Lucians out run French
By-: Robertson S. Henry

2008 Mon Repos Independence road relay 17-02-2008 489

The mood was buoyant amongst the scores of persons lining the road as the

2008 Mon Repos Independence Road Relay ticked slowly towards a start, which

was finally at 9:38 a.m.

The runners kicked off but when Jason Sayers running the first leg of the eight-

leg annual event, appeared all alone unto the highway after going through the

Mon Repos community, it brought back memories of a similar situation a few

years ago which the Saint Lucian team lost on the last leg.

However the Pacesetters/Road Busters team knowing full well that the

defending champions La Marie was in the hunt, wanted to secure another

victory.

Sayers turned on the afterburner and at the first change over, there was no

other runner in sight. Victor Ledgers running the second leg, really turned on the

pressure, making life difficult to the other competitors.  

He handed the baton to Marinus Stephens who continued running for glory, no

other runner in sight. Elishus Descartes took the baton on the fourth leg, and

Winsbert Sylvester running the fifth leg, had the pleasure of passing seeing a

runner from one of the competing teams, a huge lead.

The experience Stephenson Asson took the baton for the sixth leg, and when

Zephrinus Joseph took over on the seventh leg, it was now a question of if a

new record would be established.

He handed the baton to Henrius McDaniel who did not have the firepower of a

Sayers. Ledgers, or Joseph, but with no other runner in sight, he had very little

pressure as he crossed the fini9sh line, a time of 1:32:31, no where near the

record of 1:28.

Marie Sportive came in second in 1:40:19, U.S. Robert third in 1:43:39, with La

Pointe 4H coming in fourth in a time of 1:48:12.

Ascoia female team crossed the finish line in 2:02:56, to take the ladies title.