ROME, Italy—Filipino runner Lorenzo Castro Jr. broke into the top 35 of the Run Rome The Marathon on Sunday, leading the Filipino contingent with a strong performance against a field dominated by Kenyan athletes.
Castro clocked a personal best of 2 hours 29 minutes and 41 seconds in the 42.195-kilometer race, finishing as the fastest Filipino among more than 36,000 participants and placing sixth in his age category.
The result further bolstered his standing as one of the most consistent Filipino distance runners competing in Europe.
“Masaya po ako, masaya ako para sa Pilipinas! Personal best today — 2:29:41. Di madali pero nakaya naman. Last week, nagkasakit dahil sa changes ng panahon, pero naka-recover!” Castro said.
Kenya’s Asbel Rutto retained the men’s title in 2:06:32 after edging compatriot Henry Tukor Kichana, who finished second in 2:06:36.
In the women’s race, Pascaline Kibiwot set a new course record to claim victory.
