By: Waylon Galvez
History unfolded on the streets of Tokyo as Filipino runners Christine Hallasgo and Arlan Arbois Jr. delivered outstanding performances, proudly representing the Philippines on the global stage.
Hallasgo and Arbois proved they are world-class, competing against a tough field at the Tokyo Marathon—one of the most prestigious races in the World Marathon Majors. Both athletes showcased remarkable strength and composure across the 42.195-kilometer course.
Backed by Pocari Sweat Philippines, their runs highlighted not only their individual growth as elite marathoners but also the continued rise of Filipino talent in international distance running.
Hallasgo ran a controlled and determined race, breaking her personal best and further establishing herself as one of the country’s leading marathoners. She recorded a personal best of 2:42:13, improving from her previous 2:49:27, and finished 43rd overall. Her performance reflected months of disciplined preparation, resilience, and the drive to compete at the highest level.
(C) Pocari Sweat
Arbois, meanwhile, delivered a historic run of his own. Maintaining a strong pace throughout the race, he surged to a new personal best while also setting a new Philippine record in the men’s marathon with a time of 2:19:57. This surpassed his previous 2:24:23 mark and earned him 103rd place among 8,240 runners in the men’s division.
The achievement marks a major milestone in his career and places him among the country’s fastest distance runners.
Together, Hallasgo and Arbois carried the pride of the Philippines onto one of the world’s biggest marathon stages. With the support of Pocari Sweat Philippines as their hydration partner, their performances stand as a testament to dedication, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence as they prepare for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
