Meet Rogelio Espe, the oldest marathoner at 2025 Trilogy Run Asia

Some would argue that the best test of a runner’s strength is speed. Others might say it’s distance.

For 75-year-old Rogelio Espe, his running journey shows the power of discipline and consistency.

Roger earned recognition as the oldest marathoner at the recent 2026 Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia Finals awarding night. At 75, he shared his story with One Sports.

Originally, his sport was tennis, but it was his fellow tennis teammates who nudged him toward running.

“Originally, ang sports ko is tennis. Tapos ‘yong mga kasama ko sa tennis, nagtatakbuhan. Tumakbo na rin ako,” he laughs.

Since 2010, Roger has been running. It started with just 5 kilometers, because, as they say, every journey begins with that first race. 

Soon, he found running enjoyable, and over time, he expanded to marathons—and even ultramarathons.

“Ang first takbo ko ‘yong Milo Marathon sa Dagupan City.”

“Naki-join lang ako, eh. Tapos no’ng tumakbo ako, parang na-enjoy ko. Parang bitin ‘yong 5km. So nag-10km ako. Next, after ng 10km, bitin parang kulang. Nag-21km na. ‘Yon na-enjoy ko na hanggang 42km ko.”

“Naka-102km ako no’ng BDM [Bataan Death March].”

75-year-old oldest marathoner Rogelio Espe at Trilogy Run Asia 2025

What’s his best advice for runners? Simple: just keep running.

“Tumakbo lang saka makipag-join sa mga tumatakbo. Tumakbo lang sila kasi sa akin, na-enjoy ko ‘yong pagtakbo. Dapat enjoy-in niyo din ang pagtakbo,” he added.

Roger’s story is a testament that passion, consistency, and enjoyment are what make a runner truly unstoppable—no matter the age.

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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.

She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.