Running is very inexpensive but very addicting but sometimes running on the same area over and over again could be very tiresome. Do we have to go far to run in some interesting locations? Runners fear not! I’ve compiled a list of the best places to run within Metro Manila based on its walk-ability, safety, accessibility, and post run amenities. Best of all, all these places are free!
#5: Roxas Boulevard, Manila
Roxas Boulevard is one of the best destinations for setting new personal records (PRs) because it is relatively flat and virtually straight course. It is one of the most popular race sites in the Metro and even the country’s premier running event, Milo Marathon, is staged here. This is one the nicest roads to run onto because you have a nice view of the Manila skyline on one side, and the Manila Bay on the other.
Pros:
- Great place to set PRs.
- Excellent view.
- Ample sidewalks to run onto.
- There are vendors in the area so hydration should not be a problem.
Cons:
- Could be crowded at times.
- Relatively little shade.
- Food and water options could be limited at certain locations.
- Parking and safety issues.
runningpinoy 
Nice! Very Nice! Suggestive of MORE RUNS in these places! Hmmmmm!
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Maybe we could add more to the list hehe 🙂
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dennis, you’re forgetting the skyway 😛
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Well we can’t really run on the SkyWay on a regular basis hehe
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Nice one! Now that you’ve mentioned it, I want to try the Marikina Riverbanks route. Haven’t been there. 🙂
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Hi Dennis, this is a nice topic! I agree with your top5 list and everything you’ve said about them 🙂
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meron bang top5 sight-seeing routes? 🙂 ehehehe un gusto ko! 🙂
nice entries too 🙂 (ayaw mo lagay ung up-bhs route mo? 🙂 hehehe
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Meron! Coming Soon! I’m trying to come up with at least one more list as a guide, watch out for it. (UP-BHS route may be included in the next list) 🙂
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sa riverbanks na lang ako hindi nakakatakbo. hmnnnn….
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You shoulld try it its nice there… plus there are malls around!
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I’ll be sa pinas sa Oct 15 ,do you know any group who runs early morning regularly (5am-7am) .
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Raffy,
There are a lot of running groups that run in the morning depending on where you intend to run. If you’re interested to seek out these groups you may visit takbo.ph.
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very informative rp! i just tried roxas blvd. thanks for this post! next stop upd
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Hi there,
my wife and I are in Quezon City for a year and are both runners, so when I googled “best places to run metro manila” your post came up. So far we’ve been to Mall of Asia and UP (campus and dirt track), but since we only have public transportation to work with places like Taguig are harder to get to. Coming from Commonwealth Ave in QC (near Sandiganbayan) do you think it’s possible to get to the Marikina riverbank location? I’m never sure if I can trust Google maps here either so I’m having a hard time figuring it out.
p.s. we just did a Salamon Sunday down in Batangas and met a bunch of the Pinoy Skyrunners–great people! (Perhaps you know some of them?)
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Hi Davis,
We’re practically neighbors as I also live around 1K radius of Sandiganbayan.
There are several ways to get to the riverbanks and sadly from our location via public transport is a bit of a hassle. The best way I could suggest is to take a bus or jeepney ride to Cubao, ride the LRT-2, and alight in Santolan Station.
Yes I do know a few from the Skyrunners group. 😀
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Hi there,
thanks for the reply! We just moved behind Quezon City Hall, off Kalayaan, so would the Cubao-jeep-to-LRT method still be the best? And btw, I registered at takbo.ph as IamNateDavis, so say hi if you’re on there.
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Yes Nate, that option would still be the best for you 🙂
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thanks for including the Marikina riverbanks, it is one of our hidden gems here…
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It’s very much worthy to be there 😀
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For those living in the South, Filinvest City in Alabang is the best route in the South!! Lush greenery with uphill and downhill paths and curves, away from traffic and concrete buildings. Quite a number of regular runners go there every day of the week. (me on weekends 🙂 ) Bikers frequent the place too because there’s a trail route. Palms Country Club hosted a Trail Run there this year, which was interesting (but NB’s Father’s Day Trail Run in Nuvali is still the best!!). This was also the route for Run4Life 2010 & 2011, and is the route for the upcoming Rain4Africa run.
