Charlene Cos Secures Gold in 3,000-Meter Run at 2026 Davraa Meet
Charlene Cos from Davao de Oro triumphed in the secondary girls' 3,000-meter run, capturing the gold medal and delivering the first championship title at the 2026 Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet. The event took place on Monday, February 23, at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.
Podium Finish with Fellow Medalists
Cos celebrated her victory with a flex and a smile, flanked by fellow medalists Rhianne Mae Mañacap, who earned bronze, and Faith Marie Ocon, who secured silver, both from Davao City. The 17-year-old Grade 12 standout from Maragusan National High School led from the start, clocking an impressive time of 10:44.80 to claim the gold for the Golden Thunderbolts.
Faith Marie Ocon of Calinan National High School finished second with a time of 10:59.09, while Rhianne Mae Mañacap of Tagakpan National High School took bronze in 11:08.80. This marked a competitive race where all athletes pushed hard toward the finish line.
Overcoming Challenges and Personal Journey
In a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao, Cos expressed her surprise at winning gold, stating she was overwhelmed and did not expect the victory. She noted that her training had been inconsistent due to academic demands ahead of graduation, but she managed to improve her time from last year's 10:56 to 10:44.80.
Cos trained seriously for two months while balancing schoolwork, and she previously earned bronze in 2024 and silver in 2025 at similar events. However, she placed fifth in the 2025 Palaro, making this gold medal a significant comeback. She dedicated her win to God, her family, her coach, and her friends.
Future Aspirations and Advice
Cos will also compete in the 1,500 and 800 meters at the meet and hopes her performance attracts college scholarship offers. As the eldest of three siblings, she runs to support her parents—her mother works at Dole Philippines in Maragusan, and her father farms vegetables. She dreams of becoming a physical education teacher.
She advised fellow athletes to train hard and stay humble, emphasizing that success comes in God's time. Her journey reflects resilience and dedication amidst personal and academic challenges.
Silver Medalist's Perspective
Faith Marie Ocon, a 16-year-old Grade 11 runner trained by veteran coach Emilio "Toto" Lacanaria, shared mixed feelings after winning silver in her first attempt at the 3,000-meter event. She expressed gratitude but slight disappointment, noting she did not expect to medal and had only competed up to the city meet last year.
The 2026 Davraa Meet continues to showcase young talent in the Davao region, highlighting the hard work and spirit of student athletes across various sports disciplines.
