The cream of the country’s distance runners will compete in the inaugural Neal and Massy (Guyana) Anniversary 10 kilometres road race and 5km fitness jog on Sunday on the East Bank Highway.
Guyana’s Olympian Cleveland Forde and top local female distance runner Alika Morgan are among the big names already registered for the race which starts outside of Associated Industries Ltd. (AINLIM) Head office at Ruimveldt and will proceed to Providence before returning to its place of origin.
The 5km jog will start close to Sterling Products on the East Bank Highway and finish at AINLIM. Several attractive prizes are at stake in both the Open and Masters’ categories.
The winners in the men’s and women’s Open events will cart off $50,000 with $40,000 going to the runners-up, $30,000 to the third place finishers and $20,000 for fourth.
There will also be trophies at stake.
In the men’s and women’s Masters’ categories the winners will take home $30,000, with $20,000 going to the second place finishers while third place will receive $15,000.
Mark Scott, Technical Director of the race, disclosed that the registration has been very encouraging and the organizers also expect a wide cross section of the community to take part in the 5km jog. According to Scott the Open categories will be for athletes 16-35 years old. The Masters male will be 40 years and over, while the Masters female will be 35 years and older.
Scott said the joggers will be sent off at 06:00 hours and minutes later the 10km runners will blaze the East Bank road.
Senior executives of the Neal and Massy Group are expected to join joggers in the 5km event. The events are being coordinated by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
Meanwhile, more details available at the official launch of the event today at AINLIM head office starting at 16:00 hours.
Deo Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of Neal and Massy Guyana Group and AAG President Colin Boyce are expected to attend.