When you say the word “Marathon,” you mean one thing: 42.195 kilometers.
Not a 5K. Not a 10K. Not even 21 kms. A true marathon is the full distance.
The 2026 Cebu Marathon offers just that. Set on Jan. 11, 2026 — that’s exactly 171 days from today — it promises to be the grandest edition yet.
This iconic race has been pounding Cebu’s streets since 2008, when it began as the Sinulog Half-Marathon. Two years later, in 2010, the full 42K was introduced. Since then, every second Sunday of January, the marathon has never stopped running.
Why announce it this early?
Because it’s a marathon!
Training takes time. Months. Serious runners know: preparation begins now. You don’t want to show up unprepared and risk injury — or worse, your health. Early training isn’t optional.
It’s essential.
Last year, over 12,200 runners joined the event — from all over the Philippines, and from 43 countries around the world. This included over 3,000 who ran 42K and over 6,000 who joined the 25K.
Apart from the full marathon, the 2026 Cebu Marathon event offers three other distances: 21K, 10K, and 5K. But make no mistake: the 42K is the heart of this race.
Next year, there’s an even bigger reason to join. The 2026 Cebu Marathon is now officially World Athletics and AIMS-certified. That’s the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races — the global gold standard in marathon racing.
It means the route is measured to the exact meter. It means your time is legit. And yes — it means you can use your Cebu Marathon result to qualify for the Boston Marathon, the world’s most prestigious running event.
The 2026 route will be both challenging and breathtaking. Runners will scale the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) — all 8.9 kilometers of it. That’s the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines.
On one side: the glow of sunrise. On the other: the majestic mountains and skyline of Cebu.
And for the 42K warriors — the return of the Cebu South Coastal Tunnel. The underpass, used in the 2010 debut marathon, is back in the route.
It’s January. It’s Sinulog. Expect music. Expect drums. Expect dancers.
Early bird fees (until August 31, 2025): P2,499 – 42K; P2,299 – 21K; P999 – 10K and 5K.
All runners will receive a Salt + Finn event shirt, while the official souvenir shirt — by Islands Souvenirs — are on display now at the SM Seaside City, the venue for both start and finish.
Finishers of the 42K and 21K will also receive medals (by Suarez Arts) and towels (by Salt + Finn).
Registration is now open at cebumarathon.com.ph. The road to 42.195K starts today.