He’s not just a model, but he is also an athlete. Tommy Ros Cuenca, a runner of Filipino-American descent, achieved the second-best American finisher in the men’s division at the Paris Marathon 2024 held in April.
“Not the expected time but sometimes you have to take a step back and realize how far you’ve come,” Cuenca wrote on his social media post on Facebook.
He mentioned facing challenges coping with the effects of high temperatures around 60°F (18°C) along with 90% humidity. According to him, the last 8 kilometers uphill was one of the most challenging parts of the race. However, he conquered it with a strong positive mindset and persistence, leading him to set a personal record (PR) of two hours and 50 minutes.
“Proud of the way I hung on for dear life and snug a PR (personal record) along the way,” Cuenca wrote on Facebook.
“We didn’t break, we got stronger,” he added.
Cuenca embarked on his running journey just two and a half years ago, aiming to participate in more international marathons with the aspiration of qualifying for the Olympic Games.
Aside from running, Cuenca is also a model. He has worked under international and well-known brands and has been seen on the covers and inside magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, and L’Officiel. He also participated in New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week among others.
Last year, he was also recognized by Vogue Philippines. He then shared this through Instagram, saying, “Many thanks to everyone involved in this amazing project highlighting the influence and impact of Filipino models around the globe.”
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(This story was written with the contribution of Alona Cochon).
