𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Cebu Marathon returns this Sunday with 12,000 registered runners, including a strong contingent of international participants. Organized by the Cebu Executives Runners Club (CERC), the marathon is now on its 18th year and continues to grow as a celebration of sports, health, and community.

Councilor Jose Abellanosa, who will be joining for the first time, expressed his excitement: “This will be my first marathon, and I’m thankful. Everyone, good luck.”

𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The marathon has drawn runners from across the world, with Japan leading the foreign entries at 97 participants. They are followed by the United States (64), South Korea (59), Australia (30), United Kingdom (21), Germany (18), Canada (15), Taiwan (14), France (13), and Singapore (11). The participation of runners from multiple countries highlights the role of AIMS certification in attracting foreign entries.

“The marathon’s AIMS certification has also helped attract foreign runners, making Cebu a destination for international participants,” said John Pages, co-founder of the Cebu Marathon. He also recognized the Cebu City government for its support: “The city has been one of the key reasons for our success. “

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞

Dr. Rhoel Dejaňo of the Cebu City Sports Commission highlighted the health benefits of the event: “Running is a very popular sport. It promotes a healthy lifestyle, and we are thankful this has become a regular event every year.”

Former Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, who will run the half marathon, reaffirmed her support: “The Cebu Marathon is now on its 18th year. I’ve joined (he Cebu Marathon) in the past, and it’s always fun. I’m proud to support it fully.”

𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

SM Seaside City, the marathon’s venue partner, will keep its facilities open from 10 a.m. Saturday until the end of the marathon. Regional operations manager Anton de la Merced assured runners and supporters of convenience: Coffee Bean and Starbucks will open early, parking will be accessible, and restrooms will be available 24 hours.

𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Co-founder Meyrick Jacalan announced new eco-friendly measures, including collapsible cups for runners. “We are proud to be the first marathon in Cebu to use collapsible cups. This supports the mayor’s initiative for a healthier environment,” he said. A runners’ guide was also emailed to all participants, providing route details and event information.

𝐆𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐭-𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬

Race schedules have been set to ensure smooth flow and safety for all participants:

• 42K – Gun start at 12:00 a.m., cut-off time of 8 hours

• 21K – Gun start at 3:00 a.m., cut-off time of 4.5 hours

• 10K – Gun start at 4:30 a.m., cut-off time of 2.5 hours

• 5K – Gun start at 5:30 a.m., cut-off time of 1.5 hours

𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival welcomed the sustainability initiatives, noting that reducing plastic waste is vital for the city. He also acknowledged donations of blinkers for traffic enforcers, underscoring the marathon’s role in supporting both sports and public service. Most importantly, he called for the institutionalization of the Cebu Marathon: “This event should be held every second week of January. With 12,000 runners, the impact is clear. It deserves to be a permanent tradition for Cebu.”

𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮

With thousands of runners, hundreds of foreign participants, and strong community backing, the Cebu Marathon has become more than a race. It is a tradition that brings together government, private partners, and citizens in a shared pursuit of health, sustainability, and pride for Cebu.

This year’s Cebu Marathon signals a shift—not only in scale, but in responsibility. With sustainability initiatives in place, stronger city support, and growing international recognition, the race shows that progress can be measured not just in kilometers, but in care for the environment and the people who make the event possible.

#CebuCityMarathon #CCM2026 #18thCebuMarathon #CebuHappenings

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