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Hallo! Can you share which part of Filinvest City is the safest to walk/jog in the morning? 🙂 Do you happen to remember the street names? Thank you in advance 😀
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I used to jog at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Its a good place to jog during the day and even more at night when the weather is cooler. There are many jogging paths inside the park but I prefered to just jog around Quezon’s main memorial itself. I usually took evening jogs as I found the experience more serene. The park is lighted especially around the main memorial. After jogging you can get some fresh buko juice from any of the couple of stores selling buko and buko juice along the eateries row. Parking is also not a problem. Cars can enter and park inside for a minimal fee. Use the entrance facing Commonwealth Ave. to get to the main memorial quickly. All in all, jogging at Quezon Memorial Circle is very nice.
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Ive run everywhere you’ve mentioned but at the Marikina River bank because its just too out of the way. I agree with you on all accounts. But, i also like to take into account how roads are paved. I enjoy tar roads… (better for these knees of mine). Most of the places you’ve mentioned are unfortunately inconsistent with tarred pavement… CCP has a lot of this kind of road. UP too…
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newbie here… is marikina riverbanks suitable for a night time run?
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I don’t know if there are ample lightings as I haven’t been there at night, so I would say it’s up to your discretion.
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Hi. Do you know any places where I could run at night? This is the only free time I have since my job ends at 12AM (midinight). Quezon City Memorial Circle closes at 11PM.
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For night runs I can recommend Bonifacio Global City due to good lighting, ample sidewalks, and numerous 24hr convenience stores located all over. You may also try Ayala Triangle if you’re not running beyond 10PM.
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For me Camp Aguinaldo is the best place to run. Air is fresh due to dense foliage makes you forget you are in the city. It is also the safest not just due to security but also because cars give way to runners on the road. Parking is not a problem. For hydration you just have to bring your pack. The place is immaculately clean, streets are well-paved and passing by the golf courses are a view to behold. Running at night could be memorable. This could be the only place in Metro Manila where fireflies still exist and they do dance in the dark roadsides. It may be a military camp but you will feel that sense of freedom when you sweat out your run.
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Hi sir. Do you regularly run inside Camp Aguinaldo? Malapit lang po kasi ako doon and I’m planning to go there for a jog at weekends kaso I’m a bit reluctant kasi baka masita or whatever. Kelangan ba ng proper attire (what attire specifically) and kung open ba sya in public (generally) for jogging/biking? Thanks 🙂
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hello! do you know if permanent nang closed for civilians ang pag-jogging sa camp aguinaldo? I’ve been running there for a year and kahapon bad news came kasi di na nagpapapasok ng civilian joggers yung bantay sa entrance.. can anyone confirm if permanent na yun or just for the mean time?
Maganda kasi talaga tumakbo sa loob ng camp. safe and sound.
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Thanks for the list. Another nice place is Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City. Lots of joggers there also. Quiet place and only gets crowded on special occasions like Halloween or other special events(like burial of public figure). It is also near elorde sports complex
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Marikina Riverbanks 🙂
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Hindi naman masama tumakbo sa up or sa circle ng 3 30 am no? Safe ba ng ganung time? Yun lang kasi available time ko before going to work e
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I am not sure… just be careful though and wear reflective clothes.
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Hi! I’ll be staying in recto ave.,sampaloc,manila starting this month of may. Can you recommend an area where I can run nearby? I’m not familiar with the place kasi. I usually run in the morning or afternoon. I registered with RU2 to be held this June, so I would really appreciate your suggestions. Thank you! 🙂
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You can run in Quirino Grandstand/Roxas Blvd. area or even inside Intramuros which should be just a few kilometers from where you’d be staying
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hi! this article is really helpful thank u so much..anyone knows where I can find running buddies? i’m planning to experience the marikina riverbank wonder..it would be great to go with a group..safer and mas fun 😀
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Quezon City Memorial Circle is one of the best jogging area in Metro Manila. It also offers variety of foods and Buko juice when you feel you need to quench your thirst. There are exercise equipments installed the park so you can use it anytime you want. Parking is very ok. The park is crowded mostly at Saturday and Sunday, but the jogging lane is still clear for those runners who wants to use it. The park is also clean, and there is music provided so that you feel alive when you do your activity.
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I agree, it had improved a lot since this article was posted. 🙂
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