Tropical Power Coast 2 Coast
Toco Toby Wins Carribbean C2C
21.10.2009
The Tropical Power Coast 2 Coast 2009, the Caribbean's premier Multi-Sport Race, took place last weekend, October 17 and 18, along Trinidad's picturesque North Coast. This year marked the fifth anniversary of the race, in which athletes competed in three disciplines - trail running, cycling and paddling. Day 1, which began at the Toco lighthouse on Trinidad's north-east coast and ended at the beach by the Marianne River bridge in Blanchisseuse, comprised two stages - a short run to Salybia Beach, from which point racers cycled 40 km to Matelot, and a 32 km trail run though Madamas, Tacaribe and Paria to Blanchisseuse.
In the Individual category, Clarance Tobias crossed the Day 1 finish line first, in a time of 4:21:48, followed nearly an hour later by Jason Lane (5:18:44), Robert Sharpe (5:26:24) and Paul Carter (5:55:52). In the Relay category, the team of Cantius Thomas, Roger Smart and David Hackshaw crossed the Day 1 finish first, in a time of 4:42:00, followed by Erle Rahaman-Noronja, Robert Cadiz and Colin Wilson (4:53:51), Jason Costelloe, Johan Sydow and David Gibbon (5:19:55) and Ashe Holder, Dave Esdale and Mark Thomas (5:55:47). Former Triathlon champion Diane Henderson and her relay partners Scott Farfan and Peter Dickinson finished the day in a time of 6:08:47.
Australian Multi-Sport Champion, Jarad Kohlar, who chose not to defend his title in that race in order to come to Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the Tropical Power Coast 2 Coast, unfortunately had to be taken off the course during the Day 1 trail run, due to complications arising from an injury. A few other participants also withdrew because of fatigue and dehydration - it was a hot and humid day.
Day 2 began at 5 o'clock the following morning as competitors tackled the final three stages of the race: a 58 km cycle from Blanchisseuse along the picturesque North Coast Road to Diego Martin North Post, an 8 km run from there to Macqueripe and a 30 km paddle from Macqueripe to Williams Bay Chaguaramas. Performances were very much on par with the first day's results, with the relay teams maintaining their 1-2-3 positions. The winning team of Thomas, Smart and Hackshaw completed the entire two-day course in a time of 10:52:50 and were pleased to receive their US $1,500 prize money.
The prestigious Individual title was brought home for the first time since the initial Coast 2 Coast race, when Clarance Tobias crossed the finish line to fanfare and cheering supporters. He completed the entire course in 10:56:29, an excellent showing, especially considering that World Multi-Sport Champion Richard Ussher of New Zealand, who pulled off a hat trick last year to win the Tropical Power Coast 2 Coast three times in a row, finished the 2008 event in a time of 10:34:39. Tobias was awarded a cheque for US $3,000 for his win. Coming in second this year was Robert Sharpe (12:52:48), who received US $1,000 in prize money. Third place, which was awarded US $750 in winnings, was taken by Paul Carter, in a time of 13:57:24.
You can log on to www.trinidadcoast2coast.com for full race results and to keep abreast of developments for next year's event.See All Event Posts
