BRONX, NY — I met 31-year-old Roman Huero 15 years ago while he was employed as a bus boy at a local diner in the Bronx and student at Lehman High School. Then he was athletic and later conscious about fitness with a daily routine of attending the gym. Lifting weights, the exercises, and more.
But running and going the mile was always a passion. A Mexican-American born and raised in the Bronx, Huero continued to run for distance leaving the front door, to the street, back-and-forth three miles or more on the track at Pelham Bay Park.
His passion, running for distance. Conscious of strain and mentality to run mile-for-mile. A constant passion that developed two years ago and daily routine that built discipline, ability meeting a finish line for his goal.
Roman Huero, a longtime supporter of Latino Sports, began his training and preparation for the New York City Marathon back in August – Image Credit: Rich Mancuso/Latino Sports
Then the vision, competing in half-mile marathons. The goal was to finish, training got more intense in between employment as manager of Quality Grill & Gyro in the Pelham Bay area of the Bronx, a long day into night. Proper diet also that are requirements with someone who desires to run distance miles.
The competition and requirements are rigorous, similar to a professional athlete, though a marathon runner calls themselves athletes and rightfully so as it should be. The training and assuring muscles are not tight are essential. The effort to overcome adversity and not quit, assuring himself to set a personal finish time and best the next one.
Huero was persistent, eventually entering numerous lotteries to enter half mile runs in the five boroughs of New York City with the various entry fees. Two years ago, he had that vision and it was time to go for that big one, the annual 26-mile worldwide event: The New York City Marathon. With the lottery process, and all the fees with the New York Road Runners organization, Huero got the call.
Roman Huero was one of over 55,000 participating in the New York City Marathon this past Sunday across the Big Apple – Image Credit: New York Road Runners
Sunday morning into the early evening, over 55,000 runners set a record, over 200,000 applications of a lottery, three percent acceptance worldwide. And Huero was one of the 55,000 that began their journey in Staten Island across the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, culminating at the finish line in Central Park.
A long journey to enter a worldwide spectacle that hosts thousands from around the country and around the globe. An early wake up call at 5:00AM ET, and trip to the starting point. The sites of New York City in the background, thousands around the mile points of five boroughs cheering and offering support, of course Huero and runners meeting face-to-face along the route.
Some collapsed midway, the strain too much. Others took a pause that disrupted their finish time. A majority crossed the finish line, that was their goal. Huero was no different as his two-year journey ended in a finish time of 4:01, as he says not his goal.
Roman Huero crossing the finishing line on Sunday afternoon to cap off his day at the New York City Marathon – Image Credit: New York City Marathon
But there is always next year, or the year after to better that mark. Huero was sore though not appearing on a limp as he returned to work Monday afternoon, a medal signifying his finish proudly displayed to friends, family, and loyal customers.
The following are his comments about the experience. We at LatinoSports.com are proud of his accomplishment.
“I was glad it was over and I couldn’t believe I did it. I liked the medal but the feeling of me actually finishing the 26 miles was more important. I’ve been running for two years and I’ve only done half marathons but I started training for this marathon since August of this year.”
“We left Manhattan at 5 AM to head to Staten Island, where the excitement started to build as thousands of runners gathered. After waiting for the race to begin, the sound of helicopters overhead and the cannon blast to start the race gave me chills. Every street along the course was filled with energy—crowds cheering, music, and pure motivation everywhere.”
“The Queensboro Bridge was one of the toughest parts, quiet and steep, but once I hit the Bronx, the noise and support brought me back to life. The climb up Fifth Avenue toward Central Park tested everything I had left—it felt endless.”
“But when I saw the sign that said, ‘800 meters to go,’ I gave it everything I had and sprinted to the finish. It was tough, emotional, and unforgettable—the kind of day that reminds you why you run.”
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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