For most Filipinos, EDSA is synonymous with traffic. Earlier this month, however, the country’s busiest highway became the backdrop for a different scene, thousands of runners making their way across Metro Manila.
Photographer Jilson Tiu documented that transformation during the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026, capturing what organizers described as the first full marathon route to traverse EDSA from end to end.
“It’s one thing to commute along EDSA and it’s another to conquer it on foot. Thousands of soles braved the midnight air, tracing the historic stretch from end to end and back again. A river of runners flowing through roads that have witnessed revolutions, now alive with a quieter kind of defiance: The human movement,” he wrote.
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Held from June 12 to 13, the marathon drew 25,000 participants across the 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer, 21-kilometer, and 42-kilometer race categories in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
The full marathon began late on June 12, giving runners a rare opportunity to experience one of the country’s most recognizable roads in a different light.
Using the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Tiu photographed runners, supporters and city landmarks as EDSA temporarily shifted from a transport corridor into a space for movement and community.
According to organizers, the images captured a rare moment where runners of different backgrounds shared a common route through Metro Manila.
The marathon was organized through a partnership among Samsung, RUNRIO and SM Supermalls.
It was also supported by the Department of Tourism, while the marathon series features routes certified by the World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distances Races, and is sanctioned by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.
For Samsung, the event reflected a broader vision of promoting wellness through technology and community engagement.
“The Galaxy Manila Marathon is a strong expression of Samsung’s vision for connected wellness, where technology and lifestyle intersect to inspire healthier, more intentional living. This year reflects a growing community that values progress, resilience, and deeper connections,” Kristine Go, head of Samsung Electronics Philippines’ Mobile Experience (MX) business, said.
“Through Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem, we aim to enable more seamless wellness journeys that extend beyond race day, supporting how people move, recover, and live with greater purpose every day,” she added.
The marathon also served as a platform for Samsung to showcase its latest wellness-focused devices, including the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The company said the wearables are designed to support fitness, recovery and everyday health monitoring.
Samsung highlighted features such as Running Coach, which provides personalized training guidance based on a user’s fitness level and Energy Score, which offers insights into physical and mental readiness.
The tech company said the marathon forms part of its broader “Run with Galaxy” initiative, which aims to bring Filipinos together through movement, community and well-being.
Following the event, Samsung announced a limited-time offer of up to 40% off select Galaxy wearables for users preparing for their next race or fitness goals.
The Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) is available for P8,396 (from P20,990), while the Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) is priced at P9,196 (from P22,990). The Galaxy Watch8 Classic (46mm) is offered at P11,996 (from P29,990), and the Galaxy Watch Ultra at P16,396 (from P40,990). The Galaxy Fit3 is also available for P1,396 (from P3,490).
