The Manila Marathon 2026 captured how far running in the Philippines has come, with more Filipinos finding community in the sport, especially through spaces like SM Active Hub.
Running is clearly having a moment in the Philippines. Scroll through your feed and you’re likely to spot race bib selfies, Strava screenshots, and finish-line photos wedged between everything else. Step outside and it’s there too, with run clubs filling post-work meetups and weekend races drawing everyone from first-timers to seasoned runners. This sport has long been seen as one of the more low-maintenance ways to stay active, though its presence now feels distinctly different from before. What was once a niche fitness habit has become more social.
That momentum reached a new peak at the Manila Marathon 2026, where over 25,000 runners filled EDSA for the Galaxy Manila Marathon. Held on June 12 to 13, 2026, at the SM MOA Complex, the route stretched across SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, and SM Megamall, turning one of the city’s busiest roads into a continuous line of movement.
Backed by SM Active Hub, events like these have helped widen access to running, steadily opening the sport to more Filipinos and making race-day experiences feel more within reach.
A First Look at EDSA as a Marathon Route
As a historic first, the 2026 Galaxy Manila Marathon introduced a new and unique way to experience EDSA through a fitness-oriented lens. Through a route certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), runners covered the full stretch of the iconic thoroughfare well away from the windows of a private car, or public transportation.
Sanctioned by the Philippine Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and World Athletics, the route had runners passing through landmarks like SM Megamall, crossing Guadalupe Bridge, and looping back toward the finish. In navigating through the historic route, runners had the opportunity to go through a course that also connected SM MOA and SM North EDSA.
From there, the event positioned Manila within Asia’s growing marathon landscape, opening its streets to runners from around the world and placing EDSA within a broader network of urban courses designed for endurance at scale.
Ultimately, it was a landmark race that highlighted the discipline of long-distance running, while celebrating fitness, community, and national pride. After all, the Manila Marathon turned one of the Philippines’ most iconic highways into a symbol of movement and unity, with runners being treated to a unique fitness experience.
SM Supermalls and the Expansion of a Running Ecosystem
Behind this expansion sits SM Supermalls through SM Active Hub, a sports and wellness platform designed to connect races, training spaces, and community-driven events across its nationwide network.
Its presence has already shaped a year-round calendar of movement — from the Earth Day Run, Women’s Run PH, and multiple legs of the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia. Lifestyle-leaning formats like the Pet Express Doggie Run further expands the running community, as it invites participants who may not typically step into traditional race settings.
That ecosystem also includes some of the Philippines’ most recognized running events like the SM2SM Run, Singlife Iloilo Marathon at SM City Iloilo, and the HOKA Midnight Run Asia, to name a few.
Rather than existing as standalone events, these races form a connected system. SM Active Hub links training, preparation, and race-day participation into a single ecosystem, making it easier for first-timers and seasoned runners alike to move between different levels of engagement without losing momentum.
The Road Ahead
Across its 90 malls nationwide, SM Supermalls now connects runners across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with more than 100,000 participants expected across its events. The scale continues to grow, but the throughline remains consistent: people showing up, running familiar routes in new ways, and moving through the city together, one race at a time.
“At SM Supermalls, we see running as more than a sport. It is a platform that brings communities together, promotes healthier lifestyles, and creates meaningful experiences for Filipinos,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
“Through SM Active Hub and our growing portfolio of running events, we are making active living more accessible while building destinations where people can connect, celebrate, and achieve their personal goals.”
And if their initiatives are any indicator, it’s that SM Active Hub is on the right track in supporting the local running community. Through their structure, running isn’t just treated as an accessible pastime — it’s also nurturing the social space that’s been built by showing up and racing through new routes together.
Banner images by Joaquin Puyat
Frequently Asked Questions
Over 25,000 runners filled EDSA for the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026, held June 12 to 13 at the SM MOA Complex. The route stretched across SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, and SM Megamall, marking the first time the highway hosted a marathon.
Yes. The route was certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and sanctioned by the Philippine Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and World Athletics, passing landmarks like SM Megamall and Guadalupe Bridge before looping back to the finish.
SM Active Hub is SM Supermalls’ sports and wellness platform that connects races, training spaces, and community events nationwide. It backs the Galaxy Manila Marathon alongside other races like the Earth Day Run, Women’s Run PH, and the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia.
Beyond the Manila Marathon, SM Active Hub’s calendar includes the SM2SM Run, Singlife Iloilo Marathon at SM City Iloilo, HOKA Midnight Run Asia, and lifestyle-format races like the Pet Express Doggie Run, forming a connected system across training and race-day participation.
SM Active Hub connects runners across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through SM Supermalls’ 90 malls nationwide, with more than 100,000 participants expected across its events, according to SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.