More than 70,000 runners in total participated nationwide in the three legs of the Hoka Trilogy Run Asia in 2024. These three legs were set across Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro before the National Finals which was held at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City last December. Here, 11,000 participants ran the final leg of the year.
“We are very happy with the outcome particularly sa National Finals because yung main objective natin is yung progression and yung commitment ng runners natin,” said the event’s head organizer, Rio dela Cruz.
He further explained that the ‘progressive’ process of the runners who participated in the various legs was the particular reason he was happy.
“They registered in legs 1, 2 and 3. And kita mo talaga yung journey nila. Most of them were first time runners,” he added.
Many of them, in fact, he further reiterated, achieved their very first marathon in the said running trilogy.
“I’m proud of what they have accomplished and my message to them is that they continue on their running journey.”
He also mentioned that he is elated since the population of runners continues to grow.
“Running clubs are growing, the community is becoming bigger,” he continued.
Moreover, with this, according to de la Cruz, they will focus on “Age Groupers” this 2025.
“We want to encourage regular runners by giving them a platform.”
For the particular National Finals held at SM MOA in 2024, Edsel Moral and Maricar Camacho topped their respective male and female classes. Moral clocked in at two hours, 46 minutes, and 43 seconds. He was followed by James Kevin Cruz (2:54:26) and Rudy Nino Singular (2:54:53).
Camacho, on the other hand, finished the course in three hours, 25 minutes, and 38 seconds, while Jennelyn Isibido (3:37:07) and Honey Damian (3:56:29) trailed behind her.
Lastly, de la Cruz, meantime, also mentioned the importance of certifying their races through the World Athletics and the PATAFA (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association).
For this year, the organizers are seeing a bigger turnout of participants at the end of the trilogy, where Rio said the National Finals will be held outside of Metro Manila, depending on the interest of runners.
