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Williams wins third straight MoBay City Run title

Published:Sunday | May 1, 2016 | 12:00 AMPaul Clarke
Overall male winner of the 2016 MoBay City Run Ronique Williams (left) accepts his prize from Montego Bay Community College acting principal Dr. Maureen Nelson, after winning his third title in as many years yesterday.
Participants make their way down St. James Street in the charity event MoBay City Run yesterday.
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Ronique Williams underlined his utter dominance by winning a third MoBay City Run overall title yesterday. It was brilliant run from the defending two-time winner, who used his experience to win the 10 kilometre road race.
Williams’ time of 36 minutes 10 seconds was too great a mountain for the other competitors with none able to break the 40-minute barrier. Andrew Gayle ran 41:01 for second, while Carlyle Russell crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 41:20.
A jubilant Williams said the win was the most challenging of his three titles, mainly because he was tired from running another event the day before.
“This was the most difficult one of the three years that I have won; but I was strong enough and quick enough to still post a good time and win a third MoBay City Run title,” he said.
The female 10K title went to Chris-Ann Lewis, who stopped the clock at 45 minutes and 11 seconds for first place, while Karlene Blagrove ran second in 47: 09 seconds. Third went to Pauline Murphy in a time of 48: 17 seconds.
Juliett Dinnal took the female top position in the 5K run, while Horace Burey stayed true to form in landing the men’s equivalent.
The event which attracted close to 4,000 participants in the 5K Run/Walk and 10K run races, also saw perennial senior female champion 76-year-old Gerline Nelson once again making her mark in the 5K run.
It was Williams’ day however and he defended his title with guts and class before promising to return next year to do it all over again.
“I love this event; I look forward to participating in the MoBay City Run because of this road race stands for,” said Williams.
“It is a very important event and it puts me in the spotlight, which encourages me to keep doing what I do. I will be back next year,” he added.
MoBay City Run is a charity road race from which funds will go to needy students attending the three tertiary institutions, UWI-Western Campus, University of Technology (Western Campus) and the Montego Bay Community College.