Cox stops Ballantyne tracks

Pamenos Ballantyne, is brushing aside last Sunday’s lost in the Clico Trinidad and Tobago Marathon, attributing “cramps’’, both in his legs and stomach,which saw the caribbean’s top premier distance athlete placing third. {{more}}

A pre race favourite having chalked up seven previous victories in the 22 year event, Ballantyne clocked 2 hrs 26 mins. 37 secs.

In recounting the race, Ballantyne said, at one point he wanted to “drop out’’, but was urged on by many of his compatriots, mainly students at the University of the West Indies.

Dispelling thoughts that he was out of form, Ballantyne said that he was in “good shape.’’ for the event.

‘’It’s not everyday that your body will feel the way you want’’, Ballantyne stated.

The race was won by Trinidadian Curtis Cox in 2 hours 24 mins.21 secs.

It was a big occasion for the 38 year old Cox, who was making his nineteenth attempt at his country’s top marathon.

Cox ended an eleven year drought for Trinidad and Tobago, after Michael Alexander last won in 1994.

Venezulean Jefferson Rivas docked in second clocking 2 hours 25 mins 47 secs.

Veteran Vincentian female long distance runner, Adelaide Carrington placed second in the Women’s version. She was a distance behind the repeated winner, Polish, Joanna Grout. Carrington finished 40 minutes after Grout. Carrington finished the 26.2 mile event in 3 hours 33 minutes 42 secs. Grout completed the course from Chaguanas to the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain,in 2 hours 53 minutes 16 secs. Carrington,like Ballantyne pocketed TT$12600.

Trinidadian Natalie Suite was third among the women.

Ballantyne who started his dominance of the Trinidad and Tobago Marathon in 1997,as a 22 year old, has notched up triumphs in 1998,1999,2000,2001,2003 and 2004.