By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
Jermaine “JJ” Ricketts led the 2 Mile in the Mourant College Classic Series opener
Jermaine “JJ” Ricketts led 55 participants in the 2 Miles section of the Mourant College Classic Series and Chance Williams was the top One Mile performer, in Saturday’s kick off in Paraquita Bay.
Ricketts has a time of 10 minutes and 41.89 seconds, with Jahshani Farrington finished in 10:57.33 and Jonathan Lynch, 11:03.47.
“It was good. It’s a long while I haven’t run a speed race like this,” Ricketts told Island Sun Sports. “I’ve trained speed but in a race it’s kinda different, but I still managed to use that long distance stride and tried to use it on the incline going up besides the college. And on the way back, I was just trying to use the momentum to finish the race.”
Ricketts also knew he’d be challenged by the young runners especially Farrington and Lynch. “I knew about that,” he said. “But training says something about your running.”
Farrington, a two times Carifta Games 800m finalist, said he hadn’t been training for a while but noted he was about 20m behind Ricketts.
“I could see his stride and what he’s putting in so you know, next time I’m definitely going to prepare for that,” he said, noting there was no particular strategy. “For this first race, it was just to come, put in the work and get some training under my belt. I’m just getting back into training but for the second race coming up, I’ll definitely be prepared. Just look out for it.”
Veteran Curwin Andrews, ninth overall in 12:43.96, has been participating in the series since 1997, said it’s been a while he hasn’t participated in the Tortola series. “I decided that once I have the money and the strength, I’d come,” he said, noting there are some good runners, a larger field but nothing he is unaccustomed to. “At my age, I just turned 60 on Wednesday, so I’m feeling good. I felt good running against the guys and I realize there are some good runners and I wish them the best in the future, because I had my days. It’s been a pleasure running.”
Katrina “Kat” Lindsay, seventh overall in 11:58.75, used the race as her final tune up for her debut Marathon in New Hampshire over the weekend. She said the race was hard because it was very hot. “And the speed as well. I haven’t been doing much speed work, so I’m glad to have gotten that run in. It’s nice to feel the legs get going, a nice tune up. It was my last big effort before next week, so I’m pleased to get it out the way. It was nice seeing everyone out today.”
Zebalon McLean who ran in the series’ first race on Oct 19, 1996, said because the race is only 2 miles, it has something for everyone including a One Mile segment for kids. “Those 2 Miles aren’t going to kill you,” he noted. “Today for example, many people are just starting to get back into shape, so everyone basically took their time, went up (to the turn), came back and had fun. This is a good stepping off point if you want to get into something physical.”
Race Director Stephanie Russ Penn said she thought it was a good start. “The numbers were lower than we would normally have, but with this new format being a fun run, and it being the start of the series, some people need to catch the fever, hear about it, see the results, and then you’ll see an increase,” she explained. “But in regard to the start, it was a quality start and that’s always a really good thing in terms of the numbers. We have now shifted since last year, to include U13s in the One Mile so you would see a decent number. We had 55 in the 2 Miles, they had a good time, got some prizes and it was a good start.”
