CRC Peñafrancia Marathon 2026: A Race Measured in Faith, Sacrifice and Devotion

By Joan V. De La Trinidad, RGC, RPm

A marathon is usually measured in kilometers, hours, minutes and seconds. But for the 3,200+ runners who gathered in Naga City on September 6, the CRC Peñafrancia Marathon 2026 was measured in something more profound: faith, sacrifice and devotion.

The CRC Peñafrancia Marathon can fittingly be considered the “Mother of All Marathons in Bicol” — not merely because of its growing scale and reach, but more importantly because it is held in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, whom we call “Ina,” “Mother,” the Patroness of Bicolandia. Just as generations of Bicolanos look to Ina as a mother who gathers her children in faith, the marathon brings together runners from across Bicol, different parts of the Philippines and beyond the country’s shores in one shared journey of devotion.

Organized by the Caceres Runners Club (CRC), with Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PalawanPay as Presenting Sponsor, the “Panata Run for Ina” brought together runners in the 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K distances for an event where physical wellness, community and devotion came together.

For generations, Bicolanos have expressed their devotion through the solemn traditions of the Peñafrancia Fiesta — the Traslación and Fluvial Processions, novenas, pilgrimages and other acts of faith. In the past four years, the CRC Peñafrancia Marathon has established another avenue to express that faith while choosing a healthier lifestyle along the way.

It does not seek to replace these deeply rooted traditions, but to complement them by creating another space where faith can be experienced through movement, sacrifice, fellowship and service.

A Panata That Reaches Beyond Bicol

The more than 3,200 runners plus spectators reflected how the Peñafrancia Marathon has grown beyond a local running event, drawing participants from across the Philippines and overseas.

Outside Bicol, runners came from Laguna, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Batangas, Marinduque, Palawan, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cagayan, Batanes, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and other areas in Mindanao. Its reach extended beyond Philippine shores, with participants from Australia, Canada, Kenya, Liberia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Vietnam. More than statistics, their presence shows how the Panata Run for Ina is reaching communities far beyond Bicol. For visiting runners, the marathon offered not only an opportunity to race, but also to experience the faith and culture surrounding the Peñafrancia celebration and discover why Naga truly becomes the Heart of Bicol during this special season.

Behind these thousands of runners were thousands of different reasons for being on the road. Each runner carried a story, a prayer, a thanksgiving — something to lift up to Ina as they sought to be closer to Jesus.

Some ran in thanksgiving for prayers answered. Others carried intentions for their families, personal struggles, hopes and silent prayers. Not all these stories could be captured in photographs or videos, but one thing was evident: people from different places had come together with one purpose — to run a Panata.

Where Faith and Well-Being Meet

Beyond its spiritual dimension, the marathon highlights the connection between physical activity, mental well-being, social connection and a sense of purpose.

From a mental health perspective, running can offer valuable space away from the pressures of everyday life — a time for reflection, emotional processing, resilience-building and a sense of accomplishment. A marathon also teaches lessons that extend beyond sport: patience when progress is slow, perseverance when the body wants to stop, acceptance when things do not go according to plan and humility in receiving help and encouragement from others.

The Panata Run for Ina adds another dimension: faith. When movement is connected to a deeper sense of meaning, a difficult kilometer can become an offering, the quiet road a place for reflection and prayer, and the encouragement of another runner or volunteer a reminder that even our most personal journeys need not be traveled alone.

In an age when many people carry unseen pressures and struggles, experiences that foster movement, belonging, purpose and connection can contribute meaningfully to overall well-being. When these are rooted in faith, the experience can also become an opportunity for spiritual nourishment. Here, body, mind, community and spirit meet.

Care. Run. Commit.

The CRC Peñafrancia Marathon is also a benefit event supporting the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the community outreach programs of the Caceres Runners Club.

Reflecting the Core Values of the Club, current CRC President Engr. Charles William Menes reiterates the “Care, Run, Commit” — to care for others, run toward a healthier life, and commit to something greater than oneself. Through the marathon, these values are put into action as every registration and kilometer goes beyond the finish line, helping support the Basilica and CRC’s community outreach initiatives while turning the runners’ passion into meaningful service.

The Panata Goes Beyond the Race

Perhaps the most important message of the CRC Peñafrancia Marathon is that Panata does not end at the finish line. As runners return to their families, work and everyday lives, they carry with them the faith, resilience, gratitude and sense of community experienced along the road. Made possible by the collective efforts of runners, organizers, volunteers, sponsors, partners and communities, the event brought together participants from across the Philippines and nine countries beyond its shores — not simply to complete a distance, but to run a Panata that nourishes faith, strengthens body and mind, builds community and gives back to others.

To everyone who became part of the CRC Peñafrancia Marathon 2026, this beautiful story belongs to all of you.

This was our Panata. This was our community. This was our offering of love and devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Until we run together again, Viva la Virgen!

About Caceres Runners Club

Established on August 21, 2010, at the grounds of the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore in Naga City, the Caceres Runners Club (CRC) has grown from a small group of passionate runners into one of Bicol’s largest and most dynamic running organizations, with 270 total members. Beyond promoting running, fitness and endurance sports, CRC uses sports as a platform for service and social responsibility, supporting programs in education, feeding, blood donation, disaster relief, emergency preparedness and environmental action. Guided by its core values of “Care, Run, Commit,” CRC continues to promote wellness while giving back to the community and honoring Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia. (Photo Credits: Chris Thian, Eddie Labao Photography, Joan V. De La Trinidad, Junie Orante _ JO Studio, Leo Vergara _ Bok Vergara, Lhanzki Photography, RHANdom Visuals)