ROME—Over a hundred Filipino runners from around the world have arrived in Rome to participate in the 30th edition of Acea Run Rome The Marathon, one of Italy’s most prestigious sporting events.
Among them is Wayne Elep from the UAE, who recently completed the Tokyo Marathon Major just last weekend. “I’m so excited to run in Rome,” he shared. “I’m happy to have completed the major marathons, and even happier to reunite with my fellow Filipino runners. This will be my third time running in Rome, and this year, my wife will join me in the relay race.”
A key highlight for the Filipino community is the Philippine Cheer Station at the 29km mark. This year, the Pinoy Teens Salinlahi group will take center stage, showcasing Philippine culture and folklore dance, adding a vibrant touch of Filipino pride to the race.
The Filipino runners also made a courtesy call to Ambassador Nathaniel Imperial at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, underscoring the strong community spirit among participants.
For Myra Pia Santos from California, this race carries a deeply personal meaning. “This run is for my mom, who passed away last Sunday. I will remember her with every step, pushing through until I cross the finish line,” she said.
The Acea Run Rome The Marathon is Italy’s largest sporting event, attracting both professional and amateur athletes. This year’s edition is set to break records, featuring two full days of competitions. For the first time, the Acea Water Fun Run, a 5-km city race, will take place on Saturday morning, ahead of Sunday’s full marathon and the Acea Run4Rome solidarity relay. The historic Circus Maximus will serve as the grand finish line, marking a new milestone in the event’s history.
Since its competitive debut in 2021 with 7,105 runners, the marathon has experienced phenomenal growth, with 27,354 registered participants this year—a number expected to exceed 28,000 as registrations remain open. Over the weekend, more than 50,000 runners from 110 nations will take part in various events, including 22,000 international participants.
For first-time marathoner Daryl Hope of Team PURI ASD, months of training have led to this exciting moment. “I’ve been preparing for this for a long time since it’s my first marathon. Now that I’m here, I want to give it my all and make the experience worth it. I’m beyond excited!” he shared.
The marathon was officially presented at Campidoglio, the headquarters of Rome Capital, with the presence of key officials, including Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Councilor for Major Events, Sports, and Tourism Alessandro Onorato, Regional Director of Presidency Affairs, Tourism, Cinema, Audiovisual, and Sports for the Lazio Region Paolo Giuntarelli, Cecilia D’Angelo from the CONI Territory Directorate, Acea Communications Director Virman Cusenza, and Joma Italia Commercial Director Alessandro Annibale.
The marathon’s 30th anniversary coincides with the Jubilee, making this year’s event even more special. Runners will follow a breathtaking route along Via della Conciliazione, pass through Piazza Papa Pio XII, and loop around Largo del Colonnato at the 16km mark, with the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica towering before them.