Filipino Skyrunners aim for Mt. Kinabalu climbathon

Three Filipino women are eyeing to become the first Filipino to win the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon this September 30 in Sabah, Malaysia.

To win, they must run to South East Asia summit of Mount Kinabalu's 13,432 feet altitude and then run down again, in all under three and a half-hours. The Philippines had a very realistic chance of taking the top honors with Leszl Gitaruelas running at speeds of 1 hour and 23.23. She took victory in the 21-kilometer Davao Milo Marathon.

Leszl knocked nearly six full minutes of her previous best time of 1 hour and 30.16 record last year in Cebu. But Leszl's main focus is to run the summit of one of Asia highest mountains, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah Malaysia. The Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon race is internationally recognized as the "World's Toughest Mountain Race." Leszl is a member of the Philippine SkyRunners team. A skyrunner is one, who runs at high altitude above 10,000 feet and Mount Apo is a member of this club of mountains where Leszl and her two other classy teammates are in training.

Merlita Arias and Judelyn Miranda along with Leszl train each day, scaling the summit trail of Mt. Apo. Not walking or back packing, but running up and down this mountain daily. Their aim is to bring glory and honor back to their country from South East Asia Summit in Malaysia at the September 30 Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon by taking the top three positions. They want so badly to see the Filipino flag rise in triumph and to hear the Philippine National Anthem played.

Merlita Arias, who is team captain of the Philippines' SkyRunners, is the only Filipino so far to successfully complete this race. Completing the team line up along with Leszl and Merlita is wonder runner Judelyn Miranda, who was second to Leszl in the Davao Milo elimination race and was not far behind her in a time of 1 hour and 26 minutes. They must also be considered as big contenders to become the first Filipino to win the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon race. - Ruth Mercado