Marathon & Road Running Thread (featuring T&T athletes at Home & Abroad)

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http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/_Hagley_in_NACAC_10K-132287978.html

Hagley in NACAC 10K
Story Created: Oct 20, 2011 at 10:54 PM ECT

Trinidad and Tobago's Matthew Hagley is among the runners who will be on show in Sunday's North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) 10K.
 
The race starts at 7 a.m. outside Whitehall at the Queen's Park Savannah, and finishes in front of Queen's Royal College.
 
Sunday's event is the third in a series of six 10K races being staged by NACAC.

Hagley triumphed in the second 10K, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on October 8. The T&T runner completed the course in 34 minutes, 21 seconds.
 
Race director Durly Lucas told the Express that Richard Jones, Curtis Cox and all the other top local road runners are also expected to compete on Sunday. Celine Lestrade, who finished third in the women's race in Tortola, will bid to improve on that performance in the T&T leg.
 
The fourth race in the NACAC series takes place in Martinique, on November 13, while the fifth and sixth races will be staged in Dominica (November 27) and Grenada (December 11), respectively.

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http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,149817.html

Towett dethrones Sawe at UWI Half-Marathon
By WALTER ALIBEY Monday, October 31 2011

KENYAN George Towett is the new champion of the UWI-SPEC International Half Marathon.

Yesterday, he defeated his countryman and defending champion Simon Sawe under sweltering conditions from the UWI-SPEC facility in St Augustine to La Resource Junction in D’Abadie and back in a time of one hour, six minutes and 41.7 seconds to cop the top prize of US$2,000.

He narrowly misses the meet record of one hour, five minutes and 06 seconds.

Sawe finished second in a time of one hour, eight minutes and three seconds, Guyana’s Cleveland Forde third in one hour, eight minutes and 55.3 seconds.

Kenyan Leah Kirjen won the women’s division, finishing in a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 53.7seconds to claim US1,500.

She was followed by Lucy Kurgat in one hour, 21 minutes and 2.7 seconds and Judy Kimuje in one hour, 23 minutes and 06.6 seconds as Kenyan runners took the top three positions. Defending champions Firaya Zhadanova of Russia had to settle for fourth in a time of one hour, 29 minutes and 47.5 seconds.

After yesterday’s race Towett expressed his disappointment with the time he clocked.

“I came here to break the record but it was so hot. I did a faster race the last time I came here and I was expecting to better that but it did not happen.

“Hopefully I can come here again next year and break the record,” Towett said.

He was among Kenyan break which consisted of Sawe and Tanui.

Without local champion Ronnie Holassie in the race, the Kenyan trio opened up a large gap on the field in Tacarigua, with the closest Trinidad and Tobago runner being Richard Jones in fifth position.

The race was decided at Lopinot Road in Arouca when Towett pulled away from the pack. Tanui faded soon with a stubborn Sawe desperately trying to catch Towett before the turning point at La Resource.

“I realised that I was all alone for a long while. I waited to see if anyone would have caught me and when I realised that they couldn’t, I started to race against the clock to try and break the record but I could not” Towett told reporters after the race.

Among the women, defending champion, Zhadanova struggled against the Kenyan runners who took control of the race.

Kema Mc Shine was the first TT runner to cross the line in a time of one hour, 30 minutes and 48.3 seconds in fifth position.

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http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/T_T_Marathon_back_to__January_date-165941296.html

T&T Marathon back to January date
Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 12:42 AM ECT

The 2013 Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon will revert to a January running as organisers prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event that first ran off in 1983.
 
The Marathon committee has made the decision, it announced last week, to attract more international talent by cashing in on pre-Carnival activities.
 
The announcement has been made early, the committee said via media release, to facilitate local runners in their preparation. The last male T&T runner to win the event was Michael Alexander in the 1990s.
 
The T&T Marathon has been dominated by Kenyans in recent years. In March, Philomen Kipchilat took gold in humid morning conditions, running from St Mary's Junction in Freeport to the Queen's Park Savannah finish opposite Whitehall in two hours, 28.46 seconds.
 
Nigeria-born Mary Akor, based in the US, has dominated the event in the last four years, and won the last edition in 2:54.25.

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Trini runs Boston Marathon
By Darcel Choy Tuesday, April 22 2014 (T&T Newsday)

Thirty-year-old Celine Lestrade was the only runner from Trinidad and Tobago (TT) who competed yesterday in the 118th edition of the Boston Marathon in the United States (US).

This year’s marathon was a significant one, as last year’s marathon was ruined after two bombs exploded near the finish line killing three spectators and injuring 264 people.

Last year, four TT runners escaped unhurt — Marlon Bascombe, 23, of Brooklyn, New York; Christopher Battoo, 25, of Brookline, Massachusetts; Ingrid Mathison, 50, of West Hempstead, New York; and Learie Lezama, 53, of St James, Trinidad, Due to the bombings, security was beefed up for yesterday’s marathon which saw 36,000 runners from across the world registered to compete.

To ensure a safe event, runners were asked to use clear plastic bags for their belongings and spectators were asked to leave strollers and backpacks behind. The Boston Athletic Association said more than 100 cameras were installed along the route and close to 50 observation points were set up to monitor the crowd.

According to the Boston Marathon website Lestrade, of Cocorite, who ran under bib number 11277 arrived at the 5k mark (3.1 miles) at about 10.50 am and completed the race at about 1.45 pm with a total time of 3:18:20. The website stated that Lestrade, placed 6002 out of the total runners who competed. Lestrade is no stranger to the local running circuit as she has competed and won many races. She has also represented TT in regional competitions. In 2010, she won the 11th edition of the Venture Credit Union Co-operative Society’s 5k Road Race. In 2011, she won the Granny Luces 15k in a time of just under one hour and one minute and the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5k. Lestrade, in her teens, was also a swimmer.

