Every marathon is measured in kilometers, but the moments that stay with runners long after the finish line are often the ones in between. For one historic first, EDSA was transformed from Metro Manila’s busiest highway into a landmark marathon route, as 25,000 runners came together for the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026.
Held on June 12 to 13, 2026, the Galaxy Manila Marathon marked a historic first for Philippine running with the first-ever full marathon route traversing EDSA end-to-end. Through its partnership with RUNRIO and SM Supermalls, Samsung helped champion a milestone that brought together thousands of runners through endurance, personal achievement, and community.
Jilson Tiu.
In celebration of Philippine Independence Day, the event brought together elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, first-time runners, families, and communities across 5KM, 10KM, 21KM, and 42KM race categories. The full marathon began late June 12, guiding runners along a historic route that reimagines one of the country’s most recognizable roads as a space for movement and collective achievement.
Capturing this momentous transformation was photographer Jilson Tiu, who documented the Galaxy Manila Marathon using the Galaxy S26 Ultra. His photographs chronicle a rare shift of EDSA, revealing a city in motion where runners, supporters, and the urban landscape converge around a common purpose. Throughout the course, the Galaxy S26 Ultra enabled Jilson to capture the scale, energy, and emotion of a marathon that redefined how EDSA is experienced.
commitment to wellness with Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem.
“The Galaxy Manila Marathon is a strong expression of Samsung’s vision for connected wellness, where technology and lifestyle intersect to inspire healthier, more intentional living. This year reflects a growing community that values progress, resilience, and deeper connections,” Samsung Electronics Philippines Mobile Experience (MX) Head Kristine Go shared.
“Through Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem, we aim to enable more seamless wellness journeys that extend beyond race day, supporting how people move, recover, and live with greater purpose every day,” Go emphasized.
What unfolded was more than a race; it reflected how running in the Philippines has evolved into a more empowered, community-driven pursuit of wellness, where health is seen not just as a goal, but as a lifelong journey shaped by consistency, mindset, and memorable experiences rather than distance and speed.
A Growing Movement for Connected Wellness
Powered by Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch innovations, Samsung showcased how connected technology can support healthier lifestyles at the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026. Featured at the event were the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra, showcasing Samsung’s latest approach to fitness, recovery, and everyday wellness.
Beyond performance metrics, the Galaxy Watch8 delivers adaptive coaching through Running Coach, offering tailored training and real-time guidance based on individual fitness levels. This supports users to prepare more effectively for goals ranging from their first 5KM to a full marathon.
Key wellness features such as Energy Score provide a snapshot of physical and mental readiness, helping users better understand when to push forward or prioritize recovery. Meanwhile, advanced BioActive Sensor technology and Antioxidant Index offer deeper health insights beyond traditional fitness data. Together with the broader Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung continues to empower users to train smarter, recover better, and cultivate healthier habits that extend far beyond race day.
Powered by Community, Inspired by Progress
With the success of the Galaxy Manila Marathon, Samsung continues to strengthen its commitment to connected wellness in the Philippines. The Run with Galaxy initiative brings Filipinos together through shared experiences rooted in movement, community, and wellbeing.
Supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the marathon series features routes certified by the World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and sanctioned by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), reflecting Samsung’s continued focus on delivering meaningful experiences at scale.
Ready for your next race-day goal? Whether you are training for your first 5KM or chasing a new marathon personal best, Galaxy wearables are designed to support every step of the journey. For a limited time, enjoy up to 40% savings on select Galaxy wearables. Get the Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) for as low as ₱8,396 (from ₱20,990), the Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) for ₱9,196 (from ₱22,990), the Galaxy Watch8 Classic (46mm) for ₱11,996 (from ₱29,990), and the Galaxy Watch Ultra for ₱16,396 (from ₱40,990). Those looking for an everyday fitness companion can also enjoy the Galaxy Fit3 for just ₱1,396 (from ₱3,490).
