The Philippines' Sandi Menchi Abahan bagged the women's Elite Open bronze medal at the Morzine Spartan Ultra World Championship Friday night in France.
The Baguio City native, champion in the 5-kilometer obstacle race at the 2019 Manila Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, clocked 8 hours, 44 minutes and 22 seconds.
Leslie Lejeune of France (8:02:15) and Andrea Berquez of Great Britain (8:19:45) placed 1-2.
In the men's division, Filipinos Jobert Carolino (9:08:47) and Andrico Mahilum (10:23:53) ranked 24th and 33rd, respectively.
The top three finishers were Luca Pescollderugg of Italy (6:25:18), Ryan Atkins of Canada (6:29:03) and Antoine Freymond of Switzerland (6:35:48).
The Spartan Ultra is a race that tests endurance and speed, combining a 50-kilometer trail course with 60 obstacles.
"We are very proud of Sandi. She is truly world-class," Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation president Alberto Agra said in an interview Saturday.
The Philippine Sports Commission funded the trip of the team, which includes Ailene Sabal, and coaches Thumbie Remigio and Mohammad Sherwin Managil.
The Philippines is currently the top SEA nation in obstacle course racing, winning all four gold medals at the 2023 Cambodia Games coming from Mark Julius Rodelas (men's individual), Precious Cabuya (women's individual) and the relay teams.
Obstacle course race debuted at 2019 Manila, where the Filipinos topped the 100 meters with 10 obstacles, 400 meters with 12 obstacles and 5km with 20 obstacles in both individual and team categories. (PNA)