The two Vincentian athletes, Pamenos Ballantyne and Lisa Daniel, who competed in last Saturday’s 27th edition of the NEWIL/Guardian Life OECS Half Marathon, in Tortola, both finished third in their respective categories.{{more}}

Ballantyne’s time in the event was 1 hr 09 min 50 secs, while Daniel’s time was 1 hr 38 min 56 secs.

It was a significant improvement for Ballantyne over his performance last year, when the annual race was held here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Last Saturday, Ballantyne clocked a time that was seven minutes 45 seconds faster than last year’s time.

In last year’s event, Ballantyne, who has won the event on nine occasions, clocked 1hr 17 mins 35 secs, and placed fourth.

Ballantyne also holds the course record of 1 hr 7 mins 3 secs.

When quizzed by SEARCHLIGHT about the improvement on his time over last year’s, Ballantyne said that his current training regimen, and the fact that the course was relatively flat accounted for his better returns.

Additionally, the race was run in the early morning, starting just after 6a.m.

The race was won by American Michael Aish in 1 hr 7 mins 38 secs, with five time winner St. Lucian Zepherinus Joseph clocking 1 hr 8 mins 22 secs, which earned him the second spot.

Completing the top five was Trinidadian Curtis Cox, who finished fourth in 1hr 14 mins 27 sec, and fifth Bram Sanderson of Dominica in 1 hr 26 mins 53 secs.

Daniel, who placed second in last year’s race, was once again beaten by Trinidadian Shermin Lasaldo, whose winning was time 1 hr 35 mins 35 secs. Taking the second place was Maria Mays of the BVI in 1 hr 36 mins 56 secs.

All 68 runners who started the race also completed the course.

There were 34 males and an equal number of females who competed in the 2010 version of the sub regional road races fixture. (RT)