Steven Asson, left and Maria Mays after their victory
JULY 24—Inclement Friday night weather didn’t stop 42 runners from showing up for Saturday’s Ceres Juices 10K Series race that started and ended on Long Bay Beach, Beef Islands, where Steven Asson and Maria Mays emerged victorious, over series opening winners James Carr and Katrina Crumpler.
Asson—who lost to Carr by 11 seconds in the opener—ran off the loose sand neck and neck alternatively surging into the lead, with Zebalon McLean, the 2011 Male Road Racer of the Year, hot on their heels.
Asson—trying to put a series of back issues that has plagued him over the last three years behind—set a 6 minute 40 pace over the first mile of the course, that took runners past the airport and into East End before returning for the finish on the water’s edge on Long Bay Beach.
Carr, who pressed Asson, fell off the pace in the last 350m, as Asson went on to win in 40 minutes and 38 seconds. Carr crossed the line in 41:39, with Mays overhauling McLean for third overall as the fastest woman in 42:13, while McLean resorted to his sprint to repel Ravi Sukhu’s charge, for a 43:51 time to best Sukhu by 20 seconds.
“This is a tough course, with rolling hills and a finish in the sand,” said Asson, who like the rest of the field, is using the 6.2 mile races to prepare for the November 17 BVI Half Marathon
In his first race on the course Carr said it was hard trying to get ahead of Asson. “Given the race conditions I am happy to match my time on this course and look forward to the rest of the series,” he said.
Mays led the parade of four women under 50 minutes and was joined by series opening winner Katrina Crumpler, Kathy Harpur and Claire-Louise Whiley.
“This is how running in the Caribbean should be, with a good field, finish on the beach and straight into the sea,” Mays stated before her refreshing cool down.
Gerald Rose continued his power walking, completing the course in 1 hour and 18 minutes.
The next race in the Ceres 10k will be held on Saturday September 22, at 6.30 a.m. starting at the Carrot Bay festival Ground. The course runs from the foot of Windy Hill to Smugglers Beach and return.
Final Results: 1. Steven Asson, 40 minutes, 38 seconds. 2. James Carr, 41:39. 3. Zebalon McLean, 43:51. 4. Ravindra Sukhu, 44:11. 5. Ben Mays, 47:26. 6. Lito Agno, 49:41. 7. Filip Kreutzer, 51:05. 8. Daniel Mitchell, 51:54. 9. James Shearman, 53:37. 10. Gabriel Obregon, 55:47. 11. Howard Moore, 57:08. 12. Gareth Watkins, 59:33. 13. Peter Wilmott, 60:05. 14. Tom Parish, 60:15. 15. Jeffrey George, 61:39. 16. Liam Faulkner, 65:57. 17. Stephen Beard, 67:19. 18. Owen Prew, 70:59.
Women: 1. Maria Mays, 42:13. 2. Katrina Crumpler, 46:35. 3. Kathy Harpur, 47:35. 4. Clare-Louise Whiley, 49:49. 5. Sarah Hayes, 50:39. 6. NiMade Oniasih, 51:12. 7. Kay Reddy, 54:28. 8. Deborah Bell, 58:00. 9. Joanna Dunne, 59:14. 10. Kate Henderson, 60:12. 11. Harriet Robertson, 62:14. 12. Natasha Ruacheinski, 62:16. 13. Philomena Robertson, 65:59. 14. Kate Jackson, 72:28.
Power Walker: Gerard Rose, 78:34.52
Ceres 5K 1. Mark Young. 2. Adam Lamb. 3. Michael Fay. 4. Lee Osborne. Women: 1. Ella Christopher. 2. Roslyn Griffith. 3. Claire Jackson 4.Agatha Kwenga 5. Gillian Howe