REGIONAL long distance king Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent could defend his St. Jago 10K crown on October 29.
Ballantyne is among several overseas athletes which are being wooed for the race, Diana Blake, marketing manager of sponsors Burger King said yesterday.
Ballantyne, the winner of the race in April earlier this year in a record 31 minutes and two seconds, had expressed an
interest in participating again after his victory.
"We are again anticipating the participation of international runners such as Pamenos Ballantyne, the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) champion," said Blake at a press conference, held at Burger King's head office on Hope Road yesterday.
Ballantyne was the top Caribbean finisher in the marathon at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He placed 31st in 2:19.08, one place ahead of Trinidad's Ronnie Holassie (32nd) in 2:19.24.
The road race will as usual start at the Ferry Police (at 7:00 a.m.) on the Mandela Highway and end at Burger King in Portmore.
According to race director John Leiba, several schools across the island have confirmed their participation for the event. Among some of the clubs and schools down to compete are Holmwood Technical, St. Jago High, Vere Technical, Bellefield Comprehensive, Edwin Allen Comprehensive, Montego Bay Comets, Alcan and GC Foster College.
The cash prize for every category, including the winning schools, will be $4,000 for first place, $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third.
The Burger King/St.Jago 10K is one of five races in the $200,000 Jamdammers Grand Prix Racing Series. Runners have to run in at least three of the five races in the series in order to qualify for cash prizes.
