Over 100 runners registered for the Amihan Filipino Run at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, April 11. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), the four miler signaled the return of the Cultural Run Series — a running initiative that celebrates the diverse tapestry of the World’s Borough.

The inaugural run, overseen by Christine Jeanjaquet, the Founder and Managing Director of The August Tree, Inc. at the Queens Museum, saw a positive reception in its vibrant comeback to the QDR race calendar. Jeanjaquet served as the Honorary Race Director while providing tsokolate eh [a Filipino hot chocolate refreshment] and freshly made pandesal from Arellano Pandesal.

QDR, a nonprofit running organization based in Jackson Heights, is renowned for its expansive race itinerary, spanning various races in nearly every corner of Queens. Since 2013, QDR has provided an inclusive space for locals to connect over a shared love for the sport while highlighting cultural groups that contribute to the borough.

Photo by Kent Ng

“Our goal has always been to build something that reflects Queens—diverse, ambitious, and community-driven,” said Kevin Montalvo, founder of QDR, in a statement. “What we saw in December showed that people believe in what we’re doing. Now, we’re turning that trust into more races, more impact, and more investment in the future of this borough. Queens is the Future.”

The core tenet of QDR is to build a community for runners, novice or seasoned, based in the borough and beyond — all while promoting small businesses that preserve Queens’ cultural identity.

Photo by Kent Ng

Among the race’s participants was Chuck Park, a Democratic candidate for New York’s 6th Congressional District who launched his campaign on November 17, 2025. Park offered his thoughts on running the first installment of QDR’s Cultural Run Series.

Chuck Park, a Democratic candidate for New York’s 6th Congressional District, at the Amihan Filipino Run in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Photo by Kent Ng

“The Amihan Filipino 4 Miler was a celebration of our immigrant origin stories. As my fellow Filipino running friends say, Takbo na tayo [Let’s run]!” said Park.

“Filipino communities landed here generations ago in neighborhoods like Woodside, Elmhurst, and Flushing,” added Park. “Queens is where they worked, many as nurses and doctors, and where they chose to raise their families. At a time when this story is under attack, events like the Amihan Run are more important than ever.”

Park finished the Amihan Filipino 4-Miler in 38 minutes and 39.24 seconds.

The morning’s inaugural race turned the spotlight on the Filipino community, whose traditions enriched the borough through strong family values and an enduring heritage. As detailed in a previous story from QNS, the race’s visual signage was inspired by Amihan, the wind deity in Filipino mythology that represents “movement, renewal and momentum.”

This year’s running cohort experienced a brisk morning ahead of the start line. The participants were also treated to a rendition of the Philippines national anthem, or Lupang Hinirang. After the last note, the incoming wave of runners felt motivated to take on four loops of the course. The looped course took them past the Unisphere and the Fountain of the Planets.

Photo by Kent Ng
Photo by Kent Ng

Whether at the start line or the finish line, a sense of camaraderie (and cultural pride) was front and center. Caroline C. Pasion, a Senior Landmarks Preservationist and Outreach and Grant Coordinator at the NYC Landmarks Preservation Committee, offered her thoughts on what running the Amihan Filipino 4-Miler meant for her.

“It was such a proud moment to run wearing a bib featuring a Filipino word and Filipino-inspired artwork for the first time in the borough of Queens, home of Little Manila Avenue, Little Manila Park and Dr. Jose Rizal Way all in Woodside. This was also personal for me in that I had to support my beautiful friend, Christine, owner of The August Tree, who was Honorary Race Director,” said Pasion. “To be part of this first run in this Cultural Run Series was to be part of making history in community with others and experiencing the bayanihan spirit. I just came back from Rome the night before the race so I was a bit jetlagged, but meeting others and enjoying the tsokolate eh and pandesal from Arellano Pandesal after the race made it absolutely worth it.”

Photo by Kent Ng
Photo by Kent Ng
Photo by Kent Ng

As of press time, the Amihan Filipino 4-Miler’s winners were Jovahn Huertas (men’s winner in 26 minutes and 8.50 seconds), Stephanie Tinio (women’s winner in 31 minutes and 16.60 seconds) and Joules Duze (non-binary winner in 43 minutes and 52.30 seconds).

Stephanie Tinio breaking the tape of the Amihan Filipino 4-Miler in 31 minutes and 16.60 seconds, crowning her as the women’s winner. Photo by Kent Ng

To find out more information about QDR’s mission and the Cultural Run Series, visit their website.