Estwanik absence opens the door for Olympic hopeful Lamont Marshall

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For the first time in five years a new winner will be crowned in this weekend’s Fairmont to Fairmont Road Race.

Chris Estwanik, who has romped to victory in the last four races, and his wife Ashley, a perennial female contender, will miss the annual event as they are off the Island.

In Estwanik’s absence, his training partner Lamont Marshall has emerged as the pre-race favourite as he strives to make a winning start to arguably the most important year of his career.

Over the next six months, Marshall, who set three national records last season, will be attempting to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics in his preferred distance of 1500 metres.

“Lamont has run (the Fairmont to Fairmont) twice, each time finishing second to Chris, so this year I imagine he will be the favourite,” said Marshall’s father and coach, Larry Marshall Sr.

“This year we’re hoping to qualify for the Olympics because last year although he set three Bermuda national records, he didn’t come close to the standard.”

In preparation for the new season, Marshall embarked on a gruelling 14-week aerobic training programme to give himself the best possible chance of meeting the Olympic mark.

Larry Sr also revealed his son would be sacrificing the May 24 Marathon Derby in his quest to achieve his Olympic dream.

It would be the first time Marshall hadn’t entered the prestigious race since he was 16.

“As it stands, Lamont won’t be running the May 24 Marathon because it severely restricts his window of opportunity,” he said.

“If he made the Olympic qualifying time early on then I guess he could run, but we’re looking at mid-May to early June for Lamont to really peak.

“We’re targeting the 1500 metres, we think that’s his best distance and although it’s a long shot, it’s his best shot.

“I think the qualifying time is three minutes and 38 seconds, which is two seconds quicker than the Bermuda record. It’s such a difficult time but hopefully he will at least come close.”

Unless Marshall is joined on the starting line by some of the top elite runners ahead of next week’s International Race Weekend, Larry Sr doesn’t see anyone realistically challenging his son.

Last year saw former World Marathon Champion Douglas Wakiihuri a winner of the London and New York marathons, Commonwealth Games marathon and 1988 Olympic silver medallist take part in his first competitive race in more than a decade.

It’s understood the 48-year-old Kenyan is returning to compete and could potentially challenge Marshall despite the twenty year age difference.

Larry Sr added: “It’s one thing doing times in training but unless they translate in the races it can be very demoralising, that’s the flip side.

“Lamont is definitely hoping for a win barring any of the overseas runners using it as tune-up for Race Weekend . . . Obviously Lamont would know very early in the race if he is dealing with (an elite runner).”

Also pounding the pavements on Sunday morning will be talented youngster Juma Mouchette and fast improving Gideon Kigotho, of Kenya, who won the BTFA Half Marathon in November.

It’s understood Island Games bronze medallist Sean Trott has opted out of running so not to jeopardise his race preparations for next week’s International Race Weekend 10K.

In the women’s race, last year’s winner Victoria Fiddick and May 24 female winner Deon Breary are expected to be among the top contenders.

The 35th edition of the race is expected to attract around 300 competitors and will for the first time include a corporate relay, which will see teams of three run two miles each.

The 7.3 mile race begins at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess at 9am and finishes at The Fairmont Southampton’s Ocean Club.

Proceeds from the race will be donated to Wakiihuri’s charity for children in Kibera, Kenya, and the local Family Learning Centre on Point Finger Road.

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