MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ marathon: Brits’ win in men’s and Argentine ladies unbeatable

Winner Robert Harden crosses the finish line (Photo: S. Luxton)

Gradients, wind and the threat of bad weather make the Falklands Islands, the world’s most southerly certified marathon also one of the toughest courses runners are ever likely to tackle. This year’s edition attracted the highest number of entries ever for the event, 64 with a significant participation from Argentina.

Now in its eighth year, the Standard Chartered Bank Stanley Marathon was won by a British runner who works at the Falklands’ military garrison at Mount Pleasant. Robert Harden completed the marathon in a time of 2:52:39 and was just ahead of his Kenyan colleague Eric Kinyanjui who finished with a time of 2:54:51.

Argentine runner Pablo Ureta who had travelled to the Falklands specifically for the event completed the line up in third place with a time of 2:56:16.

The runners faced strong winds on the gruelling course that takes them around the outskirts and through the streets of the Falklands capital, Stanley.

Argentina however dominated the women’s placing with first lady Claudia Camargo setting a course record of 3:12:13. Carolina Rossi and Marina Moro also of Argentina took second and third respectively with times of 4:11:02 and 4:11:44.

Interviewed following her win Claudia praised the Islanders for their support but complained bitterly about the wind.

“I’m so happy for coming here to the Islands. I really appreciate people inviting us and giving us the opportunity to run. Only for the wind, the rest is wonderful: The organization is very good and the people very, very helpful to us, with the drinks and cheering us all the time…” said Claudia.

In the team relay event the Falkland Islands Football Team who over the years have built up a strong reputation in the event, found the Argentine team Dimos Todo just that little bit too fast for them.

The Argentines claimed first place with a time of 2:55:34, less than two minutes ahead of the determined footballers.

The team from Head Quarters British Falklands South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) romped home to take third place and also earned themselves the British Forces South Atlantic Inter-Service Trophy.

Islander Frank Jaffray completed the course in 4:20:13 to claim the challenge trophy for the first Falklands born runner.

Firsts for the event were His Excellency the Governor Nigel Haywood taking part and completing the course in a very creditable 3:42:14 as well as Swasie Turner MBE in his wheel chair finishing in 10:03:36.

Since the traumatic loss of both his police career and his right leg due to an act of violence in the line of duty, which has left him confined to a wheelchair, Swasie then suffered the loss of his beloved wife and to cancer. Since then Swasie has carried out many feats of endurance in his standard issue NHS wheelchair to raise funds to fight cancer.

The Standard Chartered Stanley Marathon is organised in support of the bank’s chosen charity of ‘Seeing is Believing’, a program which aims to restore the sight of 20 million people in 20 cities by the year 2014.

By Sharon Jaffray –SeAledPR - Stanley