The athlete is currently employed at BP Trinidad as a risk analyst. According to her LinkedIn profile, Lestrade attended the University of Toronto, where she received an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree with distinction in Environmental Studies and Natural Resource Management and a minor in Political Science. She also holds the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

Other Caribbean countries that were represented included Bahamas, which had two runners, one from Barbados, 19 from Bermuda and one from the Cayman Islands.

Winning the men’s division was Meb Keflezighi of the US. In the women’s division, last year’s winner Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo kept her title. In the wheelchair division, Tatyana McFadden of the US won for the second consecutive time in the women’s division while in the men’s Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa placed first.

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Nero makes it three in ECU road race
Published: Monday, May 19, 2014 (T&T Guardian)

T&T marathon runner Tonya Nero captured her third consecutive 15k title at the 26th annual Eastern Credit United’s (ECU) road race, yesterday.
 
The race, named after veteran road runner Lynette “Granny” Luces, took place with three races, a 15k, a three-leg 15k relay and a 5k, all of which started simultaneously, at the Arima Velodrome and at St Mary’s Children’s Home.
 
Nero took her women’s 15k in 58.31, well ahead of Jenelle Nedd (1:01:34) and Gina Hart (1:10:12).
 
In the men’s open 15k, Richard Jones struck gold in a 50:02 run, while Curtis Cox (51:18) and Lionel Dandrade (52:44) trailed in second and third.
 
This year’s races saw an influx of over 700 participants as road runners and fitness enthusiasts braved the hot weather.
 
Other outstanding performers on the day included Kester Joseph (1:08:03), who won the physically challenged 15k and Oswald Adams (1:04.13) and Christine Regis (1:13:07, who won the masters (50-and-over) men and women’s 15k, respectively.

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Nero completes hat-trick at Granny Lucess Classic
Monday, May 19 2014 (T&T Newsday)

TONYA Nero yesterday made it a hat-trick of titles at the Eastern Credit Union’s 26th Annual Granny Lucess Classic Road Race yesterday.

And Richard Jones, the overwhelming favourite to claim the crown among the men, did not disappoint on the day either.

Competing in the 15-kilometre event which started from the Arima Velodrome, Nero who won this year’s Trinidad and Tobago International Half Marathon earlier this year, received very little to no competition in the gruelling event as she crossed the finish line at ECU, La Joya in St Joseph in a time of 58 minutes and 31 seconds.

Nero took the lead from the start and never looked back, though Jenelle Nedd and Gina Hart tried to catch her in the gruelling run down the Priority Bus Route.

Nedd was second in the race in a time of one hour, 01 minute and 34 seconds while Hart was third and recieved the bronze medal in one hour, 10 minutes and 12 seconds.

And among the men Jones fended off a challenge from veteran middle distance runner Curtis Cox to claim the win in just 50 minutes and 02 seconds.

Cox, the 2014 TT International Marathon winner could only manage the runner up position in 51 minutes and 18 seconds while Lionel Dandrade collected the bronze medal by finishing third in 52:44.

This year’s race saw an influx of over 700 participants as road runners and the fitness enthusiasts braved the hot weather to compete. Meanwhile among the 5k race which got going at the St Mary’s Children’s Home in Tacarigua it was Matthew Hagley who stormed home in 16 minutes and 10 second while Kelvin Johnson and Jules La Rode secured second and third in 16:16 and 16:59 seconds respectively.

And among the women Shamia Francis crossed the finish line first in 21 minutes and 32 seconds. She was followed in second by Jenna Gomes (21:59) for second and Odella Jawahir in 24:46 for third.

RESULTS:

Men’s Open 15 K
1.   Richard Jones – 50:02
2.   Curtis Cox – 51:18
3.   Lionel Dandrade – 52:44

Women’s Open 15 K
1.   Tonya Nero – 58:31
2.   Jenelle Nedd – 1:01:34
3.   Gina Hart – 1:10:12

Physically Challenged 15 K
1.   Kester Joseph – 1:08:03
2.   Dwight Yearwood – 1:47:20

Masters (50& over) Men’s 15 K
1.   Oswald Adams – 1:04:13
2.   Neville Blake   - 1:05:36
3.   Peter Ragoonanan – 1:06:53

Masters (50 & over) Women’s 15 K
1.   Christine Regis – 1:13:07
2.   Rosamund Jolly – 1:24:02
3.   Susannah Joefield – 1:39:03

Men’s Open 5 K
1.   Matthew Hagley – 16:10
2.   Kelvin Johnson – 16:16
3.   Jules La Rode – 16:59

Women’s Open 5 K
1.   Shamia Francis – 21:32
2.   Jenna Gomes – 21:59
3.   Odella Jowaheer – 24:46

Boys 12 & under 5 K
1.   Jude Johnson – 24:16
2.   Joshau Hazzard – 29:42
3.   Jabari Daniel – 30:45

Girls 12 & under 5 K
1.   Claudine Antoine – 25:12
2.   Ashakie Hagley – 27:55
3.   Kirsten St. Omer – 31:55

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Road runners pay tribute to Dana
By COREY CONNELLY Sunday, May 18 2014 (T&T Newsday)

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Road Runners Club (TTRRC) took to the streets yesterday in tribute to one of their fallen counterparts — Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal.

Some 65 members of the club made two laps around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, calling for an end to crime and violence in the society.

TTRRC vice-president Dennise Demming told Sunday Newsday Seetahal was an avid runner and member of the club. She said the Senior Counsel’s death highlighted the need for greater efforts in the war against crime.

“It is a painful thing that happened two weeks ago. Dana Seetahal has been a regular on the Savannah for years and when we saw what had happened we were moved to do this,” said Demming, a public relations practitioner.

Seetahal, 58, was driving her Volkswagen SUV along Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook, at about 12.05 am, on May 4, when she was ambushed and killed by gunmen.

She had left the Ma Pau Casino on French Street bound for her One Woodbrook Place apartment when the incident occurred. Seetahal’s killers remain at large.

Yesterday, Demming said the crime situation had become burdensome.

“Crime is certainly out of hand and when someone like Dana has gone it worries you. We just felt we had to do something,” she said. Demming said she was pleased with the turnout at the event. “For me, success would have meant just two people and we have about 65 people here. So, I’m really happy that it happened,” she added.

