Running Together Feels Like Home for These Three Filipino American Women

From left to right: Heidi Zurbito, Isabella Beatrice Igual, and Teresa Gancayco in Central Park before a Group Training workout.

For Heidi Zurbito, Isabella Beatrice Igual, and Teresa Gancayco running isn’t just about chasing personal goals, it’s also about feeling at home with one another. All three women are from the Philippines and each one has their own story about coming to the U.S. and why they took up running in the first place. We interviewed them during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month to learn more about how having a shared culture helps to inspire them to keep running.

A Journey of Joy

Teresa Gancayco at the United Airlines NYC Half. Photo provided by MarathonFoto.

Teresa came to the U.S. in 1983 after her parents filed a petition with the U.S. government to receive immigrant status for her; a process many Filipino families living in the U.S. go through to reunite with their relatives who are still living in the Philippines.

When she moved to the U.S., Teresa said she didn’t run much except for on the treadmill at the gym. Her first race was the More Women’s Half Marathon in 2008, which a co-worker encouraged her to join. Then in 2016, she ran the NYRR Queens 10K and the following year she ran even more NYRR races.

“I met a Filipino in my Zumba class who was turning 50 in 2018, and she was running the TCS NYC Marathon through the 9+1 program. So that made me think to do it and check it off my bucket list. Why not,” she said.

She attributes her joy of running to joining NYRR Group Training in Central Park where she trains regularly throughout the year.

“In GT, I developed the strength, endurance, good form and technique of running. The coaches are great and very supportive.”

At age 70, Teresa appreciates the health benefits she gets from running and said it’s her journey of joy.

“Running made me embrace this phase of my life that even if I am older, anything is possible. I hope to inspire and motivate others to embrace this phase of their lives,” Teresa said.

And there’s no slowing down for her. Teresa recently placed first in her age group at the NYRR Retro 4-Miler in April and PR'd by seven minutes at the Maybelline Women's Half.

“I only found out when my running club, NY Flyers, sent out a blog [post] about the race results. Imagine little old me placing first in my age group,” she said.

Teresa thanks her “BRBF” (best running buddies forever) for keeping her motived. The group of mostly Asian American women met during Group Training, including Heidi whom she met over seven years go.

“I've developed a lasting bond with Filipino runners I meet. They are a very friendly running community. I run side by side with them and I am proud to represent the Filipino American running community in NYC,” Teresa said.

Connecting Through Culture

Heidi Zurbito at the United Airlines NYC Half. Photo provided by MarathonFoto.

For Heidi, meeting Teresa made her feel right at home.

“We can talk about our country and our common experiences in our native language [Tagalog] while running. It also helps that we come from the same generation,” Heidi said.

Heidi immigrated to the U.S. in November 2005 after being hired in Manila to work for a bank in New York City. She signed up for her first NYRR race, the New York Mini 10K, in 2008 following the encouragement of a fellow woman runner she met at NYRR running classes.

“Unfortunately, she passed away a few years later. I run the Mini 10K to remember her,” Heidi said.

Now at age 66, Heidi remembers enjoying running as a kid growing up in the Philippines but because she was a girl, she was told running was bad for her body. As an adult, she rekindled her love of running when in 2008 she heard about NYRR’s training program.

“I immediately signed up and was very happy the coaches were friendly and supportive. Shelly and Bob Glover’s book became my running bible,” she said.

Heidi continues to train regularly when she can and even encouraged her niece Isabella to start running.

Inspiration Across Generations

Isabella Beatrice Igual at the TCS New York City Marathon. Photo provided by MarathonFoto.

As a child and throughout high school, Isabella was a competitive swimmer. When she immigrated to the U.S. in 2018 for college, she was looking for something to keep her active. Heidi encouraged her to join Group Training’s Fundamentals group to learn the basics of running.

“The coaches were very helpful and made me enjoy running. Fundies was truly no pressure at all and a good introduction [to running],” Isabella said.

Heidi said her niece Isabella has always inspired her. “When she was two, she would jump into the deep end of the pool with so much glee. When she started running, I noticed she made running look so effortless. Her fearlessness, energy, and happiness inspire me to be a better swimmer, runner, and person,” she said.

Isabella is also inspired by her aunt and believes running has helped Heidi be the best version of herself.

“My aunt is very strong. She always tells me that running makes her happy and I never believed that until she got me into running. I love her so much and I’m glad we get to bond together through running.”

In 2023, Heidi added Isabella’s name to the RBC Brooklyn Half drawing so they could run together.

“My aunt basically just signed me up for a half marathon as a joke,” Isabella said.

That “joke” turned into Isabella’s newfound love of running. Since that first race, the 24-year-old has run 20 NYRR races, including the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. Her and her aunt Heidi even went to London together last month so Isabella could take on the TCS London Marathon.

“I read this post a few days before [London] that said, “A race is a moving finish line, enjoy every mile” which really captures the essence of what my running journey is all about. It’s not just about the finish – it’s about the journey, the struggles, the small wins, and the moments of grit in between.”

She continues to train regularly with Group Training and is motivated by the friends she meets during the weekly workouts.

“I have met friends out of my usual circle and get to catch up with them… they make the miles go by faster. Being part of the running community feels like being part of a second family! It feels like home.”

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