A wave of laughter and energy swept through SM Mall of Asia as the Philippines hosted its first-ever Minions-themed race.
Pasay turned into a sea of yellow as the Philippines’ first-ever Minions Run brought thousands of runners together for a weekend full of laughter, fun, and banana-inspired chaos at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on Sunday, November 30.
The course was alive with mischief as participants embraced their inner Minion, sporting full costumes and accessories while dashing through the streets.
Over 15,000 runners joined the festivities, making it one of the most colorful and energetic events of the year.
Top finishers dominated across distances: In the 10K, Vincent Avestruz led the men at 33:43, followed by Mark Angelo Biagtan (35:12) and Daryl Rodemio (36:40). Among the women, Mary Jane Pagayon crossed first at 39:14, with Maricar Camacho (40:04) and Decerie Encomio (40:38) close behind.
The 5K event saw Cavin Vidal claim the men’s top spot at 17:13, while Shaira Mae Fantilaga ran fastest among women at 21:15.
In the 3K race, Joseph Fontamillas finished first at 12:03, and Christine Galicia led the female runners at 16:01.
The 1K dash crowned John Christopher Agra (3:23) and Ma Cherry Con Malabanan Lee (4:19) as winners.
Runners also enjoyed interactive zones, meet-and-greets with Minion mascots, and themed photo opportunities, bringing the Despicable Me world to life.
Adding to the excitement, a lucky participant won a three-day, two-night stay in Singapore, including tickets to Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and the Singapore Oceanarium.
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.