The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Isabella Cuartero
Fitness doesn’t have to be boring. Staying active can be fun—and rewarding, too. After all, health is wealth. Puregold knows how to keep runners moving, giving them even more reason to go the extra mile.
Over 4,550 runners participated in Puregold Hakot Relay Run 2026 held in Vermosa Sports Hub, Imus, Cavite last Sept. 19. If anything, the rain only fueled the excitement. At Hakot Relay, it was rain or shine—the run must go on.
The South Luzon leg of the nationwide Hakot Relay series brought a new challenge to the course: Puregold’s first-ever 8K Individual Challenge, putting solo runners to the test. Around 500 took on the full 8 kilometers, pushing past their limits and proving that the Hakot Relay spirit isn’t just about running together—it’s also about going the distance on your own, challenging yourself, and finishing stronger.
The rest competed in the signature Hakot Relay, forming teams and racing through the course while collecting grocery items along the way. While the relay called for teamwork and strategy, the 8K demanded individual grit and endurance.
In the relay, teammates had to strategize and work together, racing to collect groceries before making it to the finish line. For the 8K Individual Challenge, runners had to go the distance on their own.
“We wanted to offer runners a fresh and enjoyable way to challenge themselves, with the ‘hakot’ mechanic adding a playful and uniquely Puregold twist to the race. Being part of the running community is meaningful to us, and it is a privilege for Puregold to bring people together for a shared panalo experience.” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold Senior Marketing Manager.
Participants kicked off the event with a pre-race warm-up before heading to the starting line and completing their respective courses within the prescribed cut-off times.
After crossing the finish line, runners collected their race-day rewards. Along with groceries and appliances, Team Hakot Relay participants went home with a Grocery Sling Bag and Finisher’s Grocery Bag, while solo 8K finishers got an extra surprise: the chance to roll their loot home in a finisher’s grocery cart wagon.
Beyond the race, the event kept the energy high with sampling booths from participating brands, sponsor-led games, stage activities, and an awarding ceremony that capped the day’s festivities.
“We’re always looking for ways to level up the Hakot Relay and give Filipinos something new to look forward to,” Piedad said. “This year, this meant introducing our first-ever 8K challenge and bringing the experience to an even bigger scale.”
With more than 4,000 runners competing as teams or solo, the South Luzon leg took the Hakot experience to a bigger scale: race to the finish line—and go home with groceries, too.
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