Three women stood atop the podium at the EastWest Dream Run 2026 Manila leg, and all three had something in common beyond their finish times. They were mothers first, runners second, and their journeys prove those two roles were never meant to compete with each other. At the women’s 21K race, perseverance, health, and family took center stage right alongside athletic excellence.

Marickz Camacho, Jocelyn Elijeran, and Nikka Panlaqui swept the podium with stories that stretched far beyond the race itself. Each woman found her way to running through a different path, but all three now use the sport to inspire their own families and communities.

A Champion’s Journey Fueled by Motherhood

Camacho crossed the finish line first, claiming the women’s 21K title. Her running journey began at age 26, when her husband encouraged her to try the sport as a way to improve her health. What started as a simple fitness goal soon grew into a genuine passion, and years of rigorous training eventually led her to consistent podium finishes.

Now 38, Camacho continues to compete at an elite level while embracing motherhood fully. She has even raced as a breastfeeding mother to her 5-year-old son, showing that women don’t have to choose between chasing their goals and caring for their families. For her, every step carries a deeper purpose. “Ang aking anak ang biyaya sa akin, ang aking inspirasyon sa pagtakbo,” she said.

Elijeran finished second, and her story reflects the power of steady, long-term commitment. She took up running in 2013, and just a year later, she was already completing 50-kilometer marathons, an extraordinary leap for someone so new to the sport.

Elijeran credits her husband, Nelson, a former Palarong Pambansa runner who represented Cotabato in his youth, for inspiring her to embrace running in pursuit of better health. That passion has since become a family affair. Her daughter is now pursuing a degree in Sports Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman and competes on the Women’s Track and Field Team under Coach Rio de la Cruz.

Building a Legacy That Extends Beyond the Finish Line

Despite everything she has accomplished, Elijeran’s dream remains refreshingly simple. She wants to stay healthy and enjoy a long life surrounded by the people she loves most. “Maging healthy kaming family para mahaba-haba pa kaming magsama-sama. ‘Yun ang pinaka-dream ko. Makaabot sana ng 100!” she said with a laugh.

Rounding out the podium was Panlaqui, a full-time mom who has found even greater purpose in setting an example for her son. Inspired by watching his mother’s active lifestyle, he has since taken up swimming himself, a clear sign of how one parent’s passion can shape the next generation.

Through her own journey, Panlaqui hopes to encourage other mothers to keep prioritizing their health and chasing their personal goals, even amid the demands of parenthood. Together, the stories of Camacho, Elijeran, and Panlaqui send a powerful message: motherhood isn’t a limitation, but a source of strength. Through running, all three continue to hit personal milestones while showing other women, and their own families, what’s possible when passion and purpose meet.

Runners inspired by their stories can join the next legs of the EastWest Dream Run 2026 in Clark on August 30, Iloilo on September 20, and Cagayan de Oro on October 18.