# Rene Herrera

Rene Gamarcha Herrera (born April 24, 1979) is a Filipino track and field athlete. In total he has won 5 gold medals at South East Asian games. Currently, Herrera is one of the newly appointed coaches of the Philippines national athletics team.

## Early life

Herrera was born and raised in Jordan, Guimaras. He is the son of Rodrigo Herrera, an establishment janitor, and Nenita, a former housekeeper. Herrera started running at high school although, for a time, he was primarily an amateur boxer, competing in that event until the age 17. He stopped boxing with a record of 20 fights and 5 loses. Subsequently, Herrera entered the annual Milo marathon that he won, enabling him to qualify for national competitions.
Herrera is a Philippine Navy seaman, 2nd class and has competed in Southeast Asian, Asian and Olympic Games.

## Career
### 2012 Summer Olympics

In 2012 London Olympic Games, Herrera made his Olympics racing debut in the 5000 metres. He qualified for the Olympics after winning silver at the Hong Kong Intercity Athletics Championships and becoming a five time gold medalist for the Southeast Asian games.
He was the oldest competitor for the Philippines at the Olympics
On August 8, 2012 in Olympic stadium, Herrera finished in 41st place, in a time of 14:44.11, his personal’s best in the 5000 metres. However, Herrera did not advance at heats to the finals.

## Achievements

Herrera competes in the 3000 meter Steeplechase and Marathon events.

### Personal Bests

| Event | Time | Location | Date |
| 3000m Steeplechase | 8:49.39 | Bangkok, Thailand | 28.04.2004 |
| 5000m run | 14:44.11 | London, United Kingdom | 08.08.2012 |

### Competition record

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| 2012 | 2012 Summer Olympics | London, United Kingdom | 41st | 5000 m | 14:44.11 PB |
| 2012 | Hong Kong Intercity Athletics Championships | Hong Kong, China | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:01.73 |
| 2011 | South East Asian Games | Palembang, Indonesia | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:52.23 |
| 2011 | Asian championships | Kobe, Japan | 8th | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:12.34 |
| 2010 | Asian Games | Guangzhou, China | 8th | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:02.93 |
| 2010 | Malaysian Open | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:00.53 |
| 2009 | South East Asian Games | Vientiane, Myanmar | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:11.20 |
| 2008 | Ho Chi Minh Int'l | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | | 3000 m steeplechase [Gold] | 9:00.01 |
| 2008 | Inchon international half marathon | Inchon, Korea | 8th | Half-Marathon | 1:05:59 PB |
| 2007 | South East Asian Games | Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:54:21 |
| 2006 | Asian Games | Doha, Qatar | 6th | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:05.70 |
| 2006 | Philippine Olympic Festival | Palayan City, Philippines | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:58.9 |
| 2005 | South East Asian Games | Manila, Philippines | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:56:14 |
| 2005 | World Cross Country Championships | Saint-Galmier, France | 128 | Men's Short cross | 13:42 |
| 2004 | World Half Marathon Championships | New Delhi, India | 73rd | Half marathon | 1:15:06 |
| 2003 | South East Asian Games | Hanoi, Vietnam | 1st | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:50.78 |
Notes:
* NR - National Record
* PB - Personals best
* NR - National Record
* SB - Seasonal Best