Filipino Runners Celebrated in Pre-Marathon Carbo-Loading Event Hosted by New York PCG

Strength in Unity: Over 150 Filipino runners and supporters gathered at the Philippine Center in New York for a traditional carbo-loading reception ahead of the 2024 NYC Marathon. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)

NEW YORK, 02 November 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a carbo-loading reception for Filipino athletes participating in the 2024 New York City Marathon, drawing together an international contingent of runners at the Philippine Center on 01 November 2024.

The event, organized in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York (PDOT-NY), Pinoy Runners USA, Pinoy Runners New Jersey, Pinoy Runners Global, and Fil-Am Tri, welcomed over 150 participants, including Filipino athletes from 24 Philippine cities and provinces, as well as fellow runners from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. The gathering allowed participants to connect, exchange valuable insights and strategies, and celebrate the shared honor of representing the Philippines ahead of the big race on 03 November.

In his remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile welcomed the runners and highlighted the achievements of Filipino athletes, noting their role as ambassadors of Filipino resilience and pride. He emphasized that their participation reflects not only personal accomplishment but also the enduring strength and spirit of Filipinos worldwide.

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile extends his best wishes to Filipino marathoners from 24 Philippine cities and six countries during the pre-race celebration at the Philippine Center (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)

The celebration featured a spread of energy-rich Filipino dishes, including favorites such as lechon, menudo, afritada, palabok, lumpia, pancit, spaghetti, bibingka, biko, and puto, to fuel the athletes for the upcoming challenge. Filipino community organizations including JCI Philippines-New York, Knights of Rizal New York, Barkada Tumulong, and Triskelion Synergy, demonstrated their strong support for the Filipino athletes by generously contributing and volunteering their time during the event.

Dedicated volunteers from the Filipino community serve carbo-loading favorites at the Philippine Center, fueling athletes for their 26.2-mile journey through NYC’s five boroughs. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)

The 2024 NYC Marathon charts a historic 26.2-mile course through all of New York City’s five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. Beginning at the iconic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island and culminating in Manhattan’s Central Park, the route offers numerous vantage points for supporters to cheer on the Filipino contingent as they make their way through the city. END

[From right] Consul General Mangalile, Tutok to Win Party-list representative Samuel Verzosa, Jr., Filipino celebrity Rhian Ramos, and Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer Cruz. Rep. Verzosa and Ms. Ramos joined the event in support of the Filipino runners, with the former also participating in the upcoming NYC Marathon. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)