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From
CariFin (Caribbean
Financial Institutions)
to the Trinidad road
racing circuit Richard Jones is showing why he
is the model champion runner in Trinidad for
2006.
His star
is shinning brightly.
He won every race in CariFin (Caribbean
Financial Institutions) Urban Challenge, from
the one Lap of the Queen’s Park Savannah, to the
Green Mile and mini Cross Country at the Botanic
Gardens. He is the present male
champion of
CariFin cross country race held at Sevilla Golf
Course, Couva on Sunday April 30, 2006.
Besides that he is the top road runner in
Trinidad and Tobago at present.
Richard
Jones represented Unit Trust Corporation in
CariFin Cross Country 2006. He is a member of
the Road Runners Club and is one of the leading
runners in Trinidad and Tobago.
Richard
finds himself in a position in which many
talented runners only fantasize about. That is
being the premiere road runner in Trinidad and
Tobago. Be it coming from behind to win a
dramatic fashion or leading from the front,
thrilling spectators is something he is
accustomed to.
In 2005 he dominated the road racing circuit and
was a force to be reckoned with and started to
dominate the head lines.
He became the focus of media attention in 2005 –
when he was the highest placed local runner in
the classic UWI half marathon; he did a
respectable time of 1.09.
Jaws dropped in the running fraternity as he
beat his long time rival and former CariFin four
(4) times winner (2001 – 2004) Curtis Cox in the
process.
He arguably
became the top road performer in Trinidad and
Tobago.
 Richard’s
start in running was very accidental and funny
…. It began one evening while at his friend’s
home, they were changing the newspaper at the
bottom of a bird cage, when he noticed the
Granny Lucess 10 K race for under 16 year old.
He enquired from his friends what a 10 K was, to
which they explained, and with a nickname like
“horse” because when they go for runs in
football practice he would normally complete the
run first. Urged by his friends he entered his
first road race – The Granny Lucess 10K and
surprised everyone and won.
He joined the
Memphis pioneers running club and under the
guidance of Edwin Skinner, his obvious talent
and hard work earned him a scholarship in 1999
to the University of South Florida.
At South Florida
University he was the two time NCAA cross
country qualifier also two time All American in
the conference USA – cross country championship.
He returned in
January 2004 after graduating from University of
South Florida with degrees in Physical education
and marketing.
Many runners talk
of racing success that will bring them
recognition and notoriety that they think they
are born for. Yet the landscape is littered with
just dreamers, who end up falling to injuries or
being led away to other career path and never
realizing their fullest potential.
In so many cases
being out front, doesn’t guarantee you continued
success. Think back to the many running stars
that some how didn’t seem to make it. Can you
recall any of these runners?
Does Kerwyn
Ferdinand ring a bell? Anslem Alexander?
At both CariFin
(Inter-financial) and the national level Richard
has shown how to win both on the cross country
course and the roads. But he not all about
himself and just winning, with his pleasing
personality and easy going style he does try to
make someone smile as he goes along his training
runs. Sometimes on an evening run around the
Queen’s Park Savannah, it is not uncommon for
Richard to slow down and jog along with or say
hello to a someone running at a more leisurely
pace.
This is the kind
of runner whose main purpose in running is that
personal feeling of exhilaration because, he
just loves running and winning. The tokens and
trophies are never uppermost in his mind.
Running for Trinidad is his greatest joy and is
happy every time he is called upon to do so.
At Unit Trust
Corporation he is the guy who encourages the
staff to participate in CariFin and other
running events, sharing from his experience and
giving running tips to fledgling and up coming
runners. He is the guy who made it possible by
his enduring and friendly personality to ensure
that young talent like Devon Corke at UTC would
be recognized within the financial services
sector.
I took this
opportunity to ask Richard a few questions.
CariFin
Roving Reporter: After
being the top local runner at UWI half marathon
in a time of 1.09… what can we expect from you
in 2006?
Richard
Jones: Just trying to
be consistent, maintain the top position at the
half marathon in 2006. I will target a 108 or so
for UWI 2006
CRR:
What races do you have outside of Trinidad?
RJ:
World ˝ marathon in Hungary – October 02, 2006
and Reggae ˝ marathon in Jamaica on December 02,
2006.
CRR:
What shape would you say you are in at this time, UWI
half marathon is in November?
RJ:
I am more into a speed phrase right now by
November I would have added more endurance and
stamina.
CRR:
Can the organizing committee depend on you to
encourage and bring out a larger UTC contingent at CariFin 2007?
RJ:
I have recently joined the UTC, hopefully as I
become more involved with the institution, I
think both Devon and I can bring a much larger
contingent to CariFin.
CRR:
What is your ultimate goal in running?
RJ:
To be running for as long as I could... in
competition or coaching ultimately to see a top
notch running program implemented in Trinidad.
CRR:
How would you like to be remembered in running?
RJ:
I will like to leave a Legacy where I will be
remembered as a person who gave back to the
sport and help promote running.
CRR:
Tell me what about CariFin you enjoy
the most?
RJ: The fun, camaraderie, the
friendliness you feel at the events and there is
less pressure on you.
CRR:
You seem poised to take the male road runner title
for the 2005 based on your performance according
to NAAA. How does that make you feel?
RJ: I
am quite elated to be vying for that position, I
had a good year in 2005 and it's feels good to
know that I will
be recognized for my efforts |
