Running veteran Christabel Martes is making her debut as the national head coach of the Philippine trail running team.
The 45-year-old Martes, who left her mark in road racing and middle-distance running around the country and abroad, has come out of retirement, call the shots and run as well with the national squad seeing action for the first time in the inaugural 2024 Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships.
Martes is handling a 15-member contingent, which will carry the nation’s colors in Ulju-Gun, Ulsan, South Korea from October 23 to 27.
“I had a great transition from regular running, then to obstacle sports, and then into trail running despite my age,” said Martes, who went into trail running three years ago and has won numerous medals as an outdoor trackster in marathons and road races.
Martes’ new journey five years after retiring in 2019 from the national athletics’ squad, said this on Thursday during a presentation at the Florabel restaurant at the Estancia Mall in Pasig.
The Martes-led national delegation left for Korea on Friday, courtesy of Philippine Airlines, the nation’s leading carrier, which will also bring the team to Hong Kong.
The roster includes Antique’s John Ray Onifa and Baguio City’s Elizabeth Dangadang, who are entered in the long trails events, just like Davao’s Arnie Macarena and Roberto Cain, Antiqueno Larry Apolinario and Benguet’s Rhys Pawid.
Also in the men’s short trail are Romnick Tongkaling, Godwin Mirar and Randolf Gonzales.
Dangadang is entered in the women’s side, with South Cotabato’s Angelie Cabalo, while Martes will banner the short trail contingent with Muntinlupa’s Trisha Reyes,
Jhaymore Pugoy, who is from Bukidnon, joins a separate group made up of marathon queen Christine Hallasgo and Joida Gagnao, who will both try their hands in a 10-km crosscountry race in Hong Kong.
Philippine Trailrunning Association president lawyer James Roldan said they are sending a contingent to the competitions, following the country’s triumph at the recent Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup in June 2024, when Team Philippines claimed the top spot and brought home 17 medals, five of which were gold, further solidifying its dominance in the region.
Philtra secretary general Tin Ferrera expects that national squad to pull through with flying colors, despite the technical toughness of the terrain.
