ILOILO City – More than 3,000 participants gathered early on January 19 for the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Hala Bira 2025 Iloilo Marathon, a major sports tourism event organized by the Rotary Club of La Paz and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc.
Runners competed across four categories — 21KM, 10KM, 5KM, and 3KM — catering to various skill levels.
The event attracted not only local athletes from Western Visayas but also runners from other regions and international participants.
Assistant Governor Pyt Trimanez of the Rotary Club of La Paz emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “We wanted to promote sports tourism and position Iloilo as the premier marathon destination for athletes, not just in the Philippines but worldwide.”
The marathon recorded approximately 200 runners for the 42KM category, 600 for the 21KM, 700 for the 10KM, 300 for the 5KM, and 1,200 for the 3KM.
Food kiosks offering local delicacies added to the festive atmosphere, giving participants and spectators a taste of Iloilo City’s rich gastronomy.
Adding star appeal, actor Jake Ejercito and several vloggers joined the marathon, further enhancing the event’s visibility.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas lauded the organizers and participants for the event’s success, describing it as a significant boost to Iloilo City’s image as a leading sports and tourism hub./PN
