- Photo by Paul Reid
Jeremy Borling, a Chicago-based sportswriter lifts his hand in celebration as he nears the finish line. Mr. Borling won the men's half marathon at last Saturday's 4th staging of the Reggae Marathon, in Negril. This was his first visit to the island.
Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
FORMER OLYMPIAN and World Championships Olympic competitor and the acclaimed 'King of Caribbean marathons' Pamenos Ballantyne, rates the Reggae Marathon course as the best in the Caribbean.
The 30-year-old, who spoke to the media following his easy win in last Saturday's fourth staging of the Reggae Marathon said the mostly flat course that snaked from the Negril square in Westmoreland to Orange Bay in Hanover, was one of the best he has ever run on.
"The Jamaican course more than any other including Trinidad and Tobago, is very interesting as you run past the same places twice and get a lot of support on the course and also as it is easy with a nice incline near the finish and I used it to my advantage."
Ballantyne who was winning his third Reggae Marathon, finished the course in 2:28.04, slower than his course record but said a fast time was never his main objective, His aim was just to win the event.
Jamaica's Arieta Martin won the women's race, while Chicago-based journalist Jeremy Borling took the men's Half Marathon and 18-year-old Tacius Golding schoolgirl Tamika Thomas won the female half marathon.
Ballantyne who missed last year's renewal to take part in the Run Barbados event which clashed with the Negril race, led home two Jamaicans, Phillip Edwards 2:41.08, and Andrew Gutzmore 2:42.05.
Ballantyne said the race was "easy. I was comfortable all the way and my main objective was to win the race. That was the first goal and secondly I used this as part of my Caribbean event schedule. The Trinidad and Tobago marathon is my major event and after that I believe it is the Reggae Marathon."
Martin who was taking part in her second marathon, ran a personal best 3:14.05 after her first effort of about 2:23.00 for third in a Trinidad race earlier in the year.
