Competitive outdoor track and field events commence on Thursday
** tl;dr:** The ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships 2025, happening at New Clark City from May 1-4, is set to feature some top-tier athletes, including former and current Olympic competitors. Notable participants include Lauren Hoffman and Yacine Guermali, both vying for gold in their respective events. The competition will also serve as a vital qualifying event for the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Youth Games.
Prepare for an electrifying spectacle, as the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships kicks off at the impressive New Clark City Athletic Stadium on May 1, 2025! Set to headline the event are some of the country's finest, including Paris Olympic Games veteran Lauren Hoffman. After enduring a foot injury during her debut, Hoffman is looking forward to her first competition since, searching for victory in her signature event, the women's 400-meter hurdles.
Contending with Hoffman for the top spot is none other than former Asian women's 400-meter hurdles champion Robyn Brown, adding fuel to the fire for an exciting showdown between the two competitors. Both athletes, having only just touched down in Manila on the tail of their journey, are expected to make it to the finals, scheduled for 8:10 p.m., paving the way for a thrilling face-off.
Another name to watch out for is Tokyo Olympian and 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Kristina Knott. The powerhouse sprinter is expected to dominate the women's 200-meter race, with heats at 4 p.m. and finals at 6:50 p.m.
Cross-country star at Gonzaga University, Yacine Guermali, is aiming to protect his 2024 title in the men's 5,000-meter finals, slated for 7 p.m. Several other prominent athletes are expected to grace the event, hailing from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, and Papua New Guinea.
The competition not only serves as an enticing showcase of the country's athletic prowess but also functions as a crucial qualifying event for those with aspirations of competing for the Philippines in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December and the Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, in October.
Additionally, with many international athletes desperate for valuable ranking points for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September, the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships has become a coveted stop on the circuit.
Given the scorching weather averaging in the 40s, event organizers have wisely opted to schedule most of the events in the afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m., prioritizing the health and well-being of all participating athletes. The meet commences with finals for the women's 10,000-meter walk and the men's Under-18 5,000-meter walk at 6:30 a.m.
With so many talented competitors set to take the stage, the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships promises to be an exhilarating display of athletic excellence that shouldn't be missed!
- The ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, happening at New Clark City from May 1-4, 2025, is set to feature Lauren Hoffman, a veteran of the Paris Olympic Games.
- Robyn Brown, former Asian women's 400-meter hurdles champion, is also among the top-tier athletes participating in the championships and is anticipated to contend with Hoffman for the gold.
- The competition will also feature Kristina Knott, a Tokyo Olympian and 2019 double gold medalist at the Philippine Southeast Asian Games, who is expected to dominate the women's 200-meter race.
- Yacine Guermali, a cross-country star at Gonzaga University, aims to protect his 2024 title in the men's 5,000-meter finals.
- The championships will serve as a qualifying event for the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Youth Games, and athletes striving to compete for the Philippines in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
- Given the hot weather in the Philippines, most of the events will take place in the afternoon, prioritizing the health and well-being of all participating athletes.
