MANILA - More than 25,000 runners took over EDSA for the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026, making history with the first full marathon to span Metro Manila's busiest highway. Held from June 12 to 13 in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, the event transformed one of the country's busiest roads into a route dedicated to fitness, community, and shared experiences.
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| Photographer Jilson Tiu documents the first-ever full marathon route along EDSA, capturing 25,000 runners in motion through the lens of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. |
Presented by Samsung in partnership with RUNRIO and SM Supermalls, the marathon welcomed elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, first-time runners, and families across the 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K race categories. The full marathon began late on June 12, taking participants on an end-to-end route along EDSA that offered a rare opportunity to experience the city free from its usual traffic.
Samsung documented the milestone using the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with photographer Jilson Tiu capturing the scale, energy, and emotion of the event.
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| Marathon scene along EDSA photographed by Jilson Tiu using the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. |
His images reveal a different side of EDSA, where thousands of runners replaced vehicles and one of the country's busiest thoroughfares became a celebration of movement and community. 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.
“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.
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| A runner wears the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 during the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026 to monitor fitness and race performance. |
One standout feature is Running Coach. 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.
Galaxy Wearables Go on Sale
- enjoy up to 40% savings on select Galaxy wearables;
- get the Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) for as low as ₱8,396 (from ₱20,990);
- Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) for ₱9,196 (from ₱22,990);
- Galaxy Watch8 Classic (46mm) for ₱11,996 (from ₱29,990);
- Galaxy Watch Ultra for ₱16,396 (from ₱40,990);
- Galaxy Fit3 for just ₱1,396 (from ₱3,490).
For more information on the latest Galaxy ecosystem, visit:
- Galaxy Watch8: https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch8-40mm-silver-bluetooth-sm-l320nzsaasa/buy/
- Galaxy Watch8 Classic: https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch8-classic-46mm-black-bluetooth-sm-l500nzkaasa/buy/
- Galaxy Watch Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch-ultra-titanium-gray-lte-sm-l705fdaaxtc/buy/
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/
