Cebu Marathon new organizers vow better, smoother 2027 race

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The new organizers of the Cebu Marathon 2027 are promising a smoother and better-run race, hoping to restore the event’s reputation after two consecutive editions were marred by controversies that disappointed runners.

The Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) and DJT Events formally took over the organization of the 2027 edition, with Cebu Landmasters Inc. serving as the event presenter. The new organizing team unveiled its plans during the official launch on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Cebu Marathon 2027

The annual pre-Sinulog footrace is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027, with the 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K categories returning to SM Seaside City Cebu.

CCSC chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño said the active involvement of the Cebu City Government is among the biggest changes for the 2027 edition, following issues that hounded the marathon in the past two years.

The Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), the founding organization of the Cebu Marathon, will remain involved but only in a consulting capacity. DJT Events, headed by managing director Danika Tan, will take charge of the race’s operations in partnership with the CCSC and Cebu City Government.

“We are officially introducing Cebu Marathon 2027 under a new organizing team. The CERC, the founding organization of Cebu Marathon, entrusted DJT Events to organize the Cebu Marathon. As we continue to transition to this new chapter, we will continue to work closely with them through guidance and consultation only,” Tan said.

“But moving forward, DJT Events will fully direct, organize and operate [the] Cebu Marathon.”

Tan acknowledged the responsibility that comes with taking over an event that has become an institution in Cebu’s running community.

“For us, it’s not just taking over another event. This is an institution with its own legacy. It’s now about building a legacy with its next chapter of Cebu Marathon while respecting the foundation that CERC has built,” she said.

The new organizers are particularly determined to avoid a repeat of the medal controversies that marred the past two editions.

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Controversies

Last January’s Cebu Marathon drew widespread criticism after finishers at the venue were unable to receive their medals as expected because of delays in their distribution.

That controversy came a year after the 2025 edition, when the distribution of finisher medals reportedly descended into chaos, with runners who were not eligible to receive medals joining the scramble.

For the new organizing team, the early preparation of the medals is one of the first concrete measures to prevent another embarrassing episode.

Tan said the official finisher medals for all four categories are expected to arrive as early as November, more than a month before race day.

“We all know that the previous edition of the Cebu Marathon encountered issues and problems,” Dejaño said.

He added that Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival wanted the city government to take a more active role in the organization of the event instead of merely assisting with permits, citing the need to ensure a better experience for participants.

“In the previous years, the Cebu City Government was not part of the organization of the running event, but only played a role in issuing the permits,” Dejaño said.

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“But this time around, the mayor wanted us to oversee the overall organization, execution, and overall running of the event so that we will have a better experience for the participants.”

Dejaño stressed that the Cebu Marathon carries the name of both Cebu and Cebu City, making the event’s success a matter of local pride and reputation.

“At the end of the day, whatever happens to the Cebu Marathon, it will always go back to the Cebu City Government and falls in the hands of the Cebu City mayor,” he said.

Dejaño vowed that the problems of the previous editions would not be repeated.

Tan, meanwhile, said the organizers would leave no stone unturned in making sure runners receive the experience they expect from one of Cebu’s biggest running events.

As part of the effort to improve race management, the organizers will also limit the number of participants in each category to ensure that race kits and other entitlements are available for every registered runner.

The 2027 edition will also feature substantial cash prizes for winners in the different distances, recognition for age-group winners and a brand-new electric vehicle as the grand raffle prize.

Registration is scheduled to open online on Aug. 15.

With a new organizing team, greater involvement from the Cebu City Government, earlier preparations and tighter controls on participant numbers, the Cebu Marathon 2027 is being positioned as a fresh start for an event that has endured two difficult years.

For the organizers, however, the biggest challenge goes beyond putting together a successful race. It is about rebuilding the trust of runners and proving that Cebu can once again host a marathon worthy of its name.

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