Milo Olongapo 21K Panique, Delfin rule the roost

Forced to join a race far from his hometown, Eric Panique made sure the trip was worth it as he ruled the 21-kilometer qualifying race of the Milo Marathon in Olongapo City. A native of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, Panique—who skipped the closer Iloilo leg race so he could join the Camarines Sur Marathon— clocked one hour, 11 minutes and 18 seconds to book a return trip to the Milo national finals. The 26-year-old Panique wound up fourth in the 42K finals won by Eduardo Buenavista two years ago. Cristine Delfin of the University of Santo Tomas topped the women’s race with a 1:46:48 clocking, but failed to make the qualifying standard of 1:35 for the national finals set in Metro Manila. Fourteen runners, including men’s race second and third placers Crifrankreadel Indapan (1:13:27) and Abraham  Barcarse Jr. (1:14:42), made the grade for the national finals on Dec. 12. So far, 383 runners have qualified from the 15 elimination races. Two more qualifying legs remain with the Butuan race scheduled Nov. 21 and Cagayan de Oro set Nov. 28. The Olongapo race lured a total of 7,728 runners.