SURIGAO CITY — The rhythmic sound of footsteps along the shoreline and the quiet determination of hundreds of runners marked the Surigao Marathon 2026 on May 31. The race, which was announced months earlier through the country's premier running community platform, brought together athletes of all levels for a day of endurance along Surigao‘s scenic coastal routes. The event featured four race categories, 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K, designed to accommodate everyone from first-time fun runners to seasoned marathoners chasing a personal best.
The Course and the Field
Runners followed a route that showcased Surigao’s coastline, with flat stretches for speed, slight inclines for added challenge, and the constant presence of the sea as motivation. The full marathon field saw elite Mindanao-based athletes take the top honors. Ronnierick Busayong emerged as the men‘s 42K champion with a finishing time of 2:49:03, while Christine Hallasgo claimed the women’s 21K crown. The participation of these established long-distance runners underscored the event‘s growing reputation as a competitive fixture on the regional running calendar.
The race infrastructure was supported by RaceTech PH, which handled online registration and provided the RFID timing system used to track participants throughout the course. Official race timing indexes logged the event data, though a software profile error inadvertently recorded the location coordinate field as Lipa City, Philippines. Race officials have since clarified that this was a clerical logging error and that the race physically took place entirely within Surigao City’s coastal route.
Registration and Participation
Registration for the Surigao Marathon 2026 was made available online through RaceTech PH, the official registration partner. Race fees were set at ₱690 for the 5K, PHP1,090 for the 10K, PHP1,790 for the 21K, and PHP1,990 for the 42K, making the event accessible to a wide range of participants from across Mindanao and beyond.
Why Surigao
The city has been actively promoting itself as an active tourism destination, not just a place to relax, but a place to move. Annual sporting events such as marathons, triathlons, and trail runs have been identified by local tourism officials as key drivers of tourist arrivals in the city. In 2025, Surigao City recorded over 250,000 tourist arrivals, an 18.5 percent increase from the previous year. A marathon draws visitors who stay for days, spend money, and tell their friends. It is sports, yes, but it is also economic development. The Surigao Marathon 2026 fits perfectly into this vision, offering a competitive running experience that highlights the city‘s natural beauty while boosting local tourism and commerce.
