VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — Some runners come to chase a personal best. Others arrive with their families, friends or even their dogs. There are runners training for their first 5K, seasoned athletes taking on a marathon, and fans who simply want to spend a morning running alongside people who love the same characters, brands or causes they do.
At the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, that variety has become part of the running experience.
From January to September 2026, the complex hosted 39 marathons and fun runs, drawing a combined 425,000 participants. The calendar ranged from competitive long-distance races to wellness events, night runs, advocacy runs and family-friendly races built around popular characters and entertainment franchises.
Events such as the historic Galaxy Manila Marathon and the Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia gave more experienced runners a chance to push their limits, with distances reaching 21K, 32K and 42K. The HOKA Midnight Run offered a different take on the sport, with runners taking to the roads after dark.
At the other end of the spectrum, shorter-distance events such as the DailyFix Power Run, Home Credit Takbo Para sa Life and Watsons x Unilab Share the Alaga Run made running more accessible to beginners, families and casual runners.
The MOA Complex also became a platform for advocacy, with runs supporting charity, nationalism, sustainability, mental health, diversity and inclusion—giving participants a chance to move for causes they care about.
Doraemon, Spider-Man, Disney and Pokémon-themed runs brought a more playful side to the running events, drawing fans and families for whom the fun mattered just as much as crossing the finish line.
For SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) President Jeffrey C. Lim, diversity and integration are central to what makes the MOA Complex work as a running venue.
“We work closely with brands and race organizers to create opportunities for people of different ages, interests and fitness levels to participate,” Lim said. “Just as important is providing runners with a safe and enjoyable environment before, during and after the event, whether they are here to compete, spend time with family and friends, or simply enjoy being active.”
That experience can continue well past the finish line. Runners can refuel at one of the many restaurants and cafés, browse IKEA, visit Museo del Galeón, catch a film at ScreenX, or head to the Wellness Zone or a salon for some post-run care.
Hotels, retail, entertainment and open spaces along Manila Bay give runners plenty to do after the race. From family-friendly 1Ks to full marathons, the MOA Complex has become a venue for both serious competition and the social side of running.
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