http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-06-20/jones-nero-celebrate-owtu-victoriesJones, Nero celebrate OWTU victories
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2012 Richard Jones of T&T Road Runners Club underlined his status as the country’s premier distance runner with a solid victory in Tuesday’s 30th annual OWTU Butler 20 kilometre run covering the distance from San Fernando to Fyzabad in one hour, nine minutes and 14 seconds. .Guyanese duo Kelvin Johnson (1.11:07) and Lionel Dandrade (1.12:47) finished second and third respectively. Curtis Cox placed fourth in 1.13:39. Elvis Turner of Tobago (1.14:23) was fifth, Sandino Nero (1.14:49) was sixth and Errol “Baldhead” Williams (1.15:55) was seventh. Then came Joel Bharat (1.19:16), Roland Bartholomew (1.19:43), Michael Pollydore (1.20:14), Cantius Thomas (1.21:18) and Neil Stewart (1.22:03).
T&T’s distance running queen, petite Tonya Nero of Athletics Central out-distanced her rivals as well as most of the men, finishing seventh overall in a time of One hour, 15 minutes and 46 seconds.
Celine Lestrade was the second woman home in 1.29:47, while Christine Baptiste was third in 1.30:10. Jenelle Nedd (1.33:35) was fourth, April Bryan (1.37:10) was fifth and Thais Gutierrez (1.37:32) finished sixth. Making a surprise appearance was five-time woman T&T Marathon champion Monica Sarmiento, 55, of Venezuela in her 299th race. She placed seventh in 1.41:21. Just behind her was Christine Regis (1.41:52), then came Juliet John-Sambaran (1.42:45) and Candice Bekaroo (1.48:47).
In the Butler 4.5k event for 15-and-under runners, Matias Nero, Tonya’s brother, was the winner in 15 minutes, 36 seconds. Kriston Charles of Grosvenor Presbyterian was second in 15:50, and Renwyn Medina was third in 16:08. It was a close finish among the females as Kadisha Charles of Grosvenor Presbyterian clocked 20 minutes, 57 seconds to finish one second ahead of her school-mate Precious Balfour.
In third place in 21:03 was Ashakie Hagley, the great-grand-daughter of Lynette “Granny” Luces.
