Imagine running alongside your favorite Kapuso stars!  

Sparkle officially wrapped up the month with its first-ever Sparkle Run 2026, a star-studded marathon that brought together celebrities and fans for a morning of fitness, fun, and community. Leading the event were some of Sparkle’s biggest names including Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, and David Licauco. We also spotted Pinoy Big Brother stars Dustin Yu, Will Ashley, and Josh Ford, alongside Sofia Pablo, Charlie Flemming, AZ Martinez and many more familiar faces from the Kapuso roster.   

The races kicked off one after another throughout the early morning, with some of Sparkle’s biggest stars helping send runners on their way. Alden Richards headlined the 10K with Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. AZ Martinez, Charlie Flemming, Josh Ford, Vince Maristela, Larkin Castor, Cheska Fausto, and Allen Ansay led the 5K gun start, while Sofia Pablo, John Clifford, and Born to Shine stars Olive May and Murielle Lomadilla energized runners in the 3K category. From the first race to the last, the event was packed with celebrity appearances that kept participants motivated throughout the morning.   

As the sun slowly rose, runners crossed the finish line one by one, greeted by cheers from fellow participants and supporters. 

After the run, we caught up with some of our favorite Kapuso stars to find out what helps them prepare for race day:  

1. Allen Ansay: Powered by Prayer and Love Songs

Allen Ansay keeps his pre-run routine simple by staying hydrated, stretching, and saying a quick prayer before hitting the course. To get into the zone, he listens to love songs, with tracks by Rob Deniel among his favorites. 

2. Sofia Pablo: Sleep First, Run Later

Sofia Pablo’s race-day routine starts with getting enough sleep. Before running, she warms up and says a prayer, hoping to finish the race safely. To keep her energy up on the course, she prefers listening to upbeat music. 

3. Princess Aliyah: No Sleep, No Problem

Princess Aliyah admitted she didn’t have much of a pre-run ritual, joking that she arrived with little preparation and no sleep. Despite that, her competitive spirit kept her motivated throughout the race. Her current music picks include Michael Jackson classics like “Billie Jean” and “Bad.”

4. Alden Richards: Faith, Focus, and a Good Playlist

Before a run, Alden Richards makes sure to warm up and listen to music to get into the right mindset. Surprisingly, his go-to running playlist consists of worship songs, with “How Great Is Our God” currently among his favorites.

5. Dustin Yu: Chasing the Post-Run High

For Dustin Yu, one of the best parts of running is the high that comes after a workout. He also appreciates how it contributes to his fitness and overall physique. While running, he enjoys listening to house music, and recently, Justin Bieber songs have been on repeat in his playlist.

6. Cheska Fausto and Larkin Castor: Different Routines, Same Michael Jackson Anthem

When it comes to pre-run rituals, Cheska Fausto and Larkin Castor couldn’t be more different. Cheska makes sure to stretch, warm up properly, and never forget essentials like sunscreen and lip care before hitting the course. Larkin, meanwhile, joked that he skipped stretching and came into the run with little sleep, relying instead on the energy of his friends and good conversation to keep him going. Despite their different approaches, both agreed on one favorite song to run to: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” 

7. Charlie Flemming: Outfit Check Before Hitting the Track

For Charlie Flemming, a good run starts with feeling comfortable and prepared. She makes sure she has a cute outfit, a good lip balm, and something to eat before heading to the starting line. Her current favorite song to run to is “Aura” by IV OF SPADES.

8. Will Ashley: Finding His Rhythm Before the Run

Will Ashley likes to keep his pre-run routine simple by listening to music to get himself energized before a workout. He’s currently enjoying songs by Cup of Joe and Maki. Currently his favorite song at the moment is “Sandali”.  

9. AZ Martinez: Sweet Treats and Sabrina Carpenter

AZ Martinez starts her pre-run routine by getting enough sleep and having something sweet before the race. Since she can get dizzy easily, especially in the heat, a quick sugar boost helps keep her energized. As for her playlist, she’s currently enjoying songs by Sabrina Carpenter, though OPM tracks are also part of her rotation. 

So the next time you’re getting ready for a run, take a page from your favorite Kapuso stars: queue up your favorite playlist, grab a quick snack, say a prayer, or simply trust the process. After all, if Sparkle Run 2026 proved anything, it’s that there’s more than one way to get race-day ready.