Olympian Lauren Hoffman and long-distance runner Yacine Guermali headline a stellar cast as the 2025 ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships officially fire off today at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Returning to competition for the first time since a foot injury derailed her Olympic debut in Paris last year, Hoffman is set to make a statement in her pet event, the women’s 400-meter hurdles.
The 26-year-old former Duke University standout, who arrived in Manila just two days prior, will compete in the heats scheduled at 2:10 p.m., aiming for a strong comeback.
Standing in her way is 2019 Asian champion Robyn Brown, who will also see action in a separate heat. Both hurdlers are heavy favorites to meet in a much-anticipated finals showdown at 8:10 p.m.
Tokyo Olympian and SEA Games double-gold medalist Kristina Knott is also back on home soil and primed for dominance in the women’s 200-meter sprint. The sprint queen is expected to breeze through her 4 p.m. heats and gear up for the finals at 6:50 p.m.
Meanwhile, Guermali, 25, looks to defend one of his two titles from last year’s edition as he leads the men’s 5,000-meter field. The former Gonzaga University distance ace is pegged as the man to beat in the 7 p.m. final, as he eyes another strong showing in front of Filipino fans.
Nearly 1,000 athletes from across Asia — including contingents from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines — have converged in Capas for the country’s flagship trackfest, more popularly known as the National Open.
“This competition serves as a major qualifier for our national team hopefuls heading into the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December, as well as the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain this October,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary general Jasper Tanhueco.
“Those who excel in the Under-18 division stand a strong chance of representing the country in Bahrain, so we’re encouraging them to give it their all.”
Tanhueco also noted that the event’s staging at a World Athletics-certified stadium for the first time has attracted top international athletes seeking valuable ranking points in hopes of qualifying for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Backed by the ICTSI Sports Foundation, CEL Logistics, United Auctioneers Inc., Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Milo, Pocari Sweat, Energy A, Masiv Sports, Wireless Link, and Clark Water, the meet promises high-stakes action across multiple divisions and disciplines.
The action begins bright and early at 6:30 a.m. with the finals of the women’s 10,000-meter walk and the men’s Under-18 5,000-meter walk.
Due to sweltering summer conditions, with temperatures soaring into the 40s, organizers have opted to hold most of the marquee events in the afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. to prioritize the athletes’ health and safety.
