THE National Schools Championships got off to a brilliant start yesterday morning with the 10k road race, and the case as usual, was that athletes from the hinterland regions dominated by crossing the finish line at the Children’s Monument in the National Park, well ahead of their competitors.The race got off to a blistering start with male favourite Matthew McKenzie taking the early lead to carry the pace.
McKenzie, a regular feature in 10k’s in Guyana with credible finishes, fell all the way to third with Reckey Williams of North West (District 1) running away easily with the event, to score the upset win in a time of 35: 56.4s well ahead of all his competitors.
Delroy Leitch of Corentyne (District 6) finished second in a time of 36:38.1s while Mckenzie of North Georgetown (District 11) who was said to be having some knee problems finished in third in a time of 36:43.0s.
Finishing fourth with a time of 36:50.4s was Trolston Embrack of New Amsterdam (District 15), while Donte Forde of South Georgetown (District 13) rounded out the top five with a time of 38:47.0s.
Meanwhile, on the distaff side, Beverley Ignacio of Rupununi (District 9) copped her second female title having won the event in both 2013 and 2014. Ignacio clocked 43:26.4s to win the event well ahead of Delicia Harper out of West Coast Berbice (District 5), with a time of 45:34.0s.
Niocy Anthony of Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani (District 10) was third in a time of 47:36.0s while Janella Peters of Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon (District 2) finished in fourth with a time of 49:02.1s. Mariah McKenzie of North Georgetown (District 11) rounded out the top five females with a time of 50:03.0s.
The event will continue today with the start of the track and field championships from 9:30 hrs with a grand opening of the event.