BRADES, Montserrat (December 2, 2010) - Ten time OECS Half Marathon Champion Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent made easy pickings of the 2nd Volcano Half Marathon on Montserrat last weekend.
Coming in at 1:23:43, Ballantyne, a last minute entry set a new record for the race organised by the Montserrat Running Club. While other runners found the route challenging and the rambling hills arduous, Ballantyne said living and training on St. Vincent which has a similar terrain made the race an easy one to win.
"I know how to pace myself. I take it slow at the start of the hills and then pick up speed as I get to the top," the winner said. "This was my first time on Montserrat and I love it. I will definitely be back next year."
Last year's winner Nevil Nicholls of Antigua came in second in a time of 1:34:13. A police officer by profession, Nicholls said it was good to have been back for the half marathon and to have done so well again. He plans to step up his training and enter more regional half marathons on a regular basis. Third place was won by another Antiguan, Arthur Mussington in a time of 1:39:41.
In the female category American Sharon Dunn came in first in a time of 2:12:43, followed by Erin McNally of St. Kitts in second, and Karen McGeough from Scotland in third.
The main sponsors of the 2nd Volcano Half Marathon were United Insurance, LIME, Montserrat Tourist Board, the Governor's Office and the Government's
Sports Department. Funds raised from the race go to support Childline, a
local charity hotline for children.
Minister of Sports Colin Riley handed out medals to all of the participants, and commended the organisers of the race for more than doubling the number of participants in only one year and sees the route of the race as symbolic of the struggles that Montserrat has been facing over the past 15 years.
This year's medals awarded to all finishers were created from pumice and designed in the shape of Montserrat. Pumice is a light porous rock that is formed during explosive eruptions from the Soufriere Hills Volcano.
The race also attracted the international media attention, as four journalists were on-island to cover the event. These journalists were covering the race for the Daily Express newspaper in the UK, Runners World Magazine and popular travel blog Uncommon Caribbean, and two of these reporters actually ran the half marathon.
Participants from ten (10) countries took part in the race, which also included a five kilometre Fun Run and Walk. Omar Jarrett of Montserrat triumphed in the Fun Run, while Stanford Kelly, also of Montserrat topped the field in the Fun Walk. The walk was from Cudjoe Head to the Salem Park.
Planning work has already begun for next year's race which is slated for Saturday November 26, 2011. For more information on the Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon and Fun Run & Walk, go to www.volcanorunner.com .
The complete list of winners is as follows:
HALF MARATHON - MEN
1ST -Pamenos Ballantyne (St Vincent) - 1:23:43 2nd - Nevil Nicholls
(Antigua) - 1:34: 13 3rd - Arthur Mussington (Antigua) - 1:39:41
HALF MARATHON - WOMEN
1st - Sharon Dunn (USA) - 2:12:43
2nd - Erin McNally (St Kitts) - 2:37:40
3rd - Karen McGeough (Scotland) - 2:41:57
HALF MARATHON - FIRST YOUTH FINISHER
Pascal Voegeli (Canada)
FUN RUN OPEN
1st - Omar Jarrett (Montserrat) - 31 minutes 2nd - Randy Campbell
(Montserrat) - 34 Minutes 3rd - Desbert Haley (Montserrat) - 41 minutes
FUN WALK OPEN
1st - Stanford Kelly (Montserrat) - 46 minutes 2nd - Lexvern Francis
(Montserrat) - 49 minutes 3rd - Keith Howe (Montserrat) - 50 minutes
FUN RUN - FIRST FEMALE FINISHER
Emmy Aston (Montserrat)
FUN WALK - FIRST FEMALE FINISHER
Sylvia White (Montserrat)
Montserrat News