SOUTH America’s 10Km champion Cleveland Forde and top female distance runner Alika Morgan won their respective categories in the inaugural Neal and Massy Anniversary 10Km athletic Road race held yesterday on the East Bank of Demerara. Forde won in a time of 35 minutes 33 seconds to beat Dennis Horatio who clocked 37 minutes 06 seconds, while Cleveland Thomas was third in 37:26 with fourth place going to Patrick Bobb in 39:05.
Morgan made light work of her opponents to win in a time of 43 minutes 47 seconds to beat into second position 2010 Junior Carifta Games gold medalist Jevina Straker whose time was 44 minutes 56 seconds.
Ashanti Scott was third in 45:49 with fourth place finisher being Carlissa Atkinson.
The Masters men’s and women’s categories were also keenly contested  with National sprint queen Alisha Fortune coming out victorious from Simone Baduram while former national middle distance champion Lorrie-ann Adams secured the third position.
Llewellyn Gardner copped the men’s class followed by Kwame Bright second while Maurice Julian came in third.
The 10Km attracted 58 starters while several keep-fit enthusiasts took part in the 5Km Jog/Walk which coincided with the 10Km race.
Among the participants were Neal and Massy Group Chief Executive Officer Deo Persaud, CEO of AINLIM Lakhnaraine Shivraj, Geddes Grant Marketing Director Navin Takur and President of Neal and Massy Sports Club Stuart May.
Persaud said during the presentation ceremony that his company was pleased to sponsor the race and declared that it will become an annual feature of the company’s corporate calendar.
According to Persaud, he is looking forward to seeing much more participants but he threw out a challenge to employees of the Neal and Massy Group to prepare themselves for next year’s event.
He said next year’s event was likely to have some additional features as the organisers look to attract greater participation from around the country and even further afield.
Colin Boyce, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) expressed gratitude to Neal and Massy for sponsoring the race.
Forde and Morgan both carted off a top prize of $50,000 plus a trophy.
There were also cash prizes and trophies for the other athletes that placed in the top four of the Open divisions and Masters.