ICYM, Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition took place on October 3 and 4, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, bringing Pokémon Trainers young and old together for a 5KM adventure celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
We got invited by Pokémon Philippines to experience Pokémon RUN 30, and as Pokémon fans ourselves, this was easily one of our most anticipated events of the year. We arrived at around 3:30 AM on October 3 to give ourselves enough time to explore the race village before the run, and the excitement was already building even before we reached the starting line.
There were already lines at the Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE, with Pokémon fans waiting to get their hands on merchandise and Pokémon Trading Card Game cards. The pop-up store also had plenty of other Pokémon merchandise, giving fans more reasons to explore the area before the run.
There were also several activities and booths around the venue. Fans could play Pokémon video games, while the Toy Kingdom tent featured Pokémon toys and collectibles. We also checked out the DOOGEE and Jackery booths, where we got to see their newest products and special deals. One product that particularly caught our attention was the DOOGEE BoneBeat Swim Ray, which is suited for running and swimming activities.
The Pokémon Time Tunnel Took Fans Down Memory Lane
Beyond the race itself, Pokémon RUN 30 featured immersive zones, photo opportunities, and interactive displays that gave fans more ways to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
One of the highlights was the Pokémon Time Tunnel, a dedicated walk-through historical exhibit designed to take fans on a nostalgic journey through Pokémon’s history. The museum-like zone gave Trainers an opportunity to look back at how the franchise has evolved over the past three decades.
Inside the Pokémon Time Tunnel, attendees could explore milestones from the Pokémon video games, tracing the journey from the early handheld cartridge releases to more modern games. The exhibit also featured retrospectives celebrating memorable moments from the Pokémon anime and movies.
The Trading Card Game also had its own place in the historical journey, with displays highlighting its global impact and role in the Pokémon franchise.
For longtime Pokémon fans, the Pokémon Time Tunnel offered a chance to slow down and appreciate how much the franchise has changed over the years. After spending time running, taking photos, completing challenges, and exploring the event, walking through the exhibit felt like another part of the celebration.
It was essentially a trip down memory lane for Trainers, giving fans an opportunity to revisit different parts of Pokémon’s history in one place.
A 5KM Journey Through the Pokémon World
Pokémon RUN 30 was not a typical fun run. Instead of focusing on speed, the 5KM route turned the run into an interactive Pokémon adventure.
Different Pokémon regions were represented along the route, with themed music and actual in-game Pokémon sounds creating an atmosphere that felt closer to stepping inside the Pokémon world. As Pokémon GO players, we found the experience especially familiar. The route also featured Pokémon Center hydration stations, giving participants a place to cool down and stay refreshed as they made their way through the 5KM adventure.
We initially thought Pokémon GO might play a bigger role during the run, but the app was not required to complete the experience. There were also parts of the route where the signal was not strong enough to easily open and play the game while running.
Even without relying on Pokémon GO, there was still plenty to discover. We encountered Pokémon along the route, took photos to “catch” them as part of the event experience, collected stickers, and had our Pokésheet signed off as we completed the different challenges.
Every kilometer also had a Pokémon marker and a photo opportunity, making the route fun one kilometer at a time.
Every Kilometer Had Something to Discover
The themed route made the 5KM experience feel like a series of small Pokémon adventures. We could encounter Pokémon, collect stickers, complete challenges, and take photos along the way.
Completing the different activities allowed participants to complete their Pokésheet and receive additional event rewards. The experience gave the run a clear sense of progression, making each kilometer feel like another part of the Pokémon journey.
We also spotted a cute Pokémon plushie along the route, adding another memorable moment to the morning. Around the 4KM mark, Mew appeared as the mythical Pokémon encounter, giving participants another exciting photo opportunity before reaching the finish line.
The experience also brought back memories of playing Pokémon GO. There was something familiar about moving through the route, looking for Pokémon and stopping to capture moments along the way. It felt like a real-world version of the Pokémon adventure that fans have experienced through the games.
The Fire and Water Tunnel Was a Highlight
One of our favorite parts of Pokémon RUN 30 was the Pokémon Fire and Water Tunnel.
The area featured energetic music and a water-sprinkler tunnel that helped participants cool down during the run. Making it through the challenge also came with a prize, giving Trainers another reason to enjoy the obstacle rather than simply pass through it.
The themed environment helped reinforce what made Pokémon RUN 30 different from a regular 5KM run. The route was designed around the Pokémon experience, with music, sounds, characters, challenges, and photo opportunities giving participants something to look forward to throughout the journey.
Participants also received a lenticular card based on their selected type, Grass, Fire, or Water, along with a Pokémon 30 Run badge. Our kit featured Charmander, which meant our lenticular evolution card followed the Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard progression.
The Pokémon Community Made the Run Even Better
For us, one of the best parts of Pokémon RUN 30 was the Pokémon community itself.
Even before the event, we had been seeing posts in Pokémon groups from Trainers sharing that they would be bringing Pokémon merchandise and stickers to give away to fellow fans. That generosity was visible throughout the event, with some Trainers handing out stickers and merchandise along the route.
Others were more than willing to take photos for fellow participants. We encountered fans who were happy to help capture moments for others, while almost everyone seemed to be smiling and enjoying the experience.
Everyone was extra nice that day. Participants were respectful of one another, and despite the massive crowd, we found the run organized and easy to enjoy. There was a strong sense that everyone was simply there to celebrate Pokémon and have a good time with fellow fans.
Another example of the community’s kindness appeared after the Pokémon Run. A post was shared online looking for a lost Shiny Riolu plush that had gone missing after the event. Emmanuel, a member of the Pokémon group, replied that he had found the plushie and helped return it to its owner.
It may have been just a plushie, but the gesture still meant something. It is not every day that people take the time to help a stranger find and return a lost item, especially after a massive event. For us, the story was another simple but meaningful example of the kindness within the Pokémon community.
It reinforced something we already felt throughout the event: the best part of any community is its people.
The stickers and merchandise being shared, the strangers willing to take photos, the smiles along the route, the respect among participants, and the effort to return a lost Shiny Riolu plush all showed a level of kindness that made the weekend even more special.
Sharing the route with thousands of fellow Pokémon fans made the experience even more memorable. Trainers were not simply running beside one another. They were sharing stickers, merchandise, photos, smiles, and excitement throughout the morning.
For us, that sense of generosity and respect was one of the biggest highlights of Pokémon RUN 30. The event showed that the Pokémon community is not only passionate about the franchise but is also willing to share that passion and kindness with others.
A Pokémon Adventure for Families and Kids
Pokémon RUN 30 also showed why a themed fun run can appeal to more than serious runners. The relaxed format allowed participants to enjoy the experience at their own pace, while the Pokémon activities gave families and younger fans plenty to see and do.
We actually wished we had brought our niece along for the event and were sure she would have enjoyed it. Catching Pokémon, taking photos, collecting stickers, completing challenges, and experiencing the interactive elements together would make the event a memorable family activity.
The kid-friendly atmosphere was one of the reasons the run felt different from a traditional race. Participants could focus on enjoying the Pokémon world rather than worrying about finishing with a particular time.
For families, the experience offered plenty of opportunities to enjoy the event together, from catching Pokémon and taking photos to completing the different challenges and exploring the themed route.
The Final Reward
After completing the 5KM route, participants reached the finish line and received the special Pokémon RUN Pikachu card, one of the most coveted rewards of the event.
After spending the morning exploring the route, meeting Pokémon, completing challenges, collecting stickers, and passing through the Fire and Water Tunnel, receiving the special card gave the experience a fitting conclusion.
For us, the card was more than another collectible. It became a reminder of a morning spent doing something that combined our love for Pokémon with the excitement of being surrounded by thousands of fellow fans.
More Than a Fun Run
Overall, Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition turned out to be one of the most enjoyable themed running events in Manila.
The event worked because it did not require participants to be serious runners. The 5KM experience gave Trainers the freedom to explore, take photos, meet Pokémon, complete challenges, and enjoy the atmosphere at their own pace.
From the early morning crowds at the Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE to the Pokémon encounters along the route, the themed music and sounds, the Fire and Water Tunnel, the Mew appearance, the Pokésheet challenges, and the special Pikachu card at the finish line, there was always something to discover.
But beyond the collectibles and activities, the Pokémon community became one of the biggest highlights of the weekend. Seeing Trainers prepare stickers and merchandise to give away, helping each other take photos, smiling along the route, respecting fellow participants, and even helping return a lost Shiny Riolu plush made the experience feel like a genuine celebration of the fandom.
For us, Pokémon RUN 30 was a morning spent exploring, catching Pokémon, taking photos, collecting rewards, and sharing the experience with fellow Trainers. It was also a reminder of what makes the Pokémon community special.
The event brought together longtime fans, families, younger Trainers, collectors, runners, and casual participants in one shared Pokémon adventure. That combination of fandom, community, interactive activities, nostalgia, and a relaxed 5KM experience made the weekend especially memorable.
It was easy to see why we consider Pokémon RUN 30 one of the most fun themed running events in Manila. The event was well organized, the participants were respectful, and the Pokémon community made the experience even more enjoyable.
More than a traditional fun run, Pokémon RUN 30 gave Filipino Trainers a chance to experience the Pokémon world together, celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, and create new memories with fellow fans.
Congratulations to The Pokémon Company, and Happy 30th Anniversary!
