Pamenos hunts for gold in Bermuda

He defends his dominance of the Caribbean roads like his Garifuna ancestor Joseph Chatoyer defended his country. Wherever he goes, he continues to stamp his authority as king of the Caribbean roads and ace distance running specialist Pamenos Ballantyne is rapidly becoming the most talked about athlete around the Caribbean. {{more}}

This Sunday, Ballantyne plans to take his winning streak to Bermuda to participate in the Bermuda International Half-Marathon where he will be hunting for gold. But before bringing home that prized possession Ballantyne will have to outrun a throng of international athletes from Russia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco, all participants in that event.

“I know it is going to be good competition … I expect to do my best and be part of the medal contingent,” Ballantyne confirmed while visiting Searchlight before his trip to Bermuda.

“It is an international race where runners from around the world will be participating, but it is nothing to be worried about,” said Ballantyne.

The Bermuda International half marathon is a step up in competition for the athlete, who this year will focus on more international events as part of his schedule.

As he did in 2004, the running machine will be oiling his heels for his most anticipated event, the Trinidad Clico marathon. He will be looking to take this marathon for the eighth time since his introduction to the event in 1997.

Ballantyne, who took over as king of the Trinidadian roads after four-time winner Michael Alexander who dominated the event up until the earlier 90s, hopes to keep that title under his belt.

“I am just trying to get the Trinidad marathon out of the way then I will have to sit down with my manager Lennox Bowman and decide which races to prepare for next,” Ballantyne explained to SEARCHLIGHT.

Although the year 2004 is now behind him, the illustrious athlete says he is still puzzled over his omission from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Athletic Association’s list for local Athlete of the Year.

“All I have to say, whatever they are doing will not stop me from running … I am strong enough to overcome my obstacles,” Ballantyne said.

Ballantyne, who was recently named OECS Sports Personality of the Year ahead of Antigua’s track sprinter Daniel Bailey, Grenada’s opening batsman Devon Smith and 400m track specialist Alleyne Francique and local footballer Kendol Velox, was nominated for his performances on the roads of the Caribbean.

In 2004 he won gold in the the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon, the Reggae marathon in Jamaica, the Mayaro 15K in Trinidad, the Arouca 10K in Trinidad, the Central Park New York City four mile, the Long Island Valley Stream Four Mile and the St Vincent and the Grenadines 10K. He ended the year with his ninth victory in the OECS NEMWIL Half marathon, which was held in the Spice Isle, Grenada.

Though Ballantyne copped 16 gold medals for all his events in 2004 and emerged OECS Sports Personality of the Year, his omission from the SVGAA top local athletes of the year list is still puzzling to many sporting enthusiasts. Ballantyne was sidelined to 2004 Olympian, Andy Grant.

However, according to Ballantyne, he is amused over the fact that the local athlete of the Year position was handed to another athlete who has yet to win any local or regional title.