DISTRICT 3 (West Demerara) and District 9 (Rupununi) took the early lead at the 60th edition of the National Schools Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships, commonly called ‘Nationals’, when their athletes won the 10km road race on Sunday afternoon.

The race was contested from Mary/Harlem to the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast of Demerara, marking the start of ‘Nationals’, the first since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Odida Parkinson clocked 36:48.23 seconds to win ahead of District 5 (West Coast Berbice), Kiene Wadkar (37:21.88s), and Ledjuan Hensford of District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani), who clocked 37:49.03 seconds.

Lanis, who finished ahead of some boys, strode to the line with a time of 44:21.90 seconds while Odiessa George of District 6 (Corentyne) had a time of 46:28.43 seconds.

Rosmond Harvey of District 3 had a time of 49:24.21 to finish third.

The race was held during the opening ceremony as Prime Minister, Brigadier (R’td) Mark Phillips, declared the event open.

Today, the action moves to the inner circuit of the National Park for cycling and the National Aquatic Centre for swimming.

Both events commence at 09:00h.