media_artricles :: 2014

Top runners face off today in T&T marathon

Top local and international runners, including defending male champion Juan Carlos Cardona Rios of Colombia, will line up at 5 am this morning to compete in the 32nd edition of the T&T International Marathon. Rios will lead a quality field from Freeport to the Queen’s Park Savannah (outside White Hall). The Colombian is expected to get some stiff competition from Kenyan Phillip Lagat and veteran local runner Curtis Cox. A new champion will be crowned among the ladies, as last year’s winner Nigerian-born American Mary Akor, was banned last month by the US Anti-Doping Agency for failing a drug test. Akor, 37, is banned for two years after testing positive for Clenbuterol. As a result, Kenyan Leah Kigen, who competed last year, will be the favourite.

Other than top locals, athletes are expected from USA, Jamaica, Canada, Japan, Ethiopia and Brazil. Competitors have the option to begin the race at 3.30 am, to reduce the time running in the sun. The half marathon will also run off today at 5.45 am. The half marathon will cover the second half of the marathon course, starting near to Walker Park, Caroni and finishing at White Hall. Petite T&T runner Tonya Nero, is one of the favourites among the ladies in the shorter version. Last October in the UWI SPEC International half-marathon, Nero finished second in one hour, 21 minutes and 29 seconds. Akor broke the tape 18 seconds ahead of Nero to win the gold.

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