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Diego Martin’s ‘Run For Peace’ tomorrow
Saturday, May 24 2014 (T&T Newsday)

THE Diego Martin ‘Run For Peace’ which features a Half Marathon and 5K Road Race will be held tomorrow from 6:00 am.

The event is expected to culminate into the staging of the Diego Martin Games which is tentatively set for September.

But for tomorrow’s events organisers are calling on participants to assemble as early as 5:00 am for the start of both events.

Between 400-500 runners are expected to take part on an equally challenging route that will take the runners from the start at the Diego Martin North Secondary School on St Lucien Road, over the hills at Le Platte, through Maraval and St James before returning to the Secondary School for the finish.

The winner of the half marathon will pocket a handsome $6,000 cash prize with runner-up getting $3,000 and third $1,500 for men and women.

There will also be a prize for the king and queen of the hill which will be $1,000 each.

From the events organisers are attempting to conducts, promote, advance and administer sports to its residents in the Diego Martin area. The events are also an attempt to promote a healthy and safe lifestyle for residents.

A release yesterday stated that the events have already attracted a number of high profile runners among both the male and females categories. However organisers are calling on all the young people of Diego Martin to come out and participate.

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Johnson, Nero take 5K honours
Story Created: Jun 8, 2014 at 11:56 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Guyanese runner Kelvyn Johnson and top Trinidad and Tobago female road athlete Tonya Nero copped the top prizes of $1,000 in the 2014 Sugar to Energy 5K (kilometres) at Gilbert Park, California, yesterday.

Johnson was followed closely by fellow Guyanese Lionel Dandrade with Jules La Rode grabbing third place ahead of the evergreen 46-year-old Curtis Cox.

The next three places were all very promising under-19 juniors, namely Jevon Joseph, Matais Nero and Abijah Phillip.

Tonya Nero was eighth overall, but she had to pull out all the stops to pip Jenelle Nedd by just one second with Shania Francis in third.

Fourth place was another 46-year-old veteran Christine Regis. Among the notable back markers was 61-year old Susannah Joefield, who has frequently represented T&T in International Masters events.

The oldest finisher was 77-year-old Roy Riley; the still very sprightly Riley managed to place 54th in the field of over 100 starters.

The 7 a.m. start time allowed even the race trailers to get back to Gilbert Park just before clear skies gave way to a heavy downpour. This year the Sugar to Energy race was organised by the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce with generous sponsorsip support from RBC Royal Bank.

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Donaldson, Russell win CariFin cross country
Published: Thursday, June 19, 2014 (T&T Guardian)

John Donaldson and Susan Russell won the male and female cross country events respectively at the Sevilla Golf Course, Couva, as action in the CariFin Games continued on June 8.
 
Donaldson, representing First Citizens, completed the 2.2km three-lap event in 30 minutes, 45 seconds to claim his second cross country title. The first time Donaldson won was in 2011 in 28:40, representing Grace Kennedy. Guardian Group’s Rashad Blenman crossed the finish line in 31.16, followed by the walking sensation that is also part of First Citizens, Deodath Harrikissoon, taking third place in 32.08.
 
After the race, Donaldson said he tried to stick to the game plan. He said, “I ran the race according to my planned strategy of starting aggressively and attempting to open up some distance between myself and the rest of the field to avoid being ‘out-sprinted’ at the end, by my younger and faster competitors, as in the Urban Challenge races.”
 
In the female category, Susan Russell of RBC did not have as much competition on the day as she lead the race from start to finish, posting a time of 27.48 to take her first cross country title since she began competing in 2006. Russell was followed by the Sagicor duo of Simone Balkissoon and Danielle Cazabon in 29.40 and 29.58, respectively. It was the first time the Sagicor pair took part in the event.
 
The CariFin committee is looking forward to continuing a great relationship with its sponsors and all of the participants, as it continues to be the driving force in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in an enjoyable way. The next CariFin event will be a boat cruise on July 5.

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Donaldson, Russell rule in cross country
Story Created: Jun 20, 2014 at 1:55 AM ECT (T&T Express)

First CitizenS’ John Donaldson copped the male division of the recently-held 23rd edition of the CariFin games at the Sevilla Golf course. First Citizens dominated in the male cross country event as they came with their strategies to secure a win for their institution.

Donaldson had opened a 200 metres lead when the runners entered the course. Following him a few metres behind was RBC’s Jedidiah Benjamin, who recently won the one-lap Savannah event.

It was a test of endurance and experience. Chancellor Challenge first and third-place finishers, Rashad Blenman and Jean Pierre Deboulet, of Guardian Group and Sargicor, respectively, followed at a distance. However, they were well held by Donaldson.

“I ran the race according to my planned strategy of starting aggressively and attempting to open up some distance between myself and the rest of the field to avoid being ‘out-sprinted’ at the end, by my younger and faster competitor, as in the Urban Challenge races,” said Donaldson.

In the end, it was a game of experience that won, as Donaldson completed the three-lap 2.2 K cross country in 30 minutes, 45 seconds, making it the second time he has won this event. The first time was in 2011 for Grace Kennedy, completing the course in :28.40.

After the three-lap journey, young Benjamin crossed the finish line in :31.16, followed by Deodath Harrikissoon, taking third place in :32.08.

In the women’s category, Susan Russell of RBC had no competition on the day as she led from start to finish, posting a time of :27.48 to take her first cross country title. Russell, who has participated in the event since 2006, was followed home by the SAGICOR pair of Simone Balkissoon and Danielle Cazabon in :29.40 and :29.58, respectively. The duo were making their CariFin cross country debut.

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Nero completes Caricom 10K hat-trick
Story Created: Jun 30, 2014 at 8:28 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Tonya Nero successfully defended her Caricom 10K women’s title, returning a time of 38 minutes, 36 seconds to place ninth overall in Sunday’s race in Antigua.

The triumph was Nero’s third in a row, the Trinidad and Tobago athlete completing a hat-trick of victories.

