Galaxy Manila Marathon picks EDSA as main route
MANILA, Philippines — EDSA will be at centerstage for the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026 as the country’s main highway becomes the main platform for what many expect to be a defining moment for Philippine road racing and sports tourism.
RUNRIO in partnership with SM Supermalls have unveiled the grand plan for the event slated on June 12 and 13, which will see the runners traverse the major thoroughfare from SM Mall of Asia to SM North EDSA.
"This year's Galaxy Manila Marathon brings us a great source of pride given that this race won't just coincide with the Independence Day but also happens in EDSA," said RUNRIO president and CEO Rio de la Cruz.
It's the cornerstone of this partnership which unites corporate and sports leaders together with government officials all with the goal of a fruitful collaboration that pushes for more local and international runners and showcasing the country's cities as prime venues for world-class racing events.
With EDSA being turned into a race course of its own, the organizers aim to offer a uniquely urban marathon experience while highlighting Metro Manila’s central corridor as a stage for international sporting events.
“This is more than just a race — it’s an opportunity to showcase the Philippines to the world through sports,” said de la Cruz. “We want to bring in runners from across the globe and let them experience our roads, our culture, and our communities.”
Beyond Manila, the partnership includes a series of races across key regional destinations, reinforcing the country’s sports tourism drive. These include the Singlife Iloilo Marathon (April 12), Singlife Cebu International Marathon (July 12), Singlife Davao Marathon (August 15), Singlife One Clark International Marathon (September 20), and Singlife Cagayan de Oro Marathon (December 13).
This endeavor is also aligned with SM Supermalls' efforts to create accessible, community-centered venues that promote both wellness and tourism.
“By hosting races across our locations nationwide, we are helping bring people together while also supporting local economies through sports-driven travel,” said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
The marathon series is backed by Samsung Philippines as title sponsor of the Manila race, with technology expected to enhance the overall runner experience, with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) all providing support and ASICS, Gatorade, and Singlife Philippines all bolstering the series. (Pool story)
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