Romany triumphs in Run Barbados Casuarina 10k, hands Ekesa second defeat

Nicholas Romany of Trinidad and Tobago handed Kenyan Alex Ekesa his second defeat in as many days when on Saturday, December 9, at Barclays Park, Barbados, Romany won the 2023 Run Barbados Casuarina 10k, one of the oldest races in the Caribbean.

Romany, who won the PwC Fun Mile the night before at the Garrison Savannah, won Saturday’s 10k in a time of 32 minutes 55 seconds, ahead of the reigning Run Barbados marathon champion Ekesa who came second in 32 minutes 58 seconds, while Darren Mathews was third in 34 minutes 58 seconds.

Romany and Ekesa went at it stride for stride till the last 1,500 metres when the Kenyan took the lead. Romany sat back on his opponent’s shoulder, biding his time to make use of his superior finishing speed.

With about 300 metres to go, Romany surged to the front, and despite a valiant attempt by Ekesa, the Trinidadian’s superior finishing speed proved too much for the Kenyan to match; Romany crossing the finish line to secure another victory over his vaunted opponent for the second time in as many days.

Meanwhile Mathews, who tried to stay with the two front runners, was unable to summon the power to the end and he had to settle for a third place podium finish.

The duo are expected to pit their skills against each other on Sunday morning, December 10, 2023, in either the Farley Hill Marathon, or the Sand Dunes Half-marathon.

In the Casuarina 10k Female category, Leidy Manosalva-Lozano was the winner in a time of 35 minutes 53 seconds, second was Herimiarintsoa Felix in 37 minutes 35 seconds, while Carlie Robinson was third in 43 minutes 43 seconds.

Luke McIntyre won the male category of the Sleeping Giant 5k in a time of 16 minutes 42 seconds, second was Rick Williams in 16 minutes 59 seconds, and third was Matthieu Clarke in 17 minutes 26 seconds.

The women’s category was won by Jalene Cruz in 19 minutes 38 seconds; she had placed second in the Fun Mile women category the night before. Hot on her heels coming in second place was Ashlyn Simmons in 19 minutes 46 seconds, and third was Laila McIntyre in 20 minutes 09 seconds.

Luke McIntyre and Laila McIntyre won the male and female Under-15 categories, respectively.

The 40th Run Barbados weekend of activities will culminate on Sunday December 10, 2023 with the Joe’s River 5k Walk, the Farley Hill Marathon, and the Sand Dunes Half-marathon, at the Barclay’s Park. (Robertson S. Henry)