The Move for Play: Infinity 116KM Run, the Philippines’ first open-road ultra-endurance community run, recorded more than 3.5 million steps and over 2,500 kilometers collectively covered by participants. Organized by non-profit organization FundLife, the event took place from June 14 to 15 and brought runners from Clark to Makati in support of safe, inclusive, and accessible play spaces for children in underserved areas.
Coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Play, the run took place on active roads and highways, challenging participants with traffic, heat, uneven terrain, and congestion. The 116-kilometer course served as a powerful representation of the difficult and often unsafe journeys many Filipino children undertake daily to reach schools and recreational areas.
A total of 31 ultra-runners signed up to complete the full route, with more than 40 others joining for segments. Of those, 20 finished the entire run—an impressive demonstration of endurance and solidarity for the cause. Leading the finishers were ultra-endurance athlete Natalie Dau and community runner Cecille Wael, who completed the route in 16 hours and 12 minutes.
As an ambassador of the campaign, Dau helped expand its reach, with her advocacy posts organically engaging over 100,000 people. Her role, along with the efforts of fellow runners, contributed significantly to raising awareness for children’s access to safe spaces for play and development.
Wael’s participation emphasized the deeper meaning of the event—representing not only physical challenge but also the value of shared action and unity among participants.
The fastest male finisher was Jonathan Ballogan, an Ifugao native, who completed the route in 16 hours and 21 minutes. His performance reflected the campaign’s dual themes of endurance and purpose, driven by personal commitment and community support.
The Move for Play campaign brought together 14 running communities, five partner organizations, and four volunteer groups across Luzon and Leyte. The initiative also laid the foundation for FundLife’s forthcoming long-term program, Safe to Move, which aims to create secure, dignified environments for learning, play, and movement in vulnerable and climate-affected areas.
