After three podium finishes, without reaching the top step, Barbadian distance runner Carlie Robinson made her breakthrough on Sunday capturing CARICOM Chairman’s Cup Elite 10K title in Saint Lucia.
The victory marked a defining moment in Robinson’s career ending years of near misses after she finished third twice and second once in the annual event.
“I was extremely happy with this result. I have wanted to win this race for almost ten years and it finally came to fruition for me. It was not a guarantee on Sunday,” she told Barbados TODAY.
The experienced runner admitted that the course initially threatened to derail her podium bid.
“The course was very hilly, which does not play to my strength and for the first half of the race, I was concerned I would not make the podium as I was a bit behind,” she said adding, “But I applied patience and just trusted in my fitness, and slowly I made my way back up. I was also happy with my time – 39.31 on a challenging course, it’s my quickest time for the CARICOM 10k race and that surprised me.”
Robinson said she was highly motivated heading into the race. “Last night (Saturday) my mother told me “you can do anything” so I just held those words in my head and kept working through and finally got the result I wanted. I also told Director of the National Sports Council, Neil Murrel, who is very supportive of Barbados’ involvement in this race, that I was going to bring home the win so I will be happy to let him know we got it!”
Joshua Hunte and Carlie Robinson represented Barbados during the event. (Photo Credit: CARICOM FB)
Fellow Barbadian Joshua Hunte also delivered a commendable performance finishing fourth in the men’s Elite 10k to narrowly miss out on making the podium.
The races formed part of the activities surrounding the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) underway in Castries.
(KH)
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