According to a press release, Nero “was elated for the victory and thanks the Ministry of Sport, NAAA (National Association of Athletics Administrations) and coach Paul Voisin for giving her the opportunity to represent Trinidad and Tobago.”

Nero’s teammate, Jenelle Nedd was second for most of the race. However, she went off course, allowing Guyana’s Euleen Josiah to move into second spot. The distance was too much for Nedd to recover, and she had to settle for third in 42:03.

Guyana’s Cleveland Forde captured the men’s title in 34:52, with local runner Elliot Mason second and Grenada’s Radix Reon finishing third. St Vincent and the Grenadines runner Pamenos Ballantyne was fourth, while seventh spot went to T&T’s Nicholas Landeau in 37:26.

RESULTS
Men
1 Cleveland Forde (Guyana) 34:52
2 Elliot Mason (Antigua) 34:59
3 Radix Reon (Grenada) 35:17
4 Pamenos Ballantyne (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 36:13
5 Meshach Bublin (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 36:29
6 Kamar Thomas (Antigua) 37:17
7 Nicholas Landeau (T&T) 37:26
8 Darison Joseph (Dominica) 38:32

Women
1 Tonya Nero (T&T) 38:36
2 Euleen Josiah (Guyana) 40:48
3 Jenelle Nedd (T&T) 42:03
4 Linda McDowall (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 42:54
5 Kernisha Pascal (Grenada) 43:26
6 Arieta Martin (Jamaica) 44:45
7 Dinnal Julite (Jamaica) 45:14
8 Abbe Davis (Antigua) 49:19

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Nero wins Caricom 10k
Published: Tuesday, July 1, 2014 (T&T Guardian)

For the third successive year, T&T international runner Tonya Nero captured the Women’s Open title at the tenth Caricom 10K road race, which took place in Antigua on Sunday.
 
Nero, 25, who holds four T&T national records, placed ninth overall in 38:36, well ahead of women’s runner-up Euleen Josiah of Guyana, who clocked 40:48 and Nero’s compatriot Jenelle Nedd (42.03), who took third.
 
Both Nero and Josiah took champion and runner-up positions, respectively, in 2012 when the Caricom 10K was held in St Lucia. Nero defended her a year later when the event was staged at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
 
Nedd was in a promising position to take runner-up for most of the race, but ventured off the course allowing Josiah to overtake her and eventually finish second.
 
Winning the Men’s Open and overall title was Cleveland Forde of Guyana, who reclaimed his 2012 crown after finishing second to T&T’s Denzil Ramirez last year.
 
Ramirez did not participate this year.
 
Forde won the event in 34:52, edging home favourite Elliot Mason (34:59) and Radix Reon (35:17) of Grenada, for second and third, respectively, before T&T’s best finisher, Nicholas Landeau (37:26) placed seventh.
 
Results
 
Open Male:
 
1. Cleveland Forde, Guyana- 34:52
2. Elliot Mason, Antigua- 34:59
3. Radix Reon, Grenada- 35:17
4. Pamenos Ballantyne, St Vincent- 36:13
5. Meshach Bublin, St Vincent- 36:29
6. Kamar Thomas, Antigua- 37:17
7. Nicholas Landeau, T&T- 37:26
8. Darison Joseph, Dominica- 38:32
 
Open Female:
 
1. Tonya Nero, T&T- 38:36
2. Euleen Josiah, Guyana- 40:48
3. Jenelle Nedd, T&T- 42:03
4. Linda McDowall, St Vincent- 42:54
5. Kernisha Pascal, Grenada- 43:26
6. Arieta Martin, Jamaica- 44:45
7. Dinnal Julite, Jamaica- 45:14
8. Abbe Davis, Antigua- 49:19

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Nero wins duathlon
Story Created: Sep 14, 2014 at 11:43 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Gavin Nero and Alexandra Consten were the dominant performers yesterday, when the Rainbow Warriors Triathlon Club hosted the FLOW Energy Sunday duathlon at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

Nero of the Braves club, took top honours in the adult individual duathlon category, winning the 3k run / 11k bike ride/3k run in a time of 39 minutes 15 seconds. Guyanese Kelvin Johnson took silver in 39:34 and Avinash Anamalay won the bronze in 41:12.

Among the women, German national Alexandra Consten took the ladies individual duathlon in 48 minutes five seconds, followed by national water polo athlete Jordan van Reeken in 52:12 and FLOW Rainbow Warriors member Jodi Gomez in 52:54.

The Savannah one-lap for men produced a keen contest between Lionel Dandrade, Sherwyn Stapelton and Elvis Turner, with only seconds separating first, second and third. But Dandrade emerged the winner in 12 minutes, 16 seconds.

In the female overall category, young Aaliyah Mitchell, daughter of Morvene Parris, the national record-holder for the marathon, won in a time of 17:40 ahead of Desha Ravello and Teresa Rosemond.

RWTC member Scott Marchack was dominant in the duathlon for boys 13-15 years, with Ajani Mc Intyre and Justin Worthman finishing in second and third respectively. The girls 13-15 was won by Lily Stauble.

The FLOW Energy Sunday saw a record number of participants in the duathlon for both youths and adults. Over 105 adults started at 9 a.m. yesterday morning, while 50 youngsters, 15 years and under took part.

The next event on the Rainbow Warriors calendar is the Ultimate Tag Team Triathlon—a four person team triathlon relay where each person has to do a short distance triathlon.

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Ballantyne wins Venture 5k
Monday, September 15 2014 (T&T Newsday)

St Vincent’s Pamenos Ballantyne showed his class yesterday, winning gold at the annual Venture Credit Union 5k in Couva. Ballantyne, 40 years old, showed he has not lost a pep in his step, dominating the field before crossing the finish line in a speedy 15 minutes and 36 seconds.

He had to contend though with Kelvin Johnson and Curtis Cox who were second and third respectively.

The event attracted a wide number of participants as customary with the elite runners battling it out while those just keen on taking part and staying fit among them.

