Host places second in road relay classic

Host St Vincent and the Grenadines had to settle for second place behind Grenada in the NACAC International road relay classic on Sunday as the abbreviated 2012 local road racing calendar got started.{{more}}

The relay, which consisted of four legs, began from the intersection of Halifax Street and South River Road. From there, runners headed up to Sharp Street, then onto Bay Street, turning at Lower Bay Street, on to Back Street, with the change over at the starting point.

The quartet of Brandon Parris, Casique Olliver, Keron Arthur and national cricketer Keron Cottoy had to play second fiddle to the Grenadians, who led from start to finish.

Grenada clocked 26 minutes 57.51 seconds to carry away the US$1,000 prize.

It was somewhat of a repeat for the Grenadians, who were the only sub-regional entry, other than St Vincent and the Grenadines, in last year’s race, then dubbed an OECS invitational.

The Vincentians’ time was 28 minutes 58.99 seconds; but they owed their final placing to the second and third legs.

Parris began for the host, and handed over in third position, behind Grenada and St Lucia.

However, Olliver ran his heart out on the second leg to cut the lead significantly.

Arthur, on the third leg, brought St Vincent and the Grenadines into the second spot, with Cottoy holding on to the finish line.

Cottoy, who was on the reserve list initially, was called into action after Junior Ashton opted out to run for Chatoyers in the open male category.

Also absent from the St Vincent and the Grenadines team was ace long distance runner, Pamenos Ballantyne who, not having attended the Team Athletics SVG trial, was not considered for selection.

St Vincent and the Grenadines collected US$700.

St Lucia placed third in 29 minutes 15.19 seconds and received US$500.

Dominica, the other team that participated, were fourth in 31 minutes 22.33 seconds, and collected US$300, as the intended sub-regional and international affair turned out to be a Windward Islands battle.

An earlier indication by the road racing and cross-country commission of Team Athletics SVG was that St Kitts and Nevis was to have participated.

However, the Kittians did not make the journey.

The attention now shifts to the local scene when three races, all sponsored by LOG enterprise, will take place on October 21, November 11, and November 25.(RT)