The man who holds the record number of wins, seven, in the Clico Trinidad and Tobago Marathon, Pamenos Ballantyne, will, barring injury or any other serious ailment, definitely compete in the 2009 edition.{{more}}

Citing a lack of sponsorship, Ballantyne pulled out of last year’s event, but with help from the National Lotteries Authority, he made the trip to Trinidad and Tobago this year, nine days in advance, to warm up for the Caribbean’s premier Marathon.

Ballantyne last Saturday ran away with the TUTA 10K race in the twin island republic, in 32 minutes 54 seconds, as he prefaced his return to the Marathon.

A quietly confident Ballantyne told SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday from Trinidad and Tobago that he felt well going into Sunday’s race.

“I am in good shape. I am feeling real good and will do my best,” Ballantyne said.

Fresh from his triumph in last December’s Marathon of the Run Barbados Series, Ballantyne will be looking to put an eighth lien on the event, which will be run off early this Sunday morning.

Accustomed to the Chaguanas to Mucarapo route, which spans 26.1 miles, with the finish line, the Haseley Crawford Stadium, Ballantyne will not only be banking on the knowledge of the course, but also his abilities and self motivation accumulated over the years, as he reigned as the Caribbean’s top long distance champion for the past decade and a half.

Ballantyne blazed five successive wins in the T and T event from 1997 to 2001. He returned to record back to back wins in 2003 and 2004, then had to settle to see others finish ahead of him from 2005 to 2007. (RT)