Donawa's runaway victory books ticket to CAC champs
Jay Donawa secured his place on Bermuda's team for the CAC Cross Country Championships in Costa Rica early next year as he dominated Saturday's national championships over a seven and a half mile course along South Shore in Warwick.
Donawa, who led home Bermuda's runners in the CAC Championships in Grenada earlier this year, won Saturday's local season finale in an impressive 38 minutes and 25 seconds, leaving second-placed Tracy Wright more than two and a half minutes behind.
Wright finished in 41.03 followed by Jamal Hart (42.35), Errol Comack (42.49) and Sheldon Thompson (42.59).
Winner of the women's championship, over a five mile course, was Lynn Patchett who clocked 30.56. Anna Eatherley was second in 32.48 and Jane Christie third in 33.12.
Donawa said later he was pleased with his performance.
"I just came out so that they could consider me for the CAC Cross Country Championships in Costa Rica, and it so happened that I had a good run,'' he said.
"I went out and ran to my strengths. I put the hammer down a little bit early. I knew that Tracy and Jamal would be right there, so I went and ran my own race in a bid to do well and earn a place to represent my country once again.'' Donawa, who doesn't hide the fact that cross country and track are his favourite events with road running a distant third, says he didn't have any particular strategy going into the race.
"As soon as the gun went off I went out hard and that put pressure on the guys behind me who were forced into a chasing mode after the first 200 metres of the race ... and that set the tone for the race.
"Once I got out there I was able to get into a groove, but the terrain is so different in cross country that you can't run an even pace. So I had to use a few tactics afterwards to maintain my position and fortunately things worked out to my advantage.'' But the winner put no significance on the victory or his time.
"I wasn't sure of the exact distance and therefore the time is of little relevance. If it was a 10K road race then the time would mean something to me.'' In addition to using the event to qualify for the CAC, Donawa said he regarded it as an invaluable tune-up for next month's International Race Weekend when he intends to run the 10K.
But he noted that he was being careful not to peak too soon with his goals next year aimed being the CAC Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia in September when he hopes to run the 5000 metres.
"I don't intend to do a whole lot of racing because the Commonwealth Games is in September and that's my ultimate goal for the season. But because it is so far away I don't want to burn myself out running good times so early,'' he said.
"I have another two months to improve on my fitness for the CAC and considering what I did on Saturday, if I can improve on that some more I will have a good chance of doing well in Costa Rica.'' It will be Donawa's third CAC Championships, having represented Bermuda this year and in Mexico two years ago.
Last year in Grenada he helped Bermuda to a third place finish, the highest ever by the Island. He was seventh overall, also thought to be the highest that a local runner has placed.
In Mexico, Bermuda were fourth overall with Donawa finishing 14th.
"I'm looking to improve on those placings next year,'' added Donawa.
Photos by David Skinner OUT IN FRONT -- Jay Donawa (above left) is all alone as he heads for victory during Saturday's National Cross Country Championships in Warwick. Above right, women's champion Lynn Patchett is followed by masters runner Jim Butterfield.
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