(Image Source: Manila Standard/7-Eleven Philippines) |
For 13 years, the 7-Eleven Run Series has proudly showcased the country’s best runners. This year, organizers are hopeful that fresh talent will rise to prominence when the 7-Eleven Run 2025 takes off at nearly midnight on February 2, 2025. The event will feature simultaneous races in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, ensuring a thrilling nationwide spectacle. Seasoned athletes, including Southeast Asian Games veterans Arlan Arbois and Christine Hallasgo, are expected to return and compete alongside young, aspiring runners. The event will feature nine categories, including the marquee 42 km, 32 km, and 21 km races. The top three finishers in the men’s and women’s categories of these distances will earn the opportunity to represent the Philippines in an international race in Southeast Asia.
“Over the years, our races have cultivated potential gold medalists who not only represent the country internationally but also challenge and outpace each other,” shared organizer Jose C. Ang, Jr., 7-Eleven Philippines’ Managing Director for eWallet and General Management Division's Head of eCommerce and 7-Eleven Run organizer Jose C. Ang Jr. during the event's media launch held last January 10, 2025 in San Juan City. This midnight-to-dawn event is expected to draw a massive 50,000 participants. Manila will host 30,000 runners at Filinvest-Alabang, while 13,000 will take part at the City di Mare in Cebu’s South Road Properties. Another 7,000 are anticipated at SM City in Davao. Last year’s 7-Eleven Run saw impressive performances. Ric Organisa and her elder sister Christine Hallasgo dominated the Cagayan de Oro leg, recording the fastest times in the men’s and women’s 21-kilometer race. In the Manila leg, Florendo Lapiz clinched victory in the men’s 42-kilometer run, with Cagayan de Oro contenders Ramil Neri and James Cruz taking second and third, respectively. Meanwhile, Maricar Camacho triumphed in the women’s 42-kilometer category.
This year, podium finishes are up for grabs in shorter distances including the 3K, 5K, 7K, 10K, and 16K races. Exciting new events such as the 711-meter run for kids and a 3-kilometer buddy run will also debut. Filipino athletes have consistently shined on the international stage, highlighted by their outstanding performances at the Laguna Phuket Marathon in Thailand last June. Arbois led the men’s 42-kilometer race, clocking 2:34:18, while Lapiz secured second in 2:42:13. On the women’s side, Camacho dominated with a time of 3:13:38, spearheading a 1-2-3 finish for the Philippines. These achievements contributed to the country’s remarkable haul of 20 medals including 11 golds.