(Trinidad Express) Pamenos Ballantyne, 37, one of the best long-distance runners in the region, came straight from Piarco International Airport to the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain to compete in the seventh annual Vinci Construction Savannah one-lap race on Sunday.
And the long journey was worth it since he won the event in a new race record of 11 minutes, 37.7 seconds, erasing last year’s record by Guyanese Lionel Dandrade by 5.8 seconds. Second to Ballantyne was defending champion Drandrade (11:47), followed by Sherwyn Stapleton (11:47.4) and Kelvin Johnson (11:50.9).
Meanwhile, the adult mini-duathlon (run/cycle/run) attracted 75 competitors, and it was Guyana’s Kelvin Johnson who won in a time of 37:25.3. Along the way, Johnson also smashed Clarance Tobias’ 2010 record of 39:00.2. Second to Johnson was last year’s winner, Tobias (38:09.7), followed by Ancil Greene (39:02.9), David Hay (39:43.7) and Ryan Mendes (41:30.2).
Among the ladies, newcomer and Team Hope member Jenna Ross eclipsed last year’s record by Tracey Carter (48:59.9), with a time of 46:23.2.
And following home Ross were Thais Gutierrez (47:46.5) and veteran Louise Smart (49:04.3). Tyrese Balgaroo and Shian Hislop won the 7-9 duathlon male and female events respectively. Kenwyn Medina and Elizabeth Long won the 13-15. male and female competitions.
The next Rainbow Warriors event will be the seventh annual Toyota Rainbow Cup International Triathlon at Heritage Park, Turtle Beach, from May 28- 29.
