Cox to skip 2019 TT Marathon

VETERAN long-distance runner Curtis Cox plans to skip the 2019 TT international marathon and turn his attention towards top major marathons abroad, including the New York City marathon. The TT marathon is scheduled for January 27 from Freeport to the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain. The popular New York City marathon is set for November 3.

The 51-year-old Cox has competed in 30 TT marathons since making his debut in 1986 and feels now is the right time to bow out. He won the 2005 edition of the TT marathon in a time of two hours and 24 minutes. He was the runner-up a year earlier, in a personal best time of two hours 21 minutes and 10 seconds.

Last year, Cox was the top TT finisher and ninth overall, when he completed the course in two hours 53 minutes and 43 seconds.

“I want to go abroad and run,” said Cox yesterday. “I want to go places like New York and Boston.

In a Newsday article last year, Cox hinted at the possibility of competing overseas. Now, he seems certain to test his skills abroad.

“Thirty marathons (are) a lot of marathons,” he said. “I want to give somebody else a chance. People have asked me if I ever ran the New York marathon, Boston (or) London; I’ve never run those marathons, I’m going to try them.”

Despite not taking part in the TT marathon, Cox's interest in the annual race has not diminished. He said he is eager to see the budding group of TT long-distance runners compete against the Latin American and African entrants.

During the 1990s and 2000s, fellow TT runner Ronnie Holassie participated in numerous events in the US, where he has resided for over two decades. And Cox would like to see more established TT runners on the foreign circuit.

“Richard Jones ran in Chicago twice, so I mean (more can follow).”

Cox, who is currently battling the flu, might compete in today’s TTUTA 10k/one-lap Savannah Run, at the Queen’s Park Savannah. This race will begin at 4 pm.