President of Venture Credit Union Charles Percy was present to distribute the prizes.

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Johnson, Nero to defend 5K titles
Story Created: Oct 16, 2014 at 9:02 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Kelvin Johnson and Tonya Nero will defend their men and women’s titles respectively when a field of 500 runners dash off in tomorrow’s 11th running of the TTARP 5K at 4 p.m. around the Queen’s Park Savannah. 

The race starts at No. 167 Belmont Circular Road, heads west to the Queen’s Park Savannah, makes a full lap of the Savannah, and returns to the starting point. It will be the final tune-up for many runners before the UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon next week Sunday.

The race has been expanded this year to 12 age-groups with the addition of the 15-and-under, 75-79 and 80-and-over categories, by public demand.

The following men will defend their age-group titles (youngest first): Ashton Gill, Shirvan Baboolal, Nelinho Mierez, Curtis Cox, Oswald Adams, Richard Knaggs, Errol James, Wesley Ferdinand and Roy Riley.

The female defending age-group titlists are: Donicia Antoine, Ouellette Sara, Jeunesse Walters, Candice Bekaroo, Christine Regis, Rosamund Jolly, Susannah Joefield, Cynthia Bartholomew and Grace Oblington.

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Nero dominates South American 10K
Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 (T&T Guardian)

T&T’s Tonya Nero was the runaway winner of the women’s crown, while Richard Jones was edged for second at the IAAF South American 10K, held in Georgetown, Guyana, on Sunday.

Nero, who opted for the Guyanese challenge, instead of trying to defend her UWI Half Marathon crown on the same day, finished nearly a minute-and-a-half ahead of local favourite Euleen Josiah-Tanner, after leading from start to finish. She closed in 37:35:46, while Josiah-Tenner clocked 39:02:49. Another T&T runner, Jenelle Nedd placed fifth in 41:21:68.

On the men’s side, Jones, who held a short-lived lead in the race, finished less than 12 seconds shy of Forde, who completed the course in 32:27:39. Jones clocked 32:39:21.

RESULTS

Men

1. Cleveland Forde (Guy), 32:27:39

2. Richard Jones (T&T), 32:39:21

3. Cleveland Thomas (Guy), 32:56:25

4. Kelvin Johnson (Guy), 33:21:28

5. Nathaniel Giddings (Guy), 33:24:43

Women

1. Tonya Nero (T&T), 37:35:46

2. Euleen Josiah-Tanner (Guy), 39:02:43

3. Alika Morgan (Guy), 40:05:39

4. Andrea Foster (Guy), 40:22:68

5. Jenelle Nedd (T&T), 41:21:68.

[Sando prince]

Good luck to Ms Nero and the rest of the team. T&T should aim to strive not only the sprints but in every event in Track and Field 

Team members: Tonya Nero, Samantha Shukla, George Smith



Nero in T&T’s trio for NACAC cross country championship

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2015-02-21/nero-tt’s-trio-nacac-cross-country-championship

National long distance queen Tonya Nero will head a three member team to the 2015 Pan American/North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Cup which will get underway in Barranquilla, Colombia today.

A release from the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) stated that Nero will compete in the women's 6km along with the reigning national cross country champion Samantha Shukla. National men's champion George Smith will line up in the men's 8k. NAAA Committee member Dawn Washington will serve a manager.

Nero will be hoping to emulate her medal winning performance in 2012 where she captured silver at the NACAC Champs hosted at the Queen's Park Savannah. Nero will also be aiming to better her 11th place in 2014 when the event was held in Mt Irvine, Tobago.

Nero, Shukla and Smith are veterans at the NACAC Championships with Nero first competing in the junior women's 4k in 2007 in Clement, Florida, US finishing 19th. Shukla and Smith made their debut at the 2009 edition also in Florida. Shukla was 19th in the junior's women's race while Smith was 24th in the junior men's 6k event. Shukla won her first medal to date in 2010 when the championships were hosted at the Mt Irvine where she was a member of the T&T's women's bronze medal team. Nero led the national women's team to silver in 2012.

The 2015 three member team is the smallest national contingent in recent years to the Championships. Sportscore Tobago sent e-mails to Serrette today with questions on the drop in team size but no reply has been received.

During the Pan American Cup the NACAC and Consudatle (South American) champions will be crowned. Two Hundred and three (203) athletes and forty-eight (48) officials from twenty-one (21) countries have been confirmed to attend.

[Sando prince]

Keep on trying

http://looptt.com/2015/02/24/tts-nero-25th-pan-cross-country-cup/

Top Trinidad and Tobago female distance runner Tonya Nero braved tough conditions to finish 25th at the inaugural Pan American Cross Country Cup at Barranquilla, Colombia on Sunday.

The diminutive Nero finished the 6.8km course in 23:18 minutes, while fellow T&T runner Samantha Shukla finished 32nd in 24:52 minutes.

[Deeks]

Keep fighting ladies!Jah Bless!

[Socapro]

Nero eyes Rio
...proud of T&T Half Marathon beaver-trick
By Kwame Laurence kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Feb 6, 2015 at 9:12 PM ECT (T&T Express)

OLYMPIC GOAL: Tonya Nero

Tonya Nero is determined to be among the starters in the Olympic Games women’s marathon, on August 14, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nero came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 2012 London Games when she returned a national record time of two hours, 43 minutes, 14 seconds at the 2012 ABN Amro Marathon in Rotterdam, Holland. Trinidad and Tobago’s best-ever female distance runner needed a 2:43:00 run to realise her Olympic dream.

Nero told the Express she had been planning to return to Rotterdam in April in a bid to qualify for the Rio Games. However, she is now doing a re-think.

“I just started back training properly when the year started, so a run further down in the year would be better to go after the qualifying time. I’ll have two shots at it—this year and next year—and I know that once I put my mind to it I can achieve it.”

Nero also has the 2015 IAAF World Championship women’s marathon on her radar. But in order to compete in that 26.2-mile race, on August 30 in Beijing, China, she would need to achieve the 2:44:00 qualifying standard in another marathon.

As part of her marathon preparation, Nero competed in the 2015 T&T International Half Marathon. The 26-year-old athlete was unchallenged for the women’s title, clocking one hour, 19 minutes, 30 seconds in the 13.1-mile race to complete a beaver-trick of victories. She won in 2012 in 1:19:06, and successfully defended her title the following year with a 1:23:42 run. Nero followed up last year with a 1:20:25 triumph, before winning for the fourth straight time on January 25. Her 1:19:30 clocking was also good enough for third spot overall, behind men’s winner Shayne Barran (1:18:15) and runner-up Lionel Dandrade (1:18:26). The next best female finisher was more than 12 minutes slower than Nero.

“Most of the competition is in the full marathon,” said Nero, “but it still feels good to have won. I try to run for a specific time, and my goal was under one hour, 20 minutes, so it was an achievement for me.”

Nero’s winning run, however, was more than four minutes adrift of the 1:15:13 national half marathon record she had established in finishing 27th at the 2012 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, in Kavarna, Bulgaria. Earlier that year, the Maracas Valley runner had returned home after completing her studies at Wichita State University in Kansas, USA.

“I had a lot of challenges when I came back home from the US. It’s a whole different atmosphere. At Wichita, it was just training and schoolwork, and I had access to all the facilities. But now that I’m home, I have a lot of responsibilities, including my younger siblings. But I’m getting used to the change now.”

Funding has also been a challenge for Nero.

“I have to make it to the top three in an IAAF-recognised meet to qualify for elite funding, which means I need to be a medallist at the regional level. The last time I got elite funding was in 2013. It has been challenging to prepare without it.”

The T&T distance running star is hoping that the new Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho would approve some kind of funding to assist in her Olympic qualifying bid.

“For now, I’m just training, seven days a week in Maracas Valley and at the Queen’s Park Savannah. I’ll keep running all the road races at home—5Ks, 10Ks, whatever—some for time and others as training. And I’ll keep liaising with Paul Voisin, who offers me guidance.”

Nero explained that she still uses training programmes provided by her Wichita State coach, Kirk Hunter.

“Paul oversees my training, and would adjust it in the build-up to races. Last year, I trained with Samantha Shukla, Jenelle Nedd and Kerticha John. So far this year, Samantha and I have been training together.”

Nero, Shukla and George Smith will represent T&T at the February 22 Pan American Cross Country Cup, in Barranquilla, Colombia. The Cup will also serve as the North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships and the South American Cross Country Championships.

[Socapro]

Young triathletes show off skills
Published: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Potential national athletes plied their goods on Sunday as the first of three events for the Primary and Secondary Schools, competing in the T&T Triathlon Federation Kids Series, took place.

The Aquathon (run/swim/run) was held at the Flying Fish pool facility in Federation Park. This event drew ten primary and seven secondary schools with a total of 145 participants.

Among the secondary school winners were Jean-Marc Granderson (Queens Royal College) and Mia Otero (St Francois College) in the 14 to 15 age group. Darion Nimblett (Fatima College) and Kirsten St Omer (St Joseph Convent) topped the 12 to 13 age group.

The primary school children were not to be outdone. They came out in their numbers. Among the winners were: Ludmilla Guenther (St Andrews) and Stuart Bell (Dunross) who competed in the seven & under age group. Brianna Ramirez (St Bernadette’s) and James Castange-Hay (St Andrews) in the eight to nine age group.

Gabrielle Vickles and Nathan Hinds both from Bishops Anstey won in the ten to 11 age group and Alexia Matthews (Bishops Anstey) and Troy Llanos (Dunross) took the top prize in the 12 to 13 age group.

The second part in the series (Duathlon) is carded for Sunday, May 10, at the Diego Martin Highway.

[Socapro]

Law Enforcement Torch Run on Saturday
Thursday, March 19 2015 (T&T Newsday)

THE ANNUAL Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place on Saturday, from San Fernando to the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.

The Run will coincide with the staging of the Special Olympics of Trinidad and Tobago’s 33rd annual Games.

At a media conference yesterday, which took place at the Press Room, Police Administration Building, Port- of-Spain, Inspector Richard Taylor, who is the director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee, said, “this year’s Special Olympics Games are taking place over the weekend at the (Hasely Crawford) Stadium, the Mounted Branch at Long Circular, the Flying Fish Swim Pool.”

He continued, “the Games will commence with the Torch Run and the torch (will be) carried by members of the Police Service and the Defence Force. And that is going to start at 9.30 am at the PTSC compound in San Fernando, and they’re going to run up High Street on to Pointe-a-Pierre Road, through Marabella, onto the Southern Main Road and the run will take place along the Southern Main Road, back into Curepe and from Curepe, onto the Eastern Main Road straight down into the (Hasely Crawford) Stadium.”

Taylor noted that the Mayors of Port of Spain (Raymond Tim Kee), Chaguanas (Gopaul Boodhan) and San Fernando (Kazim Hosein) are expected to be in attendance at various points along the route.

“We have sponsorship. Digicel (are) sponsoring the Games but we at the LETR committee continue to look for corporate sponsorship.

“And we’re asking people who are interested, they can contact us at 685- 7697 or 778-7206 and we can give them the account number which they can pledge their support.”

Concerning the participants at the Torch Run, Taylor noted, “we have persons from Shaun’s Gym, the Long Circular Fitness Club, members of the ports police as well, WASA police and Paragon’s Sports Club, just to name a few of the other organisations who support the Law Enforcement Torch Run.”

About the length of the Torch Run, he pointed out, “(it) is actually longer than a marathon. It’s not a race, it’s a relay where a person will run between one and four miles. It’s expected that we’ll end at the Stadium at 5.30 pm.”

The Torch Run has been in existence locally for over 20 years and Taylor said, “The primary purpose of the Torch Run committee is to create public awareness as well as raise funds for the Special Olympics athletes to go to the International Games, which are being held this year in Los Angeles in July.”

[Socapro]

Holassie to return for 5K named in his honour
Story Created: Mar 25, 2015 at 11:34 PM ECT (T&T Express)

T&T RECORD HOLDER: Ronnie Holassie

Trinidad and Tobago marathon record-holder Ronnie Holassie is expected in from Miami (Florida, USA) next week for a 5K named in his honour and organised by the Cunaripo Welfare Group, in conjunction with Thunderbirds Sports Club, on Spiritual Shouter Baptist Day (next Monday).

The event will start at Guaico Junction at 4.00 p.m., head South on the Guaico-Tamana Road, and finish at the Cunaripo Presbyterian School. On race day, registration can be done at the MP’s office ground at Guaico Junction from 2.00 p.m. Entry fee is $5.00. Prizes will be cash vouchers, trophies and medals. Runners will be classified as visitors or residents of Guaico/Cunaripo for whom there will be separate open and age-group categories.

This inaugural Ronnie Holassie 5K will be the first in a series of 12 5Ks throughout the North Eastern area of the country during the next year to celebrate Holassie, who grew up in Sange Grande, culminating in the Ronnie Holassie “Grande to Port-of-Spain Challenge” on May 30, 2016.

The main aim of the series of races (run/walk) are intended to bring unity in the various villages, to sensitize all to the importance of physical fitness, and last but not least to scout for talent. Holassie came to prominence as a 16-year-old when he won a 10K organised by the T&T Marathon committee.

He was a Carifta Games double gold medallist and went on to represent T&T at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics. At the 2001 Cleveland Marathon, Holassie completed the race in two hours, 13 minutes and three seconds, which is the T&T national record.
Kennick Suepaul can be contacted at 761-2843 for any additional race information.

[Socapro]

PoS Walk Against Crime today
Published: Thursday, March 26, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Cleopatra Borel will lead off the walk.

The Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain will be overflowing with children when the Port-of-Spain & Environs Education District hosts its 12th Annual Walk Against Crime—Walk For Sport today.

Some 8,000 children from 80 primary schools and ten secondary schools and colleges will come together at the special anti-crime march around the Savannah.

Blue Waters is the lead sponsors for this year’s edition, together with support from Atlantic LNG, BPTT, the Ministry of Sport, RBC, Massy Foundation and Brian Charles Lara.

The walk will commence at The Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah, from 9.30 am. The Walk will conclude at the Hasely Crawfoird Stadium where a programme of sporting activities will take centre stage.

Central Port-of-Spain schools will lead off the walk, headed by School Supervisors III Elma Campbell, Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho and First Citizens Foundation Sportswoman of The Year, Cleopatra Borel. National heroes who have been at the Walk since its inception have been invited for the 12th anniversary celebration. These include former Miss World Giselle La Ronde-West and Olympian Roger Daniel.

Chief of Defence Force Staff Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj and Mayor of Port-of-Spain Raymond Tim-Kee and Olympic cyclist Njisane Phillip are expected to be in attendance.

Calypso monarch Roderick “Chucky” Gordon and former national calypso monarch Kurt Allen, Valentino Singh, sports editor of the T&T Guardian, and hockey standout Stacey Siu Butt will also join the walk.

However, on arrival at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, many sporting diciplines will take to the field, including football for Primary and Secondary schools Under-13 players. There will also be a Relay Festival which will be strictly for the primary schools of Port- of-Spain and Environs. Action in the sporting disciplines is expected to begin at 11 am, with the relays being the climax to the day with a start time of 1.20 pm.

[Socapro]

UTT’s charity 5K run/walk today
Story Created: Mar 28, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT (T&T Express)

The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) Charity 5K run/walk takes place today, beginning at 4.30 p.m. at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain. Registration run from 2 -3.30 p.m.

The event will see UTT’s students, staff and the general public participating. A minimum charitable contribution of TT$50.00 is required upon registration and/or a donation of non-perishable food items will also be collected as separate contributions. As part of the University’s efforts to embrace its less fortunate student population, all charitable collections will be given to the University’s Student Support Services Department,  to be used by those identified students who are in need.

The route of the 5K walk/run takes participants from NAPA, to  north on Chancery Lane to Queens Park Savannah, then west until Queen’s Royal College. They continue in a westerly direction until Elizabeth Street Junction, turning right/north on that street up Serpentine Road. At that junction, participants will take a sharp right and proceed up to Stollmeyer’s Castle across on the right-hand lane of the Savannah. They then continue around the Queens Park Savannah, until arriving at NAPA.

[Socapro]

Sports Minister leads ‘Walk against Crime’
Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, centre, leads the Walk Against Crime/Walk For Sport with Kelvin Nancoo, left, and School Supervisor III—Port of Spain and environs, Olson Oliver, on Friday at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.

Thousands of pupils from schools in and around the nation's capital made their way from the Queen’s Park Savannah to the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on Friday, bearing placards and banners as they participated in the Port-of-Spain and Environs “Walk Against Crime/Walk for Sport.”

The event, which kicked off near the Paddock area, began just after 10 am with the arrival of the Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, who met the students and the members of the Port-of-Spain and environs Sports Council. Also in attendance were members of the women’s national football team, including captain Maylee Attin-Johnson, Ahkeela Mollon, School Supervisor III Port-of-Spain and environs, Olson Oliver and School Supevisor I Kathleen Pierre-Holder.

The children chanted, clapped and even danced with teachers as they called for the end of lawlessness.

Some of the smaller ones took breaks in between to have water and snacks, as the walk seemed a little bit more than they had bargained for, but in the end the pupils from all of the participating schools, including Maraval RC School, Carenage Girls' Government Primary School, Hokett Baptist, St Anthony's Girls Primary School, Richmond Street Boys Anglican and Sacred Heart Girls', all made it to the Hasely Crawford Stadium, where they then had a day filled with lots of fun.

Co-ordinator Kelvin Nancoo, thanked the sponsors, Blue Water, Atlantic, Ministry of Sport, the Sport Company, Massy, RBC and the Ministry of National Security for their co-operation in making the walk and sports day, a success.

“We want to make a difference and this is the start which you need,” said Nancoo. “To all the supervisors, principals, teachers and students who participated, I thank you for making a difference.”

Late morning saw the boys and girls of the district participating in the six-a-side tournament while the netball continued at the Jean Pierre Complex and the day’s activities culminated with the competitive relay festival.

Hokett Baptist delighted Principal Stanley Mahase as they walked away triumphantly with the boys football title when they defeated Diamond Vale Government in the final via penalty kicks. The girls’ football competition was won by Maraval RC who defeated a determined St Barb's unit.

Sacred Heart Girls dominated the relays winning every event from Under-9 to U-15.

Children left the Stadium asking when the next Sports Day will be held stating that the initiative of the Port-of-Spain and environs Sports Council was successful in using sport as a vehicle for change.

[Socapro]

Ronnie Holassie Fun Walk & Run 5K 2015
1 April at 02:55 · (NAAA-TT)

Ronnie Holassie T&T's marathon record-holder & Host of 5K Fun Run & Walk


Runners at the starting line for Ronnie Holassie 5K Fun Run & Walk

Cuban Livan Luque Reyes and top Trinidad and Tobago female road athlete Tonya Nero copped the top prizes in the 2015 Ronnie Holassie 5K (kilometres), at Guaico Junction to Cunaripo Presbyterian School yesterday. Reyes was followed closely by Guyanese Kelvin Johnson and Lionel D'Andrade with T&T Colin Pereira grabbing 4th place. Nero claimed the women’s title in 17:45 while her teammate Samantha Shukla took second place in 19:11.


Cuban Livan Reyes winner of Men's 5K Fun Run & Walk

 Top 7 Men
 1. Livan Reyes, 15:24
 2. Kelvin Johnson, 16:13
 3. Lionel Dandrade, 16:38
 4. Collin Pereira, 17:14
 5. Ted John, 17:18
 6. Brian Maynard, 17:41
 7. Otis Barker, 17:56


Tonya Nero of T&T winner of Women's 5K Fun Run & Walk

 Top 7 Women
 1. Tonya Nero, 17:45
 2. Samantha Shukla, 19:11
 3. Christelle Laurent, 20:53
 4. April Francis, 21:28
 5. Leisl Puckerin, 23:02
 6. Wendy Shallow, 23:38
 7. Paulette Lucess, 25:28

[Socapro]

Cuban Reyes wins Diego 10K Run
Story Created: Apr 6, 2015 at 12:06 AM ECT (T&T Express)

10k champ: Cuban runner Luvan Reyes smiles as he stands with his winner’s trophy between second placed Kelvin Johnson, left, and third placed Matthew Hagley at the Diego Martin North Community Centre following the Diego Martin 10k Run yesterday.

Cuban national Luvan Reyes is the winner of the annual Diego Martin 10K Run.

Reyes took away $2,500 in cash courtesy SIS and two airline tickets courtesy Caribbean Airlines.

The 30-year-old won yesterday morning’s race in 34 minutes, 12 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of the second place finisher 34-year-old Kelvin Johnson, who clocked 36:43. Matthew Hagley came in third at 38:19.

Meantime, in the female category, Trinidadian Tonya Nero was the champion, also winning $2,500 in cash. She finished the race in 42:25. Guadeloupe twins Christiana Laurent and Christelle Laurent came in second and third respectively. Christiana clocked 43:20, while Christelle finished at a time of 46:45.

The race, which was hosted by the Western Philharmonic Steel Orchestra, started at the Diego Martin North Community Centre, around 6.30 a.m. Runners made their way through the Diego Martin Main Road to Four Roads Gas Station, onto the Diego Martin Highway, across St Lucien Road and then back onto the Diego Martin Main Road, finishing the race where they started. Over 100 runners participated in Run Diego Martin, including six-year-old Sergio Nero who clocked one hour, 08:03 and placed 46th overall.

The top five males and females, as well as all age-category winners walked away with cash prizes, while 10 other runners got the opportunity to win hampers courtesy AMCO, Angostura LLB, Courts, L’oréal, Nestlé and SIS.

Run Diego Martin, is held annually by the Western Stars Philharmonic Steel Orchestra. The sporting event is aimed at building comradery in the Diego Martin community, as well as promoting health and well-being amongst participants.

[Socapro]

Anselm finishes mile in WR (4:34.79) at Armory
8 April at 02:55 · (NAAA-TT)

T&T's Anselm LeBourne

Anselm LeBourne eyes outdoor WRs in 8, 15, mile and maybe 3K

Only hours after claiming his fifth world record of the season Tuesday, M55 Anselm LeBourne was pounding out responses to my quickie Q&A. As if he didn’t have enough to do. (But thanks for the gracious reply, champ.) As you might expect, he’s not done with record attempts. The Hall of Famer says he’ll target outdoor world age-group records in the 800, 1500, mile and possibly 3000. (The listed WRs stand at 2:03.7, 4:12.35, 4:35.04 and 8:56.80.) Last June, he ran a nonratified 2:01.63 outdoors, so he just needs a sanctioned, kosher, cross-your-Ts-and-dot-your-I’s meet. He has several in mind — including one in Lyon, France.

Break outdoor world records in the 800, 1500 and mile. Maybe to keep me motivated, I may take a shot at the 3000 meters. I think I am going to compete in the outdoors national championships and hope to run the masters 800 at the [IAAF] Bejing World Championships. In addition, the other main goal is to win the 800 and 1500 at the world masters championships in Lyon.
Which of your five WRs this season are you most proud of? Which was hardest?

By far the hardest was the 1500 at the USATF championships in Boston. Man, was that race hard. I went out way too fast (64, 2:10) and paid for it once I passed 800. However, I knew my training was fantastic and I held form for the next few laps even though I was totally spent, to break the world record.

Furthermore, I am most proud of the 800 meters world record since I believe the time of 2:01.60 was a fantastic time and will really have to take some running to be broken. The goal is to run 800 under 2:00 outdoors.