10,000 runners show up for Earth Day race

MANILA, Philippines — Over 10,000 runners heeded the call to be more responsible about the environment by participating in the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024 last Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Complex.

It was a unique race supported by Samsung Electronics Philippines (SEPCO) and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines where eco-finishers completed the course by bringing their own water bottles, deviating from the traditional plastic and paper cups in hydration stations, as well as making their pledge to be more eco-friendly.

“This is very special. We actually committed to being more eco-friendly for the Earth Day Run, to make use of the materials na ginamit natin dito and recycle them into something more sustainable,” said Rio dela Cruz, RunRio founder and CEO.

Samsung tied up for the first time with RunRio in staging the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024.

“This initiative combines two of our biggest advocacies: building sustainability into our product experience, and pushing for wellness with our technology,” said Jelina King, SEPCO Mobile Experience Ecosystem Category head.

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines deputy CEO Peggy Sy added that all of the recyclable materials used for the event will be donated to the NGO and will be recycled into usable plastic products.

Yoneil Enreras topped the 21K male category with his time of one hour, 18 minutes, and 57 seconds, besting Jojie Daga-as (1:24:13) and Jevie Avila (1:24:22).

Maricar Camacho was fastest in the 21K female category in one hour, 29 minutes, and 47 seconds finish, outrunning Angelie Cabalo (1:33:00) and Jocelyn Elijeran (1:38:58).