THE cream of the country’s distance runners will compete in the Inaugural Neal and Massy (Guyana) Anniversary 10K Road Race and 5K Fitness Jog on Sunday on the East Bank Highway. Guyana’s Olympian Cleveland Forde and top local female distance runner Alika Morgan are among the big names already registered for the race which starts outside of Associated Industries Ltd (AINLIM) Head Office at Ruimveldt and will proceed to Providence before returning to its place of origin.
The 5K Jog will start close to Sterling Products on the East Bank Highway to finish at AINLIM.
Several attractive prizes are at stake in both the Open and Masters categories.
The winners in the men’s and women’s open will cart off $50 000 with $40 000 going to the runners-up, $30 000 to the third place finishers and $20 000 for fourth in addition to trophies.
In the men’s and women’s Masters categories the winners will take home $30 000, with $20 000 going to the second-place finishers while third-placers will receive $15 000.
Mark Scott, Technical Director of the race disclosed that the registration has been very encouraging and the organisers also expect a wide cross-section of the community to take part in the 5K jog.
According to Scott, the Open categories will be for athletes 16-35 years old. The Masters male will be 40 years and over, while the Masters female will be 35 years and older.
Scott said the joggers will be sent off at 06:00 h and minutes later the 10Km runners will blaze the East Bank road.
Senior executives of the Neal and Massy Group are expected to join joggers in the 5K event.
The events are being coordinated by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
Meanwhile, more details will be available at the official launch of the event on Wednesday at AINLIM head office starting at 16:00 h.
Deo Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of Neal and Massy Guyana Group and AAG president Colin Boyce are expected to attend.