Koronadal City, South Cotabato — The T’nalak Dreamweavers Marathon 2026 has reached its target of 1,500 registered participants, signaling strong interest in one of the flagship sporting events of South Cotabato’s 60th Foundation Anniversary and 27th T’nalak Festival.
Organizers expect the marathon to further boost the province’s growing sports tourism industry as runners from various parts of the country converge in Koronadal City on June 28, 2026.
Technical Race Director Allan De Lima said preparations are now in full swing, with the release of race kits scheduled to begin on June 15, two weeks before race day.
“We are targeting that two weeks before the event, or starting June 15, we will start releasing the kits. On June 28, we will have the gun start at 12:00 midnight. The starting point will be inside the South Cotabato Sports Complex, then runners will exit through the parking lot near the Cultural Center and turn right going to Surallah,” De Lima explained.
The marathon will officially start at midnight on June 28 at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City and will feature four race categories: 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K.
Around 300 participants are expected to compete in the premier 42K category, with the turnaround point located in Surallah. The 21K runners will turn around at Armando Resort in Banga, while the 10K route will have its turnaround point near the Department of Health office. The 10K race is scheduled to begin at 4:30 a.m., followed by the 5K category five minutes later.
Participants will receive race medals, finisher shirts, sling bags, food packs, and hydration support from the organizers.
According to De Lima, the event has attracted runners not only from Koronadal City and neighboring provinces but also from Metro Manila, with many participants combining the race with leisure travel during the T’nalak Festival.
“Our participants include local runners from Koronadal, South Cotabato, and nearby provinces. We also have runners from Manila who are taking the opportunity to visit the T’nalak Festival. Part of their vacation is joining the marathon, a trend commonly known among runners as a ‘racecation,” he added.
Furthermore, he noted that organizers are also prioritizing participant safety by requiring runners to be at least 18 years old. However, younger participants may still be allowed to join, subject to evaluation of their running experience and training background.
With 1,500 runners expected to take part, the Dreamweavers T’nalak Marathon 2026 is poised to become a major highlight of this year’s T’nalak Festival, promoting sports tourism while showcasing South Cotabato’s culture, hospitality, and vibrant community spirit.
