Marathoners were honored at the Trilogy Run Asia Awards Night, celebrating those who powered through Legs 1, 2, and 3 and proved their endurance, grit, and commitment to the distance.
After months of disciplined training, early morning alarms, and countless kilometers logged on the road, the moment of recognition finally arrived.
The Trilogy Run Asia Awards Night celebrated the grit and commitment of marathoners who completed the 42KM distance in the 2025 Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia, presented by HOKA and GOMO.
The invitation-only gathering honored runners who went the distance, marking their place in the growing legacy of the series.
The celebration was open to 42KM finishers of the December 6 National Finals, as well as runners who submitted their Virtual Run results by December 26.
More than just an awards ceremony, the event stood as a reminder that every kilometer run was worth it.
Honoring those who went the distance
The Awards Night shone the spotlight on runners who successfully completed Legs 1, 2, and 3, recognizing not only speed but consistency, discipline, and resilience—qualities that define the Trilogy Run Asia journey.
Among the standout performers was Edsel Moral, who was hailed as the fastest male marathon runner, clocking an impressive 2:27:31.
Moral shared the demanding reality behind his performance, emphasizing the sacrifices required to hit peak form.
“Mahirap kasi ‘yong training. Kailangan ng mahabang preparation ‘yan. Gigising ng madaling araw para mag-training bago pumasok sa trabaho, tapos sa hapon gano’n ulit. Tatakbo ka ng one to two hours para makuha ‘yong target time na gusto mo,” Moral told One Sports.
Age is just a number
Proving that endurance knows no age limit, 75-year-old Rogelio Espe was recognized as the oldest runner honored during the awards night.
Espe has been running consistently since 2010—a journey that began almost by chance.
“Originally, ang sports ko is tennis. Tapos ang mga kasama ko sa tennis, nagtatakbuhan. Tumakbo na rin ako,” Espe shared with a laugh.
What started as curiosity soon turned into passion.
“Naki-join lang ako. Tapos no’ng tumakbo ako, parang na-enjoy ko. Sabi ko parang bitin ‘yong 5K, so nag-10K ako. After ng 10K, sabi ko kulang pa. Nag-21K na. Hanggang nag-42KM.”
His story resonated with runners in attendance—a testament that it’s never too late to chase new finish lines.
RUNRIO CEO and founder Rio de la Cruz together with oldest runner, Roger Espe, male fastest runner Edsel Moral, and female fastest runner Maricar Camacho
[ALSO READ: Top runners Edsel Moral, Maricar Camacho share their purpose in Earth Day Run 2025]
Trilogy Run Asia goes bigger in 2026
Looking ahead, Trilogy Run Asia officially announced its nationwide expansion for 2026, with upcoming legs set to hit Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and Iloilo. The move signals a bigger and stronger run calendar, opening more opportunities for runners across the country to take on the Trilogy challenge.
Gear up, runners
Adding to the excitement, organizers unveiled new participant freebies for the 2026 season—designed to reward commitment across all legs.
“For this year, ang ating towel will be available for all categories and all legs—Leg 1, Leg 2, and Leg 3. Normally, binibigay natin ‘yan sa National Finals, but this time, different colors para may collectible,” organizers shared.
A brand-new addition also caught runners’ attention:
“Kung makumpleto mo ang Leg 1, Leg 2, at Leg 3, regardless of distance, you will be receiving a cap.”
As Trilogy Run Asia builds momentum toward 2026, the message is clear: the journey is long, demanding, and worth every step.
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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.