta Cruz Mt. Apo).


Philtra started its Off-Road Dialogues Series - for its DEI campaign.  The election of new officers was held in September 2023 by its core members."

"The 2nd Philippine National Trail Running Championship was hosted by Cordillera Mountain Ultra"

"The 2024 Philtra Championship Qualifiers and Batang Philtra opened in Danao City International Ultra Trail."

"PHILTRA announced its new set of National Team for 2024.  The training camp started in Baguio City with Coach Christabel Martes as Head Coach and Gerald Tipones as Athlete Manager.  The 2nd event was held in BTM by Trail Kweens.

"Philtra launched GRIT - an all-women trail run - in Cebu (Visayas) and Koronadal (Mindanao) and Baguio (Luzon).  Philtra signed a MOA with Baguio City in promoting trail running. 

"Philtra started its preparations for the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup.  The third championship qualifier was held in Sta. Cruz, Mount Apo in Davao. Philtra launched the training of Filipino Brand of Service Excellence for Trail Runners for the Locals of Bontoc."

"Philtra hosted the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup in Bontoc, Mountain Province - 8 countries participated.  Philippines emerged as overall champion for long trail, short trail-male, short trail-female and Mountain Classic-senior. and a total of 5 golds, 8 silvers, and 4 bronze individual medals. Tawid in Bontoc was the fourth qualifier race."

"Philtra launched its community run at the Araneta Maarat Trails - a trail for all campaign.  Salomon was the official partner as the brand also signed up as the official shoes for the National Team."

"The fifth qualifier race-Pamutan in Cebu was held.  The National Team started the second training camp for the year in preparation for the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships."

The sixth Qualifying Race and 2nd Batang Philtra event was held in Impasugong in Bukidnon.  The National team continues its preparation for APTRC.

The Philippines participated in the first Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships.  John Ray Onifa took home the GOLD for Short Trail-Men.  The 14-men delegation emerged as the SILVER medalist (2nd) OVERALL team competition, SILVER- Men's Long Trail and SILVER-Men's Short Trail. and 4th place for both the Short and Long Trail-Women.

Philtra hold its seventh Qualifier at the end of October in Ultra Trail Mapawa.   The second community run was held in Baguio with 200 participants.  The last qualifying race was held in Cordillera Mountain Ultra in Benguet

JANUARY 2025

FEBRUARY 2025

MARCH 2025

APRIL 2025

MAY 2025

JUNE 2025

JULY 2025

AUGUST 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025

OCTOBER 2025

NOVEMBER 2025

OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2024-

PHI Team members John Ray Onifa placed 6th at HK100 Ultra-World Trail Majors while Romnick Tongkaling placed 10th in his second international race. Elizabeth Dangadang placed 14th, Larry Apolinario at 21st and Arnie Macaneras at 31st. PHILTRA also sent RD Marvin Aninon for race organization exposure.

PHI National Team Member Trisha Reyes placed 3rd at 9Dragons Ultra (Asia Trail Master series) Randolf Gonzales placed 9th.

Philtra hold its 3rd National Championships hosted by Danao City International Ultra Trail. 32 competitors vie for the title. Girls Running in Trails continue to flourish with almost 1k participation nationwide.

New National Team Members was announced with 6 Youth Team members (U23 and U20). Andy Dubois was onboarded as new Head Coach with Arnie Macaneras as Team Captain. An exploratory Ultra Team was established.


2nd Qualifier Race-Sta Cruz Mt Apo was held.

Coaching the Coach Program was launced led by Andy Dubois of Miles 27. 22 potential coaches from around the PHI joined a 4-day lecture and hands on training in Baguio Athletic Bowl and Camp John Hay. Philtra signed a MOA with Camp John Hay aimed at working for a sustainable growth of the sports through the CJH Trails.

The training camp for World Mountain Trail Running Championships went in full swing in Baguio City. Two Championshio Qualifier races were held-Point Ultra and Calatagan Trail Run.


A new membership platform was launched. The Board approved the allotment of membership shirt for each patron member.

EnergyA became the official rehab and recovery partner of the National Team. The board has approved the allocation of budget for youth team in WMTRC.

Pamutan Trail Fest and Luntian Trail Ultra was held as Championship Qualifier race. Philtra hold its CJH Trail for All Community Run.

The Philippine flag waved proudly at the World Mountain Trail Running Championships 2025. The men's team ranked 11th and 12th overall. The youth team competed in the Mountain Classic-U20 and Mountain Classic-Senior. Philippine Trail Running Team Returns to World Stage, Shows Strong Progress at 2025 WMTRC - philtra.ph

PHILTRA receives its formal affiliation as recognized mountain running sports association in the Philippines from WMRA

PHILTRA held its third election of officers. 15 trustees and one athlete commission was elected. See About - philtra.ph


PHILTRA receives its formal affiliation as recognized national trail running sports association in the Philippines from ITRA.

PHILTRA established its first training camp house in Mindanao - at the foot of Mount Apo in Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur.

The last qualifying race was held in Cordillera Mountain Ultra in Benguet


The Philippine Championship Qualifiers concluded with 5641 participants and 70 qualified athletes for the 2026 Philippine National Trail Running Championships.