What Happened
Capital city runners Edwin Rodríguez and Diana Rodríguez emerged as the top finishers in the 21-kilometer category of the 12th Clásica Sábado de Gloria, held April 4 in Aguadulce. The race brought together 412 runners and distributed $6,000 in prizes, reaffirming its place as one of the most demanding road competitions in Panama’s national calendar.
Edwin Rodríguez won the men’s race in 1:15:19 on a course that included stretches through Parque 19 de Octubre, Barrio San José El Coco, Las Salinas and Playa El Salao. Edwin Camarena finished second, 31 seconds behind, and Francisco Gutiérrez placed third, 1 minute and 21 seconds after the winner.
Diana Rodríguez captured the women’s 21K title with a time of 1:37:11. Erika Sánchez followed 32 seconds later, while Tatiana Arcia took third place, 7 minutes and 12 seconds behind the champion.
A Tough Course in Hot Conditions
Rodríguez described the race as especially demanding because of the climate and the conditions along the route. The stretch through the salt flats required athletes to stay hydrated, control their breathing and rely on mental strength to maintain pace.
The event’s competitive depth was underscored by the fact that the 21K records remain untouched since 2023. The men’s mark is held by Kenyan runner Kipkemboi Hosea with 1:08:50, while Geoconda Jurado owns the women’s record at 1:36:12.
Other Winners Across the Distances
In the 10-kilometer men’s race, Santeño runner José Cedeño repeated as champion for the third straight year, finishing in 31:54. Luis Bellido took second in 32:18, and Abel Pino came third in 33:58.
The women’s 10K title went to Kenyan runner Magdaline Jepkoech, who crossed the line in 40:15. Yennis Sanhouse placed second in 41:32, followed by Joanna Herrera in 42:37.
In the 5-kilometer races, Daniel González of Veraguas won the men’s category in 15:56, while Suyeris Guerra claimed the women’s title with a time of 21:02.
Why It Matters
The Clásica Sábado de Gloria continues to draw runners from different provinces and competitive backgrounds, making it an important fixture for Panama’s road-running scene. With strong performances in the 21K, 10K and 5K events, the race again highlighted both local talent and international competition in Aguadulce.