On Saturday, the largest field in the 10k Ceres running series competed in the Beef Island. Blazer. Thunderstorms the night before helped cool down the event, but left a couple of water hazards along the course.
From the start Steven Asson and James Carr ran neck and neck alternatively surging into the lead with Zebalon McLean close behind. Mr. Asson set a 6-minute and 40 second pace, but Mr. Carr pushed back for five miles before Mr. Asson started to stretch the lead finishing the last 350 metres in the soft sand at Long Bay Beach in 40 minutes and 38 seconds. Mr. Carr settled for second place, while Mr. McLean kicked hard along the shore to beat Ravindra Sukhu by 20 seconds and round off the podium spots.
“This is a tough course, with rolling hills and a finish in the sand,” Mr. Asson said.
The second-place finisher was happy with his time and is looking for the next opportunity to take home a victory.
“It was a hard race trying to get ahead of Steven Asson, given the race conditions I am happy to match my time on this course and look forward to the rest of the series,” Mr. Carr said.
The women’s field also saw a tight race with Maria Mays setting the pace, while Katrina Crumpler, Kathy Harpur, Clare-Louise Whiley, Sarah Hayes and NiMade Oniasih followed closely behind during the first mile.
Ms. Mays would hold on to the lead for the win in 42 minutes and 13 seconds.
Ms. Crumpler shaved four minutes off her winning season opener in 46:35 minutes. “I have been training for this race and am pleased with the time,” she said.
Newcomer Ms. Harpur came in third, just a minute behind. Ms. Whiley also ran under 50 minutes helping make Saturday’s race one of the fastest women’s event yet.
“This is how running in the Caribbean should be, with a good field, finish on the beach and straight into the sea,” Ms. Mays said.
After the race almost everyone cooled down in the sea.
Nine participants took part in the alternative 5k event, while Gerard Rose was the only 10k power walker. Mr. Rose an advocate of sport for seniors said, “like life into a 10k, the rain may fall, even though you prepared you have to deal with the reality of the situation, the short sharp inclines and when in sight of your goal soft sand, making the finish more exhilarating.”
The next race in the series will be Sept. 22 at 6:30 a.m. starting at the Carrot Bay Festival Grounds. The course runs from the foot of Windy Hill to Smugglers Beach and back.
RESULTS
MEN: 1. Steven Asson, 40:38.51 2. James Carr, 41:39.50 3. Zebalon McLean, 43:51.86 4. Ravindra Sukhu, 44:11.43. 5. Ben Mays, 47:26.95 6. Lito Agno, 49:41.14 7. Filip Kreutzer, 51:05.68 8. Daniel Mitchell, 51:54.09 9. James Shearman, 53:37.42 10. Gabriel Obregon, 55:47.61 11. Howard Moore, 57:08.52 12. Gareth Watkins, 59:33.33 13. Peter Wilmott, 60:05.64 14. Tom Parish, 60:15.05 15. Jeffrey George, 61:39.95 16. Liam Faulkner, 65:57.17 17. Stephen Beard, 67:19.64 18. Owen Prew, 70:59.07
WOMEN: 1. Maria Mays, 42:13.23 2. Katrina Crumpler, 46:35.13 3. Kathy Harpur, 47:35.67 4. Clare-Louise Whiley, 49:49.31 5. Sarah Hayes, 50:39.42 6. NiMade Oniasih, 51:12.54 7. Kay Reddy, 54:28.29 8. Deborah Bell, 58:00.01 9. Joanna Dunne, 59:14.30 10. Kate Henderson, 60:12.68 11. Harriet Robertson, 62:14.70 12. Natasha Ruacheinski, 62:16.29 13. Philomena Robertson, 65:59.05 14. Kate Jackson, 72:28.31
Power Walker: Gerard Rose, 78:34.52
CERES 5K
MEN: 1. Mark Young 2. Adam Lamb 3. Michael Fay 4. Lee Osborne
WOMEN: 1. Ella Christopher 2. Roslyn Griffith 3. Claire Jackson 4.Agatha Kwenga 5. Gillian Howe