The World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races have officially certified and measured the ASICS Rock 'n' Roll Manila presented by AIA Vitality, further boosting the event's standing on the world stage when it is held on 26 November at the Rizal Park.

The certification serves as a great news for those taking part in the highly popular night racing with the 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer, half-marathon (21 kilometers) and marathon (42 kilometers) courses all meeting the requirements of a well-organized, safe and accurately measured course, meaning that race times are valid and meets international standards for qualifying and setting record.

On top of raising the profile of RnR Manila internationally, the move to have the courses officially measured by the home of world running means that those who want to take their running to the next level and head to one of the world marathon majors will be able to use their finishing time from Manila to potentially qualifying to race across the world.

These include the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York marathons.

The RnR Manila that combines running, music and community promises to be bigger and better than its past staging in scope and in terms of participation and organization. It will dot Manila's heritage sites with booming live music and runners in colorful costumes.

Sponsored by top sporting apparel Asics, the world's largest running series is held annually in various countries around the world.

It features a variety of activities – from training runs with seasoned marathoners and coaches, medals and routes showcase, to the search for RnR Entertainers contest. Not only will it inspire participants to keep up with their training prep, but it will also build a community that will bring the fun to the run.

The RnR Manila will fire off in front of Rizal Park, cutting through the city's historical sites, including the National Museum, the Manila City Hall, Kartilya ng Katipunan, and the walled city of Intramuros on the way to the finish line with the musically themed event to be amped up by on-course bands and DJs.