- CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent and the Grenadines crosses the finish line to win the Reggae Marathon in Negril yesterday for the fourth time.
Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
NEGRIL:
ST. VINCENT and The Grenadines' Pamenos Ballantyne and Jamaica's Arieta Martin retained their Reggae Marathon titles with impressive victories in yesterday's fifth event at Long Beach Park.
Despite early challenges from United States' Michael Wardian, Ballantyne emerged an easy winner in the 26-mile event.
Ballantyne, who took the lead at the halfway stage, looked strong when he crossed the finishing line in two hours, 28 minutes and 42 seconds, well ahead of Wardian (2: 35.25) and Jamaica's Andrew Gutzmore (2:42.30).
The top five was completed by Bogdan Barewski of Germany (2:50.05) and Jamaican Gregory McKenzie (2:57.51).
Though he was a distance of his course record of 2:21.05, Ballantyne said he accomplished his target.
"The main thing is to win, not to break records," said the four-time champion of the event. "My first goal approaching a marathon is to win and the time comes after.
"I am so happy to come back here and defend my title. I have to thank God because He gives me everything and also the people of Jamaica who supported me," he said.
Ballantyne walked away with $96,000 and the Bob Marley Trophy while Wardian took $64,000 and Gutzmore, the top Jamaican and overall third-place collected $112,000.
In the women's section, despite the slow time, Martin was comfortable in taking the event, her second straight, in three hours, 33 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of Delwyn Williamson (3: 34.33) and Fiona Syme (2:39.18).
Martin, like Ballanyne, said winning was the main focus.
COMFORTABLE WIN
"I really wanted to retain my title. I know the time is slow, but this is my third marathon, so I'm comfortable," said Martin after finishing way behind Russian Ramilia Burangulova's four-year old mark of 2:42.25.
"It wasn't difficult, but I was uncomfortable because of blisters ... I just kept on pushing it from start to finish," said Martin who won for herself $160,000 as the overall winner and first Jamaican.
Debra Thomas (4:00.32) and Edit Kiss (4:02.37) completed the top five females.
Jamaicans too good by 'half'
NEGRIL:
IT WAS an all-Jamaica affair as the island's Wainard Talbert and Tamica Thomas raced away with the Central American & Caribbean Cup and Reggae Half Marathon titles here yesterday.
Talbert who finished in one hour, nine minutes and 10 seconds, beat fellow Jamaicans Sean Pitter (1:09.37) and Michael Tomlin (1:09.56) while Thomas (1:29.25) finished ahead of Merricia James (1:29.37) and Rosemarie Alridge (1:29.44).
The highly touted Trinidadian, Certis Cox, who defeated Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent and The Grenadines in the Trinidad & Tobago Clico Marathon earlier this year, was relegated to eighth in 1:13.13. Cox's Trinidadian teammates also failed to spark.
CONFIDENT START
A delighted Talbert told The Gleaner he was very confident before the start.
"The time (of day) was cool, once the time was not hot like in Portmore for the Burger King 10K; I knew I would run a good time," he said.
Though he finished outside the course record, Talbert said that wasn't part of his plan as he only knew of the record when he crossed the finish line.
"I wasn't focusing on any record," he said.
The Half Marathon, which saw four Jamaicans, Talbert, Rupert Green, Sean Pitter and Michael Tomlin rubbing shoulders right up to the 10K mark, turned out quite easy for the winner in the end.
Meanwhile, Thomas described her race a well put together.
"I just went out there to do my best because only the best is good enough," she said. "I came here today to win and I did it and I am pretty pleased with my personal best."
- A.F.
