Ballantyne, Daniel set for OECS Half Marathon

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ representatives to this Saturday’s 27th edition of the NEWIL/Guardian Life OECS Half Marathon, Pamenos Ballantyne and Lisa Daniel, warmed up with comfortable wins in the Log Enterprises Rabacca Dry River to Byera Hill 5K Road Race last Sunday.{{more}}

It was Ballantyne’s first outing in the 5K series for this year, on the Road Races and Cross Country Commission of Team Athletics SVG’s calendar.

Ballantyne, who has won the OECS Half Marathon nine times, with his last win being in Grenada in 2004, and who placed fourth in the 2009 event, crossed the finish line first in 16 minutes 42.91 seconds, to win the Open Male category. Trailing him were Dwight Baptiste in 17 minutes 44.66 seconds, and Yurnic Nanton third in 18 minutes 36.45 seconds.

Ezra Samuel, who finished third overall in 18 minutes 05.52 seconds, also copped the Under-19 male title.

Completing the top three places in the Male Under-19 were Caswell Lewis, second, in 18 minutes 26.51 seconds, and Keron Arthur, third, in 19 minutes 28.29 seconds.

Daniel, who placed second in the female category, at last year’s Half Marathon, notched up a victory, as she finished in 20 minutes 32.72 seconds.

Second to her was Alicia Cox in a time of 28 minutes 08.37 seconds, and third Kericha Fraser in 28 minutes 15.19 seconds.

Nadia Delpesche won the Female Under-19 in a time of 21 minutes 18.40 seconds, with Linda Mc Dowall second in 21 minutes 30.34 seconds, and third, Sueann Martin in 25 minutes 47.71 seconds.

Jamal Williams took the Male Under-15 segment. He clocked 19 minutes 28.89 seconds, ahead of second place finisher Ryan John, in 20 minutes 18.27 seconds, and third place Shamon Hooper, in 21 minutes 40.12 seconds.

Fulicia Creese won the Female Under-15 top prize in 24 minutes 54. 51 seconds, leaving Amada Francis to settle for second in 26 minutes 56.39 seconds. Third place in the category went to Chantel John in 26 minutes 03.74 seconds.

The final road race is the Log Enterprise North Leeward 5K, which takes place on Sunday November 28. (RT)