MORE than 600 local athletes are expected to join the 5 Throws-For-All Philippine Masters Athletics Championships slated from May 4 and 5 at the PhilSports Track and Field Oval in Pasig City.
Organizers led by National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines president Drolly Claravall, the tournament is expected to have more entries this time around.
“I hope we can surpass the number of competitors who joined last year because we now on our second season. People are more aware of the event now,” said Claravall.
Claravall discussed the competition with 5Throws-for-All founder Alberto Agra, during the tournament’s formal launching at the Philippine Sports Commission conference hall in Vito Cruz, Manila.
The tournament is open to athletes 35 years old and above in the men’s and women’s individual categories, team relay and mixed gender team relay categories.
So far, 15 teams have already registered and will see action in eight disciplines and 10 age groups.
This includes entries from the Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation, the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Forces.
There are also participants from the local government units, which include Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan Valley, Baguio, Cavite and Dasmarinas.
Events to be contested are in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 2,000/3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m, 10,000m, 3,000m race walk, 80m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles.
The jumping events include the high jump, long jump, triple jump.
The throwing events will involve javelin throw, shot put, discus throw, pole vault, hammer throw.
Team events in the 4x100m relay, 4x100m mixed relay, 4x400m relay and 4x400m mixed relay will also be held.
Competition director Trece Academia said around 550 gold medals will be at stake from the meet, which be held late in the afternoon.