INSPIRED by its resounding success on its maiden Manila staging last year, the Asics Rock ‘n’ Roll Series Manila presented by AIA Vitality braces for a grand reprise with the highly popular night racing back as one race when it is staged on November 26 at the Rizal Park.
Bigger, louder and more amplified, the global spectacle that combines running, music and community promises to be bigger and better in scope and in terms of participation and organization. It will dot Manila’s heritage sites with booming live music and runners in colorful costumes.
Kicking off on February 16 all the way to the last registration calls in November, the event features a variety of activities for the community—from training runs with seasoned marathoners and Asics coaches, medals and routes showcase, to the search for RNR Entertainers contest. Not only will it inspire participants to keep up with their training prep, but it will also build a community that will bring the fun to the run.
“We are just as excited as the rest to host this Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series for the second straight year,” said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna during Wednesday’s press launch of the blue-ribbon event at Manila City Hall’s Bulwagang Gat Antonio Villegas.
“Manila has so much to offer and the local government and the Manila Police District will closely coordinate with the organizers to guarantee safety for the runners and spectators alike,” Lacuna added.
“We are very happy to have the Asics Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series presented by AIA vitality back in Manila,” Ironman Philippines founder and Ambassador Fred Uytengsu said. “We received very good feedback in 2022 and we look forward to making it bigger in 2023. Make this your year-ender run,”
For details, e-mail sai.mayol@ironman.com or visit www.runrocknroll.com/manila for listup. A payment plan option is available for the 42-km and 21-km participants with pre-allocated tiered slots per distance. Also on tap are the 5-km and 10-km races.
The event, sponsored by ASICS, AIA Vitality, City of Manila and Lightwater, is the world’s largest running series and held annually in various countries around the world featuring performance, recreation, lifestyle and budding runners.
“As our brand’s mission to inspire as many people to experience the impact of running and its benefits to mind and body, we’re excited for the runners of all skill levels and abilities to combine their collective efforts for another fun run known for live music every step of the way along the course,” said Anil Buxani, Chief Executive Officer of Sonak Corp., distributor of ASICS.
A partner of a wide range of sporting events and personalities, AIA Vitality’s support of the event underscores the brand’s commitment to make people live a healthy lifestyle.
“AIA supports running for the freedom and pleasure it brings, no matter one’s age and ability and our sponsorship of the Manila Rock ‘n’ Roll Series is in line with our brand’s commitment to help people live healthier, longer and better lives,” said Kats Cajucom, head of Health and Wellness of AIA Philippines.
This year’s cast is expected to top the 5,006 runners who took part in the inaugurals of the first mass participation sport in the country after the pandemic with the organizing The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. making the early announcement for the event’s return to drive awareness and ensure a stellar cast.
“The early campaign will enable us to generate interest to the event that infuses the course with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations for a virtual block-party atmosphere for both participants and spectators,” said SEI general manager Princess Galura.
Since Covid-19 measures were still in place last year, the event held morning and evening runs to launch the world’s top running series in the country’s capital—and first in Southeast Asia. But with relaxed health restrictions, including on capacity limits and masking requirement, this year’s RNR Manila Marathon will have the four races set off at midnight of November 26.
Whether going solo or with groupies, the route will take each runner’s breath away with all the festive sights and sounds while running alongside celebrities and sports stars in a race like no other.
The Manila run will also serve as the 10th of the 11 planned events marking the series’ global brand’s silver anniversary celebrations—25 years of energetic start lines, milestone moments and moving to the music with a community of over 2.5 million strong.
Stirred by the opening of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in the 1990s, RnR series founder Tim Murphy believed he could bring fun to the run by entertaining runners and walkers with bands at every mile along the course.
The RNR Manila Marathon will fire off in front of Rizal Park, cutting through the city’s historical sites, including the National Museum, the Manila City Hall, Kartilya ng Katipunan, and the walled city of Intramuros on the way to the finish line with the musically themed event to be amped up by on-course bands and DJs.
With an expected huge cast, medal designs and shirts have been stepped up a notch with each participant to receive an ASICS running shirt and goodies-filled loot bag.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes