A real lionman wins triathlon
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’ve just climbed aboard for another flight on Sports Monday. The national celebrations continued over the weekend, highlighted by the second appearance of the Lion Man Triathlon on the Belizean landscape.
It’s nine o’clock at the Port Authority compound Saturday morning here in the city and gathered around this race official are the brave athletes, who will swim, ride and run. Included is the BDF’s Glen Jones–wearing the headpiece–and he has returned as the defending champion.
Making the event even more gigantic is the first participation of female cross country champion Marinet Flowers, who is being challenged by Desiree Graniel.
We’re now at the start of the three-discipline event as the splash of diving athletes shatter the easy calm of the tranquil Caribbean Sea. The early pace established by the leaders. Dr. Ramon Figueroa and Hubert Johnson, stretches out the field. Desiree Graniel struggles a bit as she takes the early lead over Marinet Flowers, who at one time looks like she wouldn’t make it.
At halfway, Dr. Figueroa extends his lead somewhat over Hubert Johnson, who displays a determined stroke. Meanwhile, what a difference a year makes for last year’s third place finisher Beep Phillips, who looks like he could use some help right about now.
At tape time, Dr. Figueroa is the first to climb out, followed closely by Hubert Johnson. Nevertheless, the good doctor squanders precious seconds changing to his bicycle, making cyclist Hubert Johnson the first to leave for the twenty-mile journey on his mountain bike.
Defending champion Glenn Jones begins the track down and here comes Ian McField, Edward Zelaya and Desiree Graniel. Hey Harry Hippie, Marinet Flowers is coming. But it seems there’s not very much my good buddy can do about it.
On Faber’s Road, we catch up with Phillips as he tries to make time. But this lead trio of Johnson, the BDF’s Linden Rojas–who finished second last year–along with team-mate Glen Jones, is in full command on the road.
At mile ten the trio remains intact as they swing back to Belize City with Edward Zelaya, Kenroy Gladden and Jeffrey Zelaya setting chase. And then, it’s a four-man lead when Johnson and Rojas get dropped on the way to the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.
Meanwhile, this move by Edward “The Don” Zelaya at the Lord Ridge Cemetery is unanswered and he pedals unchallenged into Belize City. And indeed, it “The Don” winning the mountain bike end of this triathlon. Of course, why he would want to run barefooted in the hot sun on the Princess Margaret asphalt is anybody’s guess.
The challengers, however, are right on his heels as they dismount in a haste and immediately set chase.
As expected, the wear and tear on the naked feet of “The Don” begins to take its toll. And even when he put on this pair of white socks, the damage had been done.
Meanwhile, the Marion Jones Complex obviously needs immediate work if it is to represent the greatest female athlete in the world. But the runners do emerge from behind the bush eventually.
Okay, it’s now money time, the TeaKettle Dred decides to go for it all. Glen Jones cannot muster an appropriate response, and yes, its mountain biker Kenroy Gladden, who takes the win in 2001 in a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes, 34 seconds. As fate would have it, a lion captures the Lion Man Triathlon in 2001.
Glen Jones holds on for second, famous cyclist, Jeffrey Zelaya pulls up with third and “The Don” Zelaya with a tired pair of socks on his feet, takes fourth place. My boy Harry Hippie finished outside the top ten, but for a veteran at his age, this is a great display of shape. And again, he is being trailed by whom? Marinet Flowers, who wins the female side of this event in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 39 seconds, but Desiree Graniel wasn’t too far behind, as here she comes in for second.
A quick check of the top ten shows:
1. Kenroy Gladden is the winner.
2. Glen Jones
3. Jefrey Zelaya
4. Edward Zelaya
5. Linden Rojas
6. Hubert Johnson
7. Tyrone Cox
8. Derrick Waight
9. Dr. Ramon Figueroa
10. Mario Sanchez
Just in case you’re interested, Beep Philips finished eleventh.
Changing gears, we head to the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall for the 2001 Mr. Belize Bodybuilding contest. And here is Colin Casimiro seeking the novice title without even a fight.
In the junior division, it’s Mario Fernandez who takes top honours, forcing Francis Lizama into second and Colin Casimiro into third.
Of course, also in a class by herself is the one and only Lurnette Sankey, who gives this impressive exhibition of a female body.
The three-man battle of the Masters, sees Guy Neal edge out Dillon Jones, who was very disappointed, and Francis Lizama in that order.
Now here’s the four finalists for the Senior Mr. Belize title. With the defending champion Gilroy Nembhard not in town, it looks like an even contest. For sure, the battle rages between former Mr. Belize Rushiel Bevans and newcomer Edwin Ramirez, who has certainly come a long way. Who is the winner today? Third place goes to Roger Sutherland, second place is taken by Rushiel Bevans and the new Mr. Belize 2001 is Edwin Ramirez and respect is due.
We understand Rushiel Bevans is slated to retire from the bodybuilding scene. He said to himself on the stage. Hey, we’re gonna miss you champ. Nevertheless, the new man in town; Edwin Ramirez.
