Tassa, steelpan for CLICO Marathon

ELEMENTS of Trinidad and Tobago culture will be interwoven into the staging of next year’s CLICO Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon on January 25. The introduction of steelband music and the pulsating sounds of tassa and Afro drums along the 26.2 mile route is specifically designed to highlight the indigenous talent of the local artistes,  especially to visitors. This was revealed yesterday by Raffique Shah chairman of the Marathon Committee at the official launch of the event at the CL Financial Executive Suite, Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. Also present were Russell Tesheira, CLICO’s Vice-President, Sales and Agencies Administration and representatives of secondary sponsors Colfire (Mitra Ramjit), Rossi (Ian Joseph) and BWIA (Clint Williams). Express Newspapers is also listed among the sponsors. Shah said the CLICO Marathon had supplanted the Bermuda race as the biggest in the Caribbean with $209,200 in prize money at stake for the outstanding competitors.

The prize money has been increased with additional incentives for the women and the young runners, their coaches and clubs. The men’s winner will pocket $25,200 with $19,000 for the runner-up and $12,600 for the third-placed finisher. There are also cash prizes up to the 30th place but only local runners will be eligible from 11th onwards. In the women’s category the winner stands to collect $19,000 with $12,600 for the runner-up and $6,300 going to the third-placed participant. The Men and Women Masters (40 and Open International) will get $1,000 for winning with $700 and $500 for the second and third-placed finishers respectively. Cash incentives will also be given for breaking the course record (US $1,000); Sub-two hour 12 minute winner (US $2,000) and Sub-two hour 35 minute female winner (US $2,000). Holder of the course record is Pamenos Ballantyne who clocked 2:15.30 last year for his sixth victory in the annual event. Shah said the St Vincent and the Grenadines runner is expected back to defend his title and is aiming to attain the “B” qualifying time for the Athens Olympics.

The women’s course record is currently held by Gitte Karlshoej who established the 2:43.17 standard last year. The Dane is also expected to be back next year. Shah said the Trinidad and Tobago’s top long distance runner and national record holder now possesses dual citizenship after being domiciled in the US for several years. He said he has not heard from the runner recently and is not sure of his participation next January. “However if he shows any interest we will have a ticket ready for him to come home,” said Shah yesterday. He said Holassie has a double incentive to run since he has never won the CLICO Trinidad and Tobago Marathon and has never beaten Pamenos Ballantyne over the demanding distance. The race once more will get underway at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas and finish in front of the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain with the runners proceeding on a course along the Southern Main Road to Curepe and then west along the Eastern Main Road into Port-of-Spain. Yesterday awards were also presented to several individuals who have rendered yeoman service over the years to the event which had its inception in 1983.