media_artricles :: 2015

Kenyan pair to defend Marathon crowns

A NUMBER of foreign athletes have confirmed their flight arrangements for Sunday’s Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon. Last year’s Kenyan male and female winners, Hilary Kipchirchir Kimaiyo and Leah Kigen will be at the forefront of a another strong Kenyan entry, which will also include Mark Chepses, last year’s runner-up.

Another returnee is the Colombian Juan Carlos Cardona Rios, winner in 2013 and determined to wrestle the crown back from the Kenyans. The veteran Jamaican Andrew Gutzmore will again be coming along with Rupert Green, winner of the Jamaican marathon, to lead the Caribbean challenge and will also be accompanied by fellow Jamaican Juliet Dinnal.

In recent years, the race has attracted many foreign “recreational runners” - last year’s competitors came from as far afield as China, Britain, United States, Canada and several European countries. So keen was Karen Downey of Canada to visit TT again in 2015, that she booked her flights several months ago before the race date was officially confirmed!

The race is being dedicated to the late attorney and prosecutor Dana Seetahal, who completed the Marathon on several occasions. In her honour a special prize will be awarded to runners from TT courtesy Mau Pau. These prizes will provide incentives to the top runners who are the best of the local field.

Race time is 5 am and there will be two alternatives for athletes and recreational runners/walkers who do not wish to complete the full distance at race speed. The Half Marathon will commence at 5.45 am, and this race will once again attract several top local and Caribbean runners.

And for those who want to complete the full Marathon, but may have difficulty beating five hours, a 3.30 am start time will facilitate slower runners and walkers. Among those who will be toeing the line at 3.30 am will be Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis, who is raising awareness for the Athlete Preparation Fund.

The course, is as previous years, begins at St Mary’s Junction in Freeport and finishes on Queen’s Park West, opposite Whitehall, in Port-of-Spain. The Half Marathon will start at the Marathon’s half-way point - E-Tech Park, Frederick Settlement, Caroni.

Some of the sponsors that have come on board in support of the 2015 edition are National Gas Company, CNG, National Flour Mills, Blue Waters, Gatorade, Subway, American Stores, ScripJ, Ma Pau, TTOC and the Ministry of Sport.

For more information, log on to the Marathon’s website ttmarathon.com or call 757-7772.

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