Dumaguete City, fondly known as the City of Gentle People, came alive at dawn on October 19 as it championed Fun Run for a Cause: Run to End Polio 2025. Before sunrise, Burgos Street, Rizal Boulevard, and the downtown area were transformed into a sea of vibrant red and white, proudly worn by nearly one thousand runners who answered the call to move for a mission.
From the starting line to the final stride, participants took on the 5- and 10-kilometer routes—chasing personal records and personal reasons alike. Not everyone crossed the finish line with a new PR, but that quickly became beside the point. What truly mattered was the shared rhythm of footsteps, laughter between breaths, and the collective joy of running for a cause greater than the clock.
Now in its second year, Run to End Polio has grown beyond a platform for community engagement; it has become a meaningful movement raising awareness for global polio eradication. In Dumaguete—one of the country’s rapidly growing hubs for sports and fitness advocacy—running for a cause resonates deeply with the community.
Strong participation came from individuals, neighboring municipalities, and various public and private institutions. Their presence served as a powerful reminder that when a community runs together, its impact extends far beyond the finish line.
Behind this initiative is the Rotaract Club of Dumaguete under Rotary International District 3860—a non-profit organization committed to supporting the global eradication of polio. Months of preparation and collaboration led to the event’s success. Proceeds from the run will be donated to the PolioPlus Fund of Rotary International for Rotary Year 2025–2026.
