Fil-Irish ultra runner Rolando Espina shows the awards he received for ruling the Negros 134-mile Endurance Run in Bacolod City on March 2, 2025. Espina is one of the Filipino pacers in the 30th Run Rome the Marathon on March 16. (Photo courtesy of Endurance Challenges Phils.)
After clinching victory at the Negros 134-mile Endurance Run on March 2, ultramarathoner Rolando “Jun” Espina is back in Ireland, preparing to take on a new challenge—serving as one of six Filipino pacers at the prestigious Run Rome the Marathon on March 16.
The 50-year-old endurance athlete remained humble about his recent triumph. “Naka-tsamba lang po (I was just lucky),” Espina said in an interview before boarding his flight back to Ireland on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, the Ireland-based Filipino runner expressed his gratitude to his team and the organizers of the grueling 216-kilometer race from Dumaguete City to Bacolod City.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” he wrote. “To everyone who supported us along the route, there’s too many of you to mention, but we are forever thankful.”
A nurse by profession, Espina will be among the international pacers at the Rome Marathon, which is set to welcome over 30,000 runners from around the world, including a strong Filipino contingent.
Fil-Canadian Miguel Garcia and the Santa Teresa Pacing Team from New York, composed of JC, Jeanette, Kara, and Cathleen Santa Teresa, will join Espina as pacers.
As part of their pre-race engagements before the 30th edition of the Rome Marathon, Espina and his fellow Filipino pacers will meet with the Philippine Ambassador to Italy, Nathaniel Imperial.
Originally from Negros Occidental, Espina has carved out a remarkable running career, competing in ultramarathons across Europe and the Philippines. Beyond racing, he is also a dedicated race organizer, having spearheaded an event last year to support children with cancer in Negros.
On February 23, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Grace Macahilig, along with members of the Filipino community, attended a Thanksgiving Mass in honor of the Filipino pacers and runners, marking a moment of unity and inspiration ahead of their participation in the Rome Marathon.
