Rodman wins 'MoBay Bikeathon' crown
Published:Tuesday | May 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
National representative Marloe Rodman, of Spanish Town, St Catherine, covered himself in glory on Sunday when he won the new-look 2011 Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Bikeathon Jamaica Challenge, which was run over a gruelling six-loop 74-kilometre course in Ironshore, Montego Bay.
"I won here for the first time three years ago, so it's really nice to get another win under by belt," said the lanky Rodman.
Rodman, who took control of the race in a blazing sprint down the home straight, was followed across the finish line by his Cornwall Cycling Club teammate, Lionel Stewart and Portland Cycling Club's Thailer Hill, respectively, who looked the strongest of the riders going into the final loop.
In the Recreation Ride, which was the secondary event of the bikeathon, excitement was also at a premium in both the male and female sections, which was won by former national cyclist Ricardo Kerr and Dahlia Palmer, respectively.
The powerful Kerr, returning to the sport after a prolonged break, showed very little rust as he looked impressive in the two-loop 10k, easily getting the better of David Cunningham and Jemar Brissette, who took second and third, respectively.
easy picking
In the female race, it was basically easy picking for Hanover native Palmer, who represents Cornwall Cycling Club. She generated a lot of excitement with her raw power as she left Breaking Away Cycling Club's Jennifer Hilton and Lisa Hayles, respectively, in her wake.
In the 5K Run, Cornwall College schoolboy Tariq Fullerton and Meisha Samuels of Citi-Group took the male and female titles, respectively. Fullerton finished ahead of Ronique Williams and Noel Wedderburn, respectively, while Samuels took the female crown ahead of Tiffany Hamilton and third-place Caryll McDonald.
In the 5K walk, Andrew Brown took the male title ahead of Auguse Williams and Kevoy Falconer, while in the female equivalent, Allison Gough won ahead of Caring Muir.
The Bikeathon Jamaica Challenge, which is a major fund-raising project for the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East, is designed to raise funds for a scholarship project to help needy students. Prior to yesterday's event, the organisers had already raised $4 million.