GDF pockets $50,000 first prize

The Guyana Defence Force Athletics Club added $50, 000 to its revenue base after accumulating 65 minutes to win the 10-kilometre Olympic Day Run/Walk/Jog event on Sunday.

With an accumulated time of 68 minutes the Rising Stars athletics club earned the $35, 000 second place position while the Police Progressive Youth Athletics Club received $25,000 for third place.

The event, which was open to the public, was contested by six-member teams of uniformed athletes expected to comprise four males and two females. Participants ran in one category and at the close, the timing of each team member was tallied to determine the total time and overall position. The team with the lowest time was declared the winner.

The event’s circuit began outside the YMCA Ground, Thomas Lands and  participants then proceeded to Camp Street, turned north onto Carifesta Avenue to follow the three-plus-mile course on the Rupert Craig Highway before reaching the half-way point at Turkeyen.

On their return, the participants headed west down Rupert Craig Highway onto Vlissengen Road where they proceeded south to Thomas Lands for the final straight before finishing at the starting point.

The GDF points came from top athlete Wilbert Mingo who was second overall, Jamall Chisholm, who came in fifth, Mark McAllister, who placed ninth and Patrick Bobb10th.

The GDF female athletes Carlisa Atkinson, placed 19th and Rebecca Alexander, 21st.

Representing Rising Stars, Guyana’s leading middle and long distance athlete Alika Morgan finished 13th and was the first female athlete to cross the finish line.

Team-mate Jevina Straker was joint 19th with Atkinson.

Rising Stars’ Chavez Sital placed third and team-mates Jonathan Fagundes, sixth, Noel Gardener, 12th and Julian Morris 16th.

Denis Horatio, running for Police, took the top spot ahead of Mingo while team-mate Kevin Bailey placed fourth behind Sital.

Larry Josiah placed seventh, and Kelvin Ceres, 11th.

Their female athletes Tisha Grimes placed 22nd and Samantha Williams 23rd.

The race is hosted annually in conjunction with the World Olympic Day.