HERE’S good news to all Filipino marathon enthusiasts.

Rixone Martinez made history as he emerged as the best Filipino finisher in the Run Rome the Marathon 2024 in Rome, Italy recently.

Martinez, a former food vendor in Mabini, Batangas who now works as a waiter in Barcelona Spain, finished the tough 42.195-kilometer race dominated by Kenyan runners in three hours, seven minutes and two seconds.

Two other Filipino marathoners — Ted Magno and Genesis Cunanan — also did the country proud.

Magno, who represented Endurnace Philippines Ireland Club, clocked three hours, 12 minutes and 42 seconds, while Cunanan, who competed under the INC/Filipino Ultrarunners Italy, timed three hours, 23 minutes and 26 seconds.

Martinez was visibly pleased with his performance.

“I really did not expect to win because the (Run Rome) race was really difficult,” Martinez said in a Facebook post shared by Europe-based Alona Cochon.

“Our goal really is to become good example to our kids, para maging atleta na din at triathletes,”added Martinez, who was accompanied by his sons, Lionel and Erixone.

In a report shared by Cochon, Martinez said he arrived in Barcelona to work as a waiter in year 2000.

“Sa Pilipinas, simpleng mamamayan lang ako na naglalako ng mga pagkain sa Batangas para maka-survive sa buhay,” recalled Martinez.

“Nag-iba lang ang buhay ko nung dumating ako dito sa Barcelona at nag-work bilang waiter. Tapos may isa akong kaibigan na nag-enganyo sa amin na tumakbo. We started sa 5km then 10km hanggang mag half marathon and after that, nag-decide na kami mag full marathon.”

Martinez said they also started running in other countries, such as France and Switzerland before setting their sight son Rome.

“But we’re not stopping after Run Rome Marathon. Kailangan tuloy ang training dahil madami pa kaming activities this year, gaya ng road bike races sa April May at June, at Spartan race at full triathlon sa May. But the biggest is the Full Ironman Barcelona by October 2024.”

The Filipino runners also paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial.

Imperial acknowledged the Filipinos who participated in the Rome marathon “in various capacities.”

“It’s good because in Rome, Italy, there is such a thing as sports diplomacy which is happening right now. EJ Obiena, the number one pole vaulter in Asia, does his training in Italy,” he said.

Meanwhile, six Filipinos had the honor of serving as international pacers in the prestigious marathon.

Pacers have an important role because they guide the runners to achieve their goals.

Mike Gonda and Roland Espina, who both live in Ireland, and New York-based couple JC and Jeanette Santa Teresa and their children Kara and Ashley were chosen as pacers, according to Cochon.

Gonda was happy to be a part of the pacing team.

“Run Rome Marathon is one of the best in the world. It is a fastm flat race. The only challenge to all aiming for their personal best is the cobblestone, so they had to be mindful.”

“I’m honored to be back again. I’m with my good friend Mike Gonda in the 3:25 balloon. We expected the best in atmosphere and fun in the Rome Marathon. Obviously, the challenge was on how to motivate and inspire the runners who trust us to get them to their desired finishing time,” Espina was quoted as saying.

“It’s also a way for us to take a time off work and enjoy Rome together with our love ones.”

Other teams which joined the marathon were Alabama Running Team, AV Valuwe Netherlands, EPIC-Endurance, Phils Ireland Club, G.S. Maiano, Italia Marathon Club, Filipino Runners and Bikers Rome, LBM Sports, Pinoy Runners (Abu Dhabi), Pinoy Runners (Belfast), Pinoy Runners (London), Pinoy Runners (Milan), Pinoy Runners (USA), Pinoy Teens Salinlahi-Cheer Station, PPP- Pinoy Pagong Padyakero, PSI- PADYAK Society Ireland, PURI-Pilipino Ultra, Runners Italy and PR Netherlands.

A record 19,000 marathoners and 15,167 runners joined the annual event.

Nine Kenyan runners made the men’s division top 10, led by podium-finishers Asbel Rutto (2:06:23.61), Brian Kipsang (2:07:55.48) and Sila Kiptoo (2:08:08.11).

Kenyan Yvyne Lagat ruled the women’s category with a time of 2:24:35.36, followed by compatriot Lydia Simiyu (2:56:09.32) and Emebet Niguse of Ethiopia (2:26:40.18).