Local running reaches a new high as the AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by ASICS returns in full electrifying force, with its fourth night race cutting through the city’s most storied landmarks when the gun fires at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday at KM 0, Rizal Park.
What follows is a night-long celebration of rhythm, endurance and Filipino spirit that promises to transform Manila into a glowing festival of movement and music.
Over 9,000 runners – more than double the participation since the event launched four years ago – are set to surge across Manila’s illuminated streets. This year’s turnout cements the race as one of the country’s biggest and most anticipated running spectacles, a testament to how deeply this fusion of sports, entertainment and culture resonates with the local community.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, featuring four race categories (5km, 10km, 21km and 42km), is famed worldwide for its blend of athletic grit and musical energy, and Manila’s edition has embraced the spirit wholeheartedly. Runners will conquer the course accompanied by live bands, DJs, ensembles, themed stations, and the series’ beloved heavy finisher medals, designed to make every stride feel like a step inside a nighttime street concert.
The midnight gun start adds an irresistible thrill, cooler air, glowing lights, and an atmosphere pulsing with anticipation. With a 7-hour-30-minute cutoff, runners of all paces can savor the full Rock ‘n’ Roll experience at their own rhythm.
Adding a heartwarming new dimension is the debut of the AIA 1km kids’ run, a family-friendly category created to welcome children into the world of fitness and inspire the next generation of runners. It symbolizes the event’s evolution – not only expanding in scale but also deepening its community impact.
Star power will also shine along the route, with AIA Brand Ambassadors Solenn Heussaff and Will Dasovich leading a roster of celebrity participants including Barbie Forteza, DJ Chacha, Kim Atienza, Selena Reyes, Kristoffer Martin, Aira Lopez, Dominique Roque, Lance de Ocampo, Gazini Ganados, Elilienne Vigier, Andre Felix, Jose Atienza, triathlete Faith Garcia, and volleyball standout Ced Domingo. Their presence helps personify the sport, making the experience welcoming and inspiring for kids, families and first-time runners.
The race’s starting point at Rizal Park and finish line at Katigbak Parkway set the stage for a journey through Manila’s rich heritage. Participants will pass by icons such as the National Museum, Manila City Hall, Fort Santiago, the lively streets of Binondo, Kartilya ng Katipunan, Mehan Garden, the historic Jones Bridge, and the shimmering Manila Bay shoreline.
The uniquely designed course consists of three loops, each weaving through Manila’s historic heart. From Luneta Park, runners head south to Quirino Avenue for the first turnaround at KM 2, then push north to Burgos Avenue, turning toward Orosa Street for the KM 5 marker. The course then takes them across Jones Bridge to Quintin Paredes Road for the KM 7 turnaround. Runners will then sweep into Intramuros, gliding past cobblestone paths and walls that whisper stories of centuries past. The route winds through Muralla, Real Street, Sta. Lucia, and General Luna, before exiting back to Burgos and heading to Roxas Boulevard. The fourth turnaround awaits at Anda Circle (KM 13), after which participants return to KM 0 to begin laps two and three, ending at Quirino Grandstand.
Adding prestige to the spectacle, the marathon course is AIMS-certified by World Athletics, ensuring internationally recognized safety, accuracy, and quality standards. The certification also makes the race a qualifier for the World Marathon Majors, giving local runners a pathway to global competition.
According to Princess Galura, president and managing director of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., the Rock ‘n’ Roll brand is a natural fit for the nation’s capital: “The Filipinos’ love for music, singing and dancing only makes the rock and roll brand perfect for the City of Manila, given its progress and beauty.”
Beyond the run itself, the event promises a multisensory adventure. Throughout the course, runners will be greeted by themed hydration stations, cheering squads, and nonstop musical performances that elevate the experience into a moving street party. The excitement crescendos at the finish line with a full post-race concert that will keep energy levels soaring until midnight – long after the medals are earned and finish-line stories are shared. To commemorate their marathon journey through history, participants will receive exclusively designed, heavier, and more intricate finisher medals along with commemorative keepsakes – mementos worthy of an event that blends heritage, fitness, and culture into one unforgettable night.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila is proudly supported by Title Sponsor AIA Philippines; Presenting Sponsor ASICS; Venue Partners: City of Manila, Manila Sports Council, DTCAM; National Agency Partners:Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, National Parks Development Committee, MMDA, Rizal Park, Intramuros Administration, Philippine National Police, Philippine Sport Commission, Philippine Red Cross, PSSLAI, TIEZA; Accredited By: World Athletics with AIMS, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association; Official Nutrition Partners: Amlan, GU Energy, ION+; Official Logistics & Courier Partner: 2GO; Official Automobile Partner: Nissan; Official Sports Photography Partner: Sportograf, Official Finisher Meals Provider: Century Tuna, Birch Tree Adult Boost; Birch Tree Fortified; Sponsor: Sante; Media Sponsors: Manila Bulletin, Tempo, One Sports+, Cignal TV. Organized & Produced By: Sunrise Events Inc, Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series, IRONMAN.
