Decathlon Philippines is set to mark its ninth year in the country with its biggest anniversary running event yet, bringing together an expected 8,000 runners for the Decathlon 9th Anniversary Run on August 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.
In partnership with RUNRIO Inc., the milestone event will feature 5K, 10K, and 21K categories, welcoming both first-time participants and seasoned runners as Decathlon celebrates nearly a decade of making sports and well-being more accessible to Filipinos.
For Decathlon Philippines Country Marketing Director Jessica DL Ramos, bringing the anniversary run to Metro Manila makes the celebration even more meaningful as it returns to the area where the brand first established its presence in the country.
“This is really the first time for us to be able to bring a running event of this scale to Metro Manila,” Ramos said. “This is where we started, and after nine years, running being so big and actually might be the most accessible sport there is, it really aligns with Decathlon’s purpose to make sports accessible.”
While Decathlon has previously held regional running events in Clark, Cebu, and Iloilo, Ramos said the Metro Manila edition carries a special significance as the brand approaches its 10th year in the Philippines.
Beyond the race itself, Decathlon hopes the event will encourage more Filipinos to discover the joy of movement, regardless of their experience or fitness level.
“Our purpose is really to bring people together through sport and make well-being accessible to all,” Ramos said. “Sport isn’t just for the few elite. It’s for everybody.”
That inclusive approach is reflected in the three race categories, with participants encouraged to set their own goals — whether it is completing their first 5K, improving a 10K personal record, or taking on a 21K distance for the first time.
Ramos herself will be stepping outside her comfort zone, revealing that she plans to run 10 kilometers during the anniversary event.
“The farthest I’ve run is 8K, and for this run, I’m actually going to try 10,” she said. “It is scary, but at the same time, this is something that you do for you and something that you’d want to try and just feel good about after.”
Her message to participants is simple: there is no need to put unnecessary pressure on themselves.
“Do it scared... but just try,” Ramos said.
That same mindset is shared by Creamline Cool Smashers standout Nica Celis, who is also embracing a new challenge by taking part in her first running event.
A volleyball player by profession, Celis said she has recently been exploring other sports, including pickleball, and saw the anniversary run as an opportunity to step outside her usual routine.
“I don’t know. This is something very new to me,” Celis said. “Recently, maybe just this year, I wanted to try other sports aside from volleyball. So I did try pickleball, and I wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.”
Celis also admitted that she is drawn to Decathlon’s sports products and gear, making the event a natural fit for her growing interest in other activities.
But more than trying a new sport, Celis emphasized how physical activity can also have a positive impact on one’s mental and emotional well-being.
“When I’m feeling upset or stressed out, you’d want to go outside. You want to go for a walk. You want to do an exercise. It just shifts your mood,” she said.
For those who may be hesitant to start their own fitness journey, Celis believes the most important step is simply having the courage to begin.
“You don’t have to know how to do things just to start. You just have to find the courage to actually start,” she said.
She also pointed out that running remains one of the most accessible forms of exercise, allowing beginners to start at their own pace — from walking, to jogging, and eventually joining organized races.
The Decathlon 9th Anniversary Run is designed to embody that accessibility, bringing together individuals, families, running groups, and fitness communities in one celebration of sport.
The event will also feature a race village and community-driven activities aimed at promoting health, connection, and active lifestyles.
For Ramos, the bigger goal goes beyond getting thousands of people across the finish line. She hopes the anniversary celebration can encourage more Filipinos to make sport a part of their everyday lives.
“People don’t look at sport as a priority,” Ramos said, noting that many Filipinos are often focused first on everyday survival and responsibilities.
And for Celis, who will be experiencing her first-ever run, the goal is straightforward.
“Who knows what might happen? But I’m sure I’ll have a blast,” she said.
The Decathlon 9th Anniversary Run will take place on August 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, featuring 5K, 10K, and 21K race categories and bringing together an anticipated 8,000 runners for a celebration of movement, community, and active living.
