Go to any major fun run. More often than not, these two will always be at the podium.
Edsel Moral and Maricar Camacho finished at the top of the 21K races of Earth Day Run 2025 held on April 27 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay. Beyond the medals, they are running for a purpose.
Moral figured in a tight race, finishing with a time of 1:11:07. James Kevin Cruz was only behind by a minute and 56 seconds. The third placer, Jose Fabito Jr., had a time differential of 20 minutes and 45 seconds.
Moral though said he could have ran better.
"Okay naman 'yung pagtakbo namin. Medyo mas nakakuha pa sanang magandang time, sumakit lang talaga tiyan nung kasama ko," Moral told One Sports after the race.
He's a familiar sight in running circles as the champion of last year's Trilogy Run Asia National Finals. Last month, he was ahead by over five minutes against his closest competitor in the first Manila leg of the 2025 Trilogy Run Asia.
That's 52 minutes and 35 seconds in the 16K category.
A factory worker by occupation, Moral consistently finds the time to train.
"Bago pumasok, training. Pagkatapos, training. Para makuha ko 'yung time na gusto ko," he shared.
Initially curious what fun runs were all about, he now enjoys it for the healthy lifestyle. And maybe for something more.
"Pangarap ng lahat, andun ka rin naman. Siyempre ituloy na, kasi sayang, nag-training ka rin naman," Moral said about ending up often at the podium. He idolizes other elite runners who are able to go abroad for prestigious marathons.
"Gusto ko rin makaranas ng ganun. Malay mo naman kung papalarin."
Meanwhile, Maricar Camacho is fighting for something much closer to home.
She finished the Earth Day 2025 21K race, zooming ahead with a time of 1:31:52. Eloisa Cusi was the runner-up among the women with her 1:37:14 and Rocel Galicia Maestro third at 1:40:12.
In the first leg of the Trilogy Run Asia in Manila, she finished second in the 16K race with a time of 1:07:28.
Camacho was encouraged by her husband to start running, since she always supported him in his events. Now, she's always at the podium.
"Talagang ginusto ko manalo, kasi pinaghihirapan 'yung bawat akyat ko sa stage," she told One Sports. "Pinaghihirapan ko talaga 'yan sa training."
Her purpose is for something close to her heart.
"Inspirasyon ko, para sa nag-iisang anak ko na babae," she said of her four-year-old daughter. "Uuwi ako na may medal, tuwang-tuwa anak ko."
"Para sa future ng anak ko, nag-iipon ako. Para talaga sa anak ko," she said. "Tumatanda na tayo eh."
They were two of the 17,000 participants who competed on Sunday, along with decorated national team triathlete Kim Mangrobang and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
Mangrobang topped the women’s 10K run with her time of 39 minutes and 56 seconds.
Melissa Campos wasn’t far behind with her 42 minutes and 44 seconds, while Aika de Rivera was third with her 45 minutes and 24 seconds.
Karl Oxales led the 10K male event as he finished the course in 34 minutes and 33 seconds, followed by Mark John Castro (35:50) and Pierre Edouard Alphonse Algret (42:46).
Mark Angelo Biagtan topped the 5K race with his time of 17:03, with Cavin Vidal (17:40) and Handreikyle David (20:00) pursuing him in the men’s division.
Meanwhile, Franxine Louisse Regalado (26:47) recorded the best time among the women followed by Yzel Candelaria (27:58) and Joanalisa Diones (28:01).
"We’re overwhelmed with the turnout and we’re delighted to combine our passion for active lifestyle and our love for our environment. True to our theme, we all did run with purpose," said Andrew Neri, RUNRIO general manager.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who was participating in her first ever race, welcomed the vision for the Galaxy Earth Day Run.
"It’s Earth Day, so we’re celebrating sustainability and coming together as a community to make a change for the better. I'm excited to be with SAMSUNG which has the same values in sustainability and really wanting to do better for our Earth and share the values of fitness and fun for a good cause," she said.
"This run raises awareness for sustainability cause it brings everyone together from all walks of life. Some of us are athletes, some of us are fitness enthusiasts, some of us just want to come together and do something for the environment," added Gray, who is a brand ambassador.
The event also featured collapsible silicone cups, which runners were encouraged to use in hydration stations in lieu of paper cups.
Simultaneous races also occurred in Cebu at City di Mare and in Davao at Azuela Cove as it brought together fitness enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and the tech community in celebrating sustainability, wellness, and the importance of staying active, with Tzu Chi Foundation serving as the advocacy partner.