Ballantyne getting there

Enduring long distance runner Pamenos Ballantyne continued his preparation for the inaugural Caribbean Games in July in Trinidad and Tobago when he secured another win last Sunday in the Kiss 5K road race in Mayaro,Trinidad.{{more}}

Ballantyne clocked 14 minutes 44 seconds, his fastest time over the distance for the year. Second was Guyanese Kelvin Johnson in 15 minutes, 8 seconds, and third was another Guyanese Lionel Danrahj in 15 minutes 31 seconds.

The previous weekend in the Unit Trust 5K, Ballantyne won the event in 15 minutes 11 seconds, shaving 15 seconds off the old mark. Second was Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Jones who clocked 15 minutes 31 seconds and third Jones in 15 minutes 45 seconds.

Following last Sunday’s win, Ballantyne, who is stationed in Trinidad and Tobago preparing for the July event, told SEARCHLIGHT via telephone on Monday that he was in “good shape”.

“My preparations are going well for the time-being,” Ballantyne said.

“I am really looking forward to the Games and for sure want to bring back a medal for my country,” he added with some confidence.

Ballantyne said that he was not only training on the road, but also on the track.

Ballantyne is hoping to be on the starters’ line up for the 5,000m and 10,000m track events.

“I know I can place in the half marathon, when you look at the other runners from the other countries,” he opined.

On the track, Ballantyne was more reserved as his confidence lies in the road races. Ballantyne will be in action this weekend in Tobago in the Rainbow Warriors 5k.

The inaugural Caribbean Games run from July 13 to 19, when the region is expected to put on show its elite products in Track and Field, Boxing, Netball, Tennis, Indoor and Beach Volleyball. Track and Field takes place at the Haseley Crawford Stadium, Boxing at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Tennis at Shaw Park, Tobago, with Indoor Volleyball contested at the UWI SPEC and Beach Volleyball, at Saith Park in Chaguanas.(RT)