THE inaugural Neal and Massy Guyana 10km road race and 5km jog were launched Wednesday at Neal and Massy Staff Facilities with a call to Guyanese to participate in the event in an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle. Deo Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of the Neal and Massy Guyana Group, told the gathering of athletic officials and staff that his organisation has an interest in promoting health and wellness through community activities and Sunday’s event is one such initiative.
“For the Company’s anniversary this year we are promoting health and wellness and we are happy to be associated with the race.”
He called on Guyanese of all walks of life to participate especially in the 5km jog which will be a key component of the event.
According to Persaud, the Group has been very supportive of sports in Guyana over the years and for September, the anniversary month of the organisation the theme will be health and wellness.
He said once the event is properly organised it would become an annual feature of the Group.
President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) Colin Boyce thanked Neal and Massy for the interest shown in track and field, noting that athletes are now benefiting from financial gains through prizes that are on offer at such events.
“The AAG is extremely grateful for the gesture. The Neal and Massy 10km race has great potential. I am hoping in the future to invite athletes from the Caribbean to participate,” he added.
Boyce said CAC Bronze medallist Cleveland Forde, who attended the launch, and top female distance runner Alika Morgan are expected to lead the challenge in the men’s and women’s open categories respectively.
He said the registration deadline has been extended to today and interested persons can register at the GOA office on High Street, Kingston.
Persaud presented a symbolic cheque valued at $735 000 to Boyce as the Group contribution to the event.
The 10km race will start in front of the AINLIM head office at Ruimveldt and will proceed to Providence on the East Bank Demerara Highway before returning to AIMLIM for the finish.
The 5km jog will get cracking from the Sterling Product head office at Providence to end at AINLIM.
The winners in the men’s and women’s open will each receive $50 000 and trophies.
There are also attractive monetary prizes for second-, third- and fourth-place finishers as well as the top three in the men’s and women’s masters division.
Also in attendance at the launch were AINLIM Chief Executive Officer Lakeram Shivraj, Technical Director of the Race, Mark Scott, and other senior executives of Neal and Massy and the AAG.