Marshall sets sights on podium place

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Lamont Marshall has targeted a podium finish in the men’s elite KPMG Invitational Front Street Mile, having embarked on a gruelling training programme in preparation for the blue ribbon event.

Marshall has left no stone unturned in his quest to comprehensively beat his time from his most recent race two years ago, when he finished a disappointing sixth in four minutes and 26.50 seconds.

According to his father and coach Larry Marshall snr, the 28-year-old has been “putting in the mileage” over the last 14 weeks, often training twice a day in his bid to break the 4.10 barrier.

“Lamont’s in really good shape and is coming off his best season as far as the 1500 metres in concerned,” said Marshall snr.

“He wants to get on the podium, that’s his objective, and if he could get under 4.10 that would be great.

“As for the training itself, this is his 14th week and he has averaged about 19.95 miles a week, so he’s really putting in the mileage.”

Marshall will carry the Island’s hopes along with compatriots Shaquille Dill and Chayce Smith in the Bermuda Marathon Weekend showcase opener on Friday.

And Marshall snr is hoping for a “honest race” after slow times in the elite men’s event in recent years.

“Lamont is after a quick time so the onus will be on him to make sure the race is honest because in previous years the first half of the race has been considerably slow.

“He wants a good time, even if he came last and ran 4.09 then, hey at least he would have done a good time.”

Last year Marshall travelled to Iten, Kenya to train under the watchful gaze of two-time World Indoor 800 metres champion Abubaker Kaki Khamis.

During his time at Iten a small town consumed by long-distance running Marshall worked on his speed and conditioning alongside some of the world’s finest long-distance runners, including Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi who won gold in the 1500 metres at the London Olympics.

“Lamont learned a lot from that experience. He was rubbing shoulders with world-class athletes and it was a valuable experience for him,” said Marshall snr.

Marshall, who holds national records for the 10,000m, 5,000m and 3,000m, has made a strong start to the new season, winning the recent National Cross-Country Championships at St George’s Golf Club.

Later this month he heads to Mandeville, Jamaica along with veteran runners Jay Donawa and Tamika Williams for NACAC Cross-Country Championships.

“The (Front Street Mile) would be excellent preparation for the Cross-Country Championships which is a five-mile race,” added Marshall snr.

“It’s always good to get the shorter distance in first and he’s looking to do very well in that as well.”

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