-Morgan occupy second position in female category
DEFENDING champion and Guyana’s long distance king Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Forde staved off a strong challenge from Trinidad and Tobago’s Denzel Ramirez to take the male category of the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF)/ South American Athletics Confederation 10km Road Classic last Sunday.
While Forde clocked 32:44 seconds to take the male category and the US$1,000 cash prize that came with it from Ramirez who was eight seconds slower, local long distance queen Alika Morgan was forced to settle for second place behind Antonia Da Silva who clocked 33:46 seconds in comparison to Morgan’s 41:10 seconds.
Ramirez entered the Police Sports Club ground with a one metre lead over Forde who drew close with just over 200 metres to go and drew on his bottom end speed to cart off the title for the second successive year.
In the male category, T&T’s Curtis Cox finished third in 33:14 seconds ahead of Guyana’s Dennis Horatio who placed fourth in 34:09 seconds behind Ramirez who earned US$600 for his second place position.
In the female category Trinidadians Shermin Lasaldo (41:47s) and Celine Lestrade (42:23s), placed third and fourth respectively.
In the Male masters’ category, Guyana’s Llewellyn Gardner won in 40:52s ahead of Julian Morris, 42:01 and Kwame Bright (42:36s), with the top three finishers pocketing US$100, $60 and $40 respectively.
The 16 – 20 junior boys division was won by Guyana’s Nathaniel Giddings in 34:32s, Grivon Grant (36:45s) was second, and Quin George (36:57s) came third.
The girls’ equivalent was won by Onecia Bacchus (44:13s), Nicola Bobb (47:20s) was second and Janella Jonas (48:02s) came third.
At the end of the race the prize winners were presented with their trophies and prize monies, with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony being on hand to make the presentation.