This year?s event started as per usual, on a Sunday morning in Cayo. The air was cool and the skies were overcast. The air was heavy with moisture and the humidity thick. After the usual ceremony that was rather brief this year, the neutral start rolled out over the Hawkesworth Bridge to Santa Elena, where the official start occurred. At the start all twelve ladies warmed up to the terrain and raised their heart rate to a comfortable competitive level.
In the first 3 miles it was Esperanza Leal of Comfort Air who drew first blood. In the early going; as suggested, her team strategy was to send out an early rider, a sacrificial lamb so to speak, since their team was three members deep ? the only team with that strength. Ms. Leal claimed the first three station prizes.
Then many prizes were scuffled over as the riders battled over the rights of them. By the time the race covered 20 miles where the higher elevation had ended at Roaring Creek, there were only eight (8) riders left in the hunt. This group comprises Gina Lovell and Gabriel Lovell ? Team Lovell; Marinette Flowers ? Santino?s; Shalini Zabaneh ? Sagitun; Anthea Sutherland and Alicia Thompson ? BTL Swoosh; Adelita Coc ? Western Spirits; and Shantia Morrison ? Comfort Air.
As the race continued, the riders with strong will leaped to the front to go at it alone, with little success. First it was Shantia Morrison ? Comfort Air, then Gabriel Lovell, then older sister Gina Lovell ? both of Team Lovell.
At the halfway point (34 miles into the race), that portion of the journey was covered in 1h?50m?27s averaging 21.2 mph. It was during Gina?s bit for dominance that the race intensified. Gina?s breakaway from Mile 39 propelled her to an advantage of 2m?44s, the largest lead anyone enjoyed. Her 26-mile hiatus allowed her to claim 14 consecutive prizes.
During the chase, a group of 4 riders escaped to bring back two minutes in as little as 5 miles.The 4-woman strong group consisted of Shalini Zabaneh, Alicia Thompson, Marinette Flowers and Gabriel Lovell. This pursuit lasted for 26 agonizing miles (Mile 39 to Mile 13), before they merged once again, marking the beginning of a brand new ball game.
A needed lull ensued. This lull got out of hand where they were now creeping at a mere 5 mph at times, allowing Adelita, Anthea ? the defending Cross Country champion, and Gabriel to merge back with the leaders.
They also allowed Gina to get back into the race. At the time Gina was caught, her body language was saying that here was a spent rider suffering from the exploits of her adventure. Lifting her heart rate was clearly a struggle: Gina took at least 500 yards to make contact with the passing group. Her muscles were not in good shape. All her muscles from the waist down were tightening up.
If she is to recover, it will take her entire will power [mind over matter], the ability to be patient and the sixth sense that no one will be allowed to escape.
The now seven-woman pack was set to conclude the race with a final dash to the tape at Marion Jones. As they turned into Central American Boulevard, adrenaline flowed and revived dead legs and fortified the determination in each. It is now for the full Monte – you give a bike length you will be left behind.
By the time the riders reached Marion Jones, two riders were in the lead. They were Alicia and Gina. Gina, thinking selfishly and rightly so, offered no assistance to lengthen the lead. Too eager ? and others will milk the fruit of your labor, and not being able to come to the fore at the right moment you will miss that heavenly glory. Clearly it was wit verses wit. Who will flinch first? Meanwhile the cat and mouse began to play once again, allowing the other ladies to merge in the stadium once again.
During this time Alicia accepted the leadership role and started the final dash. Only Gina had the right position and the determination to come around her. Alicia placed a fighting second place. Today Alicia will not claim leader of the pack. Gina still howls over it, completing the distance in 4h?19m?37s, averaging 15.3 mph. Anthea Sutherland placed 3rd, Marinette Flowers ? 4th, and Gabriel Lovell ? 5th .