Jones surges to Green Mile glory

Wendy D’Arbasie of Central Bank, the red hot favourite to win the women’s event, didn’t disappoint charging to the finish line in a time of 7.07 a faster time than her 7.31 in 2005, leaving second place Leigh-Ann Benjamin also of CBTT in her dust.

Midway through the race Jones was locked in a group of three runners — Rodney Julien of ALGICO, Nikosi Mc Leish of RBTT Bank and Mark Thomas of Republic Bank.

On the back stretch of the course just before the final bend it looked like Jones had a battle on his hands, but he craftily manoeuvred around the bend and at the same time took care of his opponents. Rodney Julien and Mark Thomas faded as Mc Leish pushed on past them to finish behind Jones in 5.45. Jones won the event in two seconds faster 5.43.

“I felt confident right through, it was just a matter of time before I unleashed my kick to the finish line,” said Jones, who won the One-Lap Savannah, last week.

D’Arbasie followed her last week’s performance and headed for the front, leading as it were and never looking back.

She was never challenged and had her own way on the course, bettering her 2005 time and finishing ahead of Leigh-Ann Benjamin by 11 seconds in 7.07.

“I am glad to win again, this is one of the events that I like to run very much and my performance today proves it,” commented D’Arbasie after the race.

Top finishers—

Female—

1 WENDY D’ARBASIE (CENTRAL) 07:07; 2 LEIGH-ANN BENJAMIN (CENTRAL) 07:18; 3 SUSAN RUSSELL (RBTT) 07:21; 4 MICHELLE STURGE-WHITE (REPUBLIC) 07:51; 5 MUMTAZ AMARALI (REPUBLIC) 07:52; 6 ELENA DIAZ (GUARDIAN) 07:53; 7 SUSAN SPICER (CENTRAL) 07:56; 8 ANOUK LEE-WO (GUARDIAN) 08:06; 9 CECILA MELVILLE (CITIGROUP) 08:11

Male—

1 RICHARD JONES(UTC) 05:43; 2 NIKOSI MC LEISH (RBTT) 05:45; 3 RODNEY JULIEN (ALGICO) 05:57; 4 MARK THOMAS (REPUBLIC) 05:58; 5 ARTHUR LENDORE (CLICO) 06:02; 6 DEVON CORKE (UTC) 06:03; 7 JUSTIN HENRY (GUARDIAN) 06:11; 8 MICHAELLUCESS (CENTRAL) 06:13; 9 KAREEM ALLETTE (RBTT) 06:15; 10 RENEREID (CITIGROUP) 06:19