GUADALAJARA, Mexico (CMC) – Jamaican Lerone Clarke won the men’s 100 metres at the Pan American Games here, to lead a podium sweep for Caribbean runners in the marquee event on Tuesday night. The 30-year-old Commonwealth Games champion clocked a personal best 10.01 seconds to beat veteran St Kitts and Nevis sprint star Kim Collins (10.04) in a close finish.
Trinidadian Emmanuel Callender, who played catch-up throughout the race, was third in a time of 10.16 seconds.
Clarke and Collins were even until 60 metres before the Jamaican edged away in the dying steps to take the gold in an exciting finish.
“I feel good. It seems I need to be running this time of the year at all times,” said Clarke who ran out of lane five.
“It’s very exciting to win two titles. This is going to make me more motivated and excited going into the future.”
Last year, Clarke won his first major title when he took the sprint title at the Commonwealth Games in India in a time of 10.12 seconds.
In the women’s 100 metres final, Barbadian Shakera Reece claimed bronze in a personal best time of 11.26 seconds, finishing behind winner Rosangela Santos of Brazil who clocked a personal best 11.22 seconds.
The Caribbean also had success in the men’s long jump when Dominican David Registe leapt 7.89 metres to capture bronze.
Venezuelan Victor Castillo measured 8.05 metres to win the event with Daniel Pineda of Chile recording 7.97m to claim silver.
Jamaican Maurice Smith also added to the region’s medal tally when he finished second in the men’s decathlon with a personal best 8214 points.
Cuban Leonel Suarez set a new Games record of 8 373 points in winning the event.