Rome Marathon draws Filipino runners

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino runners are looking forward to the 29th edition of the Acea Run Rome Marathon scheduled on March 17. 

Among them is Filipino-Dutch Filipina Rachel de Weerd, who won two gold medals (10,000m and 5,000m) and a silver (4x100m relay) in the 22nd Asian Masters Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac last November. 

"I am very excited to join the Rome Marathon. It will be fun with my PRG family who will be pacing and of course, to be a marathoner in the Eternal City with other international runners," said the 49-year-old ultrarunner from Ifugao, who migrated to the Netherlands in 2001.

According Alona Cochon, a delegate of the Italian Marathon for the Filipino community, six Filipino international pacers, namely Mike Gonda, Rolando Espina, and New York-based couple JC and Jeanette Santa Teresa and children Kara and Ashley, will serve as international pacers in this year's Rome Marathon.

Aside from the 42.195km race, the Filipinos will also join the relay, 5km fun run and cheer station side events