By: Kristian Audri Gabriel
A Race in the Far North
The marathon craze has finally reached the sweeping mountains of Batanes, bringing the island province into the country’s growing passion for long-distance running. Last May 18, 2025, the Batanes Island Marathon unfolded in all its scenic landscapes. Organized by Prince Multisport, in partnership with the Province of Batanes and its local government units, the event gathered 345 runners across the 42km, 21km, 10km, and 5km categories, marking the 5th official marathon in the province. (Figure 1)
Running Through Culture and Community
For many, traveling to Batanes had already been a dream, but experiencing its breathtaking landscapes one step at a time through the marathon made the journey even more memorable. The marathon brought together locals and tourists in a celebration of unity and pride.
The Batanes Island Marathon 2025 coincided with the visit of UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) researchers during the Learn Phase of the project “Bridging Academic Researchers and Vulnerable Island Communities in the Philippines: Enhancing the Climate and Disaster Risk Management Capacities of Municipalities in Batanes” (APN–Batanes Project). Researchers Maria Claire Mandar, Kristian Audri Gabriel, Ella Danielle Santiaguel, and Janiella Sandoval took the opportunity to join the marathon, participating in the 5K and 10K categories. (Figure 2)
“ … being part of an event here in Batanes and see how such activities bring people together. On a personal note, I was also excited about the medal, which serves as a meaningful keepsake of the experience.” – Marie Claire Mandar
“The Batanes Marathon became the perfect venue for me as a first-time participant. It wasn’t something I had planned, but since the opportunity was already there, I thought—why not?” – Ella Danille Santiaguel
The race results brought pride to both locals and visitors alike. Mr. Wilson Herrera (Men’s) and Ms. Luv Wootton (Women’s) emerged as champions in the 42km category, while Mr. Joseph Ojhuno and Ms. Angela San Felix dominated the 21km race. In the shorter distances, Mr. Alexius Blacer, Mr. Hans Christian Estoy, Ms. Maribelle Manalili, and Ms. Aileen Tan delivered remarkable performances. Notably, our very own researcher, Mr. Kristian Audri Gabriel, secured 2nd place in the 5km category. These achievements reflect not only individual endurance but also the strong and vibrant spirit of the running community in Batanes. (Figure 3)
Running Toward Resilience
The decision to join the marathon did not come on a whim. Beyond the participants’ competitive spirit, the marathon also served as a platform for learning and reflection, as the UP RI researchers ran across rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and stone villages. It served as the perfect avenue for UP RI researchers to observe for themselves the land features that had only been anecdotal accounts gathered from the few instances of coordination meetings with the project partners.
As the race progressed, the UP RI researchers saw for themselves some of the land uses and exposure units that they would be mapping during the series of workshops and mapping activities that were set to occur in the following days after the marathon. More than that, by running towards the finish line with visitors and locals alike, the team got the chance to dip their toes into famed Ivatan culture of resilience. From their point of view, UP RI researchers imbibed the tenacity to achieve a common goal represented by the Ivatan people’s traditional stone houses and unique agricultural practices.
Perhaps driven by the project’s ethos of knowledge exchange, and maybe also anxious in anticipation of the activities ahead, the UP RI researchers found themselves racing toward the finish line with a growing sense of clarity. They had come to Batanes not only to uncover and learn from the Ivatans’ culture of resilience, but also to share their own science-based knowledge—arriving in equal parts as learners and as contributors.
Looking Forward with Clarity
The Learning Phase of the project “Bridging Academic Researchers and Vulnerable Island Communities in the Philippines: Enhancing the Climate and Disaster Risk Management Capacities of Municipalities in Batanes” (APN–Batanes Project) was designed to immerse researchers in the local context while gathering data, observing community practices, and strengthening relationships with stakeholders. Through mapping workshops and capacity-building activities, this phase was meant to lay the groundwork for integrating local knowledge with scientific tools to support disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
The marathon, aside from serving as a platform for observation, also primed the UP RI researchers with a tangible concept of what needed to be mapped in the following days.
Endurance Beyond the Race
The Batanes Island Marathon 2025 was more than a race, it embodied the community’s resilience and relationship with the environment. As runners crossed landscapes shaped by centuries of adaptation, they witnessed how the Ivatan people had long thrived through climate-smart practices.
“Community resilience is not only built through infrastructure but also through strong social connections and collective action. By bringing people together in a positive and active way, this event fosters a culture of unity and readiness, vital for CCA–DRR in Batanes.” – Maria Claire Mandar
“Walking across Batanes gave me a deeper appreciation of its natural landscape and how closely it is tied to the everyday lives of its people. It reminded me that resilience research must always consider both the environment and the communities that live within it.” – Ella Danielle Santiaguel
Together, the marathon and the workshops underscored a shared message: resilience required both endurance and preparation, whether on the road or in safeguarding the future of Batanes communities.
Photo sources: Batanes Island Marathon 2025 Official Facebook Page