How late have you been to a big race, and still ended in the Top 10?  

Rolando Saura, 42 years old, from Liloan town, north Cebu proved that the feat is possible.

He started about 20 minutes late in a marathon but still ended on fifth place.  

The CN100 Marathon spanned 100 kilometers from Cebu City to Bogo City in the northern section of Cebu Province.

According to Saura, he stopped by a fast food outlet and had a chat with some friends. Despite the delay at gun start, which started at 4 p.m., he focused tightly on his pacing and the goal trimmed down to just reach the finish line. 

But the CN100 Marathon underscored his prowess in running, an endeavor wherein he also started late in life.

He shared that he started jogging just this January 2025 primarily to lose weight. But the goal led him to take an interest in marathons which has inspired him even more when his participation started reaping medals. Several prizes.

Saura, as of this writing, prepares for another marathon, this time in Bohol. 

He is not bent on arriving late, though. He is keen on an early finish a kilometer at a time.