THE Professional Key Shop `Golden Mile’ athletic road race will be staged today, beginning at 16:00hrs from outside the Club 704 Lounge, Albert and Lamaha Streets and conclude outside the Professional Key Shop on Carmichael Street.According to the organisers, over $500,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs in the three-category event that includes open male and female, veterans’ male and female and male and female juniors.
According to managing- director of the Professional Key Shop, situated on Carmichael Street, opposite Bishops’ High School, Kwame Ridley, the winner of the male open category will receive $50,000, while the second, third and fourth- placed finishers will earn $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
The top four finishers of the female open category will receive $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
The winners of the masters’ male and female categories will receive $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
The top four juniors will receive prizes (no cash).
According to Ridley, the event is being staged by the Professional Key Shop in collaboration with Carey Griffith of Windjammer Hotel situated on Alexander Street, Kitty and to date, sponsorships have been received from Impressions, E-Networks, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Oasis Café, Satr Party Rentals, Colours Boutique, SOL Café, Ansa McAl and Two Brothers Service Station.
Asked why a key shop would want to get involved with sports, Ridley said himself and Griffith are fitness enthusiasts and they often take part in 5K and 10K runs, be they competitive or just a fun run, so they thought it fitting to do something that they hope would be an annual event.
Ridley said the aim is to help local athletes to showcase their talent and “bring them out to highlight what they can do.”
Ridley said the activity has got the blessings of the Athletic Association of Guyana(AAG) and the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force.