After more than five years of absence from the running scene, former running queen Cristy Sevilleno Tutor never imagined that she would still be able conquer the odds and regain the glory she had in her younger years.
But this year, Tutor slowly made her comeback, winning one race after another to regain her spot as one of the best runners in the region.
Tutor’s latest feat came at yesterday’s Run United-Regional Series, wherein she won the 21-kilometer race that ended at the Cebu IT Park.
Tutor outran veteran runner Madelyn Carter as she clocked 01:35.24 while Carter logged a time of 01:42.49. Rounding off the top three was newbie Leshuen Abella with a time of 01:42.49.
Tutor admitted she had a tough time getting herself back into the top after giving birth to two children. Before that, thr former University of Cebu star was easily winning races from 2002 to 2006.
“I really did not expect to get back my winning ways. All I wantes was to lose weight,” said Tutor.
More than 4,000 runners answered the starting gun yesterday to culminate Unilab Active Health’s regional running event.
In the men’s side of the 21k race, Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui emerged the winner.
Kiptanui clocked 01:14.49 while John Philip Duenas of the Southwestern University (SWU) placed second with a time of 01:19.19. Dandy Maturan claimed the third spot, clocking 01:21.43.
In the 10k run, Zamboanga’s Mary Grace Delos Santos clocked 47 minutes and 31 seconds to win the race while Glenn Arellano topped the men’s side with a time of 36:03.
Robert Daang and Lovely Andrin ruled the 5k category with times of 16:54 and 20:34, respectively. Jorry Ycong and Cherry Andrin topped the 3k race.
Meanwhile, Unilab Sports and Marketing executive officer Lester Castillo said they are finalizing plans for the National Marathon 42k of the Run United slated October 2012 in Metro Manila.