IT’S ANOTHER year and lucrative cash prizes and gifts will be up for grabs when the fifth edition of the annual Massy 10Km Road Race and Fitness Walk rolls around next month, according to the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) president Aubrey Hutson. The event, which is set for September 6, was officially launched yesterday afternoon at the Massy Group of Companies’ Ruimveldt head office. The event is a collaborative effort between the Massy Group and the AAG.
The launch was attended by the company’s CEO Deo Persaud as well as other AAG and Massy representatives. Speaking on behalf of the company, Persaud noted that Massy’s pursuit of the event was on par with his company’s objective of striving towards value, and the company will continue to support the event as it is a great way to give back to society.
“Our vision for Massy is creating value, transforming lives and what we are doing here is one of a number of things we see as our responsibility to the communities of Guyana. We value health and fitness, and we would very much like this partnership to continue.” Persaud said, to an audience of athletes and media personnel yesterday.
As with last year, this year the event will start at 06:00hrs from Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. The athletes will proceed south along the West Bank main road, cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge, turn north along the East Bank highway and end at the company’s head office.
First place in the open category, male and female, will walk away with $75 000 each while in the junior category the male and female athletes will each cop a $50 000 training grant voucher.
On hand to say a few words on behalf of the athletes was last year’s male runner-up Cleveland Thomas.
“On behalf of the athletes we are thankful to Massy to reinstate this event for another year, and come the September 6 we will have a very competitive race.” Thomas said.
Last year, Thomas finished second after he could not overcome the skilfulness of distance ace Cleveland Forde. Forde championed the event to capture his fourth consecutive title.
According to Hutson, this race is the first of a list of 10km events that will culminate with the International South American 10km Road Race to be held in November. Hutson noted that these events will give the athletes good training ground.
Hutson also extended the Association’s gratitude to the company for sponsoring the event.

By Tamica Garnett