Bartolo and Carter Dominate Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 in Davao
Elmer Bartolo and Madelyn Carter emerged as the champions in their respective divisions at the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 – Davao Leg 1, held on an out-and-back course at Azuela Cove in Lanang on Sunday, March 29. The event drew a large field of runners, with Bartolo securing his third consecutive title in the series.
Men's 10K: Bartolo's Historic Three-Peat
Elmer Bartolo, a decorated Dabawenyo runner, powered through the 10-kilometer race in an impressive time of 34 minutes and 38 seconds. This victory marks his third straight 10K title in the trilogy series, spanning from 2024 to 2026, solidifying his dominance in the event. He outkicked a competitive field, with Dhanlord Jhon Nengasca placing second in 36:40 and Ian Kyle Matobato finishing third in 36:42.
Fresh off anchoring champion Team Juna in the 21K run of the BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao, Bartolo admitted that the heat from the recent race took a toll. "Laspag pa atong Ironman, grabe kainit ato (I'm still worn out from that Ironman—the heat was really intense)," he said. He added that he opted for the shorter distance to recover while staying competitive, noting, "Daghan pod kusgan, mga batan-on (There were also many strong, young competitors)."
Women's 16K: Carter's Breakthrough Victory
Madelyn Carter, a 46-year-old runner based in Siargao, delivered a breakthrough performance in the 16K race, clocking 1:16:14 to claim the top spot. She beat Sheinee Suico, who finished second in 1:20:46, and LJ Abanilla, who placed third in 1:26:14. Racing in her first trilogy event, Carter expressed surprise at her win, having recently returned to training after her Vietnam half-marathon stint.
"Wala ko nag-expect na makadaog kay bag-o ra ko balik training (I didn’t expect to win since I just recently returned to training)," she said. "Daghan elite runners, mao wala gyud ko nagdahom (There were many elite runners, so I really didn’t expect it)." Her victory highlights her resilience and skill in a field of elite athletes.
Other Division Winners
In the men's 16K division, Mark Luigi Joyce topped the race with a time of 55:53, followed by Paul James Zafico in 58:36 and Gian Carlo Madinancil in 1:02:55. For the women's 10K race, Kate Duffy Gel McDowell of the University of Mindanao dominated in 42:19, ahead of May Angelie Mag-aso in 43:58 and Rachel Subere in 45:58.
The 5K category saw Faith Marie Ocon win the women's division in 20:15, while Mark James Agudo ruled the men's side in 16:53. According to KinetixSports president Kenneth Sai, approximately 2,700 runners participated in this opening leg of the trilogy series, showcasing the event's popularity and competitive spirit.
The Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 continues to be a premier event in the athletics calendar, attracting top talent and fostering a vibrant running community in Davao and beyond.
