By REYNALD MAGALLON
With the historic city that stood through millennia serving as a fitting backdrop, Florence-based marathoner Lorenzo Castro Jr. emerged as the fastest Filipino in the Acea Run Rome The Marathon 2025 in Italy on Sunday, March 16.
A veteran runner who has been a staple in some of the biggest marathons around Europe, barged into the Top 20 of the race that spanned for more than 42 kilometers in and around Rome and with the iconic Colosseum greeting the runners at the finish line.
He clocked 2 hours, 31 minutes and 13 seconds to become the 18th overall finisher in over 28,000 runners – and 16th in the men’s marathon while Fil-Dutch Rachel de Weerd is fastest among female runners with Filipino blood. She posted a time of 3:28:55.
At least 150 Filipinos from at least 20 Filipino running clubs and organizations from Italy and across the globe participated in the event as fans and running enthusiasts from the PH community in Rome also flocked the streets to show their support at the Cheer Station at the 29km mark of the race.
Also worth mentioning were the six Filipino pacers in the race in Rolando Espina, Fil-Canadian Miguel Garcia, and members of the Santa Teresa Pacing Team in JC, Jeantee, Kara at Cathleen Santa Teresa.
Coming out as second fastest Filipino in the race was Pantaleon Domingo who clocked 2:42:52.
A 36-year-old Filipino runner from Sual, Pangasinan, he secured 90th Overall and 84th in the men’s division among 28,000 runners, including elite international athletes.
“Ok naman ang race , maganda panahon umulan fresco, naChallenge ako sa mga cabblestones at nag cramps sa 32K,” said Dingo
“What excites me most about these events is the thrill of running fast. I’m proud to represent my country and my team, Pinoy Runners Global. Meeting new friends and taking on new challenges keep me motivated,” he added.
Over the years, he has trained relentlessly, balancing the demands of work and sports through discipline and time management. His marathon journey includes remarkable achievements like a 2:41 finish at the 2023 Dubai Marathon.
Aside from that he also finished with a 2:45 in the age category 6 in the Adnoc marathon , 1st place in City Half Marathon with 1:18 time, One run half marathon with 1:18 time for sixth place all in Abu Dhabi.
He was also among 11 men to finish with 2:51 time in the Almaty Marathon in Kazakhstan.
