Pamenos after fifth Butler Classic crown

Aside from his house in St Vincent, long distance king Pamenos Ballantyne will be hoping to build his trophy count at the 21st Annual OWTU Butler Classic 20K Road Race on Thursday.

On his tail will be 2002 Run Barbados champ Cantius Thomas as well as Errol Williams and Curtis Cox who finished fifth and sixth respectively behind Ballantyne in the 2002 Run Barbados Half-Marathon. They will be keen on taking the top spot at this event. The race is the second in Trinidad this year for Ballantyne, the first being his sixth victory in the CLICO TT Marathon in January. He will be on the prowl for his fifth Butler 20K win in six years. Female champ Cyrelene Nero will be challenged by Jennelle Smith, Paula Lucess and Leisl Puckerin for the title.

The race starts at 6 am at Paramount Building, Circular Road, San Fernando and will follow a 5.45 am Race Walk with Young Kings Calypsonian Brian London and Elizabeth Phillip defending their titles. The Butler 4.5K will facilitate the children’s need for friendly competition and Mestizo and Tonya Nero will hope to dominate the event. Mestizo will attempt to replace brother Sandino who left the title vacant and Tonya will defend her title having won last year. The children’s race begins at Jovan’s Grocery, Harris Village at 6.30 am. Ballantyne, Thomas, Cox and Williams will represent the region against  Canada in the Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon in September.