Rio Dela Cruz is feeling fulfilled to see how far the running community has come since he decided to launch one of the most prominent race organizations here in the Philippines. 

The CEO and Founder of RUNRIO Inc., which organizes most of the premier races here in the country, is looking to make the New Clark City Marathon the next big thing with its inaugural race slated on May 19, at the New Clark City in Pampanga. 

Dela Cruz has devoted his whole life to running after graduating from University of the Philippines where he is also the long-time head coach of the school’s track and field team on top of being the Board of Director for the Sydney Marathon. 

Since RUNRIO’s inception in 2007, the organization, from only over a thousand runners, is now seeing 300,000 participants every year with the local running community meaningfully picking its pace following steady growth over the past few years. 

“Number one thing we did to grow the community was to hold many events. ‘Yun kasi ‘yung magiging goal nila why they are training. You have to give something that the participants can look forward to,” Dela Cruz said. 

“Everywhere you look or go, marami ng running clubs na nabubuo. Not only privately owned or owned by brands, but the community is forming itself all over the place. Maraming newbies and the participants are becoming younger. Before maraming ayaw tumakbo, now nakikita ko nag-improve ‘yung demographic,” said Dela Cruz.  

With big cities synonymous to running which host the World Marathon Majors in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York, Dela Cruz is manifesting at least a quarter of success for the New Clark City Marathon where participants will go out of their way to take on the challenge. 

“Although hindi natin mapapantayan ‘yung major world marathons, we’re hoping we can make it international and attract more runners who may not be familiar with New Clark City,” Dela Cruz said. 

“Landscape is good, challenging but fulfilling if you conquer.” 

The NCC Marathon offers generous distances for runners of all abilities with categories of 5K, 10K, a half mary of 21K and the prestigious full marathon of 42K. 

The course set to be conquered takes the runners through a historic route across the iconic Sacobia Bridge, the Clark International Airport, the Clark Parade Grounds, to the longest bike lane in the country and the Airport NCC Access Road with the finish line set at the track oval. 

In its efforts to bring runners over to the provincial city, over two hours away from the Metro, Dela Cruz is happy to have the support of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the venue’s local government unit to provide the best running experience – making them want to keep competing and engaging with the community. 

“We value our runners. Kasi hindi rin naman free ‘yung registration for races, we have to provide them with basic needs [in the best way possible]. Proper hydration with our drink sponsor, the road closure also keeps them safe. Dati natakbo kami kasabay ‘yung mga sasakysan. Ngayon, nagsu-support na ‘yung LGUs,” he said. 

At 42, Dela Cruz is still running almost every single day, sometimes he takes a day off, but all his commitments lead him back to running.