Sotto ends Unabia’s winning run in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: The City of Golden Friendship saw intense competition as veteran runner Jeff Sotto renewed a staunch rivalry with four-time regional champion Arnold Unabia at the 36th Milo Marathon Cagayan de Oro race on Sunday.

Three- time Milo Marathon King Cresenciano Sabal also graced the 21-k tracks to wrap the top 3 cast of the men’s division race. The rivals treated spectators to a thrilling showdown of agility as they fought to win the last qualifying leg of the season.

Last year’s CDO second placer Sotto stopped the clock at a commendable 1:13:10, barely beating Unabia (1:13:41) and Sabal (1:13:55). Sotto expressed that today’s victory is a forecast of years to come, as he hopes to spark his own winning streak in both regional and national races. “Today’s victory was definitely refreshing, but beating Unabia is just the beginning. Running alongside the country’s best Filipino and foreign athletes in the finals will be a daunting feat, but I am eager to prove myself in that track,” said the Iligan City Roadrunner.

The distaff division also saw a heated race unfold as Aileen Tolentino dominated the 21-k track at 1:30:39 ahead of Michelle Ann Sampang (1:31:16) and last year’s regional champion Cresabel Cadion (1:35:45).

The most competitive of the athletic Tolentino sisters said that she is determined to shift the ranks to her favor when she takes on tracksters Jho-An Banayag and Mary Grace delos Santos in December. “The amount of pressure leading to the finale is building up. I have about two weeks to improve my pace and get in shape for the big race,” said Tolentino, who has been running for two decades. “Beating my best time of 3:06 for the 42k distance at the finals will require more training, but I’m ready to go head to head with veterans in the sport.”