Proudly Filipino 
Running in the New York City Marathon is an accomplishment that runners from all over the world hold in high esteem. The race included competitors from various walks of life, participants from multiple nationalities, and athletes with a disability.
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is the largest of the world’s six major marathons, with over 50,000 participants traversing five of the city’s five boroughs over a 42km course this year. The marathon would be at total capacity for the first time since 2019, which has 53,627 finishers.
The marathon is difficult to qualify for, with time criteria that are difficult to meet. Women aged 18 to 34, for example, must achieve a time of 3:13:00 to qualify; in comparison, an average woman with good training and preparations normally completes a marathon in 4:56:39, on the report of RunRepeat.
Many famous celebrities who have participated in the race recall the spirit of community and camaraderie that pervaded the New York air, As well as the fellow Filipinos in the crowd who encourage and cheer them on. Here are some local celebrities who have previously won medals in the famous marathon.
Filipino Celebrities who Finished New York City Marathon 2022
Pia Wurtzbach
“I knew it would take time and dedication to achieve it but I wanted to stick to that promise no matter where life or work pulled me,” the beauty queen said. “Over the years, I got used to being at the service of others, and most of my decisions revolved around work or pleasing others. This time, I stuck by running a marathon for myself. This was my way of taking care of myself.”
For Wurtzbach, the medal she received was a symbol of the significance of maintaining our commitments to ourselves. Another step in her comfort zone. 170 runners from the Philippines participated in the NYC Marathon this year, with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach coming in first with a time of 6:29:32.
Anne Curtis
“I can’t explain how fulfilling it is when you cross the finish line. It certainly isn’t easy but the whole experience is worth the physical pain,” Curtis said.
Anne Curtis crossed something off her bucket list in 2016 when she completed the 42-kilometer New York City marathon. She talked about how each community had its own atmosphere and how the supporters’ encouragement energized her. Curtis also completed other world major marathons like the “London Marathon in 2018”.
Kim Atienza
“Thank you so much [to my family] for being in all my races. You inspire me to be the best I can be. I love you all so much!”
Kim Atienza, also known as Kuya Kim, is no stranger to running; in fact, he enjoys triathlons a lot. In 2015, he stated with pride that he completed the NYC Marathon in 3 hours and 57 minutes.
Pia Cayetano
“Being part of the Philippine contingent to [the] New York Marathon is truly an honor and a heartwarming experience. Being cheered on by fellow Filipinos boosted our spirits and pushed us to give it our best,” she said.
Sen. Pia Cayetano was one of 38 Filipinos who finished the world’s largest marathon in 2006, finishing in at 4:06:28. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, A business tycoon was with her.
Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan
“The crowd was incredible as we passed each town with a variety of ways to welcome the runners through their singing, dancing cheering! For me, it was a great sight-seeing adventure,” the couple said in the Philippine STAR.
Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa, a husband and wife team, ran the five boroughs of New York City in 2013 among more than 50,740 other runners.
It’s difficult to describe how moving and inspirational watching or participating in a marathon can be. Crossing the starting line requires courage, but crossing the finish line requires faith. The thirst in your throat and lungs will go away minutes after the race. The agony in your legs will go away in a few days, but the glory of your victory will stay forever.
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