Estwaniks skip cross-coutry champs

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Chris and Ashley Estwanik have both decided against running in tomorrow’s National Cross-Country Championships at St George’s Golf Club.

Organisers had hoped the married couple the Island’s top male and female runners would sign up for the annual event which is a qualifier for next year’s NACAC Cross-Country Championships in Trinidad.

But yesterday Estwanik confirmed the pair needed “some rest time” following their gruelling training schedule for the recent New York Marathon that was cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Estwanik said: “I’m still doing some running but I’m not planning on coming out any time (soon).

“I’m just getting back into the marathon training mode.

“I’m going to try to do the Boston Marathon in April, so I require some down time before I get going again.

“Ashley’s in the same boat. We’ve had a small window of time to recover from all the previous marathon training before we start all over again.”

Estwanik plans to return to action in next month’s Fairmont to Fairmont Race in preparation for International Race Weekend.

“Right now I’m just getting some running in before hashing out the official training schedule with the goal being April 15 (the Boston Marathon).”

The 32-year-old ran one of the fastest marathons, if not the fastest, by a local runner in his debut race at the long-distance in the Shamrock Marathon last March, finishing second despite suffering from dehydration and cramp.

The rolling hills of St George’s Golf Club will for the first time provide the backdrop for the National Cross-Country Championships, which starts at 9am.

Top youngsters Shaquille Dill, Juma Mouchette and Kyrah Scraders are expected to compete.

The race distances are 2K for under-10s, under-12s, under-14s, 4K for the under-20 females, and 6K for under-17 and under-20 males, Open Women, Masters and Senior Masters.

The Open Males will run an 8K course.

St George’s Golf Club was closed in 2008 following the demolition of the derelict Club Med, although Government have said they will now set a concrete date for reopening the facility.

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