Espina among six Filipino pacers in 30th Rome Marathon
AFTER winning the Negros 134-mile Endurance Run on March 2, ultramarathoner Rolando “Jun” Espina returned to Ireland to resume his preparation as one of the six Filipino pacers in the prestigious Run Rome the Marathon on March 16.
“Naka tsamba lang po (I was just lucky),” the 50-year-old Espina said in an interview before his return flight to Ireland on Tuesday, referring to his Negros 134-mile victory.
In his Facebook post, the Ireland-based Filipino endurance runner thanked his team and organizer of the Negros 134-mile (216 kilometers) Endurance Run from Dumaguete City to Bacolod City.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” he said. “To everyone who supported us along the route, there’s too many of you to mention, we are forever thankful.”
Espina, a nurse by profession, will join international pacers in the Rome Marathon which is expected to attract over 30,000 runners worldwide, including Filipino participants.
Aside from Espina, other Filipino pacers are Fil-Canadian Miguel Garcia and the Santa Teresa Pacing Team composed of JC, Jeanette, Kara, and Cathleen Santa Teresa from New York.
Before the 30th Rome Marathon, Espina and other Filipino pacers and runners will pay a courtesy call to Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial.
Espina, who hails from Negros Occidental, found great passion is the sport of running, having joined numerous ultramarathons in Europe and the Philippines.
He is also into organizing races, including a running event for children with cancer in Negros last year.
Last Feb. 23, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Grace Macahilig and the Filipino community attended a Thanksgiving Mass for Filipino pacers and runners as part of their preparations for the Rome Marathon. Alona Cochon/PNA
