May
Manila, Philippines – May 18, 2024 – PHILTRA is delighted to announce the successful completion of the “Girls Running in Trail” event, which took place across multiple locations in the Philippines. The event was held in Barangay San Jose, Koronadal, South Cotobato in Mindanao and Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City in Visayas on March 17, and culminated in Camp John Hay, Baguio City in Luzon on April 14, 2024.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 600 women aged 2 to 77, marking a significant step forward in promoting health, confidence, and camaraderie among women through trail running. The organizing team believes there is a need for an empowering environment where women can challenge themselves, build confidence, and enjoy the natural beauty of our trails.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive feedback from the participants,” said Tin Ferrera, VP and Secretary General of PHILTRA. “Our goal was to empower women; once they are empowered, they can empower others.”
The enthusiasm and determination shown by these women were truly inspiring. Watch highlights of the event [here]. Video by THE DREAM TEAM.
The event featured a variety of trail running distances, from a kiddie dash of 800 meters to 10 milers, with courses designed to cater to different skill levels, ensuring that both beginners and experienced runners could participate and enjoy.
The event also aimed to build women leaders in the sport of trail running. It was led by women trail runners as race directors: Princess Billones for South Cotobato, Andrea Gaurana for Cebu, and Ybeth Velo for Baguio. “I knew there would be lots of obstacles, but I said yes,” Ybeth shared. She mentioned that she had the support of fellow trail runners from Baguio, including PHILTRA’s VP, Louie Ganayan.
Creating a safe and welcoming community took the efforts of many. Veteran trail runners and supporters stepped up, assisting in various roles and leading trail running hikes and clinics to prepare new runners for GRIT.
The event also emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship. Participants engaged in a trail clean-up activity, reinforcing the value of preserving the natural spaces they enjoy.
“Girls Running in Trail” was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners.
The success of this event highlights the growing interest and need for more female-centric outdoor and athletic programs. Looking ahead, we hope this is only the beginning of the trail running journey for every woman who crossed the finish line. We aim to have more activities and projects focused on inclusivity, empowerment, and fostering a lifelong love for trail running and outdoor activities for everyone.
For more information about “Girls Running in Trail” and upcoming events, please visit philtra.ph or contact info@philtra.ph.
Photo Credits: Tikila Shots, Luis ATik Atik, Dennis Llamas, Only in Baguio
