Best running spots in Metro Manila
Running in Metro Manila is not as simple as just putting on your sneakers and heading out the door. Given the heat, traffic congestion, reckless drivers, and the lack of proper sidewalks in some places, it can be difficult for runners to find the right places to get the workout they are looking for.
Fortunately, there are certain places in Metro Manila that offer a good variety of running spots.
If you want to run and don’t know where to go, this guide will help you choose the right route for you.
Beginner-friendly routes
Beginner-friendly running routes are unsurprisingly the most popular and crowded routes because they are mostly flat, have a shorter distance, and are in a safe and controlled environment.
Three main spots that runners head to are track ovals, parks, and closed-off roads.
Track ovals are usually 400-meter loops mostly made of synthetic rubberized materials—known as polyurethane—laid over concrete over an asphalt or concrete base. This kind of track is all-weather-proof, flexible, and can enhance athletic performance, as it provides shock absorption and energy return. This also means it is the best surface for runners dealing with injuries or painful muscles and joints.
Popular track ovals can be found in the University of Makati, Rizal Memorial Stadium of Manila, and PhilSports Arena in Pasig. Alternatively, Pretty Huge in SM Aura houses a 100-meter indoor track oval—one of the few indoor running places in Metro Manila.
Public parks, on the other hand, have been integrating running tracks within their premises for those who want to get their steps in. These paths are usually made of asphalt or concrete and a running path is typically laid out for runners.
For example, both Legazpi Active Park in Makati and Park 30th in BGC have a 300-meter laid out track. Luneta Park in Manila has a scenic two-kilometer loop for runners. Aside from this, runners can also enjoy jogging around Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan and the Quezon City Circle.
Some cities also close roads off, typically on weekends, so that runners can take advantage of entire roads with no cars. Portions of Ayala Avenue in Makati, for example, are closed from 6 to 10 a.m. on Sundays to give way to runners and even bikers. Emerald Street in Pasig City is typically closed from Saturday evenings to Sunday mornings for runners.
Other recommended areas are Arca South in Taguig and the area from Quirino Grand Stand to the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila.
Areas in Pasay and Parañaque, such as the Mall of Asia complex and Parqal are also good examples of beginner-friendly routes.
Intermediate level routes
For runners looking for longer distances and are ready to deal with slight elevations and a less controlled environment, intermediate level routes might do the trick. These locations are best for regular runners with a strong endurance base and are looking to improve their stamina, strength, and pacing.
A good example of an intermediate-level running spot is Bridgetowne, which is at the border of Pasig and Quezon City.
It is very friendly to beginners transitioning to the intermediate level because it is mostly flat. However, the challenge begins whenever runners approach the giant statue known as the “Victor” after coming from the Atleta63 football field.
As a runner, you might not feel the incline at first, but your legs will definitely feel it after a handful of kilometers. This makes the area perfect for building your endurance and improving your pacing. In the event you want the harder challenge to build your leg strength, you can go over the nearby bridge that heads to and from the Opus Mall.
The next location in the intermediate level is Bonifacio Global City (BGC). BGC is wonderful for runners because of its wide sidewalks and expansive area, allowing runners to make different combinations of running routes. BGC has a lot of inclines that will put your legs to work.
In the event that road interruptions are too irritating, a popular place within BGC that is mostly flat with mild inclines is Greenway Park, a 1.6-kilometer paved asphalt pathway. What is unique and beautiful about Greenway Park is that it is a green space smack in the middle of BGC.
Marikina River Park falls into the intermediate category despite being flat because of the length of the route and the heat. After all, it is an 11-kilometer route that stretches along Marikina River, and runners do not have the benefit of having trees in the area to use for shade.
More than looking to improve strength, Marikina River Park will improve mental toughness and endurance.
Challenging routes
An example of a challenging running route is the Filinvest area in Alabang. Even though the roads surrounding Festival Mall are more for the intermediate level, it becomes even more challenging when you include Laguna Heights Drive, Corporate Woods Avenue, and the grueling Corporate Woods Loop. Steep roads are what you have to deal with if you decide to run in the area of The Palms Country Club or FEU Alabang.
Another challenging running spot in Metro Manila is the rolling hills of Upper McKinley Hill in Taguig. It is a 1.5-kilometer road with ample sidewalk, but the hardest part of it is the 150-meter length of steep inclined road starting from the Korean Embassy and up to the McKinley Hill Station.
For those looking to run in Pasig, a running route that falls under this category is the grueling 400 meters from Molave Street to PhilSports Arena via St. Martin Street. If you want a long steep hill that will push your body to the limit, this is it. There is no flat part—just a long, hard, and straight unforgiving hill for runners.
The running spot that has all three levels
No list of running routes in Metro Manila will ever be complete without the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. A favorite among runners, this is the one place where you can find beginner-friendly, intermediate, and challenging running routes.
For the beginner-friendly route, there is the famous Academic Oval, which is an almost flat 2.2km loop that can be used every day. However, it is best for runners when closed to vehicles on Sundays and holidays.
The intermediate level can be found in other parts of UP, most especially the Science Complex, which houses steeper inclines the further away you are from the Amphitheater found at the heart of the complex.
Finally, for those who are up for the challenge, there is the residential part of the campus known as Area 2. Specifically, there is a road students call “Heartbreak Hill,” which is on Juan Luna Street.
The name references the 600-meter Heartbreak Hill in Massachusetts, which is part of the Boston Marathon route. UP Diliman’s Heartbreak Hill may just be 100 meters long in comparison, but its incline reaches up to 6.096 meters or 20 feet.
This story was originally published on Multisport Issue 2
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