Marlins Aquatics’ Marena Martinez made a successful defence of 5,000m women’s titles when the Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Subway Maracas Open Water Classic took place at Maracas Bay, North Coast on Sunday.
Facing off with nine other entrants in the 5,000m swim under blistering sunshine and challenging waters, the 15-year-old Martinez, who recently repeated as champion of the 13-14 Girls category of the Carifta Aquatics Championship Open Water 5km event at Anses d’Arlet Coastal Area, Martinique, completed the course in one hour, 18.24 minutes, the fourth fastest time overall, to finish well ahead of Irmani Smith, who took the second spot in one hour, 25.43 minutes, with Sea Hawks’ Netania Edwards completing the podium finishes in one hour, 28.21 minutes.
Among the men, Tyrrel Celestine, 20, of Sea Hawks secured the top spot from the field of 17 entrants in one hour, 13.20 minutes, followed by Marlins’ Zion Applewhaite in one hour, 15.11 minutes, and Khadeem Brathwaite, of the University of the West Indies, third in one hour, 17.43 minutes.
Last year’s men’s 5,000m winner, Zacharay Anthony, did not defend his title due to school commitments in the USA at the University of Indianapolis.
The duo of Martinez and Celestine were also winners of the 13 and Over 1,000 m categories to end the day with two titles each.
This was after Martinez was first to the marker in 16:45 minutes, well ahead of Kimari Antoine (18:32) and Alyssa Reid (19:23), while Celestine clocked 15:32 minutes, followed by Chad Baboolal (16:22) and last year’s winner, Dante Pichery (16:44).
However, in the 3,000m women’s event, Martinez left the title vacant, with Atlantis Aquatics’ Keryn Burke emerging as the new title holder in 47 minutes and 40 seconds, followed home by RWB Aquatics’ Toni-Rae Yates in 52 minutes and 45 seconds, and Tidal Wave Aquatics’ Kimari Antoine in 53 minutes and 32 seconds.
Josiah Parag of Aqua Blazers was also crowned the new men’s 3,000m winner after he crossed the finish line in 44:48 mins with Bluefins’ Khristian Allen (45:06) and RWB Aquatics’ Marcus Alexander (45:17), second and third respectively.
This year’s event, the 77th edition, featured 440 athletes and also featured participation of Special Olympics athletes from T&T swimming.
Eleven Special Olympics T&T (SOTT) athletes were entered across the 1,000m, 3,000m and 5,000m races, competing in the main field alongside all other participants.
Dedicated SOTT awards were presented to the top men’s and women’s SOTT finishers in each applicable race, while every finisher received a redesigned commemorative medal.
Sunday’s results
500m first times
13 and Over
Men
1. Tariq Badenoch - 10:15 mins
2. Hugo Borde - 12:49
3. Adon Brewster - 13: 18
Women
1. Sariyah Taylor - 10:41 mins
2. Tayrhen Lewis - 10:55
3. Kyndell Moore - 12:08
12 and Over
Men
1.Luc Granger - 10:55 mins
2. Aiden Hannays - 11:36
3. Veeran Maharaj - 12:12
Women
1. Emily Hinds - 11:23
2. Kristen Ramsingh - 14:22
3. Alexa Arjoon - 14:29
Youth (12 and under) 1,000m
Boys:
1. Wyatt Harrison - 17:47 mins
2. Harvey Gibbins - 18:37
3. Liam Lee-Mc Burnie - 19:21
Girls
1. Chloe-Marie Julien - 19:46 mins
2. Serenity Pantin - 19:56
3. Jonna Alleyne - 20:25
Nine and Under Division
Boys: Jesse Robertson - 22:06 mins
Girls: Aliyah Gafur - 28:32
10-12 Division
Boys: Wyatt Harrison - 17:47 mins
Girls: Chloe-Marie Julien - 19:46 mins
Special Olympian: Zayden Morris - 33:07 mins
Adult (13 and Over) 1,000m
Men
1. Tyrell Celestine - 15:32 mins
2. Chad Baboolal - 16:22
3. Dante Pichery - 16:44
Women
1. Marena Martinez - 16:45 mins
2. Kimari Antoine - 18:32
3.. Alyssa Reid - 19:23
Speical Olypian: Zayden Morris
17 and Under
Men: Chad Baboolal -
Women: Marena Martinez
18-29 Division
Men: Tyrell Celestine
Women: Cayan Sellier - 20:32
30-39 Division
Men: Geston Pascall - 21:50
Women: Arianne Sobrian - 24:23
40-49 Divsion
Men: David Neuhaus - 22:17
Women: Jamie Wheatley - 21:48
50-59 Division
Men: Kevin Padmore - 22;)6
60-69 Division
Men: Curtis Fung - 27:24
70-79 Division
Men: Louis Martin - 43:13
50+ Division
Women: Laura Marshall - 27:33
11 and Over 3,000m
Men
1. Josiah Parag - 44:48 mins
2. Khristian Allen -45:06
3. Marcus Alexander - 45:17
Women
1. Keryn Burke - 47:40 mins
2. Toni-Rae Yates - 52:45
3. Kimari Antoine - 53:32
13 and Over 5,000
Men:
1. Tyrrel Celestine - 1:13:20 hrs
2. Zion Applewhaite - 1:15.11
3. Khadeem Brathwaite - 1:17:43
Women
1. Marena Martinez - 1:18:24 hrs
2. Irmani Smith - 1:25:43
3. Netania Edwards - 1:28:21
17 and Under
Men: Zion Applewhaite
Women: Marena Martinez
18-39 Division
Men: Tyrell Celestine
Women: Irmani Smith
40-49 Division
Men: William Carr - 1:40:56 hrs
50 and Over Division
Men: John procope - 1:38:28 hrs
Women: Mixi Kardis Mendoza - 2:08.54 hrs
Special Olympian
Trent Bethel - 2:30:58 hrs
