Over 100 Filipino, Fil-Am runners gear up for New York City Marathon

NEW YORK CITY — More than 100 Filipino and Filipino American runners will participate in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, joining approximately 60,000 runners from around the world on a 26.2-mile course through the city's five boroughs. More than 2 million spectators are expected to cheer them on.

Ahead of the race, Filipino and Filipino American runners gathered Friday at the Philippine Consulate in Manhattan for a reception offering encouragement and moral support.

Consul Anna Marie Guerra welcomed runners who arrived from different parts of the world, highlighting the community spirit that makes the marathon special.

She described how strangers cheer for runners, families wait along the streets for hours, and neighborhoods encourage participants to keep going when the miles become difficult.

"That spirit is something very familiar to us as Filipinos. It is bayanihan," Guerra said in her welcome remarks.

Among this year's participants is fashion designer Bessie Bessana, who spent nearly four months preparing for his second New York City Marathon.

Bessana said one of the toughest stretches comes along Fifth Avenue, which is already close to the finish line.

"The hardest part for me in the New York City Marathon is Mile 23, kasi patapos ka na pero biglang mag-i-incline sa Fifth Avenue (because you're about to finish then suddenly there's an incline at Fifth Avenue)," he said.

He added that this year's training has given him hope of successfully completing the challenging course.

Francis Youn, who flew from Cebu, will run his first marathon after training for a year.

Youn said his passion for running began while growing up in a family that shares the sport.

"I just really love running. My whole family runs—my dad, my sister. So it's something we do as our family thing," Youn said.

That lifelong enthusiasm eventually inspired him to take on a full marathon.

Meanwhile, the NYPD is preparing an extensive security operation, with thousands of officers deployed along the route.

Specialized units, helicopters and drones will support the deployment, while hundreds of blocker vehicles and more than 10,000 metal barricades will help protect runners and spectators.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there were no known specific or credible threats to the event. — VDV, GMA News