LAST year it was a Peruvian, but this year it was a Trinidadian who ruled the Guyana leg of the South American 10km Classic where Curtis Cox and his compatriot Tonya Nero won the men’s and women’s category of the race when it concluded yesterday in the National Park.It was easy victories for the two Trinidadians as many of the major competitors in both of the divisions were not present for yesterday’s run, which started off on CARIFESTA Avenue at 16.00hrs.
Cox crossed the finishing line some 32 minutes 48 seconds after he started the race, while Nero successfully defended her title after clocking 36 minutes and 14 seconds.
Guyana’s Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher came in just behind Cox, while Trinidad’s Matthew Hagley was fourth and Guyana’s Ornesto Thomas rounded out the top five in the men’s category.
The race got off to a brisk start, much like what played out last year when the race eventually ended in 31:08 and was won by Peruvian Yerson Orellana.In the early stages, Cox was happy to cruise as he let a group of Guyanese take the lead. Guyanese Nathaniel Giddings initially stood in the lead, but he was quickly overtaken by others like Cleveland Thomas, Missigher, Ornesto, and Hagley.
This group set the pace for the first half of the race before Cox decided to make his move, eventually catching up with and then passing the group after another 2km. Cox opened up a 20 yard lead that he never relinquished,thereby reducing the race to a battle for second place.
In this battle Missigher seemed poised for second place as things winded down to the final kilometer, but that was not to be as he was soon overtaken by Cleveland, who passed him as the race entered the Park.
Cleveland would become the second person to cross the finishing line,clocking 33 minutes and 24 seconds. Missigher came in 24 seconds behind him.
Hagley had a time of 33 minutes and 58 seconds, while Ornesto finished in 34 minutes and 29 seconds.
Speaking after the race Cox shared how happy he was with his win. The 49 year old noted that he was pleased with his performance particularly since he participated despite suffering from an injury.
“I ran a race last Sunday which I won but I fell in the race and damaged my toe, so with the pain it was like I was running on one foot. I just tried to bide my time… and about the last 3km I tried to make my move,” Cox said. This was the second time Cox participated in a 10km road race in Guyana for this year, as he was here in July for the Caricom 10km. In that race he placed second to Guyana’s Cleveland Forde.
Forde did not participate in this Classic because he was suffering from an injury.
Among the female competitors, Nero placed first.She took the lead early and received nary a challenge from the other females, Second place finisher, Ashanti Scott was almost 10 minutes behind,clocking 43 minutes and 15 seconds. Canada’s Caroline Macisaac placed third with a time of 47 minutes and 17 seconds. Guyana’s Alicia Jack was fourth in 49 minutes 10 seconds and Cassie Kirton was fifth with a time of 50 minutes and 38 seconds.
The event also had a junior category with Odwin Tudor and Matthew McKenzie taking first and second place, respectively, for the boys, while Delicia Tinnis won for the girls. There was also a 3000m and 1500m open to the younger athletes.
Alex Hartog won the boys’ 1500m and Tonya Smith won for the girls. Kennard Hartog won the boys’ 3000m and Alliyahy Headley won the girls.