media_artricles :: 2017

Cox sets eyes on Tobago marathon crown

T&T's Curtis Cox will look to dominate a classy field when the Sea to Sea Marathon (26.2 miles) comes off next month in Tobago. Yesterday, the international event was launched at the VIP Lounge at Hasley Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, announcing the continued support of Republic Bank.

Cox, a former T&T Marathon and Run Barbados Marathon champion, placed third at last year's event and returns to renew his rivalry with defending champion Mexico-based Kenyan Peter Nkaya in the full marathon carded for May 21. The half marathon is also set to run off that day with both races starting at 5 am.

The Marathon draws runners and visitors to Tobago from Trinidad, the region and internationally for a full weekend of activities with 5K and 10K races on May 20. The event is an AIMS/IAAF certified course and offers over TT$360,000 in prizes.

All the excitement that is expected to unfold over that weekend will be recorded according to Karen O'Connor, Sea to Sea Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to be broadcast to viewers around the world.

"A production company from the UK will be in Tobago to record the event to help to expand the competition. We want to make this a large international event to welcome participants from all over the world. It will be sent through their distrbution channel thereby exposing the competition to a wider audience," she said.

Flying in to Tobago will be US-based Kenyan Hillary Kiptanui Too, who was last year's University of the West Indies (UWI) SPEC Half-Marathon champion. Also entered is the 2015 Pan Am Games marathon gold medallist Richer Perez of Cuba, two-time Olympian Luis Fonseca of Venezuela will be in the fray. Others registered are Elmer Arabat of Colombia and Canada-based Kenyan Benard Ngeno.

The women's field will be headed by US-based Kenyan and former T&T Marathon champion Truphena Busienei, Colombia's Raquel Agudelo, Kenya's Leah Kigen and T&T's Christine Regis. T&T's Tonya Nero is training in the USA to qualify for the IAAF World Championships. Nero finished as runner-up to Mary Beasley while Regis crossed fourth at the last edition. Christelle Laurent was third.

Starting in the pristine Main Ridge Forest Reserve near Bloody Bay on the Caribbean Sea, the marathon provides participants with an opportunity to run from the Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean through Tobago's ancient rainforest, picturesque villages on the Atlantic coast and the island's capital of Scarborough and on to the 26.2-mile distance finish line at Petite Trou Beach, Lowlands.

The community mile will take place on the morning of May 21 and O'Connor expects it to be as thrilling as it was last year.

"The community walk allow runners and supporters a chance to raise awareness and funds for their cause. We will come out and we will walk and dance the length of the mile accompanied by the beat of the drums of the countries of the many participants of our marathon.

"Last year there were Tassa drums at the finish line to welcome the finishers," said O'Connor. "We are encouraging people to walk with their costumes. We want to grow in that direction to provide runners and supporters with a good time at a great event."

Flow is another major sponsor of the event, which is also getting support from Gatorade an Blue Waters.

Individual registration closes on May 6 and team registration closes on April 15 (a minimum of five makes a team). Team members must register by the individual registration deadlines to participate.

All interested runners can register at www.seatoseamarathon.com

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