Blisters! Pamenos places fourth in T&T Marathon

Blame Pamenos Ballantyne’s eventual fourth place in last Sunday’s Clico Trinidad and Tobago Marathon on blisters on his feet.{{more}}

Ballantyne, who was taking aim at his eighth lien on the event, on the 27th time it was staged, claimed that he was feeling “a lot of blisters after the first 10 miles”.

He finished fourth, behind Kenyan Simon Sawe, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ronnie Hollassie, and St. Lucian Zephrinus Joseph.

Ballantyne recorded one of his worst times in the event, 2 hours – 28 minutes – 47.2 seconds.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT last Monday, from Trinidad and Tobago, Ballantyne said: “My toes were badly blistered; there were blisters all over my toes”.

The distance runner said he was not using it as an excuse because he was well prepared and was in good shape, “but things did not go according to plans”.

With the pains and disappointment gradually disappearing, Ballantyne said that his immediate focus will be on the track.

“Down here there are a lot of games coming up like the Southern Games, so I will be training for the track,” he added.

“My focus will be on track for the Caribbean Games in July,” Ballantyne concluded.

The inaugural Caribbean Games is set for July in Trinidad and Tobago, and will involve six sporting disciplines.

Sawe, who made it back-to-back victories, clocked 2 hours – 24 minutes – 06.5 seconds. Hollassie, who like Sawe is based in the USA, returned a time of 2 hours – 25 minutes – 11.7 seconds, while Joseph ‘s time was 2 hours – 27 minutes – 24.9 seconds.

Home boy Richard Jones secured the fifth spot in 2 hours – 29 minutes – 17.5 seconds.

The female segment was won by Nigerian Mary Akor, who won in 2 hours – 46 minutes – 47 seconds, following wins in 2006 and 2007.

The winners in both the male and female categories earned TT$25 200. (RT)