Medal supplier Suarez Arts and Cebu Marathon 2026 organizer Cebu Executive Runners Club have apologized after runners completed the race either did not receive their medals or experienced delays in getting them.
The medal supplier for the Cebu Marathon 2026 has apologized for the delayed release of medals for the event, vowing to ensure the proper distribution of the remaining race entitlements.
The Cebu Marathon on January 11 was criticized on social media, as 42K and 21K runners did not get their medals right after they finished the race.
Organizers Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) named its supplier, Suarez Arts, for the delay.
The organizing committee said Suarez Arts "failed to deliver the medals as scheduled despite repeated assurances they would arrive on time."
"We were initially told that the medals would not arrive in time for race day, but a last-minute release from Customs at the Port of Manila led us to make repeated efforts to fly them to Cebu," the statement released on January 12 read.
The medals arrived at the venue at 6:51 a.m., roughly an hour before the eight-hour cutoff period for the full marathon and long after the top finishers completed the race.
"While the medals were produced and shipped by our supplier, Suarez Arts, the responsibility to ensure that they were completed and on hand ultimately rests with us. That did not happen, and for that, we are truly sorry," the organizers added.
A few hours later, Suarez Arts made its own statement, acknowledging responsibility.
"We have been the Cebu Marathon medal supplier since 2011, and we regret that this year's outcome fell short of the trust placed in us. While the complete set of medals was ultimately delivered, the timing of the final stage of delivery did not align with race-day expectations," said CEO and general manager Enrique Suarez Tiongko.
"We recognize that this placed the organizers in a very difficult position and affected runners who rightfully deserved to receive their medals at the finish line. For this, we are truly sorry."
The Cebu Marathon had boasted having 12,000 runners, including those hailing from 46 countries outside the Philippines.
Runners who were unable to receive their medal can email info@cebumarathon.com.ph or cebumarathon2026@gmail.com to have it delivered.
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.