Bankers Insurance Company of Trinidad & Tobago has embarked on an effort to improve local long distance running in T&T and is willing to provide an environment as best as they can to achieve this.
This was stated by chairman of Bankers Insurance Anil Maharaj at a gala awards function held at Kampo Vibes, on Saturday night, in Chaguanas. All runners who took part in the 2016 event were invited and feted by Bankers Insurance. Maharaj used to opportunity to outline the company's plan to assist local athletes.
Maharaj said: "I want to share my vision for this event with you here today. I want this event to be the event of the calendar when it comes to road races. I want it to be the proving ground for world class runners from this country. We have the best athletes coming to participate, so we do not live in the parochial bubble that inevitably holds us back. To be the best you have to compete at the level they do.
"We as a company hope this event allows us to share with our community the spirit of Bankers," he said.
Maharaj continued: "To all of you who participated in the half marathon I would like to emphasise that you are here today because of you have strived your best to be people who constantly improve yourselves. People who understand that persistence is really the only way to success.
"There are a million brilliant failures and about the same number who gave extraordinary effort for just a short while. Everyone is gifted, it's just that some people never open the package.
"You are the true representation of what we hope to be at Bankers. Hard working people who get up every day and work towards your vision for your life. People who understand that to do the extraordinary requires discipline in all aspects of your life. Doing more than just what needs to be done every day consistently. We at Bankers want this event to continue to grow," said Maharaj.
Kenya's Hillary Kiptum was the winner of the 2016 event, dethroning defending champion Kenneth Rotich, also from Kenya.
Rotich, who dominated road running in T&T last year, finished second in 1.10.08. Coming in third was Venezuelan Alexis Pena, who is no stranger to this race. His time of 1.13.22 was good enough to keep T&T out of 1-2-3.
T&T's best effort on the men's side came from Curtis Cox, who touched the tape in 1.13.44 for fourth place. Guyana's Kelvin Johnson copped fifth place, while the next five spots went to T&T in the form of Elvis Turner, Jules La Rode, Collin Perreira, Shrivan Baboolal and Nero.
