Cox threat to Ballantyne in TTUTA 10k

CARIBBEAN long-distance king Pamenos Ballantyne will be coming to defend his TTUTA/M&M Insurance 10k title on Saturday, when over $14,000 will be at stake.

But he will get a serious challenge from a resurgent Trinidad star Curtis Cox. The Trinidadian has beaten the St Vincent champion in their last two meetings. Cox whipped Ballantyne in winning the Run Barbados Half Marathon, and in his fourth place finish in the Fort-de-France Half Marathon in Martinique, the Trinidadian also upstaged the SVG runner. In recent times too, Ballantyne has suffered the indignity of being banned by the St Vincent Amateur Athletic Association and denied the chance to defend his OECS Half-Marathon title in St Kitts last November. He also missed the Jamaican Reggae Marathon which he won in 2001 and 2002, opting for a rest from running.

Saturday’s run which begins at 4.30 pm will be part preparation for Ballantyne for his assault on this year’s 22nd edition of the CLICO/T&T Marathon which takes place here on January 25. The defending TTUTA/M&M Insurance women queen Solange Griffith will face a stiff test by teenage schoolgirl Pilar McShine. McShine, a student at the Success/Laventille Composite School, has been dominating at 5k, but recently made a smooth transition to the longer event, finishing fourth behind Kenyan former world record holder Catherine Ndereba in the splendid time of 39 minutes 25 seconds. Jason Parris and Jacqueline Jodhan will also defend their titles in the Teachers’ One Savannah Lap race which begins opposite QRC from 4 pm.

Winners of Saturday’s race will collect $800, with the runner-up getting $700, third $600; fourth $500. Apart from these prizes, there will be cash awards to the top three finishers, male and female in seven other categories — 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 and over, and physically challenged. This year’s 10k will start opposite Whitehall, Queen’s Park West, and after making a full lap of the Queen’s Park, Savannah, the course will take runners along Saddle Road, Maraval; Long Circular Road; Tragarete Road; Cipriani Boulevard and back to the finish opposite Queen’s Royal College, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.