MMDA to ‘close’ EDSA for a marathon event on June 12

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that EDSA will be “closed” on June 12, 2026, as it will serve as the main route for this year’s Runrio Manila Marathon. The race will span almost the entire length of the busy highway, running from SM Mall of Asia in Pasay to SM North EDSA in Quezon City.

According to MMDA Chairman Don Artes, the event is positioned as part of a broader tourism push, aimed at elevating the marathon as a key fixture in the country’s sports tourism calendar. He also added that the MMDA will implement measures to minimize traffic disruption, noting that select lanes along EDSA will remain open to motorists.

“We will also put a buffer lane, adjacent to the EDSA bus carousel lane, to ensure the safety of the runners during the event,” said Artes.

Rio de la Cruz of Runrio said the marathon is meant to honor Philippine Independence Day, highlighting the Filipino spirit of freedom, resilience, and bayanihan.

He noted that this will be the first full marathon to run along EDSA, with ambitions of aligning it with global races such as the Tokyo Marathon, London Marathon, and Boston Marathon.

The 42-kilometer marathon is expected to draw thousands of participants and will run northbound and southbound between SM MOA and SM North. Runners will primarily use the EDSA bus carousel lane, while the outermost lane will temporarily serve as the bus lane during the event.

All flyovers and tunnels along the route will be closed as runners pass and reopened immediately after. While June 12 is a holiday, motorists are still advised to take alternate routes via major perpendicular roads and designated Mabuhay Lanes.