By MARK REY MONTEJO
Expect lots of firsts when Filipino and foreign runners from the youngest to the oldest take the spotlight when the 2025 AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila gets underway this Saturday, Nov. 29, at the iconic Rizal Park.
Now on its fourth edition, the annual racing festival broadens its reach by launching the 1km Kids Run that will see the young ones navigate though the storied places of the country’s capital city.
Also on tap are ASICS Marathon, the Pilipinas Live Half Marathon, the AIA 10km, and AIA 5km.
The inclusion of the youngsters will put a premium on fitness and engagement of each family member, while championing the culture and the community with music, mascots, activity areas, and cheering zones which are set to bring more life to the world-class running event.
Performance zones have more than doubled this year, expanding from 12 to 30 entertainment spots along the route with a nonstop playlist of rock, pop, dance, and Filipino crowd favorites delivered by local bands, DJs, drumlines, cheer squads, and cultural groups.
“We have a lot of national agencies supporting us on top of City of Manila… we also have the PNP, PH Red Cross, Piyesa, PSC, PATAFA, PSSLAI, and MMDA,” said Sunrise Events, Inc. President Princess Galura during the launching of AIA Health & Wellness Expo at Robinsons Place Manila Monday morning, Nov. 24.
“The mere fact na nasu-sustain natin ang numero and quality ng runners natin, masayang masaya po kami na nandito sa at sumusuporta samin,” she added. “Kaya excited po kami, kasi for sure lahat ng runners will be having fun this year.”
Still carrying the same theme of 5Ms – Miles, Music, Medals, Memories and Manila, AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Manila is expected to return bigger and better, in terms of more on-course features, as it anticipates 9,000 participants composed of local and foreign runners.
“Ano mang activities na makakatulong sa kalusugan ng mga tao in various sports such as running is one of those, and we’re very please to be back,” AIA PH Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Henson. “So maraming bagong pasabog this year, much more fun and more exciting.”
“This event truly captures what we stand for, it’s a community of runners truly having fun and enjoying while running the iconic streets of Manila,” Sonak PH’s Ines Preysler added.
Marking the KM 0 at Rizal Park, the competitors will travel back in time as they navigate the bright lights of Roxas Boulevard and the streets of Quirino and Burgos, before heading toward the captivating sights of Intramuros, Luneta Park, the National Museum, Manila City Hall, Chinatown, and other heritage landmarks.
The finisher medals for this year remain intact to the event’s name and elite racers could also qualify in the major marathon competitions as it is accredited by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics.
AIA Rnr will have its Expo’s door open for kit claiming from Nov. 24 to 27 at Robinsons Place Manila, before it opens the Festival Area on Nov. 28 at Quirino Grandstand. The official start of the race is at